2025 NFL Draft: Grades, Analysis For Every Day 2 Pick

33. Cleveland Browns

Selection: Carson Schwesinger, LB

Positives 

• Safety-like movement ability in coverage and in pursuit
• Fast reaction times and game-changing instincts
• Special teams star

Negatives 

• Lack of size and power leads to missed tackles galore
• Classic tweener who gets washed out in the run game
• Must be protected by quality defensive tackles and scheme

Team Fit

The Browns needed a boost on offense more than a linebacker, but taking Schwesinger means the future of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Schwesinger has similar range and impact in the passing game. He's a good fit with Jim Schwartz, but he's highly reliant on his situation being right.

Grade: C

34. Houston Texans

Selection: Jayden Higgins

Positives 

• Huge frame with monstrous wingspan
• Underrated route runner for his size
• Great power after the catch

Negatives 

• Struggles creating explosion after cuts due to tight hips
• Could be more of a power slot due to lack of separation
• Reliant on contested catches

Team Fit

Houston traded down for this pick and ignored their woeful offensive line, but getting a playmaker makes sense. Jayden Higgens checks a lot of the boxes Nico Collins did as a prospect, so there's a chance Houston will boast one of the most fun big-receiver tandems in the NFL.

Grade: B+

35. Seattle Seahawks

Selection: Nick Emmanwori

Positives 

• Historically good athlete at any position
• Great ball awareness and playmaking trait
• Can eliminate tight ends in coverage

Negatives 

• Can be too laid back at the point of attack
• Not as fluid in coverage against slot receivers as he'll need to be in certain matchups
• Tackling angles can improve

Team Fit

It made sense that Seattle would land an all-time combine winner. Nick Emmanwori is more than just a workout warrior, though. He's a true playmaker who can do everything at a relatively high level. The Seahawks now have one of the most dangerous young secondaries in the NFL.

Grade: A

36. Cleveland Browns

Selection: Quinshon Judkins, RB

Positives 

• Fantastic contact balance due to low center of gravity
• Short-area quickness leaves defenders whiffing at air
• Quality receiving threat

Negatives 

• Can get impatient and push too far on his blockers' back
• Pass protection is limited due to his size
• Deep speed is average

Team Fit

The Browns desperately needed a starting running back to emerge from this class, but Quinshon Judkins was a bit of a surprise to be RB3. Still, he's a great athlete who wins in the right ways. There's a lot of Alvin Kamara to his game, and Cleveland will supercharge its run game with his presence.

Grade: B

37. Miami Dolphins

Selection: Jonah Savaiinaea, OG

Positives 

• Terrific athlete who excels when moving in space and hunting targets
• Thickly built with good natural power
• Patient as a pass blocker and doesn't panic

Negatives 

• Lower-body lacks anchor strength
• Can be slow to pick up on stunts
• Flexibility is surprisingly poor despite athleticism

Team Fit

Miami had to walk out of Day 2 with a starting-level guard, and Jonah Savaiinaea was the best on the board. Moving up for Savaiinaea made sense, given what was on the line if they missed on him. Savaiinaea's lack of lower-body power is concerning for Year 1 but he can be a Pro Bowl guard in time.

Grade: B+

38. New England Patriots

Selection: TreVeyon Henderson, RB

Positives 

• Elite acceleration up to breakaway sprint speed
• Improved vision and patience as a runner
• Top-tier pass-blocker and zero fumble concerns

Negatives 

• Durability was an issue in college
• Doesn't vary speed effectively and can struggle to throttle down
• Not as laterally gifted as he is straight-line fast

Team Fit

If you need explosiveness, then TreVeyon Henderson needed to be your target. New England continues to address its woeful offense, and Henderson was the best man on the board. He'll pair nicely with Rhomandre Stevenson and give Drake Maye a tremendous receiving target.

Grade: A

39. Chicago Bears

Luther Burden III, WR

Positives 

• Effortless acceleration to top speed puts immense pressure on defenders
• Tremendous feel for the game and ability to rise to the moment
• Open-field playmaker demands defensive attention

Negatives 

• Raw route runner coming from a slot-based role with few man-beaters
• Concentration drops can be frustrating
• Could be a little scheme-dependent until route tree develops

Team Fit

Chicago not only maximized their draft slot's value, but also properly identified wide receiver as a real long-term need. With DJ Moore's effort coming into question last year, Burden is the type of athlete and presence to replace him if things don't change. Ben Johnson is the perfect offensive mind to cater to Burden's unique game.

Grade: A

40. New Orleans Saints

Selection: Tyler Shough, QB

Positives 

• Strong arm that can make most throws asked of him
• Good downhill runner with respectable speed
• Improved decision-making in 2024

Negatives 

• Only played in more than seven games in one season
• Older prospect who turns 26 as a rookie
• Erratic accuracy and response to pressure

Team Fit

New Orleans needed a quarterback to build around, but taking Tyler Shough over Jalen Milroe and Shedeur Sanders is stunning. Shough struggled with decision-making, field vision, durability, and staying poised under pressure throughout his career. Adding in his age, and this is a pick highly unlikely to be successful.

