The 2025 NFL draft slides – maybe? – into its second and third rounds Friday night. But make no mistake, while there won’t be nearly as many recognizable names (Shedeur Sanders notwithstanding) called in Green Bay, Wisconsin, this is where the league’s 32 teams so often build the strength of their rosters – whether it’s undervalued depth or those underappreciated but often invaluable starters who often man positions like safety, guard, running back or off-ball linebacker.
USA TODAY Sports will once again analyze each pick, from the 33rd overall (at the top of Round 2) to No. 102, which concludes Round 3, as Friday night unfolds:
▶ Complete Round 1 picks and analysis
2025 NFL draft tracker: Second-round picks
33. Cleveland Browns – LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
One of the draft’s premier ‘backers and Butkus Award finalist despite not starting inside the first several weeks of the season – he still wound up with 136 tackles. At 6-3 and 242 pounds (with fantastic hair), he is a tackling machine and another nice addition to Cleveland’s defense following DT Mason Graham’s arrival Thursday. Schwesinger and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah should be a dynamic off-ball combination in Cleveland.
NFL DRAFT HUB: Live NFL Draft news, live picks, grades, analysis and more.
34. Houston Texans (from Giants) – WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
A large man (6-4, 214), he nevertheless ran a sub-4.5 40 at the combine. He was also highly productive for the Cyclones with 87 grabs for 1,183 yards and nine TDs in 2024. He, Nico Collins (a similar player to Higgins) and Christian Kirk should give third-year QB C.J. Stroud quite an arsenal in 2025.
35. Seattle Seahawks (from Titans) – S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
He’ll immediately remind Seattle fans of former “Legion of Boom” mega safety Kam Chancellor, though Emmanwori is more athletic. An All-American in 2024, Emmanwori has size (6-3, 220) comparable to Chancellor’s – yet ridiculous physical metrics. After running a 4.38 40 and posting a vertical jump of 43 inches, he was one of the combine’s 2025 stars. And given that speed, maybe not a surprise he returned half of his four picks last season for TDs. The Seahawks defense is quickly rounding into the physical form second-year HC Mike Macdonald wants.
36. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars) – RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
A 6-foot, 221-pound hammer for the reigning national champions’ offense, the Ole Miss transfer just bulldozes opposing tacklers. A 1,000-yard rusher in all three of his FBS seasons, Judkins has 4.48 speed and found the end zone 14 times last year. He’s now the natural bellcow successor to departed Nick Chubb in Cleveland.
37. Miami Dolphins from (Raiders) – G Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
The Fins move up for a 6-4, 324-pounder to safeguard QB Tua Tagovailoa (and Savaiinaea ran a sub-5 second 40-yard dash at the combine despite his size). As much as Liam Eichenberg has struggled, good chance Savaiinaea moves in as the starting left guard here.
38. New England Patriots – RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Frequently compared to the Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs, the 5-10, 202-pound All-Big Ten performer is a lightning bolt out of the backfield – using his 4.4 speed to pace the conference with 7.1 yards per rush last season. And while Henderson can also catch the ball (77 receptions in four seasons) and averaged better than a TD per game in Columbus, he’s a renowned pass protector. He becomes another needed weapon for second-year QB Drake Maye and, even if Henderson doesn’t start, might well get more snaps than sledgehammer Rhamondre Stevenson, New England’s RB1 in recent years.
39. Chicago Bears (from Panthers) – WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
The 6-foot, 226-pounder has 4.4 speed and sublime ability to make plays after the catch. After an 86-catch, 1,212-yard season in 2023, Burden’s production and (likely) draft stock took a hit in 2024. But he should be a nifty weapon in Chicago’s revamped offense while working between WRs DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Worth wondering, though, if the Bears whiffed a bit here by missing out on the Buckeyes RBs.
40. New Orleans Saints – QB Tyler Shough, Louisville
Big (6-5, 219), bright and with a huge arm, he could be the Saints’ starter next season depending on what happens with Derek Carr’s shoulder. But after seven seasons (and nearly 1,000 passes) in college, Shough definitely isn’t short on experience or adapting to new situations after playing for three schools (Oregon, Texas Tech). Already 25 and married – and having dealt with several injuries with the Red Raiders – Shough also comes with inherent life experience.
