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Quincy Milton III gives his power rankings following the 2025 NFL Draft. Who are the biggest risers and fallers in the NFL? Who are the most improved teams?
With the NFL Draft now behind us, every team and fan base can feel a new sense of hope and outlook toward the future. While not every player selected during the draft will pan out, all it takes is a few to turn around a franchise. These rookies have everything in front of them, and it is time to go out and prove that they are worthy of playing in the NFL.
Given the uncertainty of how players will ultimately perform, team draft grades are an interesting concept. Those who are graded highly could end up with a bad draft class and vice versa. At this point in the process, patience is key. We will not know the outcome of this draft class as a whole for at least a couple of seasons.
Despite the uncertainty, the draft always brings a high level of excitement. It provides a boost to an otherwise boring portion of the offseason and kicks off the final main offseason event before players put on pads and step onto the field. That means it is time to revisit the NFL power rankings and determine where everyone sits following the draft. Let's dive in.
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No. 32: Cleveland Browns
Cleveland had a solid draft by trading back to pick No. 5 to select defensive tackle Mason Graham while adding a haul of draft capital. The team also curiously drafted two quarterbacks, including the highly touted son of Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders. Sanders alone could give the rest of the NFL headaches for years to come if he can emerge as the Browns starter.
No. 31: New Orleans Saints
The Saints selected the heir apparent to Derek Carr in the second round of the draft when they took Tyler Shough. Shough is an interesting prospect who began his college career in 2018 and will be 26 years old by the first few weeks of the NFL season. The pick seems very high for a player who never had a prolific college season. Time will tell if Shough can deliver as a franchise option.
No. 30: Tennessee Titans
The Titans got the belle of the ball in quarterback Cam Ward. The Titans roster is not without holes, but they did well to plug some of them and add their franchise quarterback during the draft. While this team is unlikely to win a high volume of games, it should be competitive in most of them.
No. 29: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars made a splash when they traded up to pick No. 2 for wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. The team gave up decent draft capital to do so but Hunter is a generational talent that it felt it needed to have. Hunter could immediately help elevate the game of quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
This quote from Jaguars GM James Gladstone about Travis Hunter is pretty awesome pic.twitter.com/mzUyPRmQRv
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 29, 2025
No. 28: Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders went heavy on offense by selecting running back Ashton Jeanty at No. 6 and addressing their offensive line on Day 2. While Jeanty is an excellent talent, this team is not ready for a running back of his caliber. As such, Jeanty does not move the needle for this team, no matter what individual success he may end up having in the NFL.
No. 27: New York Giants
The Giants are universally considered to have knocked the draft out of the park. They selected Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick. Carter has the ceiling of Micah Parsons. They managed to turn around and trade back into the first round for very little. They used the No. 25 pick to select quarterback Jaxson Dart. This draft class will hinge on the success of Dart.
No. 26: New England Patriots
The Patriots have had a sneaky great offseason that culminated in a great NFL Draft. They selected Will Campbell, who will anchor their offensive line for years to come, while also adding a slate of simply solid players. This team is still a couple of stars away from being legitimate AFC East contenders, but with quarterback Drake Maye on the ascension, this power ranking could steadily rise throughout the season.
New #Patriots WR Kyle Williams lining up against Travis Hunter in 2023:
— Andrew Guindon (@NestPgs) April 26, 2025
No. 25: New York Jets
The Jets did right by their offensive line by selecting tackle Armand Membou at No. 7. The rest of their picks were less spectacular, but they were all solid. New head coach Aaron Glenn is getting his guys.
No. 24: Carolina Panthers
The Panthers seem to be making all the right moves these days. This is a team that, with a solid crop of rookies and a leap from quarterback Bryce Young, could realistically compete in an average division. Watch out for the Panthers this season.
No. 23: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts selected tight end Tyler Warren in the first round of the NFL Draft. Warren is an immediate impact player who has a chance to take the league by storm at a position that is becoming more and more important. If either quarterback Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones can play up to their potential, the Colts could make a run in a weak AFC South.
No. 22: Chicago Bears
No quarterback in the league has watched more moves made to support them than Caleb Williams this offseason. The Bears added tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III when both positions were not exactly the highest of need. With a solid defense in place and a rebuilt offensive line, Williams has no choice but to succeed.
No. 21: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons made a splash on draft night by selecting two edge-rushers. They had to trade back into the first round at a handsome price to select James Pearce Jr., the second of the two. The position is a significant need for the team, but at what cost? Most critics believe the Falcons failed in this draft, but if they become impossible to throw against, most people will likely shut their mouths.
No. 20: Pittsburgh Steelers
Perhaps one of the biggest draft storylines was the Steelers' decision not to select a quarterback until Round 6 despite Shedeur Sanders' fall to the fifth round. The Steelers' decision to wait suggests that they have some idea of what Aaron Rodgers is going to do. Either way, it seems like this team is headed toward another 10-7 or 9-8 season.
So far this off season,
Free agent Aaron Rodgers has spent time training with DK Metcalf and Kaleb Johnson.
Why can't he just sign a contract with the Steelers by now lol
What exactly is the hold up. pic.twitter.com/qKQse4oAOI
— Rodgers Betta (@Gaige_returns) April 26, 2025
No. 19: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals continue to do a solid job of building out their roster. This is a team that was circling the drain just two seasons ago and now finds itself in a possible position to compete in the NFC West. Of course, it all hinges on the success of quarterback Kyler Murray.
