Post-NFL Draft Power Rankings: How much do the rookie additions shake things up?

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The NFL Draft is complete, and with it, almost all the significant personnel moves of the league’s offseason. That means it’s time for the Power Rankings to check back in to see who stacks up where after an influx of new talent.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

First pick: LB Jihaad Campbell

The Eagles are in the Howie Roseman-can-do-no-wrong phase of their team building. Everybody expects Campbell to be a star because of it, but this could just be Philadelphia taking an inside linebacker in the first round. Maybe the most interesting pick is sixth-rounder Kyle McCord, the quarterback out of Syracuse by way of Ohio State. If there’s a player in this class who could cement Roseman’s genius status, it’s McCord.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

First pick: OT Josh Simmons

If Simmons is healthy, this could be the most significant pick of the draft. The big tackle was Dane Brugler’s No. 3 tackle and No. 20 overall player but slipped to the final pick of the first round because of a patella injury suffered in October. He could fix the Chiefs’ left tackle problem immediately, which keeps them atop the AFC. The Chiefs may have overdrafted defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott in the second round, but their two third-round selections (Louisville edge rusher Ashton Gillotte and Cal cornerback Nohl Williams) were value picks.

3. Buffalo Bills

First pick: CB Maxwell Hairston

If Hairston is as good on the field as he was in the draft green room, where he served as every other player’s hype man, the Bills will have gotten a steal at No. 30. Hairston ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine. Buffalo, which signed Joey Bosa in free agency, followed up the Hairston pick with three more SEC defenders — tackle T.J. Sanders, edge rusher Landon Jackson and defensive tackle Deone Walker — to help shore up the defense.

Find yourself a Hype Man like Maxwell Hairston!

Love to see his genuine joy for his fellow draft prospects. #NFLDraft @UKFootball pic.twitter.com/NjtcrhERGu

— Lee K. Howard ☀️ (@HowardWKYT) April 25, 2025

4. Baltimore Ravens

First pick: S Malaki Starks

The Ravens made a very safe pick with Starks, who was widely considered the best safety in this draft, and then made a risky pick in the second round, taking Marshall edge rusher Mike Green. He was a first-round talent but has faced two sexual assault allegations (neither of which resulted in charges) before arriving at Marshall. It was a bold move for a Baltimore team already facing questions about kicker Justin Tucker’s status with the team.

5. Detroit Lions

First pick: DT Tyleik Williams

Detroit took the 6-3, 329-pound Williams in the first round and then drafted two huge SEC guards in the second and fifth rounds — 6-7, 308-pound Tate Ratledge from Georgia and 6-6, 317-pound Miles Frazier from LSU. Throw in a freaky athlete in 6-4, 214-pound wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, and it felt like a very Dan Campbell-y weekend.

6. Washington Commanders

First pick: OT Josh Conerly Jr.

Everything is about Jayden Daniels in Washington now. After trading for veteran offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil in March, the Commanders kicked off the draft by taking Conerly, Dane Brugler’s No. 4 offensive tackle. The Commanders helped the defense, too, with what could be one of the second round’s best selections — Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos.

7. Green Bay Packers

First pick: WR Matthew Golden

Green Bay entered the draft with one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the NFL and then drafted two more in the first three rounds. After adding Golden and TCU’s Savion Williams, the Packers now have the rookies, Romeo Doubs, Mecole Hardman, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks at the position. Edge rusher Barryn Sorrell out of Texas in the fourth round was their first defensive selection.

8. Los Angeles Rams

First pick: TE Terrance Ferguson

The Eagles are the only team that gets more benefit of the doubt these days than the Rams, who acquired Atlanta’s 2026 first-round pick in return for trading out of this year’s first round and then traded up for three mid-round picks. Third-round edge rusher Josaiah Stewart may end up being the best pick out of a class that surprisingly didn’t include a cornerback.

9. Minnesota Vikings

First pick: OL Donovan Jackson

After adding veteran defenders Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave through free agency, the Vikings focused on offense during the draft with Jackson, third-round wide receiver Tai Felton and a Saturday trade for quarterback Sam Howell. The exception to the offensive approach was a big one — 6-5, 276-pound edge rusher Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins out of Georgia.

10. Houston Texans

First pick: WR Jayden Higgins

Houston wins the Weirdest Weekend Award after not only selecting two wide receivers from Iowa State in its first three picks but also drafting two Jaylins, one Jaylen and one Jayden. With the additions of pass catchers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, Houston likely is signaling that it doesn’t expect Tank Dell to return from injury this season. The Texans also drafted mammoth Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery (6-6, 331 pounds) in the second round.