41. Buffalo Bills (from Bears) – DT T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
The perennial AFC East champs jump up for some interior beef. A second-team All-SEC selection in 2024, the 6-4, 297-pounder could quickly take snaps from 33-year-old DaQuan Jones. And with 8½ sacks and 35 hurries the past two years, Sanders and Ed Oliver should be quite a disruptive tandem inside.
42. New York Jets – TE Mason Taylor, LSU
After addressing the offensive line Thursday night, new HC Aaron Glenn continues following the Lions’ team-building philosophy by adding a tight end to help QB Justin Fields. Taylor is the son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, who played for the NYJ the last time they were in the playoffs … which was 2010. A great combo tight end, Mason Taylor (6-5, 251) should provide the physical aspect the new-look Jets are sure to value yet set an LSU tight end record with 55 catches in 2024. And he can move down the seams.
43. San Francisco 49ers – DT Alfred Collins, Texas
The Niners continue to rebuild their depleted D-line, addressing the interior with this massive pick. With 35 hurries since 2023, Collins (6-6, 332) and fellow rookie Mykel Williams can draw attention from DE Nick Bosa or capitalize on the blocking focus Bosa demands.
44. Dallas Cowboys – OLB/DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
The 2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year posted 16½ sacks (second most in FBS) and 20½ TFLs last season (third in FBS). And it’s not like a defense can ever have enough pass rushers, but it’s certainly nice to have a productive weapon opposite All-Pro DE Micah Parsons. The main knocks on Ezeiruaku are size (6-3, 248) and power.
45. Indianapolis Colts – DE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Indy picks up a 6-4, 265-pounder who produced 12½ sacks and 22 TFLs on the Buckeyes’ run to the 2024 national title. All-Big Ten the past three seasons − he had 68 hurries in that span − Tuimoloau effectively replaces departed Dayo Odeyingbo and could form a nice duo with last year’s Round 1 choice, Laiatu Latu
46. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons) – TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
He was the fastest tight end at the combine, posting a 4.63 40 despite his 6-5, 247-pound frame. Ferguson averaged 13.7 yards per catch last year and should nicely complement aging and battered TE1 Tyler Higbee.
47. Arizona Cardinals – CB Will Johnson, Michigan
He has prototypical corner size (6-2, 194) and ball skills, swiping nine passes (two of them pick-sixes) during three seasons with the Wolverines. A turf toe injury scuttled much of Johnson’s junior season in 2024 and a knee issue dropped him out of the first round after he was once projected as a top-10 pick. But could be steal for the Cards. Johnson hasn’t allowed a TD pass since 2022.
48. Houston Texans (from Dolphins via Raiders) –
49. Cincinnati Bengals –
50. Seattle Seahawks –
51. Denver Broncos –
52. Tennessee Titans (from Steelers via Seahawks) –
53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers –
54. Green Bay Packers –
55. Los Angeles Chargers –
56. Chicago Bears (from Vikings via Texans and Bills) –
57. Carolina Panthers (from Rams) –
58. Las Vegas Raiders (from Texans) –
59. Baltimore Ravens –
60. Detroit Lions –
61. Washington Commanders –
62. Chicago Bears (from Bills) –
63. Kansas City Chiefs –
64. Philadelphia Eagles –
2025 NFL draft tracker: Third-round picks
65. New York Giants –
66. Kansas City Chiefs (from Titans) –
67. Cleveland Browns –
68. Las Vegas Raiders –
69. New England Patriots –
70. Jacksonville Jaguars –
71. New Orleans Saints –
41. Buffalo Bills (from Bears)
73. New York Jets –
74. Carolina Panthers –
75. San Francisco 49ers –
76. Dallas Cowboys –
77. New England Patriots (from Falcons) –
78. Arizona Cardinals –
79. Houston Texans (from Dolphins via Eagles and Commanders) –
80. Indianapolis Colts –
81. Cincinnati Bengals –
82. Tennessee Titans (from Seahawks) –
83. Pittsburgh Steelers –
84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers –
85. Denver Broncos –
86. Los Angeles Chargers –
87. Green Bay Packers –
88. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Vikings) –
89. Houston Texans –
90. Los Angeles Rams –
91. Baltimore Ravens –
92. Seattle Seahawks (from Lions via Jets and Raiders) –
93. New Orleans Saints (from Commanders) –
94. Cleveland Browns (from Bills) –
95. Kansas City Chiefs –
96. Philadelphia Eagles –
x – 97. Minnesota Vikings –
x – 98. Las Vegas Raiders (from Dolphins) –
x – 99. Las Vegas Raiders (from Giants via Texans) –
y – 100. San Francisco 49ers –
y – 101. Atlanta Falcons (from Rams) –
y – 102. Detroit Lions –
x – compensatory selection
y – special compensatory selection
How to watch the NFL draft:
The 2025 draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC and streamed on NFL+, ESPN+ or Fubo, which comes with a free trial:
- Friday, April 25 (Rounds 2-3 start 7 p.m. ET): NFL Network, ESPN2, ABC (Watch FREE on Fubo)
- Saturday, April 26 (Rounds 4-7 start 12 p.m. ET): NFL Network, ESPN, ABC (Watch FREE on Fubo)
Sanders’ dramatic draft slide deeper than pure football?
