Best and Worst 2025 NFL Draft Classes

With exactly 33 days having passed since the NFL Draft, I thought it fitting to share with you my 3 favourite and 3 not-so-favourite classes from the 2025 NFL Draft. There are some usual suspects on this list, but not for the reasons you might think. I've also included my favourite UDFAs to beef up the best classes and a reason for optimism on the worst with my favourite pick.

One disclaimer here is that I have left off the defending Super Bowl champ Philadelphia Eagles because it almost feels unfair at this stage, given the talent already on their roster. But Howie Roseman is competing against himself at this stage, and given the success of his 2024 class, it's unlikely this one reaches those heights. And anyway, he has the Lombardi trophy to keep him warm at night, so I doubt he'll be too upset about it.

Best

1. Carolina Panthers

1. Pick 8 - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona. Grade: B-

2. Pick 51 - Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M. Grade B+

3. Pick 77 - Princely Umanmielen, Edge, Ole Miss. Grade A-

4. Pick 114 - Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia. Grade B

5. Pick 122 - Lathan Ransom, Safety, Ohio State. Grade A

6. Pick 140 - Cam Jackson, DT, Florida. Grade C

7. Pick 163 - Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame. Grade B+

8. Pick 208 - Jimmy Horn, WR, Colorado. Grade B

The Panthers' front office appears to have committed to former No. 1 pick Bryce Young after a strong second-half showing in 2024, and this draft should help continue that momentum. Getting the receiver in Round 1 to pair with last year's 1st rounder, Xavier Legette, should help lift a passing attack that hasn't been among the league's best since Cam Newton was donning the Carolina Blue. Also, getting back-to-back QB hunters in Scourton and Princely were both shrewd picks and made up for passing on Jalon Walker in Round 1. The only mark against was the selection of Cam Jackson, a player I just don't see a full-time NFL role for in Round 5, but it was a more than solid Day 3 with the selection of Jackson sandwiched in between 2 real value players in Evans and Ransom who faced off in the national championship game. This feels like it could be a culture-setting type of draft and should offer hope to the beleaguered Panthers faithful.

Favourite Undrafted Rookie: Luke Kandra, IOL, Cincinnati

Kandra was Mr. Consistent for the Bearcats after transferring ahead of the 2023 season from Louisville. He is solid on run and pass block with some serious size and strength to dominate defenders with poor technique. He isn't the most athletic and allows defenders into his chest, which may be why he slipped, but I had a top 100 grade on him coming out, showcasing how much of a steal I think he could be.

2. New England Patriots

1. Pick 4 - Will Campbell, OT, LSU. Grade: A+

2. Pick 38 - TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State. Grade: B

3. Pick 69 - Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State. Grade: B-

4. Pick 95 - Jared Wilson, IOL, Georgia. Grade: A-

5. Pick 106 - Craig Woodson, Safety, California. Grade: C+

6. Pick 137 - Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State. Grade: A

7. Pick 146 - Bradyn Swinson, Edge, LSU. Grade: B

8. Pick 182 - Andres Borregales, K, Miami (FL). Grade: C-

9. Pick 220 - Marcus Bryant, OL, Missouri. Grade: C+

10. Pick 251 - Julian Ashby, LS, Vanderbilt. Grade: D

11. Pick 257 - Kobee Minor, CB/KR, Memphis. Grade: C

I know what you're thinking. A kicker and a long snapper in the same draft class, and you have them among the best 3 draft classes in the league! Some might be wondering if Bill Belichick has mysteriously come back to play Coach-GM again, but all kidding aside, I loved this class. I was nodding my head at every one of the first 7 picks, bookended by 2 Tigers in Campbell and Swinson. I never bought the arm length issue with Campbell, and he graded as the best player on my board for the whole class. Throw in a national championship RB who totalled over 250 yards on the ground across the Buckeyes' playoff run and a massive 75-yard receiving TD to boot, and one of my favourite Day 3 picks of anyone in Farmer, and you've got the makings of an excellent haul. Vrabel and Co. weren't done there, adding a weapon on offense in Wazzou receiver Williams, who got better every game I watched of him, and Wilson, who lacks size but makes up for it with technique and balance. Overall, the Patriots should take a step forward in the AFC East and could make some noise in the division when it's all said and done.

