Las Vegas Raiders: B-
Draft Picks:
- Brock Bowers, Georgia, TE, Junior (No. 13 overall)
- Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon, C, Junior (No. 44)
- DJ Glaze, Maryland, T, Senior (No. 77)
- Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi State, CB, Senior (No. 112)
- Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State, LB, Senior (No. 148)
- Dylan Laube, New Hampshire, RB, Senior (No. 208)
- Trey Taylor, Air Force, S, Senior (No. 223)
- MJ Devonshire, Pittsburgh, CB, Senior (No. 229)
Analysis: A solid first draft for head coach Antonio Pierce. While I was on the fence about taking Bowers, he’s a blue-chip prospect so being able to grab that type of talent at pick 13 is incredible value. Yes, a tight end wasn’t their biggest need since they already have Michael Mayer from last year’s draft, but Mayer and Bowers play the position two different ways, so I think it can work. Then grabbing Powers-Johnson at pick 44 is a steal. He played all of his snaps in college at center, but they announced him as a guard when they selected him so that positional adjustment will be interesting to see. Other than those two picks, Glaze at 77 is a reach, but I like snagging Devonshire all the way down at pick 229.
Los Angeles Chargers: A-
Draft Picks:
- Joe Alt, Notre Dame, T, Junior (No. 5 overall)
- Ladd McConkey, Georgia, WR, Junior (RS) (No. 34)
- Junior Colson, Michigan, LB, Junior (No. 69)
- Justin Eboigbe, Alabama, ED, Senior (No. 105)
- Tarheeb Still, Maryland, CB, Senior (No. 137)
- Cam Hart, Notre Dame, CB, Senior (No. 140)
- Kimani Vidal, Troy, RB, Senior (No. 181)
- Brenden Rice, USC, WR, Senior (No. 225)
- Cornelius Johnson, Michigan, WR, Senior (No. 253)
Analysis: After winning a national championship with Michigan, head coach Jim Harbaugh made the transition back to the NFL, and his first draft back was a good one. I’ve talked about blue-chip talent already, and Alt is one of a handful of players in this draft that I think has that talent. The tackle duo of Alt and Rashawn Slater is already one of the best in the league. McConkey at pick 34 gives quarterback Justin Herbert an awesome new weapon, and Colson, Hart, Rice and Johnson are all steals at their respective picks.
Los Angeles Rams: B
Draft Picks:
- Jared Verse, Florida State, ED, Senior (No. 19 overall)
- Braden Fiske, Florida State, DI, Senior (No. 39)
- Blake Corum, Michigan, RB, Senior (No. 83)
- Kamren Kinchens, Miami, S, Junior (No. 99)
- Brennan Jackson, Washington State, ED, Senior (No. 154)
- Tyler Davis, Clemson, DI, Senior (No. 196)
- Joshua Karty, Stanford, K, Senior (No. 209)
- Jordan Whittington, Texas, WR, Senior (No. 213)
- Beaux Limmer, Arkansas, C, Senior (No. 217)
- KT Leveston, Kansas State, G, Senior (No. 254)
Analysis: The other LA team, while not as good as the Chargers, did a good job in their own right. Bringing in two Florida State defensive linemen with your first two picks was a good choice. Throw in how well defensive lineman Kobie Turner played last year, and you may have one of the best defensive lines in the league, and that’s including losing future hall-of-famer Aaron Donald. I also like pairing Corum with fellow running back Kyren Williams and Kinchens at pick 99 is good value.
Miami Dolphins: A
Draft Picks:
- Chop Robinson, Penn State, ED, Junior (No. 21 overall)
- Patrick Paul, Houston, T, Senior (No. 55)
- Jaylen Wright, Tennessee, RB, Junior (No. 120)
- Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State, ED, Senior (No. 158)
- Malik Washington, Virginia, WR, Senior (No. 184)
- Patrick McMorris, California, S, Senior (No. 198)
- Tahj Washington, USC, WR, Senior (No. 241)
Analysis: Miami had one of the best drafts in the entire league. While unpolished, Robinson’s potential is ridiculously high so taking a chance on him with pick 21 is solid. Paul is a mountain of a human and another one of these high-potential tackles that fills one of Miami’s most pressing needs. But what really separates this draft class is the last five picks, all bring great value. Wright is a speedy back who will fit seamlessly into head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense, Kamara is one of the bigger steals of this draft, and the duo of receivers with the last name Washington are both shifty and steals in the later rounds.
