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Top 10 Worst Picks Of The 2025 NFL Draft. Read the Top 10 Worst Picks Of The 2025 NFL Draft.
NFL Power Rankings: 10 Worst Picks of the 2025 NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and there were many surprising twists and turns along the way. While there were several picks that left fans cheering, some left them scratching their heads. Let’s take a look at the 10 worst picks of the 2025 NFL Draft.
No. 10: Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints entered the draft with a need for a quarterback and decided to wait until the second round to select Tyler Shough of Louisville. By doing this, they passed on first-round pick Jaxson Dart and expected top pick, Shedeur Sanders. However, Shough did not enjoy a successful college career to warrant a second-round pick. Last season, Shough attempted a career-high 389 passes and held a 23:6 TD:INT. Shough may also not be in the mix to win the starting job as well.
No. 9: Dillon Gabriel, QB, Cleveland Browns
While this pick did not seem bad at the time of the draft, when they selected Oregon standout Dillon Gabriel in the third round. However, this pick became quite questionable when the Browns selected another quarterback in Shedeur Sanders several rounds later. Instead of taking Gabriel, the Browns could have opted to improve another position instead of taking Gabriel. While Gabriel could eventually win the QB1 job, the Browns added necessary depth to this position early in the draft.
No. 8: Trevor Etienne, RB, Carolina Panthers
In the fourth round, the Carolina Panthers bolstered their running back room by selecting Trevor Etienne out of Georgia. However, this was not a need of their team, and did not need to be addressed this early in the NFL Draft. Etienne only surpassed 700 yards twice out of his three college seasons and only scored 23 rushing touchdowns. He will also likely not surpass Chuba Hubbard for the top job in the offense as well.
No. 7: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, New Orleans Saints
While Kelvin Banks Jr. was not a poor choice in the opening round, the Saints could have made a better choice with the ninth pick in the NFL Draft. However, the Saints lack several playmakers and could have used their early pick to find an impact player. For example, a top tight end prospect like Tyler Warren or even finding their franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart could have been a better use of this pick.
No. 6: Jaylin Noel, WR, Houston Texans
Another recurring theme on this list is the Texans selecting Jaylin Noel in the third round. The Texans already found another wide receiver in Jayden Higgins in Round 2 and did not need to spend a third-round pick on Noel. During free agency, the Texans have already found a slot receiver in Christian Kirk, who is likely to see more playing time in 2025 than Noel. Noel, who eclipsed the century mark once in his four-year college career.
No. 5: Shemar Stewart, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Shemar Stewart is a high-risk, high-reward pick and was not worth the investment at the No. 17 spot in the draft. During his three-year college career at Texas A&M, Stewart totaled just 4.5 sacks and added 65 combined tackles. However, Stewart is credited for showing elite potential on tape and could reach a new level. Instead, the Bengals could have added an elite defensive back in Jahdae Barron.
No. 4: Kenneth Grant, DT, Miami Dolphins
Kenneth Grant was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 13th pick in the NFL Draft. While Grant will provide a force in the interior of their defensive line, the Dolphins needed to strengthen their offensive line to protect their franchise quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa has battled numerous injuries throughout his career, and adding a top offensive line prospect would have benefited the current state of the team to put them in a position to return to the postseason in 2025.
No. 3: Tai Felton, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Despite having one of the best wide receiver rooms in the sport, led by Justin Jefferson, the Minnesota Vikings added another wide receiver in Tai Felton in the third round of the NFL Draft. Felton only enjoyed two successful seasons in Maryland during his four-year career. In 2024, Felton eclipsed the century mark for the first time and scored a career-high nine touchdowns.
No. 2: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
While the Panthers needed to get Bryce Young a true No. 1 option in the passing game, they reached for wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth pick in the NFL Draft. Instead, the Panthers could have opted to move down in the first round, as many teams in that range were not looking to improve their wide receiver room. McMillan was only named All-American once in his three-year collegiate career.
No. 1: Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears
Lastly, the Chicago Bears surprised many in the opening round by taking Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th pick in the NFL Draft. While many projected Penn State tight end Tyler Warren to be the first tight end off the board, the Bears reached to select their player. Loveland only caught more than 48 passes once in his career and has only scored 11 total touchdowns. In addition, Loveland will likely be the No. 3/No. 4 option in the offense, which does not warrant a top 10 pick.
