The 2025 NFL Draft has two days and three rounds in the book, but the event hasn’t even reached its true midpoint yet.
On Friday, teams turned their attention to an all-important two-round stretch. This section of the draft can accelerate rebuilds by allowing franchises to stock up on young talent at key spots, and it can also help fuel – or sustain – contenders by equipping them with low-cost talent that allows them to pay top dollar to stars. And while several players atop our big board rankings of the top options available quickly heard their names called, many more – including Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders – are still waiting for resolution.
USA TODAY Sports graded each pick in the second and third rounds as they came in, so take a look back at all our the latest analysis for every selection on the night.
2025 NFL draft grades: Every pick in second and third round
Second round
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33. Cleveland Browns: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA – Grade: B-
An off-ball linebacker is a bit of a luxury for a team with as many holes as the Browns. Schwesinger could be a hyperactive presence at the second level for Cleveland, but the team is going to have to start attacking premium positions to truly get this rebuild going.
34. Houston Texans (from Giants): Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State – Grade: B+
Rounding out the receiving corps made sense for Houston given the departure of Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell’s uncertain status, and the Texans got ahead of a possible run on the position early on Day 2. Higgins has drawn comparisons to new teammate Nico Collins and should be a matchup problem on in-breaking routes and in contested-catch scenarios.
35. Seattle Seahawks (from Titans): Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina – Grade: B+
If the Seahawks had taken Emmanwori at 18, it likely wouldn’t have created a stir. Instead, Seattle trades up to secure the singularly athletic playmaker near the top of Round 2. Emmanwori needs to be a more controlled and reliable presence against the run, but he can unlock all sorts of coverage looks for Mike Macdonald and his mad scientist approach to defense.
36. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State – Grade: C-
Well, so much for attacking premium positions in a rebuild. The Browns’ backfield is in dire straits, but it’s hard to square taking a workhorse back here, especially given the depth available at the position. It’s also a little surprising to see Judkins taken ahead of his more dynamic former Buckeyes teammate TreVeyon Henderson.
37. Miami Dolphins (from Raiders) – Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona – Grade: B-
Stout and steady, Savaiinaea provides something different and necessary to the Dolphins’ line as a powerful and reliable interior presence. Trading up for the 6-4, 324-pounder warrants some scrutiny given the number of Day 2 options at the position, but Miami has made a serious commitment toward firming up its fronts.
38. New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State – Grade: B
Adding more explosiveness for the Drake Maye-led offense was bound to be a priority for New England on Day 2. But many assumed it would come in the form of a receiver rather than a running back. Henderson still ramps up the big-play quotient for the attack, however, and he should also factor heavily into the passing attack as someone who can create mismatches.
39. Chicago Bears (from Panthers): Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri – Grade: A-
No excuses for Caleb Williams in Year 2. Between the addition of Ben Johnson, the overhauling of the offensive line and the addition of dynamic receiving targets in first-round tight end Colston Loveland and Burden, the Bears have weaponized their attack in impressive fashion. Johnson needs to get Burden to lock in, but the electric run-after-catch threat can ignite big plays, though many of his early touches will likely need to be schemed.
40. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville – Grade: B
Imagine telling someone in January that Shough would be taken ahead of Shedeur Sanders. Shough, a seventh-year senior who was in the same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, has an extensive injury history and only one year of consistent production, but it’s easy to see the appeal of a 6-5, 219-pound passer with a live arm. The uncertainty with Derek Carr’s health could prompt Shough into action in short order, and he won’t have a very promising setup to work with as a rookie. But this is a worthwhile rolling of the dice for a team that could come back to the spot next year if the pick doesn’t work out.
41. Buffalo Bills (from Bears): T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina – Grade: C+
Attacking needs is the clear theme of the Bills‘ draft, as they follow up a selection for their most pressing shortcoming at cornerback by moving up the board for a defensive tackle. Sanders can be disruptive as someone who can shoot the gap, but his inconsistency will make him hard to count on as an every-down defender early in his career.
42. New York Jets: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU – Grade: B+
After taking Armand Membou over the top tight end options at No. 7, Gang Green circles back to the position to land a player one notch below Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren. Taylor can be an immediate asset to Justin Fields as a reliable target who can thrive operating in traffic.
