NFL Power Rankings: 49ers, Chiefs, Cowboys among 18 movers after 2025 draft

One of these years, I am gonna be unimpressed by an Eagles draft class. This is not the year. General manager Howie Roseman doesn't need me to say it, but he's good at his job. Ditto for the scouting staff as a whole. Not all of Philadelphia's picks are going to work, which we know; it's the process and the thought and the patience that stand out. It all makes sense. Did you realize the Eagles could have 12 picks in next year's draft? And at the very least, Jihaad Campbell, Andrew Mukuba and Ty Robinson -- their first three picks from this year's draft -- figure to enter the rotation in 2025, with Mukuba capable of winning a starting job. How many teams picking 32nd over the years can claim to have that strong a haul? Jalen Hurts and the boys are even better insulated to make another title run.

Baltimore ended up making 11 picks, and it was a pretty eventful draft. Malaki Starks might be a rookie starter at safety. Edge rusher Mike Green could be an incredible second-round value, if his past concerns are behind him. The Ravens added more depth along the offensive line and in the secondary, and they might even have a new kicker, with Justin Tucker's situation hanging in the balance for now. Everywhere you could have found a possible need, Baltimore used resources to try and address it. Like the Eagles, the Ravens understand the draft process and execute it well. That said, the Green pick wasn't made without risk. With the Tucker situation already putting a dark cloud over him and the franchise, the hazard on Green -- twice accused of sexual assault, with no formal charges filed -- is even more pronounced. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that some teams found Green's explanation for the allegations to be "not satisfactory," and that "he was off several boards," which helps explain his fall to No. 59 overall.

With four picks in the top 85, the Chiefs did a decent job of filling some voids while also planning for the future a bit. Josh Simmons is great insurance for Jaylon Moore at left tackle. The DL rotation looks a little stronger and deeper with Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte coming aboard. Nohl Williams is a very Chiefs-y corner. I even liked all three Day 3 picks they made. Are they fully stocked at receiver? We'll see. But for the most part, Kansas City addressed a few issues and did what it does in the draft. I don't know that anything that happened over the weekend among AFC West teams dramatically shifted divisional reign away from the Chiefs. Their mission remains the same as it was in the 2021 season: bouncing back after a jarring, blowout loss in the Super Bowl. Kansas City started that '21 campaign at 3-4, got white hot and then lost to Cincinnati in the AFC Championship Game. It won't be easy doing better, but they're the Chiefs, and they've earned the respect to sit this high in the rankings.

I can't gripe too much with anything the Bills did in the draft, even if a few loose ends remain. The only reason I didn't mock CB Maxwell Hairston to Buffalo was because of his so-so tackling; everything else about him made sense to me there. I thought the trade up for DT T.J. Sanders was a wee bit pricey; he was a prospect who left me wanting a little bit more when I watched, but I understand the purpose of the move. The overall focus on defense was obvious and needed. Edge rusher Landon Jackson was one of my favorite picks of theirs and a perfect fit. The Bills only took one wide receiver -- Kaden Prather in Round 7 -- so that could be a spot they look to upgrade through the veteran ranks. Their work isn't done, but there's no reason to think the Bills shouldn't enter training camp as one of the Super Bowl favorites, even with a wait-and-see approach for the defense.

It's becoming easier, with each passing draft, to identify whom the Lions will like as prospects. Dan Campbell always talks about their types of guys, and the 2025 draft class only reinforced that archetype more. Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams is a bull and a handful up front. Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier are two street-tough guards. The Day 3 picks were a mix of upside and floor. And then there's the curious case of Isaac TeSlaa, the ultimate draft guy's draft guy. TeSlaa wasn't a top-100 prospect for me, but he absolutely makes sense in Detroit as a stalk blocker, a red-zone weapon and another target with some length and juice. Many people viewed him as an early Day 3 option, though, so it's worth noting what the Lions gave up to select him 70th overall: two third-round picks next year. That's more than just, you know, a case of Faygo and a box of Better Made chips. But that's what I am talking about with the Lions: They don't care how other teams value players, only how they value them, and that approach has served this franchise beautifully over Brad Holmes' five drafts.