USA TODAY Sports columnist Jarrett Bell opined Friday, regarding the free fall of Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders: “Given all of the negativity heaped on Sanders in the weeks leading up to the draft – including shots from anonymous sources who attacked him as arrogant and entitled – I’m having a hard time shaking the feeling that the snub went beyond football. Sure, nitpicking is allowed – and expected as part of the due diligence of talent evaluations – when it comes to breaking down prospects. But in Sanders’ case, even if his correctable flaw of holding onto the football too long can be fixed (like flaws that can be found with any given prospect), it strikes me as a culture pick, too. Or non-pick.”
Round 1 winners and losers
The draft is only 12% complete in terms of picks used. That doesn’t mean Thursday night’s wild first round didn’t dispense some immediate winners and losers … plus a pair of highly scrutinized teams that warrant a “TBD” status.
First-round grades
Want report cards for Thursday night’s Round 1 proceedings? Draft expert Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz issued report cards for all 32 picks – and no one failed, but several teams will definitely need some improvement going into Day 2.
Green Bay drone show
The NFL will treat the hundreds of thousands of fans on hand Friday night to a unique drone show. Per the league: “(M)ore than 1,200 drones will light up the Green Bay skyline for the first time in the city’s storied history. The cutting-edge display, which will take place after the conclusion of the third round at approximately 11 p.m. CT, will feature the remote-controlled devices flying in choreographed formations above Lambeau Field, honoring the history of the Draft and the legacy of Packers football. The drone show was closely coordinated and approved by the NFL, the Green Bay Packers, the FAA, and local law enforcement. This is a limited and highly controlled exception to the otherwise tightly restricted airspace surrounding the Draft. Safety remains the NFL’s top priority.”
Neat.
EXCLUSIVE: Deion Sanders weighs in on criticism of son, QB Shedeur Sanders
USA TODAY Sports columnist Jarrett Bell recently went to Boulder, Colorado, and discussed several topics with Hall of Famer and University of Colorado football coach, Deion Sanders – among them the pre-draft criticism of his son, former Buffs QB Shedeur Sanders, who wasn’t picked in Round 1.
“It’s silly to us,” Deion told USA TODAY Sports during an expansive interview. “Most of it is laughable. What I told him, too, is, ‘Son, what I’ve learned in my life is when it don’t make sense, it’s God. Because some of this stuff is so stupid it don’t make sense. That means God is closing doors and opening doors to make sure you get to where you’re supposed to go.'”
▶ Deion’s response after Round 1 snub
▶ Shedeur Sanders controversy dissected: Experts weigh in
50* biggest NFL draft busts of last 50 years
The asterisk because I couldn’t limit this list of names, which will take you down memory lane, to just 50. One reason? Rewind four years to the 2021 draft, supposedly chock full of quarterback talent … that mostly has yet to materialize.
‘Flat-out loaded’ class of running backs?
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty could be the first running back selected in the top five picks since the Giants tabbed Saquon Barkley second overall in 2018. Yet while Jeanty may be the headliner of this year’s RB class, there’s quite a bit of talent – and depth – behind him. Longtime draft analyst Todd McShay USA TODAY Sports: “This class is just flat-out loaded with talent. In 25 years of doing this, I haven’t seen this much high-end talent.” How much and why?
▶ Following re-emergence of NFL RBs, a special group highlights draft
▶ How good is Jeanty? Pass on him at your own risk
NFL draft prospect rankings
NFL draft expert Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz has been evaluating and ranking players ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. Take a dive into his overall assessment plus those of the best offensive weapons:
▶ Top 50 big board (Feb. 25) | Top 200 big board (April 24)
▶ Five potential first-round surprises
▶ Draft’s 10 biggest boom-or-bust prospects
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