The best and worst picks in every round of the 2025 NFL Draft
The best value picks and biggest reaches in the 2025 NFL Draft
With the 2025 NFL Draft officially in the books, let’s pick out four selections in each round to talk about the best value picks, fits, biggest reaches, and some of my favorite decisions made last weekend.
If you’re interested in learning more about the players featured in this article, consider checking out my final top 400 big board for the 2025 NFL Draft. Many prospect reports are linked there to in-depth breakdowns on the 2025 class. Additionally, you can learn more about this year’s top undrafted free agents and hear from the newest rookies in my collection of interviews from the Senior Bowl.
I will begin rolling out my 2026 NFL Draft summer scouting reports later this month mixed in with some 2025 reports that I never got around to publishing. Consider those 2025 reports as previews of what you can expect from some big name prospects during their rookie campaigns.
First Round
Best Value: Jihaad Campbell, Philadelphia Eagles,
Honorable Mention: Josh Simmons, Kansas City Chiefs
The multiple flagged injuries carry significant risk, but Campbell was the No. 7 prospect on my final top 400 big board. He’s a math-changing defensive chess piece with excellent range and speed in coverage, power and burst in run defense, and untapped potential as a pass rusher off the edge.
Best Fit: Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Honorable Mention: Mykel Williams, San Francisco 49ers
The Chargers struggled to stay healthy and establish a rushing attack throughout 2024. Hampton is an explosive, powerful runner who should easily surpass 1,000 rushing yards and contend for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He embodies the downhill mentality Jim Harbaugh often embraces but offers more speed than traditional Harbaugh backs.
Favorite Pick: Armand Membou, New York Jets
Honorable Mention: Malaki Starks, Baltimore Ravens
I saw some Jets fans were upset about not taking a tight end. That makes no sense to me. The new front office just established their bookend tackles with Membou and second-year starter Olu Fashanu. This is the same formula teams like the Bills, Eagles, and Lions used to become Super Bowl contenders. Building from the front is a proven approach and made the most sense in this skill position depleted class.
Biggest Reach: Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
Honorable Mention: Tyleik Williams, Detroit Lions
Dart was the No. 96 prospect on my final board. I know New York’s front office and coaching staff needed to take a quarterback to save their jobs, but this was a one-quarterback class. They didn’t get that one quarterback. At least Dart walks into a room with veteran options who will buy him time to develop on the bench.
Second Round
Best Value: Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears
Honorable Mention: Mike Green, Baltimore Ravens
Even if Burden wasn’t the WR1 many analysts profiled him as over the summer, his creativity after the catch and contact balance make him a fantastic WR2 for most offenses. He has the athletic tools to win downfield as well. The Bears selected one of the draft’s most physically unique and gifted playmakers to complement a young array of pass catchers.
Best Fit: Jonah Savaiinaea, Miami Dolphins
Honorable Mention: Tate Ratledge, Detroit Lions
There were several great trench options at this spot, including JT Tuimoloau to Indianapolis and Ratledge to Detroit. However, the Dolphins adding a guard with the combination of mobility and power to elevate Mike McDaniels’ scheme could become a defining move for the rebuilt Miami offensive line.
Favorite Pick: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dallas Cowboys
Honorable Mention: Elijah Arroyo, Seattle Seahawks
Ezeiruaku arguably has the most well-developed pass rush plan in the 2025 class. He’s on the leaner side but explodes off the ball to threaten around the edge or through the B-gap. The Cowboys got a top 25 player in the class with the 44th overall pick.
Biggest Reach: RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
Honorable Mention: Ozzy Trapilo, Chicago Bears
Harvey was the No. 132 prospect on my board. I know many viewed him as a top 100 prospect, but he lacks elite home run speed and is limited by his 5'8", 205 lb. frame. Harvey needs to play in a committee. He’s not a true lead back. That makes taking him at No. 60 over several capable wide receivers difficult to stomach.
