2025 NFL Draft: What Was Each Team's Approach?
Let's consider how each team approached the draft and what it may mean for the coming season.
As promised last week, I will be looking at the draft approach for each NFL team in 2025 and what it may mean for the coming season.
You may reference PFF.com for their draft grades of all 32 NFL teams to get one idea about what draft analysts looked at regarding players. As far as projected starters go, I used the depth charts at Our Lads to consider that, though who actually starters will depend on how what happens in training camp and the preseason.
Arizona Cardinals: Load up the defense.
The Cardinals' offseason gameplan has been to focus on the defense, with four players signed in free agency who are expected to start. The Cardinals continued to emphasize the defense in the draft, with their first five picks used on that side of the ball. Their first-round pick, Walter Nolan III, will likely compete with free agent signing Calais Campbell for a starting job, while their second-round pick, Will Johnson, might be starting as a rookie.
Atlanta Falcons: Be aggressive.
The Falcons looked to improve the defense in this year's draft, but in doing so, they gave up a 2026 first-round pick. As I previously mentioned, they likely had to give up that pick considering how many spots they jumped to get back into the first round. The likes of Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr. and Xavier Watts will be expected to start this season.
Baltimore Ravens: Just let the board fall to us.
The Ravens have typically been patient in the draft and 2025 was no exception. Some might question using a first-round pick on a safety but the good thing is that the Ravens didn't have to move up the board for Malaki Starks. It's fine to take a chance on a player like Mike Green after he slid down the board and he won't be expected to start this season.
Buffalo Bills: Load up the defense.
The Bills didn't have a lot of holes to fill but they emphasized the defense in the draft this year. Their first-round pick, Maxwell Hairston, will be expected to start this year, but TJ Sanders and Landon Jackson will get time to develop. The Bills may not have reached the Super Bowl during the Josh Allen era, but they continue to do a good job building the team around him and, if they take a big swing, evaluating the situation rather than simply swinging again.
Carolina Panthers: Offensive playmaker before defense.
Much of the talk surrounding the Panthers' draft needs focused on defense but the Panthers used half of their draft picks on offense, including their first-round pick on wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Their first-round pick may be expected to start this year, while their defensive selections may be given time to develop. It's worth noting the Panthers signed three free agents who are expected to start in 2025, so they may have figured it was better to go with "best available player" in the first round of the draft.
Chicago Bears: Our board is not like the consensus board.
While draft pundits will have their own opinions on who are the best prospects, teams may look at things differently. The Bears certainly showed that when they drafted Colston Loveland in the first round, when pundits rated Tyler Warren the better prospect. Along with Luther Burden III, the Bears are projected to have five new starters on offense between the draft and free agency.
Cincinnati Bengals: Our board is not like the consensus board.
Like the Bears, the Bengals went after players that pundits might not have taken. They went with defense with three of their first four picks, which may not be surprising given the defensive issues the Bengals had in 2024. With that said, Shemar Stewart might be more about the Bengals looking for someone who doesn't have to start right away but could become a starter in the future. With Trey Hendrickson seeking a new contract and having been the subject of trade talks, it's possible the Bengals expect to be without Hendrickson after 2025, if not sooner.
Cleveland Browns: Our eyes are on 2026.
The Browns took an important step toward recovering from the disastrous trade and extension for DeShaun Watson. They moved down three spots in the first round and picked up a future first-round pick, so they are set up nicely for the 2026 draft. The likes of Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger and Quinshon Judkins are expected to start in 2025. While I would have taken Shedeur Sanders in the third round if the Browns thought he was worth giving a shot, if Sanders proves he's a worthy starter, the Browns will be in even better shape in 2026.
Dallas Cowboys: Our board is not like the consensus board.
Once again, we have a team that followed its own draft board rather than the board that draft analysts had. Tyler Booker is expected to start immediately and Shavon Revel may need to contribute right away if Trevon Diggs isn't fully recovered from injury. Though second-round pick Donovan Ezeirauku might not have to start in 2025, he is a player who should be able to contribute sooner than later.
Denver Broncos: Our board is not like the consensus board.
Here's another team that didn't act like draft analysts thought and went after certain players that pundits might not have rated as highly. The selection of Jahdae Barron in the first round was about a player the Broncos thought was too good to pass up and, after two trades down in the second round, they went with a back they liked in R.J. Harvey. Both players are expected to start in 2025.