11. Los Angeles Chargers

First pick: RB Omarion Hampton

There may not be a better first-round marriage than the Chargers and Hampton, a 6-0, 221-pound bruiser out of North Carolina who rushed for 3,164 yards and twice was named a first-team All-American in the last two seasons. He’ll get plenty of reps under Jim Harbaugh. Fifth-round tight end Oronde Gadsden II may end up being the surprise of the group.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First pick: WR Emeka Egbuka

Another wide receiver? Not only was Egbuka a reach at No. 19, but also he joins a crowded wide receiver room that includes Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The Buccaneers get the benefit of the doubt after four straight division titles, but cornerback Benjamin Morrison and his two hip surgeries in the second round are a risk, too.

A dream come true for @BMoe_21 ☘️🏴‍☠️ #GoIrish☘️ | #WeAreTheKrewe | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/SJJPl2WfyU

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 26, 2025

13. Cincinnati Bengals

First pick: Edge Shemar Stewart

It makes some sense that the Bengals made the biggest risk-reward pick of the first round, taking Texas A&M edge Stewart with the 17th pick. Cincinnati’s defense needed a home run swing, and Stewart’s athletic traits are as good as his college production (4 1/2 career sacks) was bad. The Bengals followed that up with five more big-school players, including linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter out of South Carolina and Clemson.

14. Denver Broncos

First pick: CB Jahdae Barron

Sean Payton not only got a star defensive back, but also a running back he loves in RJ Harvey and a wide receiver (Pat Bryant out of Illinois) who reminds him of Michael Thomas. Harvey, a high school quarterback, gained 10 or more yards on almost a quarter of his runs in his final year in college, and fantasy football managers already are circling his name.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

First pick: DT Derrick Harmon

Everyone wondered if the Steelers would take Shedeur Sanders. Instead, they went in a very Pittsburgh direction by mostly taking a bunch of big dudes. Harmon was one of the best defensive linemen in the draft, running back Kaleb Johnson is a power back, Jack Sawyer is a 260-pound edge and defensive tackle Yahya Black has 35-inch arms.

16. Dallas Cowboys

First pick: G Tyler Booker

Why do the Cowboys keep getting away with all their contract antics? Because they often nail the draft. This year, they took players with Round 1 talent with their first three picks — Booker, Boston College edge Donovan Ezeiruaku and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. Dallas fans wanted wide receivers and running backs, but this checks a lot of premium position boxes.

TBook’s first day as a Cowboy ⭐️

@Invisalign | #WinningSmiles pic.twitter.com/Vgo0dCN4dG

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 27, 2025

17. Seattle Seahawks

First pick: OL Grey Zabel

Athletes everywhere. That was Seattle’s theme. After taking the draft’s most versatile lineman first, the Seahawks drafted safety Nick Emmanwori, tight end Elijah Arroyo and quarterback Jalen Milroe. With Sam Darnold as the new starting quarterback, Milroe is an intriguing piece for a team that hired Taysom Hill’s former offensive coordinator in the offseason.

18. Las Vegas Raiders

First pick: RB Ashton Jeanty

Pete Carroll isn’t here to rebuild the Raiders slowly. The new head coach wants to win now. It’s why Las Vegas made the trade to get quarterback Geno Smith, and it’s why it went with a luxury pick at No. 6. Jeanty may lead the league in carries, and if second-round wide receiver Jack Bech and third-round cornerback Darien Porter work out, Carroll might surprise some people.

19. Chicago Bears

First pick: TE Colston Loveland

Chicago beefed up the offensive and defensive lines before the draft, so Ben Johnson got to go find some toys, starting with Loveland, who is going to catch a ton of passes, and then Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III with the 39th pick. Burden quietly is one of the biggest boom-or-bust picks in this draft. He had a disappointing final season but is an electric athlete.

20. Arizona Cardinals

First pick: DT Walter Nolen

The Cardinals took some big swings, starting with Nolen, who can be dominant on his best snaps and complements the team’s free-agent signings of edges Josh Sweat and Baron Browning. Second-round cornerback Will Johnson can be a Pro Bowler if he’s healthy, and then Arizona went with three big-school products with high athletic pedigrees — edge Jordan Burch, linebacker Cody Simon and cornerback Denzel Burke.

21. Miami Dolphins

First pick: DT Kenneth Grant

The Dolphins clearly had a theme — big men. The three defensive tackles they drafted — Grant, Maryland’s Jordan Phillips and Georgia Tech’s Zeek Biggers — are all 310-plus. The wild-card pick is sixth-round running back Ollie Gordon II, who could end up being a star in this offense if the Dolphins can block anybody. They drafted just one offensive lineman.

