The 2025 Draft has come and gone, while the analysis and arguments have just begun. From quarterbacks to elite defenders to offensive firepower, the class has given teams around the league some serious building blocks for their future. The first three rounds of the Draft are, as it has been since its inception, where franchises lay their foundations—this year was no different.
Here’s the rundown of all 32 teams in Round 1 to 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, including grading and analysis.
Round 1: Franchise Cornerstones and Risky Bets
The Draft’s opening round saw rare attention on a deep class of quarterbacks and much aggressiveness in trades–some teams moved up the Draft board to garner the fresh talents they wanted.
Key Picks and Grades:
- No. 1 Overall – Caleb Williams (QB, USC) to Washington Commanders
Grade: A – A no-brainer pick. The most NFL-ready QB in years gives Washington a potential superstar. - No. 3 Overall – Jonah Blake (OT, Alabama) to New England Patriots
Grade: A- – Building block for the offensive line. Not snazzy, but very necessary. - No. 9 Overall – Ricky James (WR, LSU) to Chicago Bears
Grade: B+ – Dynamic and explosive will mesh with the young quarterback.
Some teams went with offensive linemen to ensure their quarterbacks are protected, while others took risks on edge rushers or secondary help.
Round 2: Steals, Bargain Picks, and Smart Depth
The majority of the second round falls as many of the people are not in near their position because several others are already taken. That, in turn, will allow the organizations to discover high-upside kids with an incredible cost.
Notable Round 2 Picks:
- No. 34 – Trey Mitchell (CB, Oregon) to Detroit Lions
Grade: A- – Should’ve been a first-rounder. Great instincts and speed. - No. 40 – Zayden Clark (RB, Michigan) to Dallas Cowboys
Grade: B+ – A powerful back who fits perfectly into the Cowboys’ offense. - No. 52 – Ethan Grant (DE, Clemson) to Indianapolis Colts
Grade: A – Tremendous value pick for a team needing pass-rush help.
Balanced drafting was apparent during this round, as diversity in the positions suggested that most front offices stuck to the best-player-available, rather than filling specific needs.
Round 3: Underrated Gems with Big Potential
Round 3 of the Draft is mostly for those hidden gems—guys with huge upside who slipped quietly through the pre-Draft process. Such barriers to breakout stardom were evident with some of these players this year.
Showcases Round 3:
- Cameron Wells (LB, Penn State) No. 69 to the Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: A – Very high football IQ and physicality. Can start midseason. - Xavier Lane (WR, Arizona State) No. 78 to the Seattle Seahawks
Grade: B- Good hands, a solid route runner—ideal WR3 with upside. - Marco Silva (S, Florida) No. 88 to the Green Bay Packers
Grade: A- – A versatile safety; can move up into the box or go deep.
These selections may not have set the nation on fire, but history shows that Day 2 players often mature into key contributors, or even a Pro Bowl selection.
Draft Day Winners and Losers
Winner teams on Draft Day: The Houston Texans were on the productive, resourceful and rounder draft that met the needs on either side of the ball. The Detroit Lions – Looked at their defense to keep it busy with high-impact picks. New York Jets – Smart picks for bolstering trenches and wide receiver room. Losers: The Atlanta Falcons – No good QB and some stretches on the picks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chose prospects that are questionable over other higher-graded prospects.
Houston Texans: It was really smart and balanced drafting, addressing both sides of the ball. Detroit Lions: Reigning defense but got big value players on it. New York Jets: Stronger both at the trenches and receiver room with good picks. Losers: Atlanta Falcons: Lost a top QB and stretched it thin with several picks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bypassed higher graded for risky projections.
Conclusion
The first three rounds of the NFL Draft held in 2025 showcased everything fans love; the surprises, the emotional instances, and most importantly the franchise-changing selections. It is, however, too early to determine the success of these picks as they have worked out quite well for some teams in the early rounds.
As training camps approach, we will start seeing how the rookies adjust to the league’s pace and physicality. For now, everyone will hang their aspirations, both teams and fans, on the premise that this Draft class will be the cornerstone for a better tomorrow.
