What has been mocked in every single place for months grew to become official Thursday night time: The Tennessee Titans chosen quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 total decide within the 2025 NFL Draft.
Sure, draft day in Inexperienced Bay is lastly right here, and FOX Sports activities draft knowledgeable Rob Rang is analyzing and grading each first-round choice in actual time. Did your staff make the appropriate transfer?
Rang: Ward’s enchancment as an NFL prospect over the course of his faculty profession is likely one of the most inspirational and unlikely I’ve seen in 25 years as an NFL Draft analyst. Early on at Washington State, I wasn’t positive he’d make it within the CFL. By the point he’d left Pullman for Miami, it was clear Ward was an NFL expertise, however a middle-round prospect at that. After which this previous season — in opposition to the most effective competitors of his life — Ward unleashed a faster launch, stronger arm and better pocket consciousness for Miami than he’d ever proven at WSU (or Incarnate Word earlier than that), tantalizing scouts along with his still-untapped potential. Put merely, Ward does not have the identical ground of most QB1s. He’s too cavalier with the soccer, excelling in additional of a yard model than I would favor. However he’s a born playmaker with the expertise and work ethic to spark a franchise. There are extra surefire NFL stars on this class, however not at quarterback, so give the Titans credit score, they’re attempting to compete for a Tremendous Bowl and never only a return to relevancy with this choice.
Grade: B
Rang: In 25 years of evaluating NFL prospects, I’ve by no means come throughout a participant as versatile and proficient as Hunter. He’s really considered one of one, incomes my high grade as a receiver, as a cornerback and total prospect. I completely consider that he can play each roles within the NFL, theoretically justifying the Jaguars’ aggressive commerce up for him. Liam Coen was dropped at Jacksonville to assist Trevor Lawrence dwell as much as his potential and get the Jaguars again into the playoffs. Including Hunter to an offense that already boasts one of many NFL’s finest younger wideouts in Brian Thomas Jr. will try this. Including a cornerback to problem Thomas, as effectively, helps make this daring commerce make sense. It had higher, as buying and selling their 2026 first-round choice to maneuver up three spots is borderline reckless.
Grade: B
Rang: Carter by no means ran for scouts previous to the draft, however he did not must, as his explosiveness off the ball and in pursuit is simply so apparent on tape. Whereas definitely speedy off the ball, some have issues about his skill to carry up in run assist as Carter lacks ultimate girth in his decrease physique — which is why he started his faculty profession as an off-ball linebacker. In a league that prioritizes edge rushers greater than another defensive position, nevertheless, Carter’s worth as a right away 10-plus sack candidate justifies this choice. The proper “finisher” to cap a dominant Giants defensive entrance, Carter is an apparent Defensive Rookie of the 12 months candidate.
Grade: A-
Rang: Campbell has every thing NFL groups are on the lookout for on the sort out place besides ultimate arm size. However, some have made far an excessive amount of of his 33-inch arms, particularly given how agile the 6-foot-6, 319-pounder strikes. For a membership determined to guard the funding made a 12 months in the past of their rookie quarterback Drake Maye, this decide makes the entire sense on the planet and is the right manner for brand spanking new head coach Mike Vrabel to place his stamp on the staff. It is not flashy, however neither is Vrabel. This decide is about New England returning to the blue-collar physicality that epitomized the “Patriot Manner.”
Grade: B+
Rang: As protected because the cracker that shares his identify, Graham is the blue-collar robust man that matches what the Cleveland Browns are attempting to construct. He’s a disruptive presence whose recreation ought to solely take off with the entire consideration opponents will probably be dedicating to Myles Garrett. Graham is an effective participant, however the fantastic thing about this choice is the truth that the Browns additionally acquired the 2026 first-round decide from Jacksonville as a part of the deal.
Grade: B
Rang: It’s arduous to explain Jeanty and never enterprise into hyperbole. The comparability that I and others see with him is LaDainian Tomlinson, and anytime you are evaluating a prospect to a Corridor of Famer, issues are already a little ridiculous. However make no mistake, so is Jeanty’s expertise. He’s so fast to and thru the opening, darting in both path, bouncing off of would-be tacklers after which exploding to sunlight. All of us noticed what Saquon Barkley dropped at the Philadelphia Eagles a 12 months in the past. Jeanty is an instantaneous star and an apparent front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the 12 months honors given how Pete Carroll will lean on him to hold the load.
Grade: A
Rang: In right this moment’s period of large blockers on the line of scrimmage, Membou is definitely a bit shorter than scouts would favor — really showing extra like a guard than a conventional sort out at 6-foot-4 and 332 kilos. However the 21-year-old Membou is simply so athletic for his “blocky” body, providing the next upside than another sort out on this class due to his athleticism, youth and the nasty enjoying model that can rapidly make him a favourite of Justin Fields and Jets followers.
Grade: B+
Rang: The 6-4, 213-pound McMillan is a gliding gymnast of a receiver, gobbling up yardage along with his lengthy strides and utilizing his top, lengthy arms and uncommon physique management to soar over defensive backs. I am not fairly as excessive on him as others appear to be, as he is not as bodily after the catch or as a downfield blocker as his measurement suggests. I see shades of Tee Higgins in T-Mac’s recreation, which is to say that I consider he’ll be an excellent NFL receiver, however is perhaps extra of a complementary risk than a real No. 1. Nonetheless, Bryce Younger wanted a pass-catcher and McMillan’s measurement and manufacturing speaks for itself.
