Draft Class in Session: Who Aced the 2025 NFL Draft—and Who Needs a Retake?
From future dynasties to draft day disasters, we grade all 32 teams—and some of you need tutoring.
Welcome back to Staten News — where we don’t just cover the draft, we hold class on it.
The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and while every team walked away feeling optimistic, not every front office earned that gold star. Some teams made moves that could define the next decade. Others? Let’s just say they turned in a blank sheet and hoped for the best. We've broken down every division, team by team, with honest grades and four-sentence takeaways that cut through the hype and get straight to the truth.
Grab your red pen and let’s grade some homework.
🏈 2025 NFL Draft Grades by Division
AFC East
Buffalo Bills – B+
Buffalo leaned into defense, taking five defensive players in nine total picks. While they didn’t grab a game-changing offensive threat, their approach was methodical and filled clear holes. They’re deeper and tougher defensively, even if no single pick wowed. A solid draft that prioritizes depth over flash.
Miami Dolphins – B-
The Dolphins addressed both trenches with DT Kenneth Grant and OL Jonah Savaiinaea but passed on cornerbacks early, which raised some eyebrows. Drafting QB Quinn Ewers was bold and divisive. There's upside here, but it feels like they hedged their bets more than they needed to. Boom or bust depending on Ewers' development.
New England Patriots – A
New regime, fresh mindset. The Patriots nailed value at every round, starting with OT Will Campbell and explosive RB TreVeyon Henderson. They didn’t overreach, stayed disciplined, and added future starters. This is a foundation draft — and one fans should be excited about.
New York Jets – B-
The Jets went practical, focusing on the offensive line and a tight end for Justin Fields’ support. OT Armand Membou was a strong pick, but the later rounds lacked punch. Nothing flashy, but their core is a little stronger. Feels like a quiet win, but only if Fields makes it matter.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens – B+
A classic Ravens draft: defense, toughness, and positional value. S Malaki Starks is a stud, and LB Mike Green fits their mold perfectly. They didn’t reach, didn’t panic — just did Ravens things. Not sexy, but it works.
Cincinnati Bengals – D+
One of the least inspiring draft classes of 2025. Needs were ignored, value was missed, and few picks felt like difference-makers. They took fliers where they needed locks. Unless someone hits big, this draft is more forgettable than foundational.
Cleveland Browns – A+
Cleveland crushed it. They moved smartly, landed value like Mason Graham and Shedeur Sanders, and addressed future needs without sacrificing the present. This is how you layer a roster. Best overall draft in the AFC.
Pittsburgh Steelers – C
Pittsburgh didn’t swing big and got predictable results. QB Will Howard in the sixth doesn’t solve the long-term QB question. Their trench picks were fine, but uninspiring. They drafted like a team afraid to take a risk — and it shows.
AFC South
Houston Texans – B
Houston played it safe and filled some gaps, but this draft felt like maintenance, not momentum. They didn’t overextend, but they also didn’t pull any standout talent. Solid, unspectacular — like a field goal when you needed a touchdown. Grade could rise if their second-rounder pops.
Indianapolis Colts – B-
A mixed bag with some intriguing upside. The Colts added versatile defenders and developmental offensive talent, but missed out on a WR that could’ve helped Richardson. Their first two picks may be the swing factor. Slightly better than average, but lacking identity.
Jacksonville Jaguars – C+
Jacksonville walked a weird line between value and reach. They addressed needs, sure, but skipped over more talented players in multiple rounds. It’s not a disaster — but it won’t win them any awards either. Feels like a placeholder draft.
Tennessee Titans – A-
Cam Ward gives them their guy at QB, and the Titans built around him smartly. Their draft was all about rebooting the offense and injecting new energy. It’s risky, but calculated. If Ward delivers, this draft changes the franchise.
AFC West
Denver Broncos – C
Denver’s draft was quiet — maybe too quiet. They didn’t address QB seriously and lacked boldness in a division that demands it. There’s depth here, but little dynamism. This one won’t age well unless a mid-round gem breaks out.