43. San Francisco 49ers: Alfred Collins, DT, Texas – Grade: B+
The outlook for the 49ers’ defensive interior after the team parted with Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins was rather shaky, but San Francisco did a nice job of capitalizing on a deep class at defensive tackle. Collins should have no trouble controlling the line of scrimmage and stuffing the run, though you likely won’t find him chasing down quarterbacks with any regularity. But Nick Bosa and first-round pick Mykel Williams can lead the charge there.
44. Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College – Grade: A
Nice bounce-back pick for Jerry Jones after the questionable use of resources in taking Tyler Booker at No. 12. Ezeiruaku was second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 16 1/2 sacks last season, and he should be able to continue deploying his advanced approach to rushing the passer effectively as he operates opposite Micah Parsons.
45. Indianapolis Colts: JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State – Grade: B
Tuimoloau might not single-handedly jolt the Colts’ edge rush, but he can be an important part of a rotation. The 6-4, 265-pounder reliably creates pressure with his bull rush and sets a firm edge against the run.
46. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon – Grade: B
Sean McVay and Les Snead really wanted their playmaking tight end. One year after their push for Brock Bowers came up empty, the Rams turn to Ferguson, an impressive athlete who should serve a solid complementary role in the passing attack that will center on Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
47. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan – Grade: A
It’s impossible to fully assess this pick without knowing the prognosis for the knee ailment that weighed down Johnson’s stock, according to multiple reports. But his play and coverage tools are otherwise that of a top-10 pick, so he could be a massive boon to Arizona’s rebuilt defense if he can stay on the field.
48. Houston Texans (from Dolphins and Raiders): Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota – Grade: B
Solving the protection problems for C.J. Stroud was bound to be a multipronged approach for Houston. The Texans take another stab at a solution with Ersery, an uneven but promising blocker who should be a good fit in offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s zone-blocking scheme. Bringing him along slowly behind Cam Robinson in his rookie year is probably the right move.
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina – Grade: C+
Some help at the second level definitely belonged on the Bengals’ to-do list, but perhaps not this high. Knight can be an active presence against the run, but he could be exploited if tasked with too many man coverage looks.
50. Seattle Seahawks – Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (Fla.) – Grade: B-
After bringing on Cooper Kupp alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba and parting with both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, Seattle looked due for a pass catcher who could attack defenses downfield. Arroyo looks promised to take on that role as a player who will split out wide frequently and essentially be a tight end in name only.
51. Carolina Panthers (from Broncos): Nic Scourton, DE/OLB, Texas A&M – Grade: B-
Addressing the edge rush early was a Day 2 necessity for Carolina, which paid off the final part of the Bryce Young deal earlier in the round but traded up from a spot later on to get to this slot. Outside of a wicked spin move, Scourton won’t win on style points, but his high-effort approach to pass-rushing could still pay nice dividends.
52. Tennessee Titans (from Steelers via Seahawks): Oluwafemi Oladejo, DE/OLB, UCLA – Grade: B-
Another team lacking a spark off the edge takes action to find a catalyst. The 6-3, 261-pound Oladejo is an imposing presence thanks to his power, but he has to develop a more diverse array of moves to make a consistent mark as a pass rusher.
53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame – Grade: B-
A hip injury knocked Morrison out of his final season in South Bend, and it likely took a toll on his draft stock as well. The 6-0, 193-pounder could have some trouble against more physical receivers who will look to push him around, but his ball skills could position him as a nice staple of the secondary for Todd Bowles.
54. Green Bay Packers: Anthony Belton, OT, North Carolina State – Grade: C+
More help for Jordan Love is on the way, though maybe not immediately. Belton overwhelms opponents when he locks in on them, but he has work to do to become a more controlled presence who can be trusted in the starting lineup.
55. Los Angeles Chargers – Tre Harris, WR, Mississippi – Grade: B
The Bolts found another flavor in the passing game to take the load off of Ladd McConkey. Harris is underdeveloped as a route-runner after coming out of Mississippi’s simplistic scheme, but he can tax defenses downfield while he learns to become a more complete player.
56. Chicago Bears (from Vikings via Texans and Bills): Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College – Grade: B
All offense, all the time for Chicago. The Bears get back to the trenches with Trapilo, a towering blindside blocker who provides some insurance if left tackle Braxton Jones falters or has any trouble staying on the field after he fractured an ankle last season.
57. Detroit Lions (from Rams via Panthers): Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia – Grade: B+
Good marriage of value and need here for Detroit. An interior offensive line on slightly uncertain ground after Kevin Zeitler’s departure in free agency gets revitalized with Ratledge, who is solid to the core in both pass protection and the run game.
