NFL Draft grades for every Day 2 pick in 2nd and 3rd round

How does your team grade out today?

The first round of the NFL Draft gets all the fanfare, but it’s on Day 2 where elite rosters get built. In the 2025 class, the strength of the group is on the second day, where we may see a run on the receiver class and linemen group. The most prominent name left on the board is Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, whose fall out of Round 1 was all the rage on social media. However, there are two prospects still left in the green room after Thursday: Michigan CB Will Johnson and Alabama QB Jalen Milroe. Both come with flaws, but could hear their name get called early on Day 2.

I’m back to grade the picks, so let’s get started!

33. Cleveland Browns: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

Grade: A

Love this pick by the Browns. With LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s future in jeopardy, Schwesinger can step in as a rangy and athletic linebacker who gives them a major defender in the middle of the field. I worry a bit about his play strength, but behind Mason Graham this should be really fun.

34. Houston Texans: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

Grade: B-

I would’ve loved for this to be an offensive linemen or Luther Burden III, but Higgins is a big fast and tall receiver who plays similar to his new teammate Nico Collins. He has to be better coming back to the ball and separating downfield, but the Texans needed receiving help with their skill position room ravaged and Higgins fills that need.

35. TRADE: Seattle Seahawks (via Tennessee Titans): Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Grade: A

This feels like a perfect fit for the Seahawks. Mike Macdonald has experienced with jumbo jet safeties, and Emmanwori has a case for the best athlete in the entire draft. I wish he would play a little bigger closer to the line of scrimmage, but he can be an impactful back end safety going across the field.

36. Cleveland Browns: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

Grade: C

Judkins before teammate TreVeyon Henderson is really interesting man. Judkins is a bruising back who plays behind his pads and can be an effective pass protector, but I worry about his vision and would get caught from behind too often for someone who ran a 4.4. I’m very curious about this pick.

37. TRADE: Miami Dolphins (via Las Vegas Raiders): Jonah Savaiinaea, OG, Arizona

Grade: B+

I think the Dolphins gave up a lot to move up here, but Savaiinaea could be considered one of the best guards left on the board. He’s got long arms, moves really well in a phone booth and has the power to finish blocks. The Dolphins need some aggression up front, and Savaiinaea fits that bill.

38. New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Grade: B+

Although I would’ve probably liked for them to address their receiver room, it seems like the receivers are falling. Henderson is a ball of lightning at the RB spot, who can be a major factor on third downs as a receiver and pass protector. If the Pats can get him downhill, they should be a much more explosive team on the ground.

39. Chicago Bears: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Grade: A+

This RULES. I thought Burden was a borderline first round prospect, someone who could bring a lot of juice to an offense with the ball in his hands. Although he’s a bit more of a slot receiver, he won’t have to play outside with Rome Odunze and DJ Moore on the team. Get QB Caleb Williams all the tools he needs, and let him cook.

40. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville

Grade: C-

Shedeur Sanders must’ve flunked those interviews, man. Shough is a strong thrower who has no shyness attacking downfield, but he falls apart under pressure and will be 26 years old this upcoming September. Sanders would’ve made more sense here.

41. TRADE: Buffalo Bills (via Chicago Bears): TJ Sanders, DT, South Carolina

Grade: C+

The Bills needed defensive tackle help, but I feel like TJ Sanders is a copy of guys they already have on the roster. Sanders wins with quickness on the interior as a pass rusher, but isn’t really a run defender. The Bills don’t really have a run defender up the spine of their defense, but Sanders should help their pass rush.

42. New York Jets: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

Grade: B+

I like this value for the Jets, adding a really solid pass catcher in Taylor. I worry a little bit about his blocking on the edge, but he’s going to add smoothness in the short to intermediate areas for the Jets, and a little bit of upside after the catch.

43. San Francisco 49ers: Alfred Collins, DT, Texas

Grade: A

I know that the pass rush upside is limited, but this is a perfect pick for the Niners’ biggest issues. Collins is one of the best run defenders in the class, a force at moving people in a one or two gap defense. He’s going to immediately help the Niners boost their run defense that got gashed last year.

44. Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

Grade: A-

I was always a massive fan of Ezeiruaku, a bendy and twitchy edge defender who has the length to be an even better run defender. Dallas’ pass rush is still a question mark with Demarcus Lawrence in Seattle and Marshawn Kneeland coming off a knee injury, so grabbing Ezeiruaku here is going to give the Cowboys two speedy pass rushers off the edge.

