During the intensity of the NFL draft, it's sometimes tough to see the forest for the trees. Now that the 2025 edition is in the rearview mirror, I've taken a step back to identify my favorite picks from the three-day event.
While there were many great prospect-team connections, I limited myself to three players from each round as my favorites -- plus one more (in Round 1) to create a "starting 22."
ROUND 1
Drafted: No. 14 overall
In my opinion, Warren was the top pass catcher in the draft not named Travis Hunter. Colts quarterbacks will love (and opposing defenders will hate) his size and physicality at the line of scrimmage, over the middle and in the red zone. While not as smooth a mover as Colston Loveland, who was picked 10th overall by the Bears, Warren will be a huge part of the Indianapolis offense after falling into his new team's lap -- just like Brock Bowers with the Raiders last year.
Drafted: No. 6 overall
The combination of Jeanty and head coach Pete Carroll is like peanut butter and jelly. I never had Jeanty falling below the sixth overall pick in my mock drafts this spring because of the Boise State product's elite skill set and Carroll's love for the run game. Would-be tacklers bounce off Jeanty's thick lower body or are often left grasping for air as he spins off contact or jukes them completely. The Raiders now have the playmaking back they've missed since Josh Jacobs departed.
Drafted: No. 27 overall
Starks is a great fit for the Ravens, who needed some help in the secondary following the release of Marcus Williams. Starks was an outstanding playmaker in college who had a less-than-ideal workout at the NFL Scouting Combine, similar to new teammate and star DB Kyle Hamilton back in 2022. And like Hamilton, Starks can play multiple positions, lining up deep, in the box or in the slot. It's a marriage made in defensive coordinator heaven.
Drafted: No. 32 overall
The Chiefs are annual contenders in part because they take calculated risks on talented players like Patrick Mahomes (deemed by some to be an unpolished Air Raid quarterback heading into the 2017 NFL Draft), Tyreek Hill (off-field issues) and Trey Smith (health concerns). Simmons' pass-protection skills and strong run blocking likely would have earned him a top-15 draft slot if not for a torn patellar tendon suffered last season. Given the issues Kansas City had against Philadelphia's defensive line in the Super Bowl, this was a gamble worth taking.
ROUND 2
Drafted: No. 45 overall
This pick screams substance over style, and I love it. Tuimoloau is not considered a bendy edge rusher but has plus length, explosion coming out of his stance and good change-of-direction ability for a 6-foot-4, 265-pounder. It won't surprise me if he and Abdul Carter prove to be the top two edge players in this draft class. The Colts lost Dayo Odeyingbo as a free agent, so Tuimoloau should be on the field early and often.
Drafted: No. 37 overall
I thought Savaiinaea had the potential to be a late first-round selection at guard due to his strength and short-area quickness. He started most of the last two years at right tackle for Arizona to meet a need, but in his earlier film and at the combine, it was apparent just how nimble and explosive he can be inside. The Dolphins lost Robert Jones in free agency, but this second-rounder could be as good or better.
Drafted: No. 61 overall
The Commanders drafted Mike Sainristil in the second round last year and traded for Marshon Lattimore during the 2024 season, but Amos still belongs among my favorite picks. Amos isn't a quick-twitch athlete, but he possesses NFL size (6-1, 195 pounds) and good straight-line speed, and no cornerback in this class is more confident or competitive through the catch.
ROUND 3
Drafted: No. 95 overall
Wilson should have been picked well before the 95th overall slot. He only started one year at Georgia, with Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (selected in the fifth round by Buffalo last year) in place until last fall, but Wilson immediately stepped into a leadership role in 2024. He displayed athleticism at the combine, moving well in space and looking natural staying engaged while finding correct blocking angles. To Drake Maye, Wilson and left tackle Will Campbell should be a sight for sore eyes.
Drafted: No. 75 overall
I projected Martin to be a fourth-round pick for the 49ers in my final three mock drafts, but I can't blame San Francisco for taking him a round earlier. He's a perfect replacement for Dre Greenlaw as a short (5-11 1/2) but explosive linebacker who works through blocks as a blitzer and tracks down ball-carriers in the open field. Martin can line up anywhere, anytime and should benefit from working with perennial All-Pro Fred Warner.
Drafted: No. 65 overall
The Giants grabbed the up-and-coming Alexander after he was passed over by the Bears and Chiefs late in the second round. He lined up at 5-technique or wider at Toledo despite weighing 300 pounds; the Giants defense relies on big men to stuff tackles in the run game and work in tandem with stand-up rushers to baffle offensive tackles. Alexander might not be the next Leonard Williams, but I can see him becoming a very good starter.
ROUND 4
Drafted: No. 123 overall
Sawyer is slated to be a contributor behind Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt as a rookie, but there's always a chance he plays more snaps early in his career than expected. I figured the Ohio State star might not go in the top 50 because of his lack of twitch on the edge, but it was downright criminal for Pittsburgh to sang him in the fourth round.
