There’s a long way to go until the start of the 2025 NFL regular season, and we won’t know the schedule for a couple of weeks. But the power rankings after the 2025 NFL Draft include five potentially elite teams before a crowded field behind them.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles did a nice job of replenishing what they lost in free agency, from under-the-radar edge signings in Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche to a draft class headlined by Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell and Texas safety Andrew Mukuba. The transition to new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo will be something to watch in 2025.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons being available for the Chiefs at the end of the first round was probably not great for the rest of the league. He and 2024 second-rounder Kingsley Suamataia will look to develop into a formidable long-term blindside tackle-guard combination for Patrick Mahomes.
3. Buffalo Bills
I’m a fan of what the Bills did in the draft, adding productive SEC talent on defense with their first four picks. We know the defense getting stops against top teams and in critical postseason situations has held Buffalo back over the years, and hopefully the group makes an instant impact for a squad that also brought back former All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White.
4. Detroit Lions
The Lions feel like they had a draft class of guys that perfectly fit the culture established by Dan Campbell, including first-round defensive lineman Tyleik Williams—after the group was decimated on the interior late last season—and guard Tate Ratledge. The two coordinator changes could bring growing pains, but the roster for Detroit is in great shape.
5. Baltimore Ravens
We might look back and wonder how the Ravens were able to get Georgia safety Malaki Starks at No. 27 overall. The Baltimore secondary now has Starks, Kyle Hamilton, and Ar’Darius Washington on the backend, giving them the versatility to give defenses headaches. The cornerback group has great depth with 2024 fourth-rounder T.J. Tampa and veteran signing Chidobe Awuzie in the mix with Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins.
6. Los Angeles Rams
From about this spot to into the 20s, the order of the power rankings can vary quite a bit. But I think the offseason acquisition of star receiver Davante Adams is a spectacular fit as a touchdown machine to get the ball into the end zone in key situations for the Rams. I also liked the Poona Ford signing, giving LA more beef on defense. In the draft, the Rams were able to pick up a 2026 first-rounder in their trade with the Falcons.
7. Washington Commanders
Knowing the importance of the offensive line, the Commanders traded for left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Texans and then drafted Oregon offensive tackle Josh Connerly Jr. in the first round. An aggressive offseason also included a trade for receiver Deebo Samuel, and I’m curious to see how he and a fellow former All-Pro—cornerback Marshon Lattimore, acquired last season and never really found his footing—fare this year.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht is one of the most underrated drafters in the league, and the move to take Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is one that’ll allow the offense to spread things out even more in 2025. In the second round, the Bucs might have gotten a massive steal with Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who only dropped due to injury.
9. Los Angeles Chargers
After a strong Year 1 with Jim Harbaugh before things fell apart in the playoffs, Justin Herbert got more support on offense this offseason in the form of bringing back receiver Mike Williams, signing running back Najee Harris and offensive lineman Mekhi Becton, and taking running back Omarion Hampton and receiver Tre Harris with their first two draft picks.
10. Denver Broncos
The Broncos added physical and fearless defenders this offseason, starting with former 49ers Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga at linebacker and safety before following that up with Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron in the first round of the draft. We’ll have to keep an eye on Greenlaw’s quad injury, but Denver can be a force on that side of the ball. Offensively, there’s some disappoint from Broncos fans with the offseason, but tight end Evan Engram should be a difference-maker—and at least Sean Payton has a clear vision for second-round running back RJ Harvey and third-round receiver Pat Bryant, despite them going earlier than expected.
11. Houston Texans
Houston went heavy on offense in the draft, including getting two Iowa State receivers in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel on Day 2. And they got Christian Kirk in a trade with the Jaguars earlier this offseason; C.J. Stroud will have no shortage of targets. New safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, brought in via a trade with the Eagles, will fit right into DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
12. Cincinnati Bengals
While it feels like the Bengals had somewhat of an underwhelming draft, Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart bring plenty of upside to develop. After the surprise move to part ways with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, new DC Al Golden is one of the key figures to watch around the league in 2025.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Speaking of defensive coordinators, the 49ers brought back Robert Saleh in the role, hoping to give the unit—which added Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, Nick Martin, Upton Stout, and CJ West in the first four rounds—a boost. Meanwhile, the offense is relying on veterans like Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams staying healthy and performing like they have throughout their careers.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
I assume it’s just a matter of time before Aaron Rodgers signs with the Steelers, and it’ll be a much better situation there than it was with the Jets. Not pulling the trigger on Jalen Milroe in the draft was a surprise to me, but Pittsburgh had a clear directive from Mike Tomlin to add physicality as they look to compete better in January.
15. Green Bay Packers
After first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden, the draft brought what currently projects as a lot of Year 1 depth for the Packers, running it back with largely the same group from last year. That’s not a bad thing for a team that went 11-6, but quarterback Jordan Love must get more consistent—or catch fire at the right time.
16. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are one of those teams that can be a bit higher in the power rankings, but a lot is riding on second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy as he returns from his knee injury. Kevin O’Connell will get the most out of him, though, and the team revamped the interior offensive line with free agents Ryan Kelly and Will Fries before getting Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson in Round 1, arguably making it an even better situation than the one Sam Darnold played in last year.
17. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are one of those teams that know what they want in the draft, and they sound thrilled with how things turned out with guard Grey Zabel, safety Nick Emmanwori, tight end Elijah Arroyo, and quarterback Jalen Milroe with their first four selections. New quarterback Sam Darnold is a good fit with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and Seattle will be competitive by running the ball to help control things.
