Instant grades for every 2025 NFL Draft first-round pick

How did your favorite team’s first round pick grade out?

The 2025 NFL Draft is upon us, with Round 1 being underway from Lambeau Field. This draft has the least amount of consensus at any spot in recent memory, with multiple reports coming out that this could be the wildest first round in a long time. We’ve already had reports about a trade up into the top five, teams trading back out of the top five and a surprise QB crashing the first round party.

Read our final top-100 player rankings for the 2025 draft class, and check out our latest first round mock published on draft day. Find a full thread of our NFL Draft coverage this year here.

No matter what happens, I’ll be here to grade every single pick that happens tonight. Refresh this page frequently to see instant grades as the picks come in. So let’s strap in and get ready for what looks to be an eventful night.

1. Tennessee Titans: QB Cam Ward, Miami

Grade: B

Ward at 1 feels a little pricey, but that’s the going rate of picking a QB these days. I have some questions about Ward’s consistency with his mechanics and penchant for brainfart plays, but his explosiveness with his arm and feel for big plays should work in the Titans’ offense.

2. TRADE: Jacksonville Jaguars (via Cleveland Browns): Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Grade: A

What a moment for first-year GM James Gladstone and HC Liam Coen. They make the big swing that everyone was whispering about and take the best player in this draft class. Hunter can be an instant impact player at receiver and cornerback, where the Jaguars need help the most. The price is steep, but if they win it won’t matter.

3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Grade: B+

As much as I love QB Shedeur Sanders, I think this was a wise choice by the Giants. Carter is the second best prospect in this entire class, and he should give the Giants a formidable defensive line. The Giants can come back and pick a QB later on, but elevating the ceiling of this team with Carter comes first. Expect Kayvon Thibodeaux to be on the trading block.

4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Grade: A

I like Will Campbell, he was my top offensive lineman in this class. This pick for New England will ultimately get a grade based on where he plays. I think he can be a fine tackle, but has the potential to be an All-Pro caliber guard. New England needs talent along the offensive line, but I wonder if a pure tackle might’ve been the better pick here.

EDIT: He said he would fight and die for his QB this is an A.

5. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars): Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Grade: A

A real solid piece of work for the Browns here, trading back and adding another impact player to the defense. Graham isn’t a prototypically sized defensive tackle, but his technique and quickness should be a really nice fit in their defense, which prioritizes quickness and verticality upfield.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Grade: A-

Jeanty is one of the three best players in this draft class, a dynamo at RB who is a three-phases player. The Raiders have a new coordinator in Chip Kelly, who ran his offense through a dynamic ground game. Jeanty can be the bellcow behind an offensive line that’s further along than many believe.

7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Grade: A

Aaron Glenn has seen an offense be built through the trenches, and here he goes the same way with Membou. Membou is a smooth tackle who won’t have to flip sides in New York. Big fan of this pick.

8. Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Grade: A-

With the way that QB Bryce Young finished the season, adding more weaponry around him had to be a top priority. McMillan is the big receiver they need, but he can win in the intermediate area to keep that offense efficient. Dave Canales should love him. Don’t hate how high he went here, considering WR Drake London went eighth in 2022 and they’re similar players.

9. New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr, OL, Texas

Grade: C+

I’m wary of Banks going this high, considering he might be more of a guard than tackle. But the good news for the Saints is that they need help everywhere. Banks is a mauler on the inside who can play guard or tackle, and you can just get your best 5 out there.

10. Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Grade: A-

I don’t think the gap between Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland is too wide, and while I think Warren is better, I also think Loveland can elevate the Bears’ passing game downfield. He’s a smooth route runner who can create separation, and his blocking was better before his AC joint injury. The Bears’ offense should be clicking in 2025.

11. San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Grade: A

Outside of Travis Hunter to the Jaguars, this might be my favorite pick in the draft so far. Williams is the best run defending EDGE in the entire class, and his pass rush upside is high. I think Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart might have more athletic upside, but Williams is ready right now to help the Niners’ defense, and getting him in that defensive line room should rule.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

Grade: C+

Man, this is a bit high for Booker. I love the power and ability to diagnose games up front, and with the Cowboys moving to more of a gap scheme team I can see the vision. But Booker is more of a phone booth player who isn’t super great in space--I’ll be curious to see how the offense limits his play in space. Outside of that, he’s a leader in the locker room and could help boost the run game.

13. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Grade: B-

I would’ve loved Derrick Harmon here, but Grant is a Michigan man who is after owner Stephen Ross’ own heart. He’s a massive player who can defend the run immediately, and has a bit of pass rush upside. It might take some time, but there’s a path to Grant being a very impactful player.

14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Grade: A+

The Colts probably sprinted this pick up to Roger Goodell. Warren was my TE1 in this class, a blend of blocking and being an absolute menace after the catch. The Colts’ TE room is abysmal, and with the amount of times they run out of 11 personnel, Warren makes perfect sense. This is great value.

15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

Grade: A+

I LOVE Jalon Walker. He’s a hammer of a football player who is an EDGE, but has the versatility to blitz off the ball. He’s got high intangibles and should help a Falcons’ pass rush that was nonexistent last season. Love the pick.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Grade: B-

Again, I’m surprised that Derrick Harmon isn’t in play here, but Nolen took a visit to Arizona. He’s not a run defender very much, but his pass rush going up the field should help the Cardinals out. A risky pick here, but the reward could be massive.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Grade: A

I’m a massive fan of Shemar Stewart. His production doesn’t tell the whole story, a terrifying blend of speed and power. Al Golden loves athletes on the edge, and Stewart is the best athlete in this class. He needs some more coaching on finishing plays, but he could be a really fun complement to Trey Hendrickson.