2025 NFL Draft: Snap grades for all 32 teams on Day 1

Round 1 (No. 16): DT Walter Nolen, Mississippi

Analysis:

• The Cardinals continue to rebuild their defensive line, taking Nolen after signing Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency. Campbell is 38 years old, though, so pairing Nolen with last year's first-round pick, Darius Robinson, portends a strong future up front. Nolen, who can play as a 1-, 3- or 5-technique, has the get-off, powerful hands and quickness to become a star.
• Arizona's offensive line needed help, but the top players at the position were gone by the 16th pick. Receiver Matthew Golden, who went 23rd to the Packers, could have been a strong partner for Marvin Harrison Jr. outside. 

Round 1 (No. 15): Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia

Round 1 (No. 26): Edge James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Analysis:

• Taking the versatile Walker was a home run. His lack of ideal size (6-foot-1, 243 pounds) might have knocked him down boards a bit, but he wins with strong hands/quickness as a pass rusher and tracks the ball very well in the open field.
• Pearce showed excellent pass-rush skills in 2023 and showed sub-4.5 speed at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was not as productive last season, though, and lacks the size to handle powerful NFL tackles. If he matures and gets stronger, there's a chance he can grow from a designated pass rusher to a starter.
• Giving up a future first-round pick to move up for Pearce seemed a high price at first blush, but receiving a third-round selection this year somewhat mitigated the risk.

Round 1 (No. 27): S Malaki Starks, Georgia

Analysis:

• We've seen this movie before: Teams pass on a talented nickelback/safety, and the Ravens pounce. They made a similar move when taking Kyle Hamilton three years ago after he slipped in the draft.
• Starks played all over the field at Georgia, which might have caused some teams to wonder where he would fit best in their defense. Of course, teams also passed on Brian Branch and Cooper DeJean for similar reasons in previous years, and their careers are off to great starts. Starks’ versatility is a strength, not a weakness, as he finds and makes plays on the football.

Round 1 (No. 30): CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

Analysis:

• Hairston is not a large corner (5-11, 183) but he has 4.28 speed. He does not back down against big receivers and possesses the confidence needed to face the opposition’s top receiver. However, he must prove he's strong enough to stick with and tackle physical pass-catchers on the next level. 
• It was notable that the Bills passed on some talented edge rushers despite Joey Bosa's injury history, Von Miller's departure and Michael Hoecht's suspension.

Round 1 (No. 8): WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Analysis:

• McMillan joins last year's first-round pick, Xavier Legette, as targets for QB Bryce Young. While McMillan isn’t the fastest receiver, he has enough speed to be a factor downfield, and his ability to make catches over defenders is outstanding. To maximize his potential, McMillan must eliminate some drops and separate from NFL corners with physicality.
• It was surprising to see McMillan come off the board in the top 10. Carolina could have selected tight end Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren as the big target for Young. They also could have taken edge/linebacker Jalon Walker and met their receiver need later in the draft.

Round 1 (No. 10): TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

Analysis:

• I expect head coach Ben Johnson to rely heavily on 12 personnel with Loveland and Cole Kmet at tight end, in the hopes it gives Caleb Williams a better chance to move the chains in Year 2.
• Loveland's quick feet and strong hands made him the Wolverines' top receiving threat until an injury sidelined him last fall. He's a physical player who can hold up as a blocker when asked to hit second-level targets.
• With the top offensive tackles and RB Ashton Jeanty off the board, it made sense for the Bears to take a tight end. History will tell the tale of whether the Bears made the right choice by taking Loveland over Penn State TE Tyler Warren.

Round 1 (No. 17): Edge Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Analysis:

• Stewart had 4.5 sacks in three seasons at Texas A&M, so it will be interesting to see if he can improve his rush moves and change-of-direction ability to track down quarterbacks more regularly in the NFL. His get-off and straight-line speed are excellent, though, and he's very strong against the run. This pick addressed the team’s biggest area of need, given the uncertainty about Trey Hendrickson's future with the Bengals.