No. 18: Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys' approach to the draft was not exactly what they have always done. Instead of fancy and flashy selections, the Cowboys selected based on need and the best player available. While that is not always exciting for a fan base, it can often work out in a franchise's favor. Still, this team has many holes that it was not going to be able to plug on draft night, so the outlook of the 2025 season is still murky.
No. 17: Houston Texans
The Texans certainly won the arms race in the draft by selecting Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Both should be immediate impact players for a team devoid of help opposite Nico Collins. However, the offensive line issues still loom, and there is no simple path to fixing the problem before the season kicks off.
No. 16: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have had an average offseason. There has been no exodus of significant talent, but no influx of the same such talent, either. If Miami expects to compete with Buffalo in the AFC East, it will need to make some serious additions. Unfortunately, with several huge contracts on the books, that may not be possible.
No. 15: San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers did not select many household names during the draft, but they greatly improved their depth on defense. However, they have real offensive line issues that have not been addressed in a significant way. This team could face questions on offense in 2025.
No. 14: Seattle Seahawks
After addressing their offensive line in Round 1 and making a couple of splashy picks in Round 2, the Seahawks could afford to have a little fun. They drafted quarterback Jalen Milroe in Round 3 as a project behind Sam Darnold. The Seahawks crushed the draft by selecting for the present and the future. If everything clicks, this team will be formidable in 2025.
The Seattle Seahawks had an IMPRESSIVE draft haul pic.twitter.com/4krJpLPjrB
— PFF (@PFF) April 30, 2025
No. 13: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers may now have the best top-to-bottom wide receiver room in the NFL with the addition of Emeka Egbuka in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. The team spent the rest of the draft focusing on bolstering a defense that forced its offense to have to score a smattering of points per game. If the picks hit, it could run the NFC South once again in 2025.
No. 12: Denver Broncos
The Broncos did not make any flashy selections during the draft. However, they continue to slowly bolster a roster that was heavily impacted by the Russell Wilson deal. Denver could realistically compete with Kansas City in the AFC West this season if things break correctly.
No. 11: Los Angeles Chargers
Running back Omarion Hampton is a Jim Harbaugh type of player. He is a big and bruising back with serious speed. Unlike the Raiders with Ashton Jeanty, the Chargers are a team ready for a first-round running back. Hampton has a chance to take the league by storm, even given the presence of Najee Harris for this season.
No. 10: Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals only made six selections during the draft but they did well to address positions of need. Let's face it, this team is only going to go as far as quarterback Joe Burrow will take it. With a plethora of weapons at his disposal, that could end up being pretty far.
No. 9: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams did well in the draft by continuing to adjust their philosophy to develop homegrown players. Although the long-term outlook at quarterback is unclear, the team has positioned the rest of the roster to be solid for years to come. The team that pushed the Super Bowl champion Eagles to the brink in the playoffs has a chance to do so again in 2025.
hello, old friend pic.twitter.com/6otTxcejBn
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 25, 2025
No. 8: Green Bay Packers
The Packers made a splash by drafting talented wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first round. Golden has star potential on a team that is not devoid of offensive talent. It has been missing a true No. 1 option at wide receiver, and Golden could be the difference-maker who propels quarterback Jordan Love to the next level.
No. 7: Minnesota Vikings
Second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy now has the full backing of the Vikings. McCarthy is positioned as well as any quarterback in the league to succeed. Do not be surprised if this team takes the NFC North this season.
No. 6: Washington Commanders
Washington had few picks in the draft because of the various trades it made to upgrade the roster this offseason. However, it did well with those picks. This team looks like it is here to stay, with a talented young quarterback in Jayden Daniels at the helm.
No. 5: Detroit Lions
The Lions are not being talked about this offseason like they were last offseason but they deserve to receive the same publicity. Although they lost several coaches, head coach Dan Campbell knows how to run this team and he will have his guys ready. They have done well to plug holes throughout their roster and keep their championship window open.
No. 4: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens find a way to be relevant every year that Lamar Jackson is healthy. There is no reason to expect anything less this season. Baltimore should compete well in the AFC North and will look to finally get back over the hump and into the Super Bowl.
No. 3: Buffalo Bills
The Bills' draft strategy involved defense, defense, defense. The Bills brass feels as though quarterback Josh Allen can carry any offense and that this team needed to fortify the defense to support him. They aren't wrong, and it smells like yet another AFC East title may be on its way to Buffalo.
No. 2: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs had an excellent draft, beginning with the selection of offensive tackle Josh Simmons at the end of the first round. Simmons should not have been there for the Super Bowl runner-up, but they now have a potential elite option at the position. Throughout the rest of the draft, the team added solid depth. We probably should not count out the team with Patrick Mahomes in 2025.
Jalen Royals is the Most Underrated WR in the 2025 NFL Draft🗣️ pic.twitter.com/vVlMUkvqFd
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 9, 2025
No. 1: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles continued to do what the Eagles always do and draft excellent players at excellent value. This team is not going anywhere despite a couple of key departures on defense. Expect the Eagles to be right back in the mix in 2025.
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