Minnesota Vikings: B+
Draft Picks:
- J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, QB, Junior (No. 10 overall)
- Dallas Turner, Alabama, ED, Junior (No. 17)
- Khyree Jackson, Oregon, CB, Senior (No. 108)
- Walter Rouse, Oklahoma, T, Senior (No. 177)
- Will Reichard, Alabama, K, Senior (No. 203)
- Michael Jurgens, Wake Forest, C, Senior (No. 230)
- Levi Drake Rodriguez, Texas A&M-Commerce, DI, Senior (No. 232)
Analysis: Minnesota had a good draft in 2024. They had an active first round where they traded up twice. The first trade was going up one spot to grab McCarthy, their future, hopefully franchise, quarterback. While maybe a tad too high, I really like McCarthy’s fit in Minnesota. Then, they traded up six spots to grab Turner. Seeing that he was falling down the board a little bit, getting aggressive to get your edge rusher of the future is smart. I also like the value pick of getting the corner Jackson all the way down at pick 108.
New England Patriots: B-
Draft Picks:
- Drake Maye, North Carolina, QB, Sophom*ore (RS) (No. 3 overall)
- Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington, WR, Junior (RS) (No. 37)
- Caeden Wallace, Penn State, T, Senior (No. 68)
- Layden Robinson, Texas A&M, G, Senior (No. 103)
- Javon Baker, UCF, WR, Senior (No. 110)
- Marcellas Dial, South Carolina, CB, Senior (No. 180)
- Joe Milton III, Tennessee, QB, Senior (No. 193)
- Jaheim Bell, Florida State, TE, Senior (No. 231)
Analysis: It was an up-and-down draft for New England. Grabbing your future franchise quarterback with the third pick is fantastic. I think Maye should’ve gone at pick two to the Commanders, so saying that getting him at pick three is a steal isn’t too far-fetched. Then grabbing Maye two new receivers to work with in Polk and Baker was a frugal move. But, the Wallace and Robinson picks felt like two reaches to me and none of the other picks, while picking Milton III is fun, stuck out as good value picks.
New Orleans Saints: C+
Draft Picks:
- Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State, T, Senior (No. 14 overall)
- Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama, CB, Junior (No. 41)
- Spencer Rattler, South Carolina, QB, Senior (No. 150)
- Bub Means, Pittsburgh, WR, Senior (No. 170)
- Jaylan Ford, Texas, LB, Senior (No. 175)
- Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa, DI, Senior (No. 199)
- Josiah Ezirim, Eastern Kentucky, T, Senior (No. 239)
Analysis: The Big Easy did alright in this draft. Fuaga at pick 14 was a good pick since the Saints’ tackle situation right now might be the worst in the entire league. I also liked trading up for a tumbling McKinstry at pick 41 and getting Rattler and Boyd at value at picks 150 and 199 respectively. But those good picks are offset by the picks of Means and Ford, which are both reaches to me.
New York Giants: B+
Draft Picks:
- Malik Nabers, LSU, WR, Junior (No. 6 overall)
- Tyler Nubin, Minnesota, S, Senior (No. 47)
- Andru Phillips, Kentucky, CB, Senior (No. 70)
- Theo Johnson, Penn State, TE, Senior (No. 107)
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue, RB, Senior (No. 166)
- Darius Muasau, UCLA, LB, Senior (No. 183)
Analysis: I quite liked what the Giants did in this draft, even though it was a small class. Nabers is an elite talent and a great pick at pick 6. Nubin fills a big need for safety and is also good value. Phillips is one of the most underrated prospects in this class and I like his physicality at pick 70. Johnson is a physical specimen and gives you insurance for the uncertainty shrouding tight end Darren Waller’s future. Lastly, Tracy Jr. is another underrated prospect that they were able to snag at pick 166.