I'll understand if you want to complain about the lack of an edge rusher in this year's draft haul, but that just seemed to be the way the picks went. I really liked the Commanders' overall approach, and let‘s not forget how few resources they entered the weekend with. Two of their picks were spent to land Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel, so if your draft graders aren't folding in that value, please gently swat their wrists for me. Josh Conerly Jr. was just OK value for me in Round 1, but Trey Amos was a strong value in the second, so that more than evened out the returns on those first two picks. Washington now has the next three months to figure out if there are ways of procuring more pass-rush talent. The Commanders are set up very well for the future, even if last year's Texans serve as a reminder that progress isn't always linear.

The Buccaneers, pound for pound, assembled one of the most impactful draft classes this year. The Emeka Egbuka pick did make me question giving Chris Godwin all that money a bit, but it's terrific insurance, at the very least. There really wasn't a pick I disliked at all, with the Bucs doubling up at receiver, edge rusher and corner -- three spots they felt they had to address. The offense looks like a monster, and the defense looks improved. Tampa Bay can't rank 29th against the pass again and hope to be a Super Bowl contender, and the pass rush might linger as a summer worry, but the Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish selections figure to help out to a degree. Don't overlook the Bucs among the league's contenders. They're right among them.

I really have to credit the Rams for their approach. It's not easy to butter both sides of the bread -- adding pieces for a potential title run in the short term while also compiling for the future -- but that's exactly what Les Snead and Co. have done. Perhaps the Falcons' trade offer should be classified as pennies from heaven, allowing the Rams to extract a 2026 first-round pick for the cost of sliding down a mere 20 spots, but L.A. took it and deservedly get the credit. Trading up three times on Day 3 reinforced the urgency the Rams are facing with Matthew Stafford in the twilight of his career. I thought they might target the offensive line in the draft, but their free agency moves helped there.

What a weekend it was in Titletown, as Packers fans got to share their beloved city with hundreds of thousands of football friends from all over. Even the boos for Bears and Vikings picks came with a little bit of a softer edge. After all, the Packers provided one of the moments of the weekend with the Matthew Golden pick, ending a 23-year run of not taking any first-round receivers, a WR drought Green Bay people knew all too well. I wasn't completely sold on the Anthony Belton pick in Round 2, which was at least a round higher than I anticipated for the OT, but it was a pretty respectful lot they assembled overall. WR Savion Williams was one of my favorite "toys" in this year's class, and edge rusher Barryn Sorrell was among my favorite Day 3 selections. Now the pressure shifts back to Jordan Love and whether he can reach the mountaintop, or even get past the first few markers.

I was a little surprised with how the first round went. I was a fan of Donovan Jackson and pegged him as an early second-rounder, so seeing the offensive lineman go 24th didn't bother me. I just wonder, with the Vikings entering the weekend with just four picks (they made five after scooping up an additional sixth-rounder), did they consider a move down? One slot later, Houston received two third-rounders -- one this year and one next -- to move down nine spots. Then again, the Texans might have wanted Jackson at No. 25. It's an interesting call. I also worry a little about Minnesota's cornerback depth -- is it enough? The Lions, Packers and Bears all added pass catchers over the weekend, supplementing already-strong groups. That CB position is one that might be worth re-addressing as we get closer to camp. But the Vikings already cast most of their lot with a strong free-agent class and realistically should be considered among a top group of contenders if J.J. McCarthy is solid.