41. Buffalo Bills

Selection: TJ Sanders, DT

Positives 

• Plays bigger and stronger than his listed size
• Violent hands and highly competent at maximizing his length
• Quality pass-rusher who can see the field right away

Negatives 

• Anchor and lower body struggles to hold up against zone run schemes
• Overall quickness is closer to average and limits upside
• Doesn't move well enough on stunts to justify calling them

Team Fit

Buffalo traded up to address its other major need, and it's understandable since defensive tackles flew off the board on Thursday night. TJ Sanders is a pro-ready option who will plug and play as a productive pass-rusher. His upside isn't huge, but his floor is respectable.

Grade: B

42. New York Jets

Mason Taylor, TE

Positives 

• Smooth runner and well-coordinated athlete
• Quality route tree variety as an inline or slot tight end
• Fantastic focus at the catch point through contact

Negatives 

• Doesn't have the extra gear to separate from defenders
• Blocking technique is unreliable due to hand positioning
• Overall physicality is lacking

Team Fit

The Jets needed more playmaking, especially at tight end, and Mason Taylor had separated himself as the clear TE3 in the class. Taylor is a little more of a new-age threat who wins from the slot or as a leaking receiver into space, so he'll pair with the current cast of Jets blockers. His upside isn't that of an All-Pro, but he should carve out a long, productive career worthy of this selection.

Grade: B+

43. San Francisco 49ers

Selection: Alfred Collins, DT

Positives 

• Massive nose tackle presence who eats gaps
• Gets off blocks effectively to make contact with ball-carriers
• Occasionally creates some push in the passing game

Negatives 

• Doesn't consistently make himself known and can disappear for stretches
• Overall athleticism is lacking, limiting his upside
• Field vision can improve

Team Fit

Alfred Collins raises the floor of San Francisco's woeful defensive tackle room. He's experienced and has an NFL body, so he should see the field plenty in 2025. Collins doesn't have the ability to collapse the pocket well enough to be more than a role player, but the class was thinning out at the position by the time they made their pick.

Grade: B-

44. Dallas Cowboys

Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE

Positives 

• Standout agility and hip fluidity challenge blockers to keep up
• Reliable awareness and play recognition allow him to stay in position effectively
• Long arms overcome some size concerns

Negatives 

• Doesn't have the bulk to break off blockers when he gets too far into their body
• Rush plan is too reliant on quickness and bounce compared to mature moves
• Closing speed is average and not stellar

Team Fit

There's no question that Dallas had to walk out of the draft with more pass-rush help, but at the expense of an offensive playmaker, it is as questionable as their first-round pick. Ezeiruaku is a good athlete with a great motor, which is helpful for a complementary piece across from Micah Parsons. But he must master his move set to get the most out of his traits.

Grade: B-

45. Indianapolis Colts

JT Tuimoloau, EDGE

Positives 

• Stellar run defender with elite awareness
• Powerful build and relentless motor
• Better downhill athlete than given credit for

Negatives 

• Lacks the quick-twitch needed to win with speed
• Flexibility through contact limits pass-rush potential
• Pass-rush plan is lacking despite experience

Team Fit

Coming off a tremendous College Football Playoff run, JT Tuimoloau saved his 

Grade: C+

46. Los Angeles Rams

Selection: Terrance Ferguson, TE

Positives 

• Quality blocker with experience inline and in the slot
• Great frame and length
• More short-area quickness than expected allows him to beat man coverage

Negatives 

• Won't make many plays downfield due to deep speed 
• Concentration at the catch point can be hit or miss
• Not the most physical blocker at the point of attack

Team Fit

This was a reach based on expectations, but the fit makes sense for the offense and Ferguson's skill set. He's a competitive blocker and a natural heir to Tyler Higbee. He has more fluidity and route-running potential than Higbee, too, so there's a good chance we see a lot of schemed opportunities for him in Year 1.

Grade: C+

47. Arizona Cardinals

Will Johnson, CB

Positives 

• Great length and size for the position
• Top-tier instincts and awareness in coverage
• Fluid hips and efficient footwork deters targets

Negatives 

• Major concern over knee health
• Deep speed is average
• Arm tackler too often

Team Fit

It's hard to know the medical prognosis on Will Johnson, but Arizona was more than justified in taking a gamble on his on-field talent. When healthy, Johnson profiled similarly to Sauce Gardner. Few cornerbacks have the size, physicality, and playmaking ability that Johnson has. He's a great fit for this zone-based scheme, too.