22. San Francisco 49ers

First pick: Edge Mykel Williams

The 49ers took defenders with their first five picks, starting with one of the biggest edge rushers in this draft in Williams and then following it up in the second round with one of the biggest humans on the planet, 6-6, 332-pound defensive lineman Alfred Collins. The sneaky name to watch is fifth-round running back Jordan James, who could be the next breakout star in this running game.

23. New England Patriots

First pick: OT Will Campbell

No team has remade its roster more this offseason than the Patriots, who added Milton Williams and more defensive line help in free agency. This draft went offense-heavy, starting with Campbell and then running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Kyle Williams and center Jared Wilson. You’re welcome, Drake Maye.

24. Atlanta Falcons

First pick: Edge Jalon Walker

The Falcons needed edge rushers and defensive backs and got two of each, but they traded away next year’s first-round pick and fifth-round pick to get the ones they wanted. If Walker and James Pearce Jr. fix the pass rush finally, and if safety Xavier Watts can compete for starting snaps, it’ll be worth it. If not, Atlanta will miss the playoffs for an eighth straight season.

25. Indianapolis Colts

First pick: TE Tyler Warren

Was there a rule that everyone had to draft a running back this year? Indianapolis took Kansas State’s DJ Giddens in the fifth round. Everyone knew the Colts needed a tight end and had their eye on Warren, but a team with Jonathan Taylor and free-agent signee Khalil Herbert didn’t feel like it needed another runner. The depth of this draft at running back just made it too tempting, though.

26. New York Jets

First pick: OT Armand Membou

New head coach Aaron Glenn wants his team to be tough. We know because he said it again and again during the draft’s three days. Membou (the second straight offensive tackle the Jets have taken in the first round), second-round tight end Mason Taylor and cornerback Azareye’h Thomas fit the mold. Wide receiver Arian Smith was a reach in the fourth round but a reach who runs a 4.36.

27. New Orleans Saints

First pick: OT Kelvin Banks Jr.

Taking an offensive tackle early is usually a good decision, but this draft will be remembered for second-round quarterback Tyler Shough one way or another. New Orleans, which doesn’t know if Derek Carr is going to be back in 2025, made Shough the third quarterback pick of the draft. It’s a risky draft slot for a player who spent seven years in college and has questionable pocket presence.

28. Carolina Panthers

First pick: WR Tetairoa McMillan

This draft will be remembered for McMillan one way or another. The league’s most defense-needy team used a top-10 pick on a huge and talented wide receiver despite questions about his speed and commitment. The wide receiver room needed help, for sure, but this is a risky pick. The Panthers took edge rushers in the second and third rounds — Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen.

We got a us a hooper‼️@TMAC96795 | #KeepPounding #NFLDraft on NFLN, ABC & ESPN | April 24 – April 26 pic.twitter.com/R2uESWHIHh

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2025

29. Tennessee Titans

First pick: QB Cam Ward

Titans head coach Brian Callahan stopped short of naming Ward the starting quarterback after drafting the Miami product with the top pick. “We’ll see,” Callahan said. “He’s got his work ahead of him, and we’ll name starters in September.” News flash: Ward is going to start. The only other option is Will Levis.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

First pick: WR/CB Travis Hunter

First-year GM James Gladstone didn’t tiptoe into the job. Jacksonville gave up picks Nos. 5, 36 and 126 this year and next year’s first-round pick for the right to draft Hunter (plus picks 104 and 200). The Jaguars think they got two players in the multidimensional Hunter, but they’ll start him at wide receiver, where he’ll pair with Brian Thomas Jr. to give Trevor Lawrence an impressive pair of weapons.

31. New York Giants

First pick: Edge Abdul Carter

Carter will strengthen the defensive-line-loaded Giants. The real question mark is quarterback Jaxson Dart, whom New York picked later in the first round after a trade. Dart will apprentice behind Russell Wilson and presumably Jameis Winston as well, but no one is sure how long. Fourth-round running back Cam Skattebo will be a fan favorite.

32. Cleveland Browns

First pick: DT Mason Graham

Everyone entered the draft wondering if Cleveland would take quarterback Shedeur Sanders with its first pick. Instead, the Browns took him with their final one, the 144th overall pick, in the fifth round. That was 50 picks after they took Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The quarterback drama took away most of the focus from what were three solid but unspectacular early picks — Graham, linebacker Carson Schwesinger and running back Quinshon Judkins.

(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; photos of Ashton Jeanty, left, Travis Hunter and Jihaad Campbell: Perry Knots, Logan Bowles, Joshua Applegate / Getty Images)

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