Round 1 (No. 5): DT Mason Graham, Michigan

Analysis:

• After trading down from the No. 2 spot in a blockbuster deal with the Jaguars, the Browns selected Graham, who fills a big hole up front on defense. They didn’t address needs at offensive tackle, receiver and quarterback, but they drafted the best player available at No. 5.
• Graham is not the biggest or longest defensive lineman in this class, but he's the best one. With his quickness, strength and pure motor, putting him next to Myles Garrett spells trouble for offensive lines. 
• The Browns picked up a 2026 first-round pick and upgraded two middle-round picks in their trade with the Jaguars. A good haul, to be sure, but they are going to need to take advantage of those selections after passing up on a generational talent in Travis Hunter.

Round 1 (No. 12): OG Tyler Booker, Alabama

Analysis:

• Dallas needed to replace a leader on the offensive line after Zack Martin’s retirement, and Booker fits that description.
• Booker's intelligence and toughness should help the Cowboys’ running game right away. He's been a sturdy pass protector, too, as college defenders found it difficult to get around his wide frame. He did not impress in pre-draft athletic testing, however, so he'll have to show those numbers are not predictive of how he'll handle NFL speed.
• The Cowboys chose not to select receiver Matthew Golden, who has good speed and the ability to make plays downfield. He could have been the complement to CeeDee Lamb that Dallas needs.

Round 1 (No. 20): CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

Analysis:

• Barron showed the ability to play outside corner, nickel and free safety during his Texas career. He proved his long speed with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine and showed the physicality/instincts to be a plus starter very early in his career. I believe he’s one of the top 12 players in this draft class.
• The Broncos passed on running back Omarion Hampton even though they have a big need at that position. They can meet that need a bit later in the draft, though, and Barron's value was too good to ignore.

Round 1 (No. 28): DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

Analysis:

• While the Lions could’ve benefited from adding an edge rusher or interior offensive lineman in this spot, Williams should be a solid fit up front for Detroit’s defense. He has impressive movement skills for a 330-plus pounder, with strong hands and consistent effort through the whistle.
• He’ll team with D.J. Reader and Alim McNeill to form a formidable interior and could eventually serve as the former’s successor if the veteran departs in free agency next March.

Round 1 (No. 23): WR Matthew Golden, Texas

Analysis:

• Golden is the first receiver the Packers have picked in Round 1 since the organization selected Javon Walker 20th overall in 2002. Although the big-play threat possesses sub-4.3 speed, he’s not a one-trick pony; he can both take the top off defenses and win with physicality and crisp route-running. Expect him to be a playmaker early in his career. 

Round 1: No picks

Analysis:

• The Texans received a third-round pick this year and next while moving just nine spots down in a deal with the Giants on Thursday night. The trade took the team out of the first round, but they possess the second pick of Round 2, so there will be very good value available.

Round 1 (No. 14): TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

Analysis:

• Warren is exactly the type of difference-maker at tight end that the Colts have been lacking.
• His size (6-5 1/2, 256) and agility in the open field made him a threat against every level of college defenses. He'll be a quarterback-friendly threat in the red zone, over the middle, on short passes and on screens.

Round 1 (No. 2): WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

Analysis:

• Hunter was the top prospect in this year’s draft. The Heisman Trophy winner's unique skill set allows him to provide help on both sides of the ball.
• Hunter’s ball skills are among the best I've seen over the past 25 years. Even during his rookie season, quarterbacks will need to be wary of throwing in his direction, and defenses will have to be attentive to his ability as a pass catcher. He will be a deep-ball threat for Trevor Lawrence, thanks to his leaping ability and hand-eye coordination.
• The Jaguars gave up a first-round pick next year and lowered the value of some of their middle-round draft assets this year to move up three spots for Hunter. They are getting a difference-maker on both sides of the ball, so it's tough to move the grade down, even with the large price tag. 

Round 1 (No. 32): OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State

Analysis:

• It seemed like just about everyone was expecting the Chiefs to select an offensive tackle in the first round after the shellacking their O-line took from the Eagles in the Super Bowl. Simmons was the top lineman remaining when they were on the clock after trading down one spot. 
• Simmons might have been a top-15 pick if not for the knee injury he suffered last season. He's smooth in pass protection and does not back down from battling with defenders in the run game. This has a chance to be a great pick for Kansas City if the injury doesn’t cause him any significant issues going forward.

Round 1 (No. 6): RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Analysis:

• Jeanty's combination of power through contact, vision, patience and stamina made him one of the top talents in the draft. The Raiders clearly missed having Josh Jacobs in the backfield last year, but Jeanty will be able to make defenses pay as a runner and receiver.

