LAS VEGAS — The confetti has barely settled on Sam Darnold hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, but the scouting clock never stops. While Seattle celebrates a Super Bowl title fueled by a revamped offensive line, the Cleveland Browns are the ones sitting on a goldmine. With the 2025-26 season officially in the books, we aren’t guessing anymore. We know who can play.
Draft night grades are just noise. One year later, the truth comes out. From Carson Schwesinger’s Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign to the Jaguars’ costly gamble on Travis Hunter Jr., here is the definitive re-grade of the 2025 NFL Draft class.
The Valedictorians (Grade: A to A+)
1. Cleveland Browns (A+)
Key Hits: LB Carson Schwesinger, DT Mason Graham, TE Harold Fannin Jr., RB Quinshon Judkins
Cleveland didn’t just have a good draft; they reset the standard. Every single rookie started at least one game. Carson Schwesinger wasn’t just good; he was the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Add in Fannin Jr.’s impact and Graham’s disruption upfront, and the Browns found four legit starters. Even with running back Quinshon Judkins lost to injury, he looked like a star in the making.
2. New England Patriots (A)
Key Hits: OT Will Campbell, OG Jared Wilson, RB TreVeyon Henderson
New England hit a double into the gap. They prioritized high-floor starters who contributed immediately to a Super Bowl run. TreVeyon Henderson exploded onto the scene, providing the juice this offense desperately needed. The offensive line overhaul with Campbell and Wilson paid immediate dividends.
3. Chicago Bears (A)
Key Hits: TE Colston Loveland, WR Luther Burden
The Bears played the long game with Colston Loveland, and it paid off. By Week 18, he looked like a future All-Pro. Combined with Luther Burden and running back Kyle Monangai, Chicago’s rookie class kept their NFC contender hopes alive when the veterans faltered.
4. New Orleans Saints (A-)
Key Hits: QB Tyler Shough, OT Kelvin Banks Jr.
It took New Orleans too long to hand the keys to Tyler Shough, but once they did, the offense clicked. He enters the 2026 offseason as the unquestioned starter. Kelvin Banks Jr. locking down the left tackle spot gives this class immense value.
5. Carolina Panthers (A-)
Key Hits: WR Tetairoa McMillan, EDGE Nic Scourton
Tetairoa McMillan didn’t just win; he dominated downfield to secure Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Carolina finally has a WR1. While they still need a dynamic rusher, Nic Scourton proved he belongs in the rotation.
6. Tennessee Titans (A-)
Key Hits: QB Cam Ward, WR Chimere Dike
Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, flashed brilliance mixed with rookie mistakes. His processing speed is elite, even if the turnovers need work. The surprise here? Chimere Dike, who broke the NFL rookie record for all-purpose yards.
The Contenders (Grade: B+ to B-)
7. Seattle Seahawks (B+)
Key Hits: OG Grey Zabel, S Nick Emmanwori
The Super Bowl champs didn’t need flashy rookies; they needed grit. Grey Zabel brought physicality to the trenches, giving Sam Darnold the time he needed to play at a near All-Pro level. On defense, Nick Emmanwori’s length shut down passing lanes all January long.
8. New York Giants (B+)
Key Hits: QB Jaxson Dart, EDGE Abdul Carter
Jaxson Dart showed promise but needs to learn self-preservation in the pocket. Abdul Carter? A headache off the field, but a terror on it. Talent isn’t the issue here; maturity is.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (B-)
Key Hits: RB Omarion Hampton
Once Omarion Hampton escaped Jim Harbaugh’s doghouse, he looked like a feature back before injury struck. The concern is defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell—did he hit a rookie wall, or is that his ceiling?
10. Philadelphia Eagles (B-)
Key Hits: LB Jihaad Campbell, S Andrew Mukuba
Campbell plays fast but reckless. He made turnover-worthy plays but lacked consistency. With Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean eating up snaps, the Eagles could afford to bring him along slowly.
“Everyone talked about the quarterbacks on draft night. We didn’t care. We just wanted to hit people. Now look at the scoreboard.” — Carson Schwesinger, Browns Linebacker & DROY
Middle of the Pack (Grade: C+ to C)
11. Kansas City Chiefs (C+)
Key Hits: None
A rare miss for the champs. Simmons missed time with personal issues, and the class lacked impact. However, Nohl Williams showed enough promise at cornerback to suggest he might replace departing free agents in 2026.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (C)
Key Hits: DT Derrick Harmon
Harmon gave the Steelers a glimpse of life after Cam Heyward. He battled injuries but was a force when healthy. The rest of the class? Mostly special teamers.
13. San Francisco 49ers (C)
Key Hits: CB Upton Stout
First-round pick Mykel Williams tearing his ACL in Week 9 was a gut punch. The silver lining is Upton Stout. At 5-foot-9, he plays with a chip on his shoulder that fits this defense perfectly.
The Red Ink (Grade: C- to D-)
14. Las Vegas Raiders (C-)
Key Hits: RB Ashton Jeanty
Taking a running back early requires a supporting cast. The Raiders didn’t have one. Ashton Jeanty ran hard, but there was nowhere to go. This feels like a wasted year for a franchise that desperately needed to replace Davante Adams’ production.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (D)
Key Hits: WR/CB Travis Hunter Jr.
This hurts. Jacksonville traded the farm two first-round picks for Travis Hunter Jr. He looked electric before the season-ending injury, but the cost was astronomical. If he doesn’t return to 100% in 2026, this trade could set the franchise back five years.
16. Miami Dolphins (D-)
Key Hits: None
A disaster. Miami drafted three defensive tackles for a weakness that remains a weakness. Selecting Kenneth Grant a run stuffer with zero pass rush upside at No. 13 overall was puzzling then and looks worse now. Offensive guard Jonah Savaiinaea might have been the worst lineman in football this season.
2026 Season Outlook
The Seahawks enter the offseason as kings, but the Browns and Patriots have built sustainable rosters through the draft. For teams like the Dolphins and Jaguars, the pressure is immediate. Jobs will be lost if these 2025 classes don’t take a massive leap in Year 2. Free agency begins in three weeks, and the mistakes of last April will dictate the spending of this March.