58. Las Vegas Raiders (from Texans): Jack Bech, WR, TCU – Grade: B
More skill-position talent is headed to Sin City to invigorate the Silver and Black’s attack. Geno Smith likely will need to trust Bech in jump-ball scenarios to truly take advantage of what he offers, but the 6-1, 214-pounder’s track record suggests he’ll continue to deliver in tight quarters.
59. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, DE/OLB, Marshall – Grade: A-
Two sexual assault allegations – one in high school and one at Virginia before his transfer to Marshall – almost assuredly complicated Green’s draft outlook. There’s little question that the Football Bowl Subdivision leader in sacks can electrify the Ravens’ pass rush, but more questions will follow this choice.
60. Denver Broncos (from Lions): RJ Harvey, RB, UCF – Grade: B-
It’s a bit of a surprise to see the 5-8, 205-pound Harvey be selected ahead of some ball carriers who look better equipped to handle a substantial workload, but clearly Sean Payton saw something in the twitchy threat. Though he has substantial upside as a pass catcher who can help fill the “Joker” role, his rocky showings in protection could limit his usage.
61. Washington Commanders: Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi – Grade: A
The arrow is pointing up for Amos, who can make quarterbacks pay for daring to test him. The 6-1, 195-pounder can have some trouble against savvier receivers in man coverage, but his tools are well worth the investment at this point in the draft.
62. Chicago Bears (from Bills): Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M – Grade: B-
Defensive line makes a sensible area for Ryan Poles to address after the Bears went heavy on offense early. Turner adds some juice to Chicago’s front, though he’s a bit wild to be entrusted as an every-down entity.
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee – Grade: C+
Finding another interior disruptor to put next to Chris Jones figured to be a point of interest for Kansas City given the depth of this defensive tackle class. Norman-Lott might be a boom-or-bust kind of player given how much the 6-2, 303-pounder relies on beating players off the ball.
64. Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas – Grade: C+
Howie Roseman deserves the benefit of the doubt on secondary picks after he aced last year’s haul of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. But despite his instinctive coverage skills, Mukuba shapes up as a potential liability as a tackler while offering a pedestrian athletic profile.
Third round
65. New York Giants: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo – Grade: B-
At 6-4 and 305 pounds, Alexander looks the part of a player who can cause problems in the middle. But he’s too often washed out of plays and has to develop more ways to win if he is to make a heavier impact in opponents’ backfields.
66. Kansas City Chiefs (from Titans): Ashton Gillotte, DE, Louisville – Grade: B
There’s not a ton of mystery to Gillotte’s approach, which typically entails him trying to plow through whoever is lined up across from him. But for whatever he lacks in creativity, he still has a way of flustering offenses with his forcefulness.
67. Cleveland Browns: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green – Grade: B
There’s a stark contrast between Fannin’s process, which entails jerky movements, and his prolific receiving results. He figures to max out as a complementary asset, but that’s still something that Cleveland’s eventual quarterback of the future can benefit from.
68. Las Vegas Raiders: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State – Grade: B
Pete Carroll and John Spytek settle a particularly pressing spot with a pick that Al Davis would have loved. At 6-3 and 195 pounds with 4.3-speed in the 40-yard dash, Porter boasts astonishing athleticism and considerable ball skills at cornerback. But the former receiver is very much not a finished product given his limited experience at the position, and he could be in for some turbulent reps in coverage if he’s forced into a heavy rookie workload.
69. New England Patriots: Kyle Williams, WR, Washingon State – Grade: B+
Drake Maye might be salivating at the prospect of a receiver with the wheels to make things happen downfield. If the undersized Williams can beat press looks, he has the speed to pull away from cornerbacks and bring the big-play element New England’s aerial attack sorely needs.
70. Detroit Lions (from Jaguars): Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas – Grade: C+
The upside for a 6-4, 214-pounder is immense, as TeSlaa can pluck passes over the heads of smaller defensive backs downfield. But he still has a long way to go on his development, and he might be relegated to a big slot role at the next level.
71. New Orleans Saints: Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas – Grade: C+
Another stout run stuffer goes off the board. Still, this feels like a bit of a stretch, particularly for a team with as much to address as New Orleans.
72. Buffalo Bills (from Bears): Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas – Grade: A-
Sean McDermott has already shown he can get the most out of a massive edge rusher with Greg Rousseau. The 6-6, 264-pound Jackson is likely too mechanical to match the pass-rush production of the former first-rounder, but he’s still a pain for offensive tackles to keep at bay given his length and power.