Grade: B+

48. Houston Texans

Selection: Aireontae Ersery, OT

Positives 

• Elite length and power combination
• Good lateral agility and recovery ability 
• Coordinated giant whose best reps are very impressive

Negatives 

• Slower hands with long limbs mean he has to improve reaction time
• Not as mauling in the run game as expected for size
• Mostly a fit into gap schemes and not zone

Team Fit

Houston was able to nab the last projected starting tackle in the 2025 class. Aireontae Ersery is massive, at times to his disadvantage because his lower body is so stiff. He has to master his punch and better anticipate pass-block angles to mitigate his athletic limitations. Still, he has good potential. 

Grade: B+

49. Cincinnati Bengals

 Demetrius Knight, LB

Positives 

• Controlled in pursuit and has the juice to finish plays when trailing the ball-carrier
• Natural player in space and comfortable dropping into coverage
• Effective at the point of attack and will rack up tackles

Negatives 

• Overall athleticism is average, so diagnostic ability is key
• Won't consistently deter targets when matched up in man coverage
• Not a pass-rush threat

Team Fit

Demetrius Knight is a good player who checks a lot of traditional boxes for the position. However, he's not overly dynamic and doesn't help protect Joe Burrow. Knight will rack up a ton of tackles, but he has to force more turnovers for this to be considered an impactful addition.

Grade: C

50. Seattle Seahawks

Selection: Elijah Arroyo, TE

Positives 

• Top-tier mismatch as a receiving tight end
• Rare speed and fluidity as a route-runner 
• Holds his own as a blocker and has upside to improve

Negatives 

• Late-breakout in his career and limited production
• Lower-body strength will likely never be above average

Team Fit

There was a moment where Elijah Arroyo could push to be a late first-round pick, so his falling to No. 50 is a great value. The Seahawks needed someone who could threaten defenses vertically, and Arroyo is the rare tight end who can do that. He's a phenomenal receiving threat who can do things usually reserved only for receivers.

Grade: A-

51. Carolina Panthers

Selection: Nic Scourton, EDGE

Positives 

• Great strength and first step when his motor is running hot
• Can size up to be a tackle or 3-4 end, or size down as a 4-3 end
• Quickness and range is tremendous for his size

Negatives 

• Had a doughy build when playing at 280 pounds last year
• Lacks ideal length, giving up his chest too often
• Doesn't stay gap disciplined enough

Team Fit

Nic Scourton was one of the bigger boom-or-bust players in the class. At his best, he moves in a way that most big-bodied linemen can't. However, he showed up to Texas A&M out of shape, and he cut weight to be a pure edge defender. Carolina needed help at the position as much as any team in the league, but banking on Scourton is risky. 

Grade: C

52. Tennessee Titans

Selection: Femi Oladejo, EDGE

Positives 

• Versatile enough to transition to an off-ball linebacker
• Good balance and raw power
• Consistent tackler and range

Negatives 

• Raw technician who rarely has a plan
• Doesn't show natural feel for the position
• Overpursues angles and gets lost in space

Team Fit

Oladejo is a project pick as a pure edge defender, but could be a more natural strong-side linebacker if needed. He's so raw as an athlete that it's hard to expect anything from him until Year 3. His functional movements can sometimes look odd and uncoordinated, but his postseason all-star game performance hinted toward a brighter future. 

Grade: D+

53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Selection: Benjamin Morrison, CB

Positives 

• Sticky in man coverage due to fast feet and fluid hips
• Locates the ball effectively and has proper timing to chase it
• Plug-and-play option 

Negatives 

• Coming off a season-ending injury
• Can give too much space in off-man coverages
• Gets lost a little bit in zone and struggles to make an impact

Team Fit

Another cornerback with major injury red flags who dropped a full round, Benjamin Morrison, is a talent play by Tampa Bay. If Morrison is healthy, this will be a home run addition. He's a fantastic man coverage option and showed off some playmaking chops at Notre Dame. 

Grade: B

54. Green Bay Packers

Selection: Anthony Belton, OT

Positives 

• Enormous frame and wingspan
• Power matches what you'd expect by looking at him
• Better footwork than expected for someone his size

Negatives 

• Struggles to get re-balanced when knocked off his spot
• Hand placement is erratic and random at times
• A little slow in his drop kick

Team Fit

Green Bay wanted a mauler to boost its run game, and that's Anthony Belton. When he gets a hand on a defender, it's over for them. But it's getting to that point that causes concern. He'll require time before seeing the field and being relied upon. 

Grade: B

55. Los Angeles Chargers

Selection: Tre Harris, WR

Positives 

• Uses his big frame to box out defenders and protect the ball
• Terrific creator after the catch for his size
• Glides with long strides to eat up grass and put pressure on defenders

Negatives 

• Not a polished route runner coming from Ole Miss
• Didn't test as fast as he plays
• Has to win more contested catches

Team Fit

Tre Harris had a first-round receiver profile, but an injury caused him to miss enough time to slide. He's a much more reliable and explosive option than the other guys on their roster, sans Ladd McConkey. Harris' ability to create after the catch makes him a special prospect.

Grade: A