The week after the draft, you see a bunch of draft grades across social media and the internet. In reality, draft grades are pretty pointless and are just for clicks. Grades are especially puzzling when they come from media pundits who are consistently wrong. We don’t know how draft classes are going to turn out, and often grades are completely flipped a few years down the road. Anyway, I wanted to highlight 2025 drafts I liked, whether because of strategy (like the Bills targeting defense), getting steals, or being underrated (like the Falcons).
The usual suspects: Eagles, Ravens, Chiefs
This started in the first round for the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs—all getting players who were expected to, or should have, gone higher than they did at the end of the first night. Philadelphia got Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell before following it up with Texas safety Andrew Mukuba in the second round. Georgia safety Malaki Starks feels like a perfect fit for Baltimore, and Marshall pass rusher Mike Green has upside that was available in Round 2 due to off-field issues that the Ravens were apparently comfortable with. And I think a lot of people were shaking their heads when the Chiefs were able to get Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons at the No. 32 pick—someone who easily could’ve been the Patriots’ pick at No. 4 and not many people would have blinked. Value picks like these are a big reason elite franchises remain at the top year after year.
Atlanta Falcons
I wanted to bring up the Falcons here because I’ve seen a couple of grades on social media where they’re near the bottom with grades like C-. Of course, if they aren’t good in 2025 and end up sending the Rams a high 2026 first-round pick, that would look bad in hindsight. But judging solely on the players they were able to get, Atlanta appears to have had an excellent draft—and that’s not something I expected to say for a front office that’s struggled mightily in recent years.
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker dropped to No. 15, which many didn’t think was possible. Then the Falcons traded back into the first with the Rams to take Tennessee pass rusher James Pearce Jr. with the No. 26 pick. Suddenly, a pass rush that was dormant for most of last season has major juice and depth with Walker and Pearce joining free-agent signing Leonard Floyd and Arnold Ebiketie. The Falcons solidified the backend on defense with Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts and Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman Jr.—two more productive college players expected to go higher than they did.
Seattle Seahawks
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was a clear top-five player in the draft for us, so I obviously love what the Seahawks did in getting him in the third round at No. 92 overall. It sounds like they have a clear plan for developing him, too, likely giving him some playing time in Year 1 before potentially unleashing him in a season or two if he progresses well. While I might have preferred Donovan Jackson (No. 24 to the Vikings), the Seahawks were high on versatile North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel and got him at No. 18. In addition to Milroe, Day 2 brought high-upside tight end Elijah Arroyo and someone who just feels like a Seahawk: safety Nick Emmanwori, an athletic hard-hitter who—when asked if he’d rather intercept a pass or lay a hard hit on someone—said if it’s against the Niners he’d rather lay someone out.
Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen is one of the best playoff performers in NFL history from an individual perspective, and the defense—particularly getting key stops and when facing top teams—has frankly held the Bills back from at least a Super Bowl appearance. So, Buffalo went heavy on defense, targeting high-character guys from the SEC—with Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson, and Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker as their first four picks. These prospects profile as instant contributors for a team with Super Bowl hopes, and the Bills feel good about Allen ensuring the offense performs at a high level.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers going wide receiver with Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka in Round 1 was a major surprise, but it ensures the franchise is strong at the position long-term after years of success with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Tampa Bay knows what they want to be, and that’s a highly aggressive on both sides of the ball with the ability to throw it 50 times with Baker Mayfield or run it a ton with Bucky Irving and company. Egbuka helps them spread it out even more when necessary. In the second round, the Bucs got Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison, and the only reason he was available is due to injuries—he had the talent to be taken No. 19 overall, and Todd Bowles is one of the best coaches of defensive backs in the sport.