2025 NFL Draft Team Grades

The 2025 NFL Draft is complete, which means it’s time for team draft grades. Each team will receive an overall grade and a grade for fantasy football. Did the team address their pre-draft needs on both sides of the ball? Did they bolster their offensive weaponry with an impact player or someone who can directly improve the fantasy production of a teammate? The grades are as follows: 

• A = Team drastically improved
• B = Team improved
• C = No improvement or deterioration
• D = Team deteriorated
• F = Disaster

Let’s take a look at our NFL draft grades for each team from an overall and fantasy football perspective. 

2025 NFL Draft Team Grades

Arizona Cardinals

Team Needs: Offensive Line, Edge Rusher, Wide Receiver 

Overall Grade: A-
Fantasy Grade: F

The Cardinals needed to improve their defense, and they spent six of their seven draft picks trying to do just that. The concerns with Ole Miss DL Walter Nolen center around his passion for football, but not his talent. Nolan grades out as one of the best run stoppers in this class. Michigan cornerback Will Johnson fell to the second round due to injury concerns but is regarded as one of the most talented players in this entire draft. Arizona added defensive depth, and Texas guard Hayden Connor is a steal in Round 6. My only issue is I would have liked to see Arizona add an explosive wideout for quarterback Kyler Murray. 

Atlanta Falcons

Team Needs: Pass rusher, Defensive Line, Defensive Back

Overall Grade: B-
Fantasy Grade: F

Similar to Arizona, the Falcons needed to focus on defense. Atlanta used their first two picks on edge rushers, and their next two picks on safeties. While they certainly addressed the defensive side of the ball, trading away a first-round pick as part of a package for Tennessee’s DE James Pearce Jr., I can’t justify trading a first-round pick for No. 26 overall unless that player becomes a perennial All-Pro. I don’t project Pearce as that type of player. Atlanta did not need much help on offense but added offensive line depth with seventh-round pick OL Jack Nelson from Wisconsin. If quarterback Michael Penix Jr. blossoms, then the lack of an offensive edition is muted, but I still am frustrated that Atlanta has veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins hanging on their roster with a heavy annual salary. 

Baltimore Ravens

Team Needs: Defensive Back, Edge Rusher, Offensive Line

Overall Grade: B+
Fantasy Grade: C

The Ravens went heavy on defensive improvements, using six of their picks to help return Baltimore to their traditional plan of success. They added two offensive linemen, which is always helpful to quarterback Lamar Jackson and elite running back Derrick Henry. Sixth-round wideout LaJohntay Wester doesn’t move the needle, and I would have liked to see the Ravens add a running back to supplement the 31-year-old Henry.

Buffalo Bills

Team Needs: Defensive Back, Wide Receiver, Defensive Line

Overall Grade: B
Fantasy Grade: F

Buffalo is a perennial Super Bowl contender and had a huge need on defense. They devoted their first five picks in that vein, including Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston in Round 1. I have major concerns about the Bills offense, especially in the passing game. They do not have a true alpha WR, and tight end Dalton Kincaid disappointed last season. There is a lot of faith in Josh Allen, who desperately needed another offensive weapon. 

Carolina Panthers

Team Needs: Pass rusher, Defensive Back, Wide Receiver

Overall Grade: A-
Fantasy Grade: A

Carolina did an excellent job addressing their needs. The Panthers immediately added help for quarterback Bryce Young, with a prototypical outside receiver in Tetairoa McMillan. Texas A&M edge rusher Nic Scourton has huge upside after adding weight to prepare for the rigors of the NFL. Georgia running back Trevor Etienne was a nice addition in Round 5. The Panthers did very well. 