Favourite Undrafted Rookie: Jahvaree Ritzie, DL, North Carolina

Ritzie played all 4 years at UNC with little production in his first 3 but exploded onto the scene with a 3-sack performance in Week 1 in 2024 vs Minnesota. He has a good initial burst, some twitch, and projects as a 4 tech at the next level. Might not be more than a rotational guy, but probably should have heard his name called mid-late Day 3 in April, so to pick him up as a UDFA represents strong value at a position group that lacks depth.

3. Seattle Seahawks

1. Pick 18 - Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State. Grade: B

2. Pick 35 - Nick Emmanwori, Safety, South Carolina. Grade: A

3. Pick 50 - Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (FL). Grade: C

4. Pick 92 - Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama. Grade: A-

5. Pick 142 - Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame. Grade: C+

6. Pick 166 - Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State. Grade: B+

7. Pick 175 - Robbie Ouzts, TE, Alabama. Grade: C-

8. Pick 192 - Bryce Cabeldue, OT, Kansas. Grade: C

9. Pick 223 - Damien Martinez, RB, Miami (FL). Grade: A+

10. Pick 234 - Mason Richman, OL, Iowa. Grade C+

11. Pick 238 - Ricky White, WR, UNLV. Grade B+

Seattle ranked in the bottom 10 for both run and pass blocking with PFF during the 2024 season, so it's no surprise they splashed out on 3 offensive linemen and a blocking TE, headlined by Zabel, who was a Senior Bowl standout. Teams were all over the map on this QB class; however, I struggle to see how it isn't great value to get Milroe at pick 92 and let him sit and learn behind Darnold. New OC Klint Kubiak grew up in the Shanahan coaching tree, so not surprised to see a 3 down back in Martinez and heavy on weapons in this class with both Horton and White offering intriguing day 3 developmental receiver potential. I didn't love the Arroyo pick at 50 and felt there might have been better on the board, but I'm saving the best for last, Seahawks fans, because I have to give props to John Schneider for picking up Emmanwori. I love this prospect-team fit and can already imagine the 12th man cheering on the former South Carolina safety as he makes big plays on the backend and terrorises opposing QBs.

Favourite Undrafted Rookie: Zy Alexander, CB, LSU

Zy Alexander had an up and down 2024 on tape I watched, looking very impressive vs Ole Miss but shaky vs Alabama. His deep speed is a concern, running a 4.56 at the Combine and struggling to get through the gears. I had a top 150 grade on him because of his solid coverage skills, while being a beast in the screen and run game. He is one of the better-tackling corners in the class and could see some looks on special teams if he makes the roster out of the gate.

Worst

1. Cincinnati Bengals

1. Pick 17 - Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M. Grade: C+

2. Pick 49 - Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina. Grade: C

3. Pick 81 - Dylan Fairchild, IOL, Georgia. Grade: C+

4. Pick 119 - Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson. Grade: B-

5. Pick 153 - Jalen Rivers, OT, Miami (FL). Grade: B+

6. Pick 193 - Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech. Grade: A-

If you've read my article on questionable 2025 draft picks, you'll know my feelings on Stewart, who still hasn't signed his rookie deal yet and is holding out of Bengals rookie camp and OTAs (follows the trend of fellow 1st-round Bengals, which may be why they start seasons so slowly, but I digress). A player joining him in that holdout is Demetrius Knight Jr., who I did not have in my top 100 players, but found himself the pick at 49. Knight Jr. is a solid player, but you have to question his ceiling given that he will be 25 before his rookie year. I commend the Bengals for targeting their underperforming defense with their first 2 picks, I just think better players were available at both spots. That is also true for Fairchild, who was the 3rd best offensive lineman I watched on the Bulldogs last year. I liked their work on Day 3, but that's not enough to save the class, and personally, I'm not sure the Bengals are doing their best to surround the generational talents they have at both QB and WR with the composite pieces to compete in a stacked AFC.

Favourite Pick: Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech

Brooks is an excellent runner, posting huge seasons in 2023 and 2024 for the Red Raiders. He improved as a pass catcher and has some upside in pass protection, demonstrating a versatile skillset. Despite his lack of deep speed and real explosiveness, I liked him in the late 3rd or early 4th, but he may have got lost in the RB slide. Brooks is a high-character zone runner who can stick his foot in the ground and get you yards, and could find himself as RB3 coming out of training camp.