The addition of versatile cover man Jahdae Barron to one of the league's better defenses had to be a scary sight for the other AFC West teams. And then there's edge menace Sai'vion Jones, one of my favorite picks they made. The Broncos are coming for the division title, and they might not be that far off. Running back RJ Harvey was not my favorite back in this class, but I always hesitate to be too critical of picks such as this in the hands of Sean Payton, who has used that position as effectively as almost any offensive coach this millennium. Same goes for Pat Bryant at receiver. Big picture, Denver is in really nice shape, and just a few years ago, this thing looked kinda messy. Payton has helped iron out the whole operation, and the quick ascension of Bo Nix has been a big part of that. I have the Broncos right on the cusp of contender status again.

"I think the theme is they love football, all six of these guys," head coach Zac Taylor said of his 2025 draft class. And the comment didn't come off as typical post-draft fodder to me; it felt more like an indirect statement on what happened in 2024, which was a cavalcade of drama, disputes and unrealized expectations in what became a more chaotic situation in Cincinnati. The Bengals were Super Bowl contenders, except for the winning part, and that was part of the problem. The team spent the offseason focused on players who wanted to be there and players the front office and coaches wanted there, and the draft carried that forward with a haul of hungry, talented and motivated players at need positions. We'll see what happens with reigning NFL sack king Trey Hendrickson, because the last thing Cincy needs is another protracted contract squabble entering training camp, but the Bengals can't be forgotten as one of the more talented outfits out there.

Adding playmaking talent around Justin Herbert clearly was a major focus for the Chargers this draft period, and their first two selections really hit home for me as ideal fits. RB Omarion Hampton is good enough for Najee Harris to be put in a specialized role, and WR Tre Harris might not take too long to be an upgrade over the departed Joshua Palmer. The Oronde Gadsden II pick might also be something in a year or two. The Bolts are fielding a basketball team of weapons on that offense. I wish they were better able to supplement the defensive front, but I also don't think Los Angeles is in bad shape there. The offensive line was bypassed until sixth-rounder Branson Taylor, which caught my eye. The Chargers did have trouble protecting Herbert in their playoff loss, and I am not sure Mekhi Becton's signing is the ultimate cure-all there. Still, L.A. overachieved in Year 1 under Jim Harbaugh and is positioned to contend again in 2025.

The Texans struggled to take the proverbial next step last season as the offensive line and receiver groups crumbled. They've laser-pointed those two areas of the roster this offseason, with the draft being an extension of that. I might have nitpicked a few selections (RB Woody Marks, QB Graham Mertz), but the overall approach came from a logical place. Now it's just a matter of sorting out the pecking order at those positions and determining if Houston has enough firepower defensively to hang with the big boys of the league. The pressure is simmering again on C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans to bring this team back to the lofty expectations we levied on it a year ago, and I think they can handle it.

The 49ers used their first five picks on defense before finally pivoting to the offensive side on Day 3. It was not a shocking approach for a team whose depth chart felt pretty lean after the roster was raided in free agency. Mykel Williams could be a terrific pick in time, and I like Alfred Collins and CJ West to earn snaps inside. We'll see if the Niners plugged enough holes this offseason, but they allocated their resources well, I think. Brock Purdy's extension feels like the next order of business, but San Francisco also has to take care of George Kittle. I know people are a little down on the 49ers, relatively speaking, but remember the last time they fell off, with a 6-10 season in 2020? They followed that up with three straight NFC Championship Game appearances. I'm counting on this team competing again under Kyle Shanahan.

Ben Johnson was welcomed warmly upon his arrival in Chicago, and then he was thrown another surprise party this past weekend. The first three selections of TE Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III and Ozzy Trapilo had to make Johnson a happy man. I suspect the Bears had their eyes on taking a running back earlier than they ultimately did, late in Round 7 (Kyle Monangai); TreVeyon Henderson going off the board just prior to the Burden pick in Round 2 felt like a mini-heartbreak for Chicago, but Ryan Poles proceeded deftly. Loveland and Burden are exactly the kinds of weapons an imaginative coach wants to play around with. The defensive line also received some potentially nice help in Shemar Turner, even if there was disappointment in not getting another pass rusher. The overall haul this offseason looks very strong, and the Bears are running short on excuses not to contend this year.