Chicago Bears

Draft Needs: Edge Rusher, Offensive Line, Running Back 

Overall Grade: B
Fantasy Grade: A

The Bears are prioritizing the right things. Chicago added two more offensive weapons for quarterback Caleb Williams, grabbing dynamic tight end Colston Loveland and explosive wideout Luther Burden III with their first two picks. Burden is a 1-for-1 slot replacement for veteran Keenan Allen. Sprinkle in two offensive lineman and three solid defensive depth additions, and the Bears had one of the league’s strongest drafts. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Draft Needs: Defense, Offensive Line, Safety

Overall Grade: C
Fantasy Grade: B

The Bengals did not need much help on offense, so they correctly focused on defense with three of their first four selections. Did they draft enough impact players? Shemar Stewart should make an immediate impact, but I have my doubts on the linebacker upgrades from either Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter. I do like adding two offensive lineman, and Tahj Brooks is a good pass-catching running back from Texas Tech. 

Cleveland Browns

Team Needs: Quarterback, Edge Rusher, Running Back 

Overall Grade: A+
Fantasy Grade: A

Trading down is always a good move, and Cleveland put on a clinic on maximizing value. Defensive lineman Mason Graham, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. could all make an immediate impact. Fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson is a nice complement to Judkins and posted 22 total touchdowns last year with Tennessee. Cleveland addressed all their needs by using their last pick on the free-falling quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The Browns addressed all their needs and added a future first-round pick from Jacksonville as a bonus. Great overall draft, provided they find a quarterback either this year … or next. 

Dallas Cowboys

Team Needs: Running Back, Wide Receiver, Cornerback 

Overall Grade: B+
Fantasy Grade: C

The Cowboys had a solid draft, but disappointing from a fantasy perspective. Offensive lineman Tyler Booker is a solid first-round pick, and Donovan Ezeiruaku is an excellent pass rusher from Boston College. Cornerback Shavon Revel is recovering from an ACL injury but was regarded as a first-round pick when healthy. Dallas added running back depth with the explosive (but diminutive) Texas running back Jaydon Blue. They added solid offensive pieces but failed to supplement wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the passing game. The sooner Dallas realizes their best offense lies in quarterback Dak Prescott’s hands, the better their offense will perform. 

Denver Broncos

Team Needs: Running Back, Wide Receiver, Cornerback 

Overall Grade: A
Fantasy Grade: A

The Broncos addressed each of their biggest needs with their first three picks. Cornerback Jahdae Barron is a physical defender who should start immediately. Sean Payton loves UCF’s RJ Harvey and has an excellent track record of success with running backs. Wide receiver Pat Bryant has good size (6-foot-2) and posted 17 total touchdowns in his final two seasons at Illinois. 

Detroit Lions

Team Needs: Edge Rusher, Offensive Line

Overall Grade: C
Fantasy Grade: B+

Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge gives fantastic depth with a possible starting role as a rookie. Defensive lineman Tyleik Williams is unlikely to start right away, making his first-round selection questionable. With rumors of Jameson Williams possibly available, I love the addition of Arkansas wideout Isaac TeSlaa, who carries 4.4 speed at 6-foot-4. Georgia wideout Dominic Lovett (4.4 speed) is a great seventh-round flyer. 

Green Bay Packers

Team Needs: Defensive Line, Wide Receiver, Edge Rusher

Overall Grade: C
Fantasy Grade: C

I like that the Packers drafted a first-round wide receiver for the first time after 23 years, but I don’t like who they selected. Green Bay needed a dominant X-type receiver, not a diminutive speedster. Matthew Golden did run a 4.29 40-yard dash but failed to crest 1,000 yards with Texas in a feast-or-famine role. I think third-round wideout Savion Williams is a better fit in this offense. Green Bay needs Texas edge rusher Barryn Sorrell or Oklahoma State linebacker Collin Oliver to make an immediate impact for my grades to increase. 

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Houston Texans

Team Needs: Offensive Line, Wide Receiver, Defensive Back

Overall Grade: A
Fantasy Grade: A+

Houston traded back in the first round and added two third-round picks. Their first three picks could not have gone better: WR, OT, WR. The Texans added two productive Iowa State receivers with huge upside. Minnesota OT Aireontae Ersery bolsters the offensive line. One of my favorite drafts of any team. 