45. Indianapolis Colts: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

Grade: B-

This is an interesting one. Tuimoloau is a quality edge defender who can win with power and knows his pass rush plan. He’s a little athletically limited, but he’s got good instincts and is a disciplined defender. He’ll help raise the floor of the Colts’ defense.

46. Los Angeles Rams: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon

Grade: C-

I mean, Ferguson is really similar to Tyler Higbee...but Higbee is already on the roster. I feel like Ferguson could’ve been there a little later in the draft, but he’s a long and tall tight end who is a safe underneath option. I just wonder if they wanted to address the speed in their offense in a better way.

47. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Grade: A

If Johnson’s knee checks out, this has the potential to be a steal for the Cardinals. Johnson’s speed is good enough at cornerback, but his reactive quickness and eyes in off coverage are really good. This is a perfect fit for the Cardinals, and help elevate their defense in a big way.

48. TRADE: Houston Texans (via Las Vegas Raiders): Aireontae Ersery, OL, Minnesota

Grade: A

Ersery is a long and athletic offensive line prospect who could play guard or tackle in Houston. I thought he would go higher than this, but 48 feels about right for him. Houston needs an infusion of talent in that room, and despite some bend issues I think Ersery’s movement skills should help a lot.

49. Cincinnati Bengals: Demetrius Knight Jr, LB, South Carolina

Grade: B-

This feels kinda high for the Bengals, but they clearly had a need to stop the run and Knight does that among the best in the class. He’s fast running downhill and is a missile as a spy and blitzer. I worry about his reaction time in coverage, but with Logan Wilson next to him I can see the vision.

50. Seattle Seahawks: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami

Grade: B

Arroyo was 77th on my board, so this might be bit of a reach, but the Seahawks need some help in their receiving room desperately. I worry about the injuries and just not being a very good run blocker, but there might not be a faster tight end in this class and he’ll help create downfield explosives.

51. TRADE: Carolina Panthers (via Denver Broncos): Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

Grade: A

I had Scourton as my 40th player, so the Panthers getting him at 51 is really good business. If the Panthers can keep him around the weight he was while he was at Purdue, they could get a player who is a blur off the edge with power and heavy hands. He also can defend the run really well, but has to work on finishing plays.

52. Tennessee Titans: Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA

Grade: A-

This is one of my favorite players in this draft class, a high ceiling player who has the athleticism to win off the edge and is a better run defender than a former off-ball LB would have. The Titans need some juice with Harold Landry off the team, and Oladejo does that in spades. Love this pick.

53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Grade: C+

Morrison is a very talented player, but coming off a hip injury and already being sorta stiff before that, I wonder why he was the pick over guys like Trey Amos or Azareye’h Thomas at this point. If the Bucs can get 2023 Morrison before his injury, this could be fun. But it’s a high risk coming off a hip injury.

54. Green Bay Packers: Anthony Belton, OL, NC State

Grade: D+

The first player that wasn’t on my top 100 to be picked, I’m stunned Belton goes this early. I think he’s more of a gap scheme lineman who is going to be a guard. I really question this pick for the Packers with a pressing need in the secondary still.

55. Los Angeles Chargers: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss

Grade: A

I had Harris at 57, so 55 here is good value for the Chargers. Harris is a legit outside receiver who has a lot more wiggle than his larger size would denote. He can win after the catch, but his role is going to be on the outside and winning downfield. Love this for the Chargers.

56. Chicago Bears: Ozzy Trapailo, OT, Boston College

Grade: C-

I had Trapailo at 98 on my final big board, but at 56 this feels like a massive stretch. Trapailo is a big dude who wants to finish blocks in the run game, but some stiffness is going to limit his ceiling.

57. TRADE: Detroit Lions (via Denver Broncos): Tate Ratledge, OG, Georgia

Grade: A

This is SUCH a Lions pick. Ratledge has shorter arms and is coming off an ankle injury, but he has a nasty demeanor and the power to affect the run game. He’s also a perfect fit for the culture in Detroit, and is a guy Dan Campbell probably loves.

58. Las Vegas Raiders: Jack Bech, WR, TCU

Grade: A-

Bech was at 64 on my final big board so it’s a bit of a reach, but he’s such a perfect scheme fit for the Raiders that it makes too much sense. Bech is a rugged blocker and is so good after the catch, where Chip Kelly can use him on the inside as a power slot. The Raiders are going to be hard to tackle in 2025.

59. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Grade: B- on the field, F off the field

It’s hard to ignore what Green did off the field, with a sexual assault case that was the biggest reason he fell all the way to 59. For John Harbaugh, who after the Ray Rice case said the Ravens have “zero tolerance” for cases like Green’s, to pick Green, that statement falls very hollow.

On the field, Green is a different type of pass rusher from their normal body types. He’s got shorter arms, but his speed and burst off the ball is truly among the best in the class. If he can come in and be a valuable DPR it makes sense.

60. Denver Broncos: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF

Grade: A

Harvey was my 65th graded player, but also one of my favorite RBs in this class. A springy and bouncy runner with a low center of gravity, he’s going to make the Broncos offense much more explosive and dynamic as a runner and receiver. I love this pick for the Broncos, who need that explosiveness behind their powerful offensive line.

61. Washington Commanders: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

Grade: A+

This is a phenomenal pick for the Commanders, a perfect scheme fit for Washington. Amos is a physical corner at the line of scrimmage who is better playing the ball when it’s in front of him. In Dan Quinn’s defense he could be a steal.

62. Chicago Bears: Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M

Grade: B-

Turner is a supremely athletic defensive tackle who can get up and down the line of scrimmage. In Dennis Allen’s one gap defense he could shore up some of their issues up the spine. If he keeps his penalties down, this could be nice value. Just wonder if better and more consistent players were on the board.

63. Kansas City Chiefs: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee

Grade: A

This is an awesome pick by the Chiefs, one that fits their defense really well. Norman-Lott doesn’t have the prototypical size but he’s got long arms and extremely quick crossing the face of a lineman. He’s a one gap vertical pass rusher who isn’t a run defender, but as a DPR on the inside next to Chris Jones this should be really good.

64. Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas

Grade: A

I had Mukuba at 62 on my board, and the Eagles getting him at 64 is really nice value. He’s an instinctive safety who loves to mix it up close to the line of scrimmage despite his size. Coming off the roof of a defense he should be really good, and with the Eagles having enough size in front of him, he could be a playmaker next to Reed Blankenship.

65. New York Giants: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

Grade: A-

This one is a lot of fun! Alexander is an older prospect, but you can’t ignore his consistent pressure across multiple alignments both at Toledo and at the Senior Bowl. I wonder where he plays, but on 3rd downs he, Dexter Lawrence, Abdul Carter and others will be really cool.

66. Kansas City Chiefs: Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville

Grade: A-

Gillotte was 68th on my big board and the Chiefs got him at 66, so it really checks out. Gillotte is a high effort pass rusher who wins with heavy hands and power. For a Chiefs team that likes their edge defenders to compress the pocket, Gillotte adds to that room in a big way.

67. Cleveland Browns: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

Grade: B+

Fannin is one of the most interesting prospects in this class. At only 20 years old, he has an ability to win after the catch, but is such an explosive linear prospect. He’s not a guy you want on the line of scrimmage, so he’s got a specific role as an F TE, but as the Browns transition to more 12 personnel, Fannin could be a nice receiving option.

68. Las Vegas Raiders: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

Grade: B-

I wonder why Porter is the pick here over Thomas or Shavon Revel Jr, but Porter has an extremely high ceiling. He’s a former receiver, but the athleticism is so natural on the outside. He’s also a special teams ace, so he’ll help there as well. I just wonder why Porter over other better CBs here.

69. New England Patriots: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State

Grade: B-

Williams is a nasty route runner who can create separation, but his biggest issue is his slight frame and eight drops. His inconsistent hands might hold him back, but he can get open quickly. I wonder if Jaylin Noel would’ve been the better pick here but I understand why Williams is the pick.

70. Detroit Lions: Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas

Grade: C-

I’m really curious about this one. TeSlaa is big, fast, and showed some nice things on tape despite a terrible passing offense, but lack of production and inconsistent ability to separate on the outside really concern me. He also is a good blocker, making him a fit for what the Lions want out of their receivers. Getting him here feels like a massive reach, though.

71. New Orleans Saints: Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas

Grade: C-

Broughton here feels kinda high, I was thinking this would be a good range for Oregon’s Jamaree Caldwell. However, Broughton can stop the run and gives the Saints more length on the inside.