The Steelers were a fascinating study from a quarterback perspective. I thought there was a case to be made to take one either at No. 21 overall or in their third-round spot, but Pittsburgh clearly knew more than we did about the situation. Gradually, like breadcrumbs, signs that a union with Aaron Rodgers could be imminent trickled out as the draft progressed on, relieving some of the pressure while Shedeur Sanders (who had been connected to Pittsburgh) kept sliding. After Sanders was picked by Cleveland, the Steelers eventually took Will Howard (another QB connected to them throughout the pre-draft process) in Round 6, and all was right in the world again. The Steelers' draft class, independent of any QB decisions, struck a lot of positive chords with me. DT Derrick Harmon and RB Kaleb Johnson were central-casting picks, and edge Jack Sawyer fits into that, too, even as he joins a loaded position group and likely can't play a lot in space. The Steelers did what they do, and they did it well. Now we'll see if the Rodgers (or another veteran QB) path works out.

We'll see if their approach proved right, but the Cardinals all but ignored wide receiver and the offensive line to stockpile talent on defense. Walter Nolen carries some risk as a prospect -- he isn't always the sum of his parts -- but we're potentially talking about the best 3-technique in the draft. Throw in a worthy gamble on CB Will Johnson's long-term health in the second and an intriguing addition in the third with versatile DL Jordan Burch, and Arizona really has added to the defensive till. The 2024 Cardinals allowed 30-plus points five times and went 0-5 in those games. But I do wonder if the offense has received enough help. The Cards also had five games scoring 14 points or fewer, and they lost every one of those, as well. This has been a team on the slow rise for a few years now, but is Arizona ready to compete for 18 weeks in the NFC West?

Sorting through all the Seahawks' offseason changes requires extensive flow charts, pictograms and mind maps, but Mike Macdonald's team is going through a full reshaping. The 'Hawks generally received pretty respectable value and return with their first half dozen selections, but the Jalen Milroe pick, in particular, added a big dash of seasoning to the mix. Sam Darnold received some pretty good reinforcements to help his chances of succeeding, but he also got pressure with Milroe's arrival. Milroe is a good enough runner to see the field immediately, and Darnold should know he has to stack a season's worth of strong showings to avoid losing his job long-term. Fascinating situation up there for a team that was remarkably hot and cold last season and let a playoff spot slip through its fingers.

In a vacuum, the first three picks really made a lot of sense. Tyler Booker continued the OL bolstering, while Dallas snagged Donovan Ezeiruaku and Shavon Revel Jr. below where I thought they might be picked. Even a few of the Day 3 selections have a chance to stick in what was a typically sound draft haul. That said, I have questions. Who is helping CeeDee Lamb out? What is the RB pecking order? Will Micah Parsons be a happy -- and RICH -- man soon? The Cowboys might not be able to eliminate every concern before August, but they're foundationally solid. Will that matter in a suddenly fearsome NFC East, with the Eagles and Commanders having just faced off in the conference title game? That remains to be seen in head coach Brian Schottenheimer's first season.

I didn't like the trade up and selection of edge rusher James Pearce Jr. in the moment, and even some time passing and dust settling have yet to make me see the light of that aggressive first-round move. It felt like an unnecessarily bold selection, even while adding another layer of pass-rush talent (which was a big need). I hope I am proven wrong on that, believe it or not. Some of the Falcons' picks actually got me a little excited, especially given where they got LB/edge Jalon Walker (15th overall) and S Xavier Watts (96th). Other decisions, like doubling up at safety and not crossing off a few other checklist items, had me scratching my head. And they still need to sort out the Kirk Cousins situation. Atlanta has the potential to make noise next season if Michael Penix Jr. takes a big leap forward, but I don't know if I am fully on board yet.