18. Atlanta Falcons
Giving up the 2026 first-round pick could prove costly if the team performs worse than expected in the NFC South, but I don’t understand the hate the Falcons are getting for their draft class. First-rounders Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. will bring crazy juice off the edge (arguably filling both need and sticking with best player available), and Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. are intriguing adds in the secondary. Atlanta appears to have done well for having just five draft picks.
19. Dallas Cowboys
There’s a lot of uncertainty for Dallas with multiple guys coming off injuries—including third-round cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.—under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The Cowboys are looking to win up front, with first-round guard Tyler Booker joining fellow first-round Tylers—Smith and Guyton—on the offensive line.
20. Arizona Cardinals
Six of Arizona’s seven draft selections were on defense, and head coach Jonathan Gannon clearly wants to be elite there after also spending free-agent resources on a few new defensive starters headlined by pass rusher Josh Sweat. If former Michigan corner Will Johnson is healthy, he’s in a good spot with Gannon as a second-round pick.
21. Indianapolis Colts
The quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will hopefully bring out the best in both and lead to at least solid quarterback play for the Colts. Both have shown major flashes to be productive NFL starters. And they’ll get some help in the form of first-round tight end Tyler Warren, who was stunningly available at No. 14 overall.
22. Las Vegas Raiders
While the Raiders are down at No. 22 in the power rankings, I have no doubt they’ll be competitive and give teams trouble with Pete Carroll at the helm with Chip Kelly as his offensive coordinator. Geno Smith is a steady hand at quarterback, and No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty should be an immediate difference-maker at running back for Vegas. Also, Iowa State’s Darien Porter—a receiver turned corner—was one of the best scheme fits in the draft.
23. Chicago Bears
There’s arguably a need at running back—though Roschon Johnson can perhaps step up in Year 3, seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai is interesting, and I’d keep an eye on free agent Nick Chubb—but give the Bears credit for doing just about everything they can to put Caleb Williams in position for success this offseason. The guard-center-guard wall was swapped out entirely headlined by All-Pro Joe Thuney, and Williams has a plethora of weapons with first-round tight end Colston Loveland (though a surprise with Tyler Warren on the board) and second-round receiver Luther Burden III joining DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
24. Carolina Panthers
Similarly, the Panthers probably made their quarterback happy by selecting Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 pick in the draft. Bryce Young should also be helped by a potent running game with Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, and rookie runner Trevor Etienne—but questions linger about the defense.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars feel Travis Hunter is a special difference-making talent who can play on both sides of the ball in the NFL—and I don’t see why he can’t—but the previous regime left some work to do on the roster. A lot will be riding on Trevor Lawrence playing at a very high level in 2025.
26. New England Patriots
The Patriots might have been the most aggressive team in the league in terms of turning over and adding to the roster. Several new starters were added on defense during free agency. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, center Garrett Bradbury, and right tackle Morgan Moses were brought in on offense. And the draft went heavy offense, with offensive tackle Will Campbell, running back TreVeyon Henderson, receiver Kyle Williams, and center Jared Wilson.
27. Miami Dolphins
First-round pick Kenneth Grant will bring stoutness to the defensive line for Miami, and the Dolphins stuck with the interior on the other side of the ball in offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea in Round 2. But I’m concerned about the status and direction of the Dolphins, including receiver Tyreek Hill feeling like a potential ticking time bomb.
28. New York Giants
The Giants are getting immense praise for the first round of landing Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter and quarterback Jaxson Dart, but Dart was pretty polarizing as a prospect—and the praise felt oddly placed for a regime that’s struggled mightily over the past few years. That said, Dart is in a spot where he’ll sit and learn behind Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston—a move which ultimately might buy this maligned regime another couple of years after many were stunned that they weren’t fired after a disastrous 2024.
29. New York Jets
The Jets are all in on Justin Fields as their quarterback, and their 2025 success is largely going to come down to his progression at the game’s most important position. The resources invested in the offensive line—including first-round pick Armand Membou now at right tackle to bookend last year’s impressive first-round tackle Olu Fashanu—could help New York try to control things on the ground.
30. New Orleans Saints
The rise of Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough to a high second-round pick was meteoric. There’s no question he can sling it, but the Saints need to protect someone who was injured frequently in college and struggled mightily without clean pockets. Overall, the direction for New Orlans is difficult to pinpoint, but it sounds like Shough will start on Day 1 as Derek Carr deals with a shoulder injury.
31. Tennessee Titans
This is the first year for new general manager Mike Borgonzi, so he needs time to put his imprint on things. The offensive line should be better with the offseason signings of Dan Moore Jr. and Kevin Zeitler, and Brian Callahan’s willingness to run the ball should help No. 1 pick Cam Ward transition at the next level. Ward will at least bring an immediate level of confident to the club. While they’re at No. 31 for now, it won’t be a surprise if they’re competitive in the AFC South.
32. Cleveland Browns
The direction of the Browns is also unclear and muddled. Perhaps it worked to draw a trade they desired with the Jaguars—eventually moving back to No. 5 and selecting Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham—but general manager Andrew Berry talked up both Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, asking if he can have both of them, before not taking Hunter and not taking Shedeur until (perhaps with a directive from team ownership?) the fifth round as their second quarterback after Dillon Gabriel. As positives, I like the Quinshon Judkins pick early in Round 2, and having four quarterbacks—Sanders, Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, and Joe Flacco—competing for the starting role can potentially lead to one guy separating himself and doing a nice job at the position.