Kansas City Chiefs – B+
Mahomes didn’t get a new WR1, but the Chiefs got smarter on defense and picked up versatile pass-catchers. They played the long game, trusting Mahomes to elevate mid-tier guys again. It’s not flashy, but it’s functional. Watch them be annoyingly good again.
Las Vegas Raiders – C-
Strange draft from Vegas. They didn’t truly address the trenches or get serious about the quarterback future. Too many gambles, not enough guarantees. It might work, but it feels like they’re drafting blindfolded.
Los Angeles Chargers – B
New coach, new vibe, better choices. The Chargers went offense-heavy, adding playmakers like RB Omarion Hampton and WR Tre Harris. Justin Herbert finally got some help. A step forward, even if it’s not a leap.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys – A+
One of the smartest, most balanced drafts. Every pick served a purpose — depth, speed, or insurance. This draft plugs the right holes and future-proofs the offense. Quiet dominance from Dallas.
New York Giants – A-
A bold draft with a clear vision: rebuild the trenches, find your QB of the future. Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart headline a tough, smart class. It’s not flashy, but it screams foundation. Their best draft in years.
Philadelphia Eagles – B
The Eagles got younger on defense and smarter up front. They didn’t grab a headline-stealer, but they reloaded where needed. Typical Philly — gritty, calculated, and sneaky deep. No fireworks, but a slow burn that’ll pay off.
Washington Commanders – B+
Quietly one of the better-balanced drafts. Washington added muscle in the trenches and speed on offense. Kingsbury got his guys — now he just needs to prove it works. Could surprise a lot of people.
NFC North
Chicago Bears – A-
Caleb Williams. Luther Burden III. Colston Loveland. That’s how you build around a franchise QB. The Bears made the picks they had to — now it’s time to cook.
Detroit Lions – B
The Lions didn’t reach, added G Tate Ratledge, and continued building their nasty interior line. Not a sexy draft, but a gritty one. Feels very on-brand. They’re a playoff lock if the class pans out.
Green Bay Packers – B
A little of everything — WR Matthew Golden, trench help, and a few sleepers. No massive win, but plenty of upside. Feels like they drafted for October, not April headlines. A workmanlike draft from a team that’s learning to build around Jordan Love.
Minnesota Vikings – C+
Limited draft capital, limited splash. WR Tai Felton was a nice grab, but overall this class lacks wow factor. The Vikings may have gotten more average — not better. Treading water doesn’t work in a rising division.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons – B-
They passed on QB and doubled down on the run game — again. There's some solid defensive talent, but this draft felt like it missed a bigger moment. Good players, questionable direction. Classic Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers – A
Loaded. They went best player available over need and came away with blue-chippers like WR Tetairoa McMillan. This is the kind of draft that flips a rebuild. Huge win.
New Orleans Saints – C+
QB Tyler Shough in the second round was a head-scratcher. They added trenches, but value felt off at times. There’s talent, sure, but the board could’ve been better used. Saints feel stuck in neutral.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – C
It wasn’t a disaster — but it wasn’t enough. Tampa added some linebacker depth and WR speed but failed to get a true difference-maker. In a division this volatile, you can’t afford to draft safe. They did.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals – A+
They crushed this draft. DT Walter Nolen and CB Will Johnson are instant-impact defenders, and their Day 3 picks were loaded with value. The rebuild just got real. Bright future in the desert.
Los Angeles Rams – B
Finally owning picks again, the Rams went trench-heavy and came out better for it. They may not have found stars, but they found answers. You’ll see this draft paying off by December. Quiet win.
San Francisco 49ers – C-
Something’s off. The Niners made questionable value picks and didn’t plug glaring needs. It’s not a complete miss, but it’s a step back. You can feel the contender window getting tighter.
Seattle Seahawks – A
Another clean, smart draft from Seattle. QB Jalen Milroe adds a long-term project, and the line help was critical. They know who they are and drafted like it. Steady excellence.
🔥 The Takeaway:
The 2025 draft didn’t just shift rosters — it redrew the NFL power map. Some teams laid bricks for dynasties. Others fumbled opportunity. September can’t come fast enough.
— The Bandicoots