Third Round
Best Value: Shavon Revel Jr., Dallas Cowboys
Honorable Mention: Azareye'h Thomas, New York Jets
Plenty of names came to mind for this spot, including Iowa State’s Jaylin Noel and Georgia’s Jared Wilson. Revel (No. 22) and Thomas (No. 19) were both top 25 prospects on my final board and have clear paths to seeing the field as rookies. I went with Revel since his physical upside (primarily speed) is greater when he’s healthy.
Best Fit: Ashton Gillotte, Kansas City Chiefs
Honorable Mention: Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Chiefs and Bills are very predictable with their defensive fronts. Kansas City likes stout edge-setters with uninspiring arm length and bend. I don’t like this pick, but Steve Spagnuolo probably loves it. With George Karlaftis and Gillotte, the Chiefs have enough power on the edge to funnel runs inside toward Chris Jones.
Favorite Pick: Jamaree Caldwell, Los Angeles Chargers
Honorable Mention: Caleb Rogers, Las Vegas Raiders
Caldwell is a stout, low-to-the-ground nose tackle with excellent burst. He’s not a high-volume pass rusher, but he offers enough in that area to see the field on passing downs. Caldwell gives the Chargers the run-stuffing force they’ve been missing on the interior for several years.
Biggest Reach: Nick Martin, San Francisco 49ers
Honorable Mention: Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions
There were a couple of top 100 picks I never saw coming. The Detroit trade up for TeSlaa was extremely excessive but not as head-scratching as San Francisco’s selection. Pat Bryant, Dillon Gabriel, Jaylin Smith, and Justin Walley also felt like significant reaches in the third round. Dylan Fairchild had some third round buzz entering the week but was always a Day 3 player on my board.
Fourth Round
Best Value: Jalen Royals, Kansas City Chiefs
Honorable Mention: Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans
Royals thrived on schemed touches at Utah State but also has the speed to stretch defenses downfield. He’s an ideal fit to fill the Rashee Rice role if Rice faces a suspension or isn’t physically ready to go for the year. Royals needs time to develop his route running but boasts immense potential in that area.
Best Fit: Que Robinson, Denver Broncos
Honorable Mention: Joshua Farmer, New England Patriots
Denver took Sai'vion Jones earlier in the draft, but Robinson feels like such a natural fit as a designated pass rusher in Vance Joseph’s scheme. The team probably re-signs Nik Bonitto when his rookie deal expires, but Robinson could fill a similar role if he becomes a full-time player. Robinson needs to fill out his pass rush plan and add some mass to become a more consistent all-around player.
Favorite Pick: Jalen Royals, Kansas City Chiefs
Honorable Mention: Cody Simon, Arizona Cardinals
See the section above for more on Royals. Simon could challenge for snaps immediately in a weak Cardinals linebacker room. He’s excellent playing downhill with great burst and a natural feel for run fits. Simon needs more experience operating at depth in coverage.
Biggest Reach: Ruben Hyppolite II, Chicago Bears
Honorable Mention: Jordan Watkins, San Francisco 49ers
Hyppolite is an excellent athlete, but it wouldn’t have been shocking if he ended up as a priority undrafted free agent. He projects as a core special teamer early in his career with the potential to eventually fill a larger role.
Fifth Round
Best Value: Bradyn Swinson, New England Patriots
Honorable Mention: Marcus Mbow, New York Giants
There’s no shortage of possibilities here. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Colorado State’s Tory Horton, Georgia’s Smael Mondon Jr., LSU’s Miles Frazier, Maryland’s Jordan Phillips, and Ole Miss’ Chris Paul Jr. all unexpectedly made it this far down the board. Ordinarily, I would default to the quarterback, but given the lack of consensus within the organization that selected him, I decided to opt for other prospects.
Swinson enters an edge room with several proven veterans, but he and Keion White clearly possess the most upside. Swinson is loaded with B-gap counters, the physical tools to rush through the offensive tackle, and enough speed and bend to win on the outside track. He’s a physically well-rounded player with the skill set to see significant snaps.
Best Fit: DJ Giddens, Indianapolis Colts
Honorable Mention: Jordan Phillips, Miami Dolphins
Jonathan Taylor is an excellent player, but his health has raised some questions over the past three seasons. Giddens could challenge Khalil Herbert for the backup role immediately and offers the natural feel for run lanes and elusiveness to play a rotational role as a rookie.
