2025 NFL Draft: Pick-by-pick analysis for Day 3, Rounds 6-7

Strong is an outside corner with five years of experience in college, as the Bills continue adding depth to the position. He's never played the slot and could struggle to match elite speed downfield.

Kone offers good length and athletic traits, and he's taken the long road to success, with various spots along the way. He's regarded as mentally tough and has worked his way into the league because of it.

This is interesting. The Dolphins have a slew of fast backs, but Gordon is cut from different cloth. He's more of a build-up-speed runner whose hidden superpower is in pass protection.

The Raiders have made some of my favorite individual picks in this draft. Pegues is a multi-technique D-lineman who has light feet and was even used extensively as a short-yardage runner on offense. He'll be a fan favorite if he can make the roster.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Eagles were considering taking Shedeur Sanders in Round 5, but they end up with the intriguing McCord, who grew up nearby and will bring his gunslinger mentality to the QB room.

Kicker alert! Borregales figures to be the favorite for the Patriots' kicking job this season. He's consistent on the short stuff and has been a 75 percent kicker on 50-yarders, although he's never kicked in New England winters.

Harris first opened eyes at Idaho, then at Cal, displaying good ball skills even with a small frame. His advanced special-teams background can be his runway to opportunities on defense.

I thought Neal had a chance to go a round or two earlier, as he was able to shimmy his way to the second level consistently for four years in college. I wish he played bigger and stronger, but Neal can win a job in New Orleans with a new staff.

Once again, I nailed a QB mock pick -- just a few rounds too late. Howard made sense as a poised, tough, big-framed project behind whoever signs as the Steelers' starter (wink, wink). Stepping into a high-pressure environment at OSU, all Howard did was win a natty after a few missteps along the way.

The big-legged Loop was six of nine on attempts from 50-plus yards, including a 62-yarder, last season. Could this be Justin Tucker's replacement?

The hyper-aggressive Reed will miss some shots at times, but he's a well-built athlete with a winning mentality and toughness who delivers hits that opponents remember. This was a few rounds later than I thought Reed would go, so the value stands out. He could start if he cleans up his approach a bit.

The thick-framed Mullings is a converted linebacker who brings a defensive mentality as a runner. He's the hammer, not the nail, and he might not have a huge role outside short-yardage running and on special teams.

The Colts experimented with Sam Ehlinger, and Leonard is cut from similar cloth as a quality running QB with some developable passing skills. Leonard's lack of passing vision could take time to refine, but in this QB situation, he could have a chance to contribute at some point this season.

Smith earned a role on Nick Saban's defense early in his time at Bama and became a reliable contributor over his career, even if his production was pretty limited.

The well-educated Hinton played both tackle spots at Stanford and Michigan, and he moves darned well for his exceptional length. Hinton was seldom special on tape, but he has all the tools to crack the OL depth chart as a swing tackle.

The Kansas tackle performed well at the East-West Shrine Game at guard, which is where most teams pegged him. Cabeldue is short-framed but has a good get-off and moves efficiently.

Brooks had a heavy workload in college and is the Red Raiders' all-time leading rusher. He's not fast or overly sudden but runs with a purpose, is patient and keeps his legs churning through contact.

McLeod is a sturdy linebacker who plays hard, can close from the edge and offers some versatility as a spy. His lack of lateral quickness shows up at times.

A left tackle at Holy Cross, Newman shifted inside and flashed some intriguing athletic traits at Michigan State, not looking lost with the competition jump. He struggles with power but can find a home inside.

Hassanein has a great story as a former resident of Egypt who has turned himself into a football player. He's still raw and very new to the game, but Hassanein has the kind of intangibles and motor to make it in a place like Detroit.

The oft-injured, underachieving Mertz had some eye-opening performances the past few years to go along with a few regrettable games. He has the arm talent and traits to make it if Mertz can cut down on the head-scratching throws.

With meager production and starting experience, Brinson nonetheless passes the eye test with an NFL-caliber physique and some decent moments in Athens amid a slew of DL talent. 

A Brinson followed by a Branson. Pitt's college left tackle is headed inside in the pros after fighting through injuries the past two seasons, bringing a lunch-pail approach to Los Angeles.

The Navy standout never missed a game for the Midshipmen and is an explosive hitter and tone-setter whose special-teams skill and elite intangibles should give him a pathway to a roster spot.