Detroit Lions: Our board is not like the consensus board.
We have yet another team who went after players it liked rather than focus on what draft analysts thought. Tyliek Williams might not have to start in 2025 but it wouldn't surprise me if he takes on a bigger role as the season progresses. Second-round pick Tate Ratledge is a more likely candidate to start as a rookie. The Lions used multiple picks on offense that should fill out the depth chart.
Green Bay Packers: Offense coms first, defense comes later.
The headline, of course, was the Packers taking a wide receiver in the first round. It's not surprising the Packers took two receivers early as Christian Watson is coming off an injury and Romeo Doubs will be a free agent. Matthew Golden will probably start in 2025 but Savion Williams will get time to develop. The two offensive linemen the Packers took, Anthony Belton and John Williams, will provide depth though Belton could be developed into a starter.
Houston Texans: Help out the offense.
After trading out of the first round, the Texans emphasized offense, using four of their first five picks on that side of the ball. None of those players are expected to start in 2025, though it's possible a couple could be groomed into starters. They added four free agents who are expected to start, so it will be interesting to see if the Texans have the pieces to become a team that can do more than just win the division.
Indianapolis Colts: Hey, the board fell our way.
It wouldn't surprise me if the Colts didn't expect Tyler Warren to be on the board at pick No. 14. They also found themselves a potential starter in JT Tuimolau in the second round. While the Colts did fill their remaining holes in the draft, the real question in 2025 is what happens at quarterback, as Anthony Richardson enters his "make or break" season and Daniel Jones is essentially the fallback option.
Jacksonville Jaguars: We know who we want and we're gonna get him.
It may have been an open secret that the Jaguars wanted Travis Hunter and they were aggressive in getting him. The trade came at the cost of a 2026 first-round pick, so it was a huge roll of the dice. It was good to see the Jaguars trade down with later picks to get some draft capital back. Hunter may be used more as a wide receiver in 2025 but he will get his shot to contribute at cornerback, too.
Kansas City Chiefs: Just let the board fall to us.
This is another team that was patient and didn't have to make an aggressive move to fill a need. Though free agent signing Jaylon Moore is expected to start at left tackle, Josh Simmons gives them a player who could take over at some point. And it was a good idea for the Chiefs to add another wide receiver, given that none of the players they have has established himself as a top threat at this point.
Las Vegas Raiders: Help out the offense.
The Raiders made five selection in the first two days and four of them were on offense. It was no secret that they loved Ashton Jeanty and Jack Bech should join him in starting right away. The two offensive linemen are likely to be depth players, but they have potential to be future starters. They used free agency to fill defensive holes, so it may not be that surprising they went for offense in the draft.
Los Angeles Chargers: Offense comes first, defense comes later.
The Chargers used the first two rounds on offensive player, then went to defensive players in the third round. Omarion Hampton and Tre Harris are projected to start, even after the Chargers signed Najee Harris in free agency. Their defensive selection are likely to be depth players in 2025, but they could be seen as future starters.
Los Angeles Rams: Our eyes are on 2026.
The Rams opted to trade out of the first round and, in doing so, they acquired a first-round pick from the Falcons. That could put them in good position to draft a quarterback who can eventually take over for Matthew Stafford. They did sign to Stafford to a new contract, but it was more about lowering his cap number for 2025. As for the players the Rams drafted, none are projected to start though it's possible second-round pick Terrance Ferguson plays a lot of snaps.
Miami Dolphins: Focus on the trenches.
The Dolphins drafted two defensive linemen and one offensive lineman with their first three picks. They had just two picks in the first two days, though, so most of their draft selections will be about providing depth. Kenneth Grant and Jonah Savaiinaea, their first- and second-round selections, are expected to start. It's fair to ask if the Dolphins regime is entering a "win or else" season.
Minnesota Vikings: Do what we can with limited resources.
The Vikings made just five selections, after having traded 2025 draft capital last year to either move up in the 2024 draft or acquire other players. Donovan Jackson is projected to start this season. With the Vikings, the obvious question is how JJ McCarthy fares as the starter. The Vikings have playoff expectations, so it will be interesting how McCarthy plays after missing his rookie season because of injury.
New England Patriots: Offense comes first, defense comes later.