2. Minnesota Vikings

1. Pick 24 - Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State. Grade C

2. Pick 102 - Tai Felton, WR, Maryland. Grade C+

3. Pick 139 - Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL, Georgia. Grade C

4. Pick 201 - Kobe King, LB, Penn State. Grade B-

5. Pick 202 - Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pittsburgh. Grade B

This almost feels unfair writing it, given the Vikings only had 5 picks in the draft, but I had to do it. The first 3 picks were all reaches for m,e and this felt like a need over 'Best Player Available' for me at almost every slot. There is nothing wrong with drafting for need, but with so few picks, I think the Vikings could have been more aggressive moving around the board and accumulating talent. Jackson admirably moved to LT following the injury to Josh Simmons, but his natural position is inside at Guard, and I just didn't love his tape there. He looked like a Day 2 player all day for me, but it seems the Vikings targeted him, and rather than wait, they turned the card in at 24. Felton may not have been the best receiver on his team, and while he did burn in the 40, I am not sure he will supplant any of the top 4 receivers already in position. Ingram-Dawkins popped a bit in the pre-draft circuit but was pretty anonymous across his Georgia career. This was a depth draft, and I would be surprised if a single player from this class makes any meaningful impact in 2025, which doesn't feel right given where the Vikings are as a franchise.

Favourite Pick: Benjamin Yurosek, TE, Georgia

Ok, this is technically cheating as Yurosek was an undrafted pickup, but I'm counting it here. The Vikings targeted the TE3 position following the departure of Johnny Mundt in Free Agency, with Yurosek and fellow UDFA Bryson Nesbit to pair with 6th-round pick Bartholomew. Yurosek plied his trade in the SEC this year following his transfer to Georgia from Stanford, but had very limited production behind Oscar Delp in 2024. He flashed as an excellent pass-catching tight end, particularly early on in his college career, when he was asked to carry a significant load in the Cardinal's offense. He does have some blocking deficiencies, particularly when left on an island on the edge, and can improve his route running, but shows excellent body control and consistency. If he can get anywhere close to his form in 2021 and 2022, he may elevate into that TE3 position.

3. Baltimore Ravens

1. Pick 27 - Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia. Grade: B+

2. Pick 59 - Mike Green, Edge, Marshall. Grade B

3. Pick 91 - Emery Jones, OL, LSU. Grade C+

4. Pick 129 - Teddye Buchanan, LB, California. Grade C

5. Pick 141 - Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M. Grade B-

6. Pick 178 - Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan. Grade C+

7. Pick 186 - Tyler Loop, K, Arizona. Grade D

8. Pick 203 - LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado. Grade C-

9. Pick 210 - Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech. Grade B

10. Pick 212 - Robert Longerbeam, DB, Rutgers. Grade B

11. Pick 243 - Garrett Dellinger, IOL, LSU. Grade C

I may come to regret this, and no doubt this will get screenshot and sent to me once half of this class are Pro Bowlers, but I was not the biggest fan of what the Ravens did in April's draft. Baltimore had 11 picks and I was not particularly enamoured with any of them bar one, which is unusual to say. I like Starks and had him as my 30th overall player, so good value at 27, but Emmanwori for me was a better prospect and should have been the pick, particularly as the Ravens have Kyle Hamilton already, and Starks offers a lot of the same skillset he had coming out. The value on Green is impressive, but his off-field issues concern me greatly, dating back to his time at Virginia. Obviously, Baltimore got comfortable with his character enough to take him at 59, but a lot of teams with pass rush need passed on him in Round 1. Emery Jones played opposite Will Campbell at LSU but likely projects inside and was a solid, if unspectacular, pick and a kicker in Round 6 raised some eyebrows. Peebles and Longerbeam were more than solid Day 3 picks, but Wester had a limited skillset at Colorado and probably projected more as a UDFA. Overall, I think the Ravens may come away with at least 2 starters out of the 11, but there are enough question marks for me to think we may look back at this draft as an opportunity missed for the Ravens to close the gap on the Top 2 teams in the AFC.

Favourite Pick, Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia

Malaki Starks was the first safety off the board, likely due to his rare blend of athleticism and length. While he was not my #1 safety, you can't deny he flashes excellent ball skills with the versatility to play multiple positions. His best role is likely as a roaming free safety, but Baltimore may try him at slot corner early on, which is a bigger need on the team. Does miss some tackles and was more impressive in 2023, struggling a bit last year in big assignments in match coverage vs Texas and Ole Miss. A moderate combine led to some concerns about his athleticism, but you can't teach what Starks has, and he was mocked to Baltimore in almost every pre-draft mock and with good reason, as he looks destined to be a Raven.