Favorite Pick: Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks
Honorable Mention: Bradyn Swinson, New England Patriots
Horton missed a chunk of 2024 with a knee injury but still ran a 4.41 40-time at the NFL Combine. At 6'2 1/2", Horton offers an impressive blend of size with field-stretching ability. He creates plenty of yards after the catch as well and can be used on shallow crossers or in the quick game. Horton is also a proven punt returner with one special teams touchdown in each of the past three seasons.
Biggest Reach: Robbie Ouzts, Seattle Seahawks
Honorable Mention: Dante Trader Jr., Miami Dolphins
The gap in value between Horton and Ouzts is tremendous, and they were taken in the same round by the same team!
We’re back to drafting fullbacks in the fifth round? Surely the Seahawks could’ve selected one later in the draft or brought a few options in as undrafted free agents. Even if a quality fullback is essential to the offensive scheme, there are better ways to find one than a fifth round selection.
Sixth Round
Best Value: Dorian Strong, Buffalo Bills
Honorable Mention: Cameron Williams, Philadelphia Eagles
I also considered Connecticut’s Chase Lundt and Oregon’s Ajani Cornelius for this spot, but Strong was the No. 105 prospect on my final board. He’s lean without ideal length or speed, but his football IQ and route recognition pop on tape. Strong provided more consistent play in college than Bills first round pick Maxwell Hairston.
Best Fit: Tahj Brooks, Cincinnati Bengals
Honorable Mention: Warren Brinson, Green Bay Packers
Chase Brown is incredibly well-built, but he’s a speedster who occasionally gives you a jolt of power. Brooks is much slower but showcases excellent contact balance and physicality to generate yards between the tackles and against muddy boxes.
Favorite Pick: Bryce Cabeldue, Seattle Seahawks
Honorable Mention: Bilhal Kone, Baltimore Ravens
I listed Cabeldue as a fifth round value on my board. He played tackle in college but will kick inside for Seattle. He’s an excellent mover who mirrors pass rushers well and makes an impact in space in the run game. Cabeldue projects as a backup, but if he sees snaps, the combination of him and Grey Zabel would be one of the most athletic in the league.
Biggest Reach: Graham Mertz, Houston Texans
Honorable Mention: Luke Newman, Chicago Bears
Mertz was the No. 312 prospect on my board, and Houston took him at 197th overall. Mertz suffered a torn ACL this past season, and the Gators became more competitive when his backup took the reins. He benefited from a quarterback-friendly scheme at Florida but never showcased ceiling-raising potential.
Seventh Round
Best Value: Quinn Ewers, Miami Dolphins
Honorable Mention: Damien Martinez, Seattle Seahawks
Oregon slot receiver and return man Tez Johnson, Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson, and Cincinnati offensive lineman John Williams also earned consideration for this spot, but the value at quarterback is too much to overcome. If the Dolphins get the version of Ewers we saw against Michigan in 2024, they’ll receive a great return on investment.
Best Fit: Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
Honorable Mention: Cody Lindenberg, Las Vegas Raiders
Bears head coach Brian Johnson was at his best in Detroit once the Lions established a lightning and thunder duo. Monangai doesn’t project to play a large role in 2025 since he’s only a seventh round rookie, but he’s an ideal foil to D'Andre Swift.
Favorite Pick: Jay Toia, Dallas Cowboys
Honorable Mention: Jack Nelson, Atlanta Falcons
If healthy, I’m fairly convinced Toia would’ve dominated the East-West Shrine Bowl and played his way into at least a fifth round selection. The Buffalo Bills took Kentucky nose tackle Deone Walker in the fourth round, but Toia is a more explosive, aggressive athlete and a better run defender. He could win a significant role early in his career.
Biggest Reach: Donte Kent, Pittsburgh Steelers
Honorable Mention: The New England Patriots
The Steelers love to blow their late round picks on prospects who lack NFL-staying power. Multiple players became undrafted free agents who carried better college resumes than Kent.