A throwback, two-down linebacker who fits the mold to play for Brian Flores. King's third-down utility will be a wait-and-see thing, but he has a chance to use his bulk and hitting ability well on run downs.

High-character, high-floor prospect who will do whatever is asked of him. Bartholomew might lack ideal length and strength, but he's an effort player after the catch and as a blocker.

Wester is a tiny-framed, speedy weapon who has 19 receiving TDs over the past two seasons and has scored multiple times as a runner and returner. He'll almost have to cut his teeth in the NFL as a punt returner first.

There are some impressive reps on Cornelius' tape, but also some missteps, especially when he's asked to single block vs. speed rushers. He's a quality developmental tackle.

Medrano was overshadowed by Carson Schwesinger last season, but he's an experienced linebacker with decent coverage potential and an excellent special-teams résumé.

Lundt has spent his entire UConn career at right tackle, which limits his appeal some, but he's a long-framed blocker with a steadiness to his game.

With Myles Hinton and Williams, the Eagles are nabbing some decent Day 3 OT prospects to develop behind the scenes. I was higher on Williams than others, but even I thought he could have benefitted from another year in college. Williams' massive frame and packed power give him a chance to buck the odds.

This is the third Colorado receiver to be taken after he thrived in a limited role as a big-play artist. His play strength and size could hinder him, but Horn has real juice and sudden acceleration.

Powell-Ryland can rush the passer better than most prospects taken in this range, with terrific two-year production. His lack of length and run-stopping ability might funnel him into a third-down rush role if he makes it.

It's back-to-back Hokies late in Round 6. Peebles wasn't for everyone as a prospect, given his size limitations, but the Ravens look past that and see his high level of activity and disruption inside.

Conner is a hulking guard who gets stuck in the mud at times with a lack of burst and quickness, but he is a blue-collar worker who can will his way into a spot.

Longerbeam's profile is similar to several former Rutgers DBs, bringing good balls skills, excellent speed and coverage feel to the job, although his 175-pound frame will be a big obstacle to overcome.

The Bobcats QB will be converting to receiver in the pros, but he could end up as Taysom Hill 2.0. Mellott opened eyes with a 4.39-second 40 time, a 6.93-second three-cone drill and a 41-inch vertical. He should be a trick-play specialist and the long shot everyone will be pulling for.

The son of former NFL DB Ray Mickens is a well-proportioned athlete with some decent ball skills. His special-teams skill could be his meal ticket.

Tommy Mellott and Miller faced off three times as quarterbacks in the FCS playoffs. Miller isn't quite the athlete Mellott is, but he's a more natural thrower and will get the chance to develop behind Geno Smith, offering good decision-making and poised feel for the pass game.

Crawshaw is a former rugby-style punter who sped up his operation and has become effective at burying opponents deep, even if he lacks a killer leg.

Nearly as wide as he is tall, Toia is a classic space eater up front. His lack of pass-rush prowess likely pigeonholes his role to run downs.

Nelson is a long OT prospect with strong hands, but he can be too grabby and penalty-prone at times. He was mostly a left tackle in Madison but might be more of a right tackle in the pros.

Fidone is a broad-framed blocker with some untapped potential with his speed. He struggled with injuries early in his career and is a little underdeveloped but can surprise.

Bryant made the most of his one year with the Tigers, and he can use his ideal length effectively when he initiates contact but can be late to the party against speedy, twitchy rushers. He had a three-penalty game vs. Texas A&M, but that was out of character for him.

After playing every spot on the line but center entering his final year with the Trojans, Monheim started 12 games there last season. He acquitted himself well with decent athleticism in a smaller frame with very short arms.

Injuries have derailed him a bit along the way, but Lindenberg has enough size and range to make it on special teams. 

A hard-charging runner who rarely veers off his initial path, Martinez eschews style points for angry runs with power. He's a Ravens-style back who'll have a chance to earn a role on Mike Macdonald's team.

Hamilton had an eye-opening performance against UCLA that put him more on scouts' radars. The one-time Rutgers wrestler is a project but a fun one.

Crawford never fulfilled his potential at Texas but found a home with the Wolf Pack as a multi-role DB. His terrific combine testing likely got him drafted.

The Steelers love family connections, and they have another one here in the son of former TE Mark Bruener. With excellent speed and pursuit ability, the younger Bruener has a chance to make it as a core-four special-teamer and backup defender.