New York Jets: B
Draft Class:
- Olu Fashanu, Penn State, T, Junior (RS) (No. 11 overall)
- Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky, WR, Senior (No. 65)
- Braelon Allen, Wisconsin, RB, Junior (No. 134)
- Jordan Travis, Florida State, QB, Senior (No. 171)
- Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State, RB, Senior (No. 173)
- Qwan’tez Stiggers, Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, CB, 22 (No. 176)
- Jaylen Key, Alabama, S, Senior (No. 257)
Analysis: Both New York teams had good drafts. Besides drafting two running backs when you already have Breece Hall,I do like Allen though, I like all of the Jets’ picks. Fashanu at pick 11 to be your future left tackle is smart, Corley, while maybe picked a tad early, is a fun receiver who’s built like a running back who will be fun to watch catching passes from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Travis could be a solid career backup, and Stiggers from the Canadian Football League has the potential to find success in his new league.
Philadelphia Eagles: A
Draft Picks:
- Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo, CB, Senior (No. 22 overall)
- Cooper DeJean, Iowa, CB, Junior (No. 40)
- Jalyx Hunt, Houston Chrisitan, ED, Senior (No. 94)
- Will Shipley, Clemson, RB, Junior (No. 127)
- Ainias Smith, Texas A&M, WR, Senior (No. 152)
- Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson, LB, Junior (No. 155)
- Trevor Keegan, Michigan, G, Senior (No. 172)
- Johnny Wilson, Florida State, WR, Senior (No. 185)
- Dylan McMahon, North Carolina State, C, Senior (No. 190)
Analysis: The Eagles are just like the Ravens in that every single year, they kill it in the draft. Staying put at pick 22 at drafting Mitchell from Toledo is one of the best moves in the entire draft. And, just like the Lions, identifying your biggest need and attacking it by doubling down on picking two cornerbacks is fantastic. After that, every single pick is great. Hunt, while being from a small school, has all of the tools in the world to succeed in the league. Shipley, Smith and Wilson are two new weapons for quarterback Jalen Hurts to work with. Lastly, Trotter Jr. and Keegan are good value for where they were selected.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A
Draft Class:
- Troy Fautanu, Washington, T, Senior (No. 20 overall)
- Zach Frazier, West Virginia, C, Senior (No. 51)
- Roman Wilson, Michigan, WR, Senior (No. 84)
- Payton Wilson, North Carolina State, Senior (No. 98)
- Mason McCormick, South Dakota State, G, Senior (No. 119)
- Logan Lee, Iowa, DI, Senior (No. 178)
- Ryan Watts, Texas, CB, Senior (No. 195)
Analysis: Both Pennsylvania teams knocked it out of the park this year. The Steelers had one vision heading into this draft, rebuild the offensive line, and they did that with flying colors. They drafted all three offensive line positions, tackle, guard and center with great value. Fautanu at pick 20 is sneaky great, Frazier is an absolute mauler at pick 51, and the athletic McCormick at pick 119 is a tremendous value. They also grabbed a pair of Wilsons in the third round. Roman Wilson is an explosive receiver from Michigan that can fill the hole left behind by, now Panther, wide receiver Diontae Johnson and compete with wide receiver George Pickens. Payton Wilson, if you removed his injury concerns, is maybe the best linebacker from this class so snagging him at pick 98 is a smart roll of the dice. Don’t call me biased, because this is a great draft.
San Francisco 49ers: B+
Draft Picks:
- Ricky Pearsall, Florida, WR, Senior (No. 31 overall)
- Renardo Green, Florida State, CB, Senior (No. 64)
- Dominick Puni, Kansas, G, Senior (No. 86)
- Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest, S, Senior (No. 124)
- Isaac Guerendo, Louisville, RB, Senior (No. 129)
- Jacob Cowing, Arizona, WR, Senior (No. 135)
- Jarrett Kingston, USC, G, Senior (No. 215)
- Tatum Bethune, Florida State, LB, Senior (No. 251)
Analysis: If you consider that the 49ers will likely move off of either wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel in the near future, this was a solid draft for them. San Fran added two new receivers this draft, Pearsall from Florida and Cowing from Arizona. Both are shifty slot-type receivers, but Pearsall has the chance to move out to be their Z receiver. I also like Green as a physical outside corner at pick 64 and Puni as their new starting guard at pick 86. Throw in the obligatory Kyle Shanahan running back draft pick in Isaac Guerendo and solid picks in Mustapha, Kingston and Bethune, and the Niners had a good weekend.