Indianapolis Colts

Team Needs: Tight End, Offensive Line, Edge Rusher

Overall Grade: A-
Fantasy Grade: A

The Colts grabbed tight end Tyler Warren for great value at pick No. 14. Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau will help the run defense immediately. Loved the DJ Giddens pick in Round 5 and quarterback Riley Leonard in Round 6. The Anthony Richardson Sr./Daniel Jones combo is very shaky. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Team Needs: Defensive Back, Wide Receiver, Offensive Line

Overall Grade: D
Fantasy Grade: B

Allow me to explain. Travis Hunter is the best athlete in this draft, so it’s impossible to not like that selection from a fantasy football perspective. Jacksonville also added explosive Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten, who could absolutely ascend to the RB1 spot by Week 1. The problem? The Jaguars gave up too much to move up and draft a WR/CB. I am skeptical of Hunter’s impact on the defense, and third-round cornerback Caleb Ransaw is a risky pick. I don’t think the Jaguars improved their defense, and I’m not sure they are much better with Hunter instead of picking Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan at No. 5 overall. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Team Needs: Offensive Line, Edge Rusher, Defensive Line

Overall Grade: A
Fantasy Grade: B

Surprise, surprise, the Chiefs are really good at this. Kansas City grabbed massive offensive lineman Josh Simmons in Round 1 and then selected three key defensive pieces with subsequent picks. Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals is a superb fourth-round pick with the perfect sleeper profile. Royals has speed (4.4) and production (21 touchdowns in two seasons) and has a great character profile. Kansas City took the perfect upside chance with second-rounder Tennessee defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott. Another great draft by Kansas City. 

Las Vegas Raiders

Team Needs: Defensive Back, Wide Receiver, Linebacker

Overall Grade: F
Fantasy Grade: B+

A carbon copy of the Jaguars, the Raiders added key fantasy pieces while not addressing their main needs. The Raiders reside in one of the toughest divisions in football, the AFC West. Each team has a great head coach, franchise quarterback and strong defense. Las Vegas spent the No. 6 overall pick on a running back, a very 1980s move. Regardless, Ashton Jeanty profiles as one of the few three-down running backs in fantasy football. I like TCU wide receiver Jack Bech, but not as their second overall pick in the draft. Unless the two Round 3 offensive linemen exceed expectations, I don’t see how the Raiders improved as a team. 

Los Angeles Chargers

Team Needs: Defensive Line, Pass Catcher, Running Back

Overall Grade: B+
Fantasy Grade: A+

The second consecutive year I love the Chargers draft. They added one of the biggest upside players in North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton and a super-consistent producer in Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris. Auburn’s KeAndre Lambert-Smith also has upside. Great fantasy draft.

Los Angeles Rams

Team Needs: Defensive tackle, Linebacker, Offensive Line

Overall Grade: A
Fantasy Grade: B

Trading back is always good, and the Rams continue to be one of the smartest organizations in the NFL. The one position they needed to address was tight end, and they inserted Oregon product Terrance Ferguson. Not a ton of Year 1 impact players, but trading back, accumulating picks and still addressing the tight end position is a win. 

Miami Dolphins

Team Needs: Offensive Line, Defensive Back, Defensive Line

Overall Grade: F
Fantasy Grade: C-

I’m down on all things Miami Dolphins. Arizona OL Jonah Savaiinaea is good, but they traded picks to get him. They failed to trade cornerback Jalen Ramsey, which could have resulted in more picks. Running back Ollie Gordon (Round 6) and quarterback Quinn Ewers (Round 7) keep Miami’s fantasy grade in the mediocre range. 

Minnesota Vikings

Team Needs: Safety, Cornerback, Edge Rusher

Overall Grade: B-
Fantasy Grade: C

Limited resources for the Vikings, but they added quality depth. Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson solidifies the offensive line, and wide receiver Tai Felton adds a 4.37 speedster for the passing game. 

New England Patriots

Team Needs: Wide Receiver, Offensive Line, Edge Rusher

Overall Grade: B+
Fantasy Grade: B+

The Patriots had a wealth (11) of picks, which is helpful for a rebuilding dynasty. Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson is a home run, and Kyle Williams is a mega-producer with speed at wide receiver. The Patriots failed to secure a left tackle, but Will Campbell projects for sustained NFL success. 