It isn't surprising that the Patriots emphasized offense at first, given that they had plenty of holes to fill there. Will Campbell is projected to start at left tackle and TreVeyon Henderson will be part of a split backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson. The Patriots were aggressive in free agency, with five projected defensive starters and four projected offensive starters added. Can they take the next step toward playoff contention in 2025?
New Orleans Saints: Offense comes first, defense comes later.
After declining the fifth-year option on Trevor Penning and losing Ryan Ramcyzk to retirement, it wasn't that surprising to see the Saints select an offensive tackle in the first round. They then added Tyler Slough in the second round. One thing worth noting about the Saints is they often select quarterbacks in the draft, which isn't a bad strategy. Some of the players drafted in the later rounds might be developed into future starters.
New York Giants: Be aggressive.
After taking Abdul Carter No. 3 overall, the Giants regime decided to go get their guy and moved back into the first round to select quarterback Jaxson Dart. It was good that they didn't give up a future first to make that move. The Giants are another team whose regime might be on notice to win this season if they expect to be back after 2025. Interestingly, most of their draft picks and free agent signings aren't projected to be starters.
New York Jets: Let the rebuild begin.
The Jets are definitely focused on rebuilding and their draft picks were more about the long term than anything else. I think they made good selections in Armand Membou and Mason Taylor. The one thing that did surprise me was the Jets didn't draft a quarterback. While I'm not surprised they didn't take one early, they could have taken a flier on a QB on day three. As it is, the Jets may be more convinced they can find their guy in the 2026 draft.
Philadelphia Eagles: Defense comes first, offense comes later.
The first five players the Eagles took were defensive players, with offensive players being selected with four of their final five picks. Jihaad Campbell might have to start as a rookie if Nakobe Dean isn't fully recovered from injury. Otherwise, the Eagles took players who don't have to start right away. Their approach was similar in free agency and it won't surprise me if they are projected to be favorites to win another Super Bowl.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Who needs to take a QB early?
The Steelers opted not to take a quarterback until the sixth round when they selected Will Howard. I would imagine it's not a question of if, but when, Aaron Rodgers signs to play with the Steelers. Meanwhile, Derrick Harmon and Kaleb Johnson are projected to start in 2025. Their biggest acquisition, of course, was landing DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seahawks. The Steelers are generally patient with head coaches, so I don't see Mike Tomlin's job on the line in 2025, but it may be fair to ask if he might be contemplating retirement.
San Francisco 49ers: Defense comes first, offense comes later.
The Niners started their draft with five straight picks on defense. They did need to fill a a couple of starting positions, with Mykel Williams and Nick Martin projected to start. They didn't draft a safety, even with Malik Mustapha's status in doubt because of injury. On offense, it remains to be seen if Brandon Aiyuk will be cleared to play to open 2025, but they signed DeMarcus Robinson in free agency, meaning they don't need fourth-round pick Jordan Watkins to start right away.
Seattle Seahawks: Be aggressive early but then get more draft capital.
After making a trade early in the draft, the Seahawks opted to trade down in later rounds. They made 11 total selections, so they did draft quite a few players to fill out the roster. Some may question moving up for safety Nick Emmanwori, who isn't projected to start in 2025. Their first-round pick, Grey Zabel, is more likely to start this season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Our board is not like the consensus board.
The Buccaneers are another team that didn't share the mindset of draft analysts when it came to making selections. Rather than draft for defense in the first round, the Bucs went with an offensive playmaker, then added cornerbacks with their next two selections. Emeke Egbuka could start for the Bucs in 2025 and could be good for the long term, given that Mike Evans isn't getting any younger and Chris Godwin is coming off an injury.
Tennessee Titans: Let the rebuild begin.
The Titans went with Cameron Ward at No. 1 overall and then did as much as they could to fill other holes. Though this is a team that understands they are probably not challenging for a playoff spot this season, they at least have a QB with potential to build around. The Titans did sign seven players in free agency who are projected to start, but some of the players they drafted have potential to develop into starters.
Washington Commanders: Do what we can with limited resources.
The Commanders traded draft capital to acquire other players, notably Deebo Samuel, Marshon Lattimore and Laremy Tunsil, but they did find a couple of players in the draft who might help out in 2025 or at least be developed into future starters. Their main concern is how soon they get Sam Cosmi back from injury. But the Commanders did more to fill holes through the trade market and free agency. We'll find out how legitimate they are as playoff contenders in 2025.