Round 1 (No. 22): RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

Analysis: 

• Hampton is a great addition for the Chargers as the backfield complement to Najee Harris, who signed a one-year deal this offseason.
• Hampton’s combination of power, wiggle and burst make him a home-run hitter. There's no issue with his receiving skills, either, which means safeties are going to have to deal with his big body in the open field.
• Hampton was the best fit for the Chargers at No. 22, though edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku would have given the team another young defender to make up for the loss of Joey Bosa.

Round 1: No picks

Analysis: 

• I didn’t mind the Rams’ decision to trade down 20 spots -- and out of Round 1 -- in order to acquire a future first-rounder. But I just wish the deal didn’t also require parting with one of their two third-round picks; GM Les Snead and his staff have just been so effective finding talent in that range. That said, the Rams do still have six Day 3 selections (including four in Round 6), so it’s possible they might try to package some of those picks to move up for a solid mid-round prospect who catches their eye.

Round 1 (No. 13): DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan

Analysis: 

• Grant could grow to become a powerful tackle in the Dexter Lawrence mold. He possesses good feet for his size. He'll need to play with a lower pad level against NFL interior linemen, though, and must show the ability to affect the passer to be more than a two-down tackle.
• It's not clear to me that Grant was the top tackle on the board at No. 13, with Derrick Harmon still available. It’s also worth noting that Jahdae Barron could have filled a pressing need in the secondary for the Dolphins.

Round 1 (No. 24): OG Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

Analysis: 

• Minnesota continued to remodel its interior offensive line with the selection of Jackson. He impressed by moving from left guard to left tackle during the Buckeyes’ championship run last season after the injury to Josh Simmons left a vacancy on the blind side. Jackson will move back to the interior in the pros. He’s a solid player who will be a sturdy pass protector and strong run blocker for years to come. 
• There was value at other areas of need for the Vikings when they were on the clock, with safeties Nick Emmanwori and Malaki Starks available, as well as cornerback Maxwell Hairston. The team could use more picks in this draft, too (it only has three remaining for now). I would have preferred to see Minnesota trade down at any cost instead of staying put to take an interior blocker.

Round 1 (No. 4): OT Will Campbell, LSU

Analysis: 

• Campbell will be a solid starter for New England at left tackle, which was a glaring hole for the team entering Day 1. But his narrow shoulders and below-average arm length for the position could be an issue against better pass rushers at the next level.
• The Patriots might also be guilty of prioritizing need over best player available with this pick, especially with star running back Ashton Jeanty still on the board. Armand Membou’s ceiling could be higher than Campbell’s, too.

Round 1 (No. 9): OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

Analysis: 

• Banks was the fourth offensive lineman selected by the Saints in the first round over the past six years. They clearly had a need, though, with Ryan Ramczyk retiring and Trevor Penning in a contract year.
• Banks’ draft stock seemed to fluctuate quite a bit during the evaluation process. He’s not an elite athlete and had some issues with overextending during his Texas career.
• Banks has a chance to be a great addition, but the Saints also could have used a corner like Jahdae Barron or another big-play receiver in Matthew Golden at No. 9. They might have found better value by picking a tight end (Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren) or addressing their need off the edge (Mykel Williams). 

Round 1 (No. 3): Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State

Round 1 (No. 25): QB Jaxson Dart, Mississippi

Analysis: 

• Carter is a versatile, explosive defender who's able to come off the edge and make plays in space when off the ball. Tackles have a tough time staying with his speed and bend as a pass rusher, and he flashes the power to win with a long-arm or bull rush move. He’ll more than complement Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns off the edge.
• Dart possesses the arm, mobility and work ethic to be a future starter; that said, he should also have a chance to compete with Russell Wilson for the team's QB1 job this year. Dart adds value as a runner, which will make him a challenge for defenses that deploy a lot of man coverage.
• The pro careers of Dart and Shedeur Sanders will be compared by Giants fans for years to come. Giving up two third-round picks, one this year (No. 99 overall) and one in 2026, was a reasonable price to move up eight spots (and secure a fifth-year option) for a potential starting quarterback.