73. New York Jets: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State – Grade: A-
Hard to think of a better place for an ascending cornerback to land than with Aaron Glenn. A Senior Bowl standout, Thomas routinely flusters receivers with his length and determined approach to coverage.
74. Denver Broncos (from Panthers): Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois – Grade: C
Boosting Bo Nix is an understandable aim, but it’s difficult to understand how much adding a possession receiver moves the needle. Bryant was taken ahead of several targets who seemingly possess more upside.
75. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State – Grade: C
The production and playmaking range – recall that Martin caught up with 40-yard dash record-setter Xavier Worthy to make a tackle – are major pluses. But a missile-like mentality toward finding the ball too often results in misfires for Martin, who also might be engulfed by bigger blockers.
76. Dallas Cowboys: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina – Grade: A
Brian Schottenheimer spoke early this month about his desire to build the team outside in. With Revel, Dallas does exactly that, giving itself a smothering coverage presence who likely would have been a first-round talent if not for a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in September.
77. Carolina Panthers (from Falcons via Patriots): Princely Umanmielen, DE/OLB, Mississippi – Grade: A-
Doubling up on the edge rush is a reasonable decision to assist a defense that ranked 31st in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate metric. Umanmielen gives Carolina a more dynamic threat than solid second-rounder Nic Scourton, though he’s far less consistent.
78. Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Burch, DE, Oregon – Grade: B+
Monti Ossenfort clearly didn’t want to leave the offseason without a front seven that could pack a punch. Burch might not translate his testing marks into prolific sack stats at the next level, but he can push blockers back and hold the edge.
79. Houston Texans (from Dolphins via Eagles and Commanders): Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State – Grade: B
Noel and second-round receiver Jayden Higgins will remain teammates with contrasting styles at their next stop. There’s certainly a redundancy question given Christian Kirk’s presence and the other figures in play here, but Noel is the kind of pass catcher who can further put C.J. Stroud at ease with his ability to uncover.
80. Indianapolis Colts: Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota – Grade: C-
At 5-10 and 190 pounds, Walley is fairly unremarkable in most elements of his game, though he’s experienced and productive. There were more promising options who would have been more appealing here.
81. Cincinnati Bengals: Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia – Grade: B
Exiting Day 2 with a starting-caliber guard was an important step for the Bengals given their unstable protection for Joe Burrow. Mission accomplished, as Fairchild has the strength to become a fixture with more polish.
82. Tennessee Titans (from Seahawks): Kevin Winston Jr., S, Titans – Grade: B
A torn ACL suffered in September not only complicated Winston’s draft outlook but also robbed him of the opportunity to gain valuable experience. He should be a valuable asset against the run right away, but his work in coverage might be a little more of a roller-coaster.
83. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa – Grade: B+
Not the backfield selection everyone was waiting for with Shedeur Sanders on the board, but there’s plenty to like about this pick. Johnson has drawn some comparisons to Le’Veon Bell for his distinct and patient running style, and he could enjoy a more fruitful career than several of the ball carriers taken ahead of him.
84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State – Grade: B
With two cornerbacks selected on Day 2, change is afoot in the Buccaneers’ secondary. Speedy and smooth, Parrish can hang outside or in the slot, though the latter might be his settling point given his 5-10, 191-pound frame.
85. Kansas City Chiefs (from Denver Broncos): Nohl Williams, CB, Cal – Grade: B
With 14 career interceptions, Williams is a certified ballhawk. He could have trouble translating that playing style to the next level given his pedestrian athleticism, but he should allow Kansas City to be flexible with how it uses Trent McDuffie.
86. Los Angeles Chargers: Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon – Grade: B+
Jim Harbaugh finally gets some bulk to a defensive line that was in a bad way after the departure of Poona Ford. Caldwell can be considered a discount Kenneth Grant, and he should help Los Angeles dictate terms in the run game.
87. Green Bay Packers: Savion Williams, WR, TCU – Grade: B
A second wide receiver going to Green Bay early is a fun subplot, but Williams is more of an all-purpose weapon than a true wideout. He’s been compared to a supersized Cordarrelle Patterson, and he should have sufficient time to hone his approach while still seeing several schemed touches.
88. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Vikings): Caleb Ransaw, CB, Tulane – Grade: B-
Asking Travis Hunter to save the league’s last-ranked pass defense is too much, even for the Heisman Trophy winner. Ransaw might not fully settle the spot opposite Tyson Campbell, but he can be a sticky and versatile piece on the back end for Jacksonville.
89. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Texans): Wyatt Milum, G, West Virginia – Grade: B
If the start of the Jaguars’ class was all about excitement, then the next step might be about stability. Though Milum doesn’t have ideal length or athleticism, he can get the job done for Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville run game with his savvy and strength.
90. Los Angeles Rams: Josaiah Stewart, OLB, Michigan – Grade: B
At 6-1 and 249 pounds, Stewart is firmly in outlier territory for an edge rusher. But his burst off the edge will give him a chance to make his way into opponents’ backfields, and he has a better track record against the run than one would expect of a player at his size.
91. Baltimore Ravens: Emery Jones Jr., G, LSU – Grade: B
A sturdy blocker at 6-5 and 315 pounds, Jones can obscure some of his shortcomings by moving inside to guard. His discipline can falter, but he can be a force in the run game.
92. Seattle Seahawks (from Lions via Jets and Raiders) – Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama – Grade: A-
With the selection Seattle received from the Geno Smith trade, the Seahawks take a shot at shaping their own quarterback future. With a rifle arm and scintillating running ability, Milroe has a ceiling that’s sky-high. It’s unclear if he’ll ever become refined enough as a passer to approach it, but this is the kind of gamble that a team without certainty behind center should be taking on Day 2.
93. New Orleans Saints (from Commanders): Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia – Grade: B-
Aggressive and athletic, Sanker has plenty of promise if he can become a little less volatile, particularly as a tackler. He can match up well against tight ends and bigger slots, though he could have trouble with more nimble targets.
94. Cleveland Browns (from Bills): Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon – Grade: C-
Despite his extensive production, Gabriel landing in the third round – and ahead of Shedeur Sanders – is nothing short of a shocker. With the undersized passer seemingly possessing limited developmental upside after a lengthy college career, it’s hard to figure out what Cleveland saw here as it sets itself up for a 2026 QB splash.
95. New England Patriots (from Chiefs): Jared Wilson, C, Georgia – Grade: B+
His one year as a starter proved sufficient to catch teams’ eyes. There’s still plenty of room to grow as a blocker, but New England was wise to give itself an option at center beyond former first-round washout Garrett Bradbury.
96. Atlanta Falcons (from Eagles): Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame – Grade: B+
No one in this class matches Watts’ ability to put himself in position to make a play in coverage, as evidenced by his 13 interceptions over the last two years. Athletic limitations put a ceiling on his stock, but he can patrol deep so long as he is kept out of unfavorable man matchups.
x – 97. Houston Texans (from Vikings): Jaylin Smith, CB, USC – Grade: C
Cornerback didn’t shape up as a particular area of concern for a secondary that already boasts Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter and nickel Jalen Pitre. Smith might be pigeonholed to working inside and sticking underneath, but he can add depth.
x – 98. Las Vegas Raiders (from Dolphins): Caleb Rogers, G, Texas Tech – Grade: B-
Several college offensive tackles in this class are headed inside, and Rogers appears to be one of them. His prowess when pulling should serve Ashton Jeanty well, though he’s well short of a full-on bulldozer.
x – 99. Las Vegas Raiders (from Giants via Texans): Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary – Grade: B+
Traits of a high-end pass protector are difficult to find this late in the draft, and Grant certainly has them. A jump in competition will make for a rocky transition, but there’s the payoff here could be considerable, especially with left tackle Kolton Miller’s future unresolved amid contract questions.
y – 100. San Francisco 49ers: Upton Stout, CB, Western Kentucky – Grade: C+
Stout joins linebacker Nick Martin as the next undersized but extremely active playmaker to join San Francisco’s defense. He has been likened to Amik Robertson, but he might be boxed into a role that emphasizes his quickness and shields him from mismatches.
y – 101. Denver Broncos (from Rams via Falcons): Sai’vion Jones, DE, LSU – Grade: B
Nik Bonitto’s breakout season helped the Broncos‘ pass rush reach new heights, but it never hurts to have additional weapons. Jones can be a bully against opposing linemen and spell others.
y – 102. Minnesota Vikings (from Lions): Tai Felton, WR, Maryland – Grade: B-
There’s no shortage of juice in the Vikings’ receiving corps with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison leading the way, but now Minnesota can prepare to spread the wealth with J.J. McCarthy at the helm. Felton will strain defenses with his acceleration, though he could be neutralized by physical defensive backs.
x – compensatory selection
y – special compensatory selection