Grade: C+
Rang: Sorry for the phrase play, however the funding in Banks makes a number of sense (or is it cents?). Nonetheless simply 21 years outdated, Banks is coming off three seasons as a fixture at left sort out for the pass-heavy Texas Longhorns. He is agile off the snap, mirroring the actions of pass-rushers with coordinated footwork and lively arms. He is perhaps requested to maneuver to proper sort out with final 12 months’s high decide Taliese Fuaga simply settling in on the blindside. Or, maybe the Saints will transfer Fuaga again to proper sort out (the place he starred at Oregon State) and push Trevor Penning both inside to protect (or to the sideline). Both manner, it is a sturdy funding within the offensive line to guard the injury-prone Derek Carr … or maybe construct the road early for Spencer Rattler, Arch Manning or whomever else the Saints is perhaps taking a look at as their quarterback of the long run.
Grade: B+
Rang: Critics will query Loveland’s manufacturing at Michigan, however the offense wasn’t catered round him the way in which it was with a few of the different tight ends on this class, together with Penn State’s Tyler Warren. Bears followers will not essentially admire this be aware, however Loveland is lower from the identical material because the Detroit Lion’s Sam LaPorta or the Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers, enjoying tight finish like a giant receiver. After all, nobody is aware of LaPorta’s impression higher than new Bears head coach Ben Johnson. I am stunned that Loveland went forward of Warren, however the Michigan product’s agility, clean acceleration and comfortable arms ought to make him a right away difference-maker for Caleb Williams and the Bears.
Grade: B+
Rang: The 49ers wanted so as to add new blood to their entrance seven and few provide as a lot upside as Williams, a physically-imposing 6-5, 267 pounder who comes with extra instruments than the native House Depot. He lacked eye-popping statistics at Georgia however affords go off the sting, in addition to terrific size and power to carry up within the operating recreation. There may be some danger to Williams, as he’s removed from a completed product, however that is the form of blue-collar choice the 49ers wanted to rebuild a protection struggling after the wage cap bloodletting of this offseason.
Grade: B-
Rang: They are saying every thing is greater in Texas and that now applies once more to their offensive line with Booker, among the many most imposing gamers on this class. Booker’s sheer measurement (6-foot-5, 321 kilos with almost 35-inch arms and 11 1/8-inch arms) permits him to easily latch and lockout opponents. It’s far too early on this younger man’s profession to warrant a comparability to the Cowboys’ legendary guard Larry Allen, however Booker has the potential to be a decade-long difference-maker for Dallas?
Grade: A-
13. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, DT Michigan
Rang: The damage to Tua Tagovailoa was clearly the largest think about Miami’s disappointing 8-8 season, however don’t overlook the lack of defensive sort out Christian Wilkins to the Raiders in free company. This membership wanted girth and energy inside and few on this class present that greater than Grant, a burly intimidator within the center. Grant is exclusive in that alongside along with his bulk, he’s additionally a really sensible defender, getting his arms as much as knock down passes and kicks. That stated, whereas the place was clearly considered one of want for Miami, I didn’t see Grant as worthy of a top-20 choice and query the worth of this decide.
Grade: C-
Rang: Whether or not it’s Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones throwing the passes, the Colts must encompass their quarterbacks with extra weapons. I considered Warren as one of many 4 true blue-chip prospects on this class (together with Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter and Ashton Jeanty), so clearly I consider he’ll show a steal at this level within the draft. At 6-foot-6 and 256 kilos, Warren possesses the dimensions to contribute as a blocker — not like a lot of the different tight ends on this class — and he possesses the agility and physique management of a a lot smaller man, contorting in house to make acrobatic catches look routine. Whether or not down the seam or sideline, Warren is a matchup monster with All-Professional potential.
Grade: A
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia
Rang: With all due respect to No. 2 total decide Travis Hunter — simply probably the most celebrated versatile prospect of this class — nobody ought to sleep on Walker’s skill to play each off-ball linebacker and rush the quarterback. Some scouts, actually, preferred him much more than Abdul Carter, the Giants’ decide at No. 3. Walker combines an explosive first step with core power, physicality and instincts. The Falcons wanted to spice up their rush as final season was the third since 2020 through which the Falcons completed both thirty first or thirty second within the NFL in sacks.
Grade: A-
16. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, Dt Mississippi:
Rang: With all due respect to No. 2 total decide Travis Hunter — simply probably the most celebrated versatile prospect of this class — nobody ought to sleep on Walker’s skill to play each off-ball linebacker and rush the quarterback. Some scouts, actually, preferred him much more than Abdul Carter, the Giants’ decide at No. 3. Walker combines an explosive first step with core power, physicality and instincts. The Falcons wanted to spice up their rush as final season was the third since 2020 through which the Falcons completed both thirty first or thirty second within the NFL in sacks.
Grade: C+
Rang: Because the Bengals’ de facto basic supervisor since 1999, Duke Tobin has made a profession out of playing on prospects with distinctive upsides. Few provide extra of that on this class than the 6-foot-5, 267-pound Stewart, who may very well be both the complement or substitute the Bengals want with star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson a candidate to be traded. His athleticism wowed on the Mix, however his troubling lack of manufacturing at Texas A&M makes this one other increase or bust decide.
Grade: C+
Rob Rang is an NFL Draft analyst for FOX Sports activities. He has been masking the NFL Draft for greater than 20 years, with work at FOX, Sports activities Illustrated, CBSSports.com, USA Right now, Yahoo, NFL.com and NFLDraftScout.com, amongst others. He additionally works as a scout with the BC Lions of the Canadian Soccer League. Comply with him on X @RobRang.
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