Draft Night Magic in Green Bay
The 2025 NFL Draft brought the excitement, the curveballs, and the big swings that fans have come to expect. About the only predictable moment came at the very top, with the Tennessee Titans selecting quarterback Cam Ward No. 1 overall. After that, the weekend in Green Bay turned wild. Now that the picks are locked in and the draft rooms have emptied, it’s time to sort out who capitalized on the moment — and who left with serious questions hanging over their heads.
Here’s a closer look at a few teams who walked away as clear winners, and some who stumbled when it mattered most.
Winners
1. Indianapolis Colts
Grade: A
Indianapolis emerged as one of the most composed and calculated operations of the draft. Early on, they landed two of the most impressive picks in the class: Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau. Two players whose strength and playmaking ability will help Indianapolis on both sides of the ball, providing instant impact talent to a roster looking to get over the hump. From there, GM Chris Ballard stuck to the board, finding value in nearly every round without overreaching. It was a textbook example of disciplined drafting, and it positions the Colts as a real threat in the AFC South moving into 2025.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Grade: A
GM Howie Roseman once again proved why he’s one of the NFL’s best at working the board. Philadelphia has been on a roll of executing near-flawless drafts, landing premium talents at critical spots — especially in the secondary and along the offensive line. In Round 1, they traded up for Jihaad Campbell, a versatile defensive playmaker out of Alabama, and filled a key secondary hole by grabbing Andrew Mukuba to replace C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Several picks project as immediate starters or heavy contributors, fitting perfectly into Nick Sirianni’s system. This class is tailor-made for Philly to run it back and defend their championship.
3. Las Vegas Raiders
Grade: A-
The Raiders needed firepower — and they got it. Landing Ashton Jeanty, far and away the top-rated running back in the class, gives Las Vegas an immediate offensive centerpiece. GM John Spytek and new head coach Pete Carroll also strengthened the offense with receiver Jack Bech and offensive linemen Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant. Beyond getting some help on Offense, the Raiders rounded out their draft board with smart investments on defense, adding both ready-to-play talent and high-upside projects. In a cutthroat AFC West, Las Vegas took a critical step forward.
Losers
1. Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: C
The Bengals’ draft raised eyebrows for its questionable value at key spots. In the first round they went with Shemar Stewart. Stewart has elite physical traits but comes with underwhelming college production, making him a high-risk first-round pick. Cincinnati doubled up on linebackers early too with Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter — both talented players, but the decision to spend two of their top four picks on the same position was puzzling. In a loaded AFC North, this felt like a passive draft for a team that needed to be aggressive.
2. Miami Dolphins
Grade: C
The Dolphins’ approach felt disjointed from the start. Their first pick, Kenneth Grant brings major upside on the defensive line, but Miami passed on Derrick Harmon and Walter Nolen, who could end up being better picks. Then in the second round, Dolphins traded up to grab guard Jonah Savaiinaea, giving up two mid-round picks in the process. Several selections were considered reaches based on experts consensus, and it’s hard to see this class for Miami making an immediate impact. With the Bills and Jets loading up, Miami may have missed a key opportunity to close the gap.
3. Cleveland Browns
Grade: C-
The Browns made headlines by trading out of the No. 2 spot, passing on Travis Hunter — a decision that will be second-guessed for years if Hunter lives up to the hype. They did land a top-five talent Mason Graham at the number 5 pick and picked up a future 1st Round pick. Quinshon Judkins could draw Nick Chubb comparisons early, and Harold Fannin Jr. could be a sold role player. Later, the Browns took two QB’s, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and the controversial Colorado QB, Shedeur Sanders. The best value may end up being Sanders, whose slide to the fifth round was the story of the draft. Cleveland did add some good value but Cleveland needed to add clarity — instead, they muddied the waters even further. After their draft I’m still left wondering “what’s the plan?”
Final Thoughts
The 2025 NFL Draft once again delivered the drama fans crave — and the consequences that front offices will live with for years. Teams like the Colts, Eagles, and Raiders executed their plans with precision and purpose, setting themselves up for immediate and long-term success.
Meanwhile, the Bengals, Dolphins, and Browns leave Draft Night with question marks that could define their seasons — or worse, their next few years.
The true impact of these moves will only reveal itself on the field, but for now, these are the early winners and losers from the NFL Draft.
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