The Dolphins are really tricky to handicap right now. This draft felt like an extension of an offseason that thrust the team into a transitional period, one that hasn't been fully resolved yet. There's the lingering matter of Jalen Ramsey, who has been on the trade block. And what to do with Tyreek Hill? Those are now matters to be ironed out over the next few months. The draft was really interesting in that it felt like a recasting of the roster model, with more emphasis on mass and strength overall. The first three picks added some major tonnage, and Miami got bigger all the way through its final pick (Zeek Biggers). Even Ollie Gordon II was a different type of back than the Dolphins have typically procured under Mike McDaniel. Winning still remains possible in the AFC East, but with the Jets and Patriots adding good draft hauls and the Bills likely to remain entrenched as contenders, the Fins remain on the razor's edge, as far as competing goes.

The Colts spent a little money this offseason to cultivate the defense, and the draft delivered a solid crew, led by tight end Tyler Warren and DE JT Tuimoloau. Warren should start, and Tuimoloau will take Dayo Odeyingbo's spot. All that's left now is to figure out that pesky quarterback situation. Forgive me if the Anthony Richardson-Daniel Jones competition (with a dash of sixth-rounder Riley Leonard thrown in) does not have me all hot and bothered, even if they do have a better environment in which to work now. The AFC South remains a division up for grabs, even with the Texans occupying the captain's chair. I believe Indy is better equipped to make a run at Houston, but until one of the quarterbacks establishes himself as the leader, it's difficult to see much daylight.

The Panthers missed out on a few big fish this offseason, failing in their pursuits of Milton Williams and DK Metcalf, but the draft might have provided a fair landing spot. Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan could be a strong addition for Bryce Young, who hopes to build on his late-season success. The much-maligned Carolina defense, if nothing else, added three possible new starters and help from four total draft picks, including pass rushers in Rounds 2 (Nic Scourton) and 3 (Princely Umanmielen). I don't know that you can say the Panthers are vastly better on defense, and they still should have their eyes open for any available talent resources, but they're almost certainly improved there.

Drake Maye had to enjoy watching the draft play out. On Thursday, he received a new left tackle (Will Campbell). Friday brought a new running back (TreVeyon Henderson), wide receiver (Kyle Williams) and potentially his future center (Jared Wilson). Day 3 was mostly allocated to padding the defensive depth, but improving four offensive spots -- on top of all the defensive additions New England has made -- has capped a pretty respectable offseason. The Patriots made a few big splashes in free agency, and their overall plan has been executed nicely, it appears. After all the picks were in, Mike Vrabel spoke like a man who believed his team would be far more competitive this season.

If I had to select one team with the most individual draft picks that got me excited, the Raiders would be in the running for that distinction. Running back Ashton Jeanty should be a star. Don't be shocked if receiver Jack Bech follows suit, and perhaps quicker than you might think. The Darien Porter pick was a home-run swing at attempting to address the cornerback need. Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant help the O-line. Even a few of the Day 3 picks -- such as JJ Pegues and two FCS standouts, Tommy Mellott and Cam Miller -- had me clapping at home. What is the total package going to look like? Who knows? But Maxx Crosby chose to stick around, and he might just be rewarded for it (beyond the money, of course). Geno Smith adds professionalism, and I can't wait to see Jeanty, Bech and Brock Bowers go to work together. Even the defense might not be a sieve. We'll see, but there's some legit excitement brewing in Vegas.

I'm glad the Jets attacked the offensive line with their first pick and waited at tight end. Getting Armand Membou (No. 7 overall) and Mason Taylor (No. 42) with the initial two selections was a better approach than picking either Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland in Round 1 and then taking whichever offensive lineman would have been left for them in Round 2. I'll be careful how loudly I say it, but I thought this was a really nice first draft from Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn. There really wasn't a pick they made, especially among the first five selections, that had me confused. Now, New York will set its sights on putting together this ship-in-a-bottle offense and hope it doesn't look like a rowboat on the ocean, the way some past Jets iterations have appeared after being unveiled. I'm cautiously optimistic with the direction here.