Seattle Seahawks: B-
Draft Picks:
- Byron Murphy II, Texas, DI, Junior (No. 16 overall)
- Christian Haynes, Connecticut, G, Senior (No. 81)
- Tyrice Knight, UTEP, LB, Senior (No. 118)
- AJ Barner, Michigan, TE, Senior (No. 121)
- Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn, CB, Senior (No. 136)
- Sataoa Laumea, Utah, G, Senior (No. 179)
- DJ James, Auburn, CB, Senior (No. 192)
- Michael Jerrell, Findlay, T, Senior (No. 207)
Analysis: Seattle didn’t do too bad this draft. While I would’ve targeted an interior offensive lineman with their first pick, it’s hard to deny that getting Murphy III at pick 16 isn’t scary for the rest of the NFC East. I also like the value of being able to get Haynes from Connecticut at pick 81 and grabbing a pair of Auburn cornerbacks in Pritchett and James for their secondary.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B
Draft Class:
- Graham Barton, Duke, C, Senior (No. 26 overall)
- Chris Braswell, Alabama, ED, Junior (RS) (No. 57)
- Tykee Smith, Georgia, S, Senior (No. 89)
- Jalen McMillan, Washington, WR, Senior (No. 92)
- Bucky Irving, Oregon, RB, Junior (No. 125)
- Elijah Klein, UTEP, G, Senior (No. 220)
- Devin Culp, Washington, TE, Senior (No. 246)
Analysis: The Bucs did a good job this weekend. Barton at pick 26 is one of the better picks of the first round and I like him to come in immediately to be their starting center or guard. Also, the duo of SEC defensive players in Braswell from Alabama and Smith from Georgia to add to their secondary are great additions. Adding McMillan and Irving to help improve the offense is also nice to see.
Tennessee Titans: D+
Draft Picks:
- JC Latham, Alabama, T, Junior (No. 7 overall)
- T’Vondre Sweat, Texas, DI, Senior (No. 38)
- Cedric Gray, North Carolina, LB, Senior (No. 106)
- Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Louisville, CB, Senior (No. 146)
- 182nd: Jha’Quan Jackson, Tulane, WR, Senior
- 242nd: James Williams, Miami, S, Junior
- 252nd: Jaylen Harrell, Michigan, ED,
Analysis: Not a fan of this draft. Just like the Falcons, the top two picks of this class tank it for me. I think Latham at pick 7, while being a good player, is a reach, and Sweat at pick 38 is an even bigger reach. I do like grabbing Gray at pick 106 and Brownlee Jr. at pick 146, but it doesn’t save this draft class for me.
Washington Commanders: B
Draft Picks:
- Jayden Daniels, LSU, QB, Senior (No. 2 overall)
- Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois, DI, Senior (No. 36)
- Mike Sainristil, Michigan, CB, Senior (No. 50)
- Ben Sinnott, Kansas State, TE, Senior (No. 53)
- Brandon Coleman, TCU, G, Senior (No. 67)
- Luke McCaffrey, Rice, WR, Senior (No. 100)
- Jordan Magee, Temple, LB, Senior (No. 139)
- Dominique Hampton, Washington, S, Senior (No. 161)
- Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame, ED, Senior (No. 222)
Analysis: While starting off strong, the Commanders’ draft tapered off near the end. The first three picks, Daniels, Newton and Sainristil, are all good to great selections. They got their quarterback of the future, a new, nasty pass rusher and a great slot corner for their defense. But after that, I don’t love anything else. Sinnott and McCaffrey are reaches from where they were selected and their day three selections aren’t anything to write home about.