Drafted: No. 108 overall
Somewhere, late Raiders owner Al Davis was smiling after his team selected this speed merchant out of Tennessee. Thornton was severely underutilized in college as he received a career-high 38 targets last season, per Pro Football Focus. During Shrine Bowl practices, it was clear he could do more than just use his 4.3 speed stretch the field. Las Vegas' roster was in desperate need of receiving talent heading into this draft, so selecting Jack Bech in Round 2 and Thornton in the fourth could pay major dividends.
Drafted: No. 128 overall
Two rounds after snagging Amos, Washington found another great value in Lane. While the Virginia Tech star possesses the height (5-9 3/4) and quickness (4.34 40, 6.75 three-cone) of a slot receiver, he uses his 191-pound frame to run through arm tackles and push forward for extra yards like a running back. He adds value as a punt returner, too. I expect Jayden Daniels will soon love targeting him on offense.
ROUND 5
Drafted: No. 149 overall
It turns out the Cowboys did not need to reach for a running back early in the draft, because the speedy Blue was waiting around to be called in Round 5, while other teams were seemingly seeking more power in their ball-carriers. The home-run hitter does run through high tackle attempts, and he flashes the balance after contact to keep those legs moving in the open field, where he turns on the jets.
Drafted: No. 160 overall
In the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, San Francisco picked up two defensive backs who became starters, Deommodore Lenoir (who signed a five-year, $92 million extension last November) and Talanoa Hufanga (who inked a three-year, $45 million pact with Denver this year), and Sigle should follow the same track. He always seems to be around the ball, partially because of the 4.37 speed he showed at the combine, but also because he has a good feel for coverage and is a willing tackler against the run.
Drafted: No. 167 overall
The Titans signed guard Kevin Zeitler to a one-year deal, but the 35-year-old is going into Year 14 in the NFL. Slater is the team's future on the line, not only because of his tape at Sacramento State but also his performances at the Senior Bowl and combine. He's experienced on the left side and strong enough to switch to the right side, meaning he could step in if either Zeitler (on the right) or Peter Skoronski (on the left) is injured this year.
ROUND 6
Drafted: No. 196 overall
Hassanein's measurements (6-2 3/8, 267) are nearly the same as those of new Detroit teammate Josh Paschal (6-2 5/8, 268), and they ran identical 4.77-second 40-yard dashes. The productive Boise State star (32 tackles for loss, 22 sacks in 2023-24) was drafted much later than Paschal (Round 2, No. 46 overall, in 2022), likely because of a lack of twitch. Hassanein, who was born in the United States, grew up in Egypt and didn't learn football until coming back to the U.S. in high school, brings strong effort and a fiery attitude, matching Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
Drafted: No. 183 overall
Don't judge Harris by his lean frame -- he will hit you hard and let you know about it. An FCS All-American at Idaho in 2023, he refused to back down against ACC competition as a senior. Tennessee had to find another cornerback in this draft after releasing Chidobe Awuzie, and Harris has the ball skills and toughness to play outside or at nickel if injuries hit the Titans' secondary.
Drafted: No. 205 overall
Medrano is not a physical presence like veteran Washington 'backers Bobby Wagner or Frankie Luvu, but he still created five turnovers last season, logging two interceptions and three forced fumbles. He's exactly the sort of coverage linebacker teams covet and should be active on special teams. I won't be surprised if Medrano is the third linebacker on the field by the end of his rookie campaign.
ROUND 7
Drafted: No. 231 overall
Given the amount of time Tua Tagovailoa has missed over the years, including multiple absences due to concussions, I expected the Dolphins to select a quarterback to compete with Zach Wilson for the backup spot. Ewers might be likened to Wilson in unflattering ways, but the fact is, Miami found a potential NFL starting quarterback in the seventh round. If nothing else, a few strong preseason and injury fill-in efforts by Ewers could turn him into a future trade asset.
Drafted: No. 226 overall
Who doesn't love a legacy pick? Carson's father, Mark Bruener, was a first-round selection at tight end for Pittsburgh in 1995, going on to spend nine seasons with the team. Both Brueners played at Washington, with the younger leading the Huskies in tackles in his only year as a full-time starter. It might be an uphill battle for Bruener to make the squad, but his special teams acumen and awareness in coverage made him worthy of a late-round nod.
Drafted: No. 218 overall
OK, so Nelson probably would have preferred to be drafted earlier, but I love his fit in Atlanta. His body type (6-7, 314) is similar to that of Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary (6-6, 306), and Nelson's experience at left tackle gives him a shot to be the third tackle in Year 1. McGary's a free agent after the season, so a strong first campaign could help Nelson win a job in 2026.