Had Rourke not suffered a torn ACL last season, he might have been a much higher pick. He has an NFL build and is a natural thrower who has been sullied by a long history of injuries, but this is a great place to land.

A converted receiver who settled in last season at running back, Smith offers sub-4.4 speed and big-play potential if he can harness his instincts as a runner.

Kent is small by NFL standards but has good experience in the MAC, isn't afraid to tackle and offers potential as a punt returner with 4.4 speed.

A regular contributor for the Dawgs the past four seasons, Jackson has been praised as a leader and tone-setter with his urgency and quick reactions to the ball.

I had the Dolphins pegged as a Dillon Gabriel team, but they pivot to Ewers in Round 7. With a ton of upside, Ewers is a worthy investment here as a good fit in Mike McDaniel's RPO-heavy system.

The Colts are listing Wohler, a college safety, as a linebacker, where he might be able to develop in a subpackage role. 

Monangai is a dependable runner and pass protector who never lost a fumble in college. His speed is sub-par, but he runs hard and efficiently in tight spaces.

Iowa's starting left tackle the past several years isn't a tremendous athlete and can get too far out in front of his skis, but he's worked himself into a draftable prospect.

Johnson is painfully lean at 154 pounds, and he struggled with consistency at times, but his play speed is real (and better than his timed 4.51 40 speed). 

A spirited runner with a chiseled physique, Allen also has third-down utility and could be a sleeper to watch if he can better avoid contact.

The second member of the Green Wave secondary to be taken, Robinson made the jump from Furman in his final season and showed NFL-grade athleticism in a smaller frame.

An accomplished kick blocker, White's meal ticket might be on special teams. He led the Rebels in receiving the past three years but suffered from countless drops and hasn't had to get off press coverage.

A king-sized runner who operates with power and is reliable, Mafah can develop into a part-time role, although the backfield is getting crowded in Dallas.

Prather had an inconsistent college career at West Virginia and Maryland but has enough speed and size to make him worth developing.

The former BYU and Baylor hooper measures 6-foot-7 and 256 pounds, putting on more of a show at the Utes' pro day than he did on the field in just over 100 snaps of total football experience. That said, all four of his college catches were TDs.

What Mumpfield lacks in size and speed for the position, he makes up for with outstanding route running and a professional mentality. 

Interior blocker who has battled through injuries almost ever step of the way. Dellinger isn't a gifted athlete by NFL standards, but he plays with power and purpose.

Lovett was a little lost in the shuffle at Georgia at times, but he looked like a star in the making as a sophomore at Mizzou.

A standout in the East-West Shrine Game helped Croskey-Merritt rekindle his draft stock a bit after nearly his entire 2024 season was wiped out amid eligibility concerns. He's a one-cut runner with suddenness.

A longer-framed corner with good physicality, Black could be a keeper if he can be more consistent making plays on the ball.

Akingbesote has some force in his frame and appears to be a better run defender than pass rusher, but he flashes some impressive movement skills at times.

A Senior Bowl sleeper with a massive frame, Matavao has some decent feel as a pass catcher and upside as a blocker.

He's a 50-game starter at Iowa, mostly at guard, who features a solid punch and can steer defenders out of the play.

The Packers love converting college left tackles into guards, and that feels like the plan here. He has some power and decent feet but can get too narrow as a pass blocker.

That's now two specialist picks for the Patriots, who clearly want to shore up their special teams. Ashby could have trouble cracking the lineup with 10-year starter Joe Cardona ahead of him.

He might get a chance as a receiver, but Bergen's superpower is his return ability. That might be Bergen's best shot to find a home in the league.

With Biggers, the Dolphins keep adding the poundage. If there's a theme to Miami's draft, it's the mass they've added. Biggers had the biggest combine wingspan at 85 inches, and he's tough to move inside.

Diggs offers ideal NFL measurables, and his career from Texas A&M to Syracuse has slowly simmered over time. He's better than a seventh-round athlete and might vastly outplay this spot as a rotational contributor.

This has been an excellent legacy draft class, as yet another NFL player's son makes it. Son of former NFL OL Jim Lachey, Luke has a nice frame and solid movement skills, even if he has a ceiling on his potential.

A long corner who tested well, Bridges also has experience at safety. He was solid in a part-time role for the Gators after four years at Oregon.

The well-traveled Minor is almost too on the nose for a Mr. Irrelevant selection. He never had a college pick but tested pretty well at his pro day.