This Browns' draft will boil down to two big questions: Did they make the right decision in passing on Travis Hunter? And did they handle the quarterback picks right? Now that the fog has cleared, I can see some of the wisdom of their unusual QB experiment. Some, I said. That's not to say that signing Joe Flacco, trading for Kenny Pickett and drafting both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders was exactly how I (or many other folks) dreamed it up. Still, I'll watch as much behind-the-scenes footage as you can provide me of that QB room. It's utterly fascinating. The trade haul Cleveland received for the second pick was strong -- and perhaps necessary, given how deeply the Deshaun Watson debacle has cut into this franchise. But I think the Browns let a superstar in Hunter slip through their fingers, which is the ultimate caveat. A lot of good things happened over the past week for Cleveland, but let's see it all marry together first -- and see how Hunter does in Jacksonville.

For a 34-year-old general manager in his maiden draft, James Gladstone sure showed some gusto in his bold move up to land Travis Hunter. There's normally a value question about what the Jaguars gave up for a non-quarterback, but they might have landed a priceless gem: a player who potentially could be a standout at two positions, even if full-time duty still feels a tad far-fetched right now. Hunter was the biggest fish in a draft full of trout, and I get why the Jaguars so badly wanted to reel him in. Gladstone came from the Rams, where he saw how it can be worth breaking the bank for rare players. For a Jacksonville team that still feels like it has some holes to fill, however, the jury remains at loggerheads. Everyone wants to see what a Hunter-Brian Thomas Jr. pairing looks like, and if the duo will bring the best out of Trevor Lawrence. The Jags might not yet be relevant contenders, but they're must-see TV in a few capacities.

I thought the Giants did well in the draft -- potentially very well, if the Jaxson Dart pick works out. I feel relatively confident in edge monster Abdul Carter becoming a star, provided his foot doesn't act up. I even really liked the Day 2/3 crop, especially the picks of DT Darius Alexander, RB Cam Skattebo and OL Marcus Mbow. But what could take this group from enticing to thrilling is Dart offering hope at the game's most important position. Russell Wilson figures to be the starter, and Jameis Winston is the likely backup to start off, unless Dart shows out early and often in camp and the preseason. He wasn't my favorite quarterback in this class, and I still wonder if the G-Men ultimately will wish they had just waited until the 2026 draft to target a quarterback. But for now, there's at least an undercurrent of excitement about turning things around.

We really must be prepared for Tyler Shough to be a realistic option to start the Saints' opener, or at least man the quarterback position for a decent chunk of the season. With Derek Carr's status very much up in the air, and the other QB options considered unknowns under Kellen Moore, Shough stands as the only one handpicked by the new head coach. Shough battled through a slew of injuries and forks in the road during his lengthy college career, but he finished on a high note with a strong season at Louisville. Whether what Shough did there can immediately translate to the NFL remains a major question. The Saints took some other draft stabs on talent in a see-what-sticks approach, and I can't say I hate it overall. But I also am not going to spend most of my offseason shouting indiscriminately at strangers about New Orleans' hidden upside for 2025. It could be a trying campaign in some respects.

The Cam Ward era begins, and I have to say, I'm a little conflicted here. The closer we got to the draft, the more it became clear Ward was Tennessee's guy. But while that happened, my appreciation of Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter only grew. To me, they're the two biggest game-changers in this draft class, and Ward still has some warts. The Titans also passed on what surely would have been a fantastic haul by not trading out of the pick. But if it turns out that new GM Mike Borgonzi nailed the pick, with Ward becoming a top-10 NFL starter at some point, I promise to eat my words. Ward has all the tools in his tool chest to be great, but the Titans remain an incomplete picture, even after accumulating a decent nine-man draft class. I like the long-term upside of edge Oluwafemi Oladejo and safety Kevin Winston Jr., and if two to three of the other offensive picks outside of Ward pan out, the Titans will have done well for themselves. But this is still a long march back toward respectability in Nashville.