72. Buffalo Bills: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas

Grade: B+

This is such a Bills pick. Jackson is a tall, strong and long defender who wins with length and motor. He also showed some explosiveness at the combine, which is a really helpful boost for his NFL outlook. I don’t know if he’ll be a star, but he’s going to be ultra reliable edge for Buffalo.

73. New York Jets: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Grade: A+

This is a massive steal for the Jets, because I thought Thomas was arguably the best press man cornerback in the draft class. He’s a competitor who uses his length and size to beat up receivers outside. He’s not fast, but his ball skills are there. This is a great pick for New York.

74. Denver Broncos: Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois

Grade: C+

Bryant was player number 101 on my board, but man this feels like a reach by the Broncos. Bryant is a smooth player who isn’t overly fast, but has tidy route running and sure hands. The Broncos need explosiveness from their receiver room, however, and Bryant isn’t that. Lot of questions here.

75. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State

Grade: D+

I mean...whoa. I like Nick Martin as a player, but I liked him more on Day 3 than in Round 3. This feels really rich, but Martin is a good coverage linebacker who can man up on backs and tight ends. Just think there’s better players out there.

76. Dallas Cowboys: Shavon Revel Jr, CB, East Carolina

Grade: A

Another corner who has an injury issue, but if he’s cleared he can be a massive steal. Revel is long and physical at the line of scrimmage, and when healthy he can turn interceptions into touchdowns. This feels like a pick the Cowboys would make, taking a swing on a prospect with an injury. I think Revel can be really good if healthy, so I’m excited for this.

77. Carolina Panthers: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss

Grade: B

I think this is the perfect range for Umanmielen, a speedy pass rusher with a finesse profile who doesn’t really defend the run. I think Swinson might be a bit more of a fit for Carolina, but the Panthers make a solid pick here for a designated pass rushers to back up Nic Scourton and Jadeveon Clowney.

78. Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Burch, EDGE, Oregon

Grade: B-

I think this might be a bit of a reach here, but for the Cardinals’ defense I understand. Burch is very similar to former Oregon Duck Brandon Dorlus, who could play inside and outside at the NFL level. I think he’s going to need an established position in the NFL, but the Cardinals need the beef up front.

79. Houston Texans: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State

Grade: A+

This is an outstanding pick for the Texans, who doubled down on Iowa State receivers. I thought Noel was the better receiver, with field tilting speed and concentration on passes downfield. With Tank Dell being out for the foreseeable future and no speed on the field, Noel adds that in bunches.

80. Indianapolis Colts: Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota

Grade: B-

I got to Walley late in the process, but he graded out as a near top 100 player. I wonder why the Colts go with a slot defender here with Kenny Moore II still under contract, but Walley’s competitive nature and ball skills in man coverage translate both inside and outside.

81. Cincinnati Bengals: Dylan Fairchild, OG, Georgia

Grade: D+

I’m not sure about this one for Cincy. Fairchild is a raw offensive guard who has a lot of athleticism, but he doesn’t have a lot of power in his hands and can be a little off balance. With Marcus Mbow still on the board, I think this was a big reach.

82. Tennessee Titans: Kevin Winston Jr, S, Penn State

Grade: B-

Winston is a missile as a run defender, who wants to come up and break stuff as a safety. The knee injury knocked him out of 2024, and his skills in coverage aren’t there, but he’s a hammer coming downhill. I don’t know if I like him over Xavier Watts, however.

83. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

Grade: B+

The only reason this isn’t gettin an A is because Shedeur Sanders and Jalen Milroe are both still on the board. Outside of that, this is an awesome player and schematic fit. Johnson is the best zone runner in the class with physicality and foot quickness. He’s not overly fast, but he’s quick in short areas. Would’ve loved a QB there, but Johnson makes so much sense.

84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State

Grade: B+

This is an incredible scheme and culture fit. Parrish is a monster at nickel, who is undersized but plays a lot bigger than his size and is unafraid of mixing it up as a run defender. I wonder what happens to promising rookie Tykee Smith, but get your best guys on the field.

85. Kansas City Chiefs: Nohl Williams, CB, Cal

Grade: B

I might’ve gone with Quincy Riley here, but Williams also feels like a Spags type of DB. He’s physical and unafraid to put his head in and make tackles, but also shows promise as a defender in the flat area.