Round 1 (No. 7): OT Armand Membou, Missouri

Analysis: 

• The Jets selected an offensive tackle in Round 1 for the second consecutive year, with Membou in line to start on the right bookend opposite promising 2024 first-rounder Olu Fashanu.
• An athletic mauler, Membou uses his plus length and nasty attitude to latch onto defensive ends. He can overextend at times in pass pro, though, so he could experience some growing pains if the league’s top pass rushers get him off balance.

Round 1 (No. 31): LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

Analysis: 

• Even with Zack Baun and Nolan Smith already in the fold, Howie Roseman moved up from No. 32 for another talented SEC defender. Giving one of the team's four fifth-round picks to Kansas City to acquire Campbell was surely a no-brainer for the GM.
• Campbell, like Baun, can play inside or outside, possessing both the strength to take on linemen and play the run and the quickness to go sideline to sideline. I think he'll show more pass-rush skills than he did at Alabama, emulating Baun's career path.

Round 1 (No. 21): DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Analysis: 

• Harmon was my pick for the Steelers in my seven-round mock draft because of his strengths and the team's need for an impact starter across from Cameron Heyward, who turns 36 years old in May.
• Harmon is a nice fit for Pittsburgh as a 5-technique because of his explosiveness off the snap and agility for his size. He can play some 1-technique in passing situations, as well, overwhelming centers and guards with his plus length and quickness.
• The big question was whether Pittsburgh would stop the fall of Shedeur Sanders at No. 21. They currently don't have a second-round pick, so if they want to add a quarterback while waiting to see if Aaron Rodgers will play for them, they might have to do so in the third or fourth round.

Round 1 (No. 11): Edge Mykel Williams, Georgia

Analysis: 

• Williams could become an excellent starter on the edge for the 49ers, who needed bodies there, given the release of Leonard Floyd and the lack of production from the team's current reserves.
• Williams showed more potential than production at Georgia, partially because he played through injury last season. His length is a plus, and he can lock out offensive tackles at the line of scrimmage to play the run or attack the passer. Still, Williams will need to make more plays for the Niners than he did with the Bulldogs to be worthy of this pick. 
• San Francisco passed on cornerback Jahdae Barron despite having a strong need at the position after Charvarius Ward departed in free agency.

Round 1 (No. 18): OG Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

Analysis: 

• Zabel's versatility as a five-position lineman won over GM John Schneider, who met the team's biggest need Thursday night. Zabel started at left guard, left tackle and right tackle for the Bison and then proved himself able to handle all five positions at the Reese's Senior Bowl. His combination of agility, strength and intelligence won over coaches throughout the league, and with offensive linemen going early in the first round, Zabel became the best interior blocker available at this pick.

Round 1 (No. 19): WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Analysis: 

• Tampa Bay re-signed Chris Godwin this offseason, but Mike Evans is a free agent after the season. Adding Egbuka ensures Baker Mayfield has a couple of strong targets for the next few years.
• I love Egbuka's game. He's not limited to the slot despite having to play there with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith getting the deep-ball opportunities. He'll play outside and inside for the Bucs, snaring most every pass thrown his way and making defenders miss after the catch.
• The team ignored their defensive needs with this pick, passing on CB Jahdae Barron, edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, LB Jihaad Campbell and S Nick Emmanwori. We'll see if any of these prospects become the impact defender Tampa Bay needed.

Round 1 (No. 1): QB Cam Ward, Miami 

Analysis: 

• Ward, the clear top quarterback in this class, has been my pick for the Titans since my first mock draft. They must have a top-notch passer to compete in the AFC, and Will Levis was not selected by the current Titans front office. 
• He's a confident, experienced leader whose game is a combination of Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix, who both had successful 2024 rookie campaigns, using his strong arm to whip passes into all levels of the defense while possessing the mobility to work outside the pocket or take off for a first down.

Round 1 (No. 29): OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

Analysis: 

• After trading for Laremy Tunsil and moving Brandon Coleman to the right side to compete with Andrew Wylie at tackle, the Commanders took Conerly to bolster their offensive line. Conerly is as solid as they come at left tackle, winning with balance and agility on the edge. He can block in zone systems or provide the power to move his man on run plays.
• Conerly was a fine value at this spot, but so was Josh Simmons (whom the Chiefs selected at No. 31). The Commanders had more pressing needs to address, and they have just four picks over the next two days.