New Orleans Saints

Team Needs: Cornerback, Offensive Line, Defense

Overall Grade: B-
Fantasy Grade: C+

The Saints desperately need a quarterback, is Tyler Shough really the answer? OT Kelvin Banks should be great, with safety Jonas Sanker, linebacker Danny Stutsman, and cornerback Quincy Riley potentially providing an immediate impact. Is New Orleans simply waiting to address quarterback next season? 

New York Giants

Team Needs: Offensive Line, Quarterback, Defensive Line

Overall Grade: B+
Fantasy Grade: A

Hard to argue with the Giants draft, as they addressed each of their predraft needs. Abdul Carter projects as an All-Pro, even if he will have to pick another number besides 56. It was worth the risk for quarterback Jaxson Dart, who Daboll can try to use as the conduit for a contract extension. Toledo DL Darius Alexander, DL and bowling-ball running back Cam Skattebo should make an immediate impact as well. 

New York Jets

Team Needs: Offensive Line, Wide Receiver, Defensive Line

Overall Grade: A-
Fantasy Grade: B+

The Jets produced an outstanding draft class. Missouri OT Armand Membou secures the offensive line for the foreseeable future. Mason Taylor provides a huge offensive upgrade at tight end. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Team Needs: Defensive Line, Defensive Back, Linebacker

Overall Grade: B+
Fantasy Grade: D

The Eagles added much-needed depth, which limits the fantasy football grade. The first five picks were all defense, but possible immediate contributors. The rich get richer with general manager Howie Roseman continuing to pull the right strings. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Team Needs: Quarterback, Defensive Line, Cornerback

Overall Grade: A+
Fantasy Grade: A-

The Steelers simply “get it.” They addressed every part of their needs except quarterback. Sixth-round pick Will Howard isn’t the answer, but he’s a lot better than Mason Rudolph Assuming Pittsburgh signs Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins, this is a Super Bowl-caliber roster. Pittsburgh reloaded their defense across the board, led by the run-stopping bull Derrick Harmon. Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson is immediately fantasy viable in all formats. 

San Francisco 49ers

Team Needs: Defensive Line, Edge Rusher, Offensive Line

Overall Grade: B
Fantasy Grade: C+

Can either Ole Miss wide receiver Jordan Watkins or Oregon running back Jordan James hit? That would determine the fantasy grade for a 49ers team that is trying to stay in the window to win that elusive Super Bowl title under head coach Kyle Shanahan. My overall grade is based on Mykel Williams’ rising draft stock over the past two months. 

Seattle Seahawks

Team Needs: Offensive Line, Wide Receiver, Defensive Back

Overall Grade: B+
Fantasy Grade: B

I like the wealth of 11 picks for the Seahawks and support the selection of high-upside quarterback Jalen Milroe. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak could easily make Milroe a sustained NFL starter. Grey Zabel is a super offensive lineman, and Colorado State wideout Tory Horton ended just 35 receiving yards short of the Mountain West all-time record due to a knee injury. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Team Needs: Cornerback, Linebacker, Edge Rusher

Overall Grade: B
Fantasy Grade: B

Seattle’s loss is Tampa Bay’s gain with elite Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Cornerback Benjamin Morrison has first-round upside that fell to the Buccaneers due to a hip injury. 

Tennessee Titans

Draft Needs: Quarterback, Edge Rusher, Wide Receiver

Overall Grade: B
Fantasy Grade: B+

Cam Ward is not a traditional first overall pick, but he certainly projects better than Will Levis. I give the Titans credit for avoiding the sunk-cost fallacy. Florida wideout Chimere Dike has speed (4.34) and a huge catch radius. Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor is one of the best fifth-round picks of any team. 

Washington Commanders

Team Needs: Edge Rusher, Defensive Back, Wide Receiver

Overall Grade: B-
Fantasy Grade: C+

Washington bolstered the offensive line with an elite left tackle in Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. I would have liked to see the Commanders look for a more accomplished wideout than Virginia Tech’s Jaylin Lane, but his metrics and special teams contributions compare well to former NFL great DeSean Jackson.