2025 NFL Draft: Pick-by-pick analysis for Day 2

I thought the Browns might target an offensive player here, but Schwesinger has top-tier athletic traits, is a physical tone-setter and could nab a starting role early on.

The Texans need more after Nico Collins at receiver, and they get a very similarly profiled prospect in Higgins. Like Collins, the physically blessed Higgins could be a later bloomer who really thrives a few years into his career.

Emmanwori was one of my highest-rated players left on the board entering Day 2. He's a very well-built safety whose best work is done near the line of scrimmage. If he can tackle a bit more consistently, he could be a huge factor in Seattle's secondary.

With all the smoke around OSU teammate TreVeyon Henderson, the Browns instead take the tone-setting Judkins, who could be a force and the leader of their run game. He was a volume back at Ole Miss before jumping to the Buckeyes and sharing the load with Henderson.

The Dolphins are bringing the beef with their first two picks. After taking the massive Kenneth Grant in Round 1, they trade up to add the similarly big Savaiinaea, who could compete for a Day 1 starting OG job. He was mostly a tackle in college, but scouts I've talked to like the idea of using his power inside.

We now have a backfield in motion in New England. I assumed the Patriots would take a back tonight, but Henderson is a three-down performer who could push Rhamondre Stevenson into a lesser role. Henderson is an excellent player who can help Drake Maye as a pass protector and receiver.

There's your slot receiver. This was a sneaky need for Chicago, and goodness, it's not hard to imagine the fun stuff Ben Johnson can cook up for Burden as a runner and receiver, especially in the red zone. He was outstanding on schemed-up touches and doesn't face pressure of being an alpha right away with D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze established already.

Shough's age (25) and injury history were concerns for some teams, but for others, he was one of the best throwers in the 2025 QB class. The Saints need someone capable of playing soon with Derek Carr's injury concerns, and Shough -- who's three months older than Brock Purdy -- has seven years of college experience to bring to the Superdome.

Buffalo slides up 15 picks to take the late-blooming Sanders, who went from underachiever to tone-setter for the Gamecocks. He can play up and down the line and fills a big need inside, but this spot was a little earlier than I expected for Sanders.

The Jets wanted to add a tight end in this draft and likely considered the two first-round options, Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, at No. 7 overall. Instead, they showed terrific patience and landed a smooth, steady pass catcher who competes as a blocker -- and he's not even 21 years old yet. Taylor's dad, Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, once had a brief spell with the Jets.

Collins shed the underachiever label from early in his college career and was one of my favorite watches among this year's prospects. He's still figuring out how to use all his ability, but there's absolutely a starting-caliber talent here. Had he rushed the passer better at Texas, Collins might have been a Round 1 pick.

Thought to be a possible first-rounder, Ezeiruaku lacks a huge frame and great take-on strength, but he absolutely can run the arc and get to the quarterback. Expect the bendy, slippery Ezeiruaku to earn pass-rush snaps from the get-go.

The Colts have made two good picks with Tyler Warren and now Tuimoloau, who plays full tilt and will be a foundational piece up front. Tuimoloau is unlikely become a star or 12-sack performer, but he has heavy hands and has very few holes in his game.

The Rams had been sniffing around a lot of tight ends, and they take one of the more athletic ones in Ferguson. He never had a 100-yard game in 53 college games (37 starts), but he's a natural receiver and well-rounded player who could be a 10-year pro.

Health concerns and the lack of a 40-yard dash time knocked Johnson down about a round after he was projected as a top-20 pick early in the process. He's a long, balanced and instinctive DB whose 2023 tape suggests the Cardinals got a bargain if he's healthy. The Cards had success taking a rehabbing Garrett Williams two years ago on Day 2.

Ersery played both tackle spots for the Gophers and could be a terrific right tackle in time if he can clean up his technique and land his punches with better timing and placement. This is pretty solid value in the mid-second round, as the tackle market is drying up quickly.

Al Golden's defense needs help on all three levels, and the hard-working Knight will compete for Germaine Pratt's role right away. Knight, who'll turn 26 in January, didn't really break out until his fourth college season, but he will max out his effort on the field and off it.

The playmaking Arroyo helped keep the tradition of strong Miami tight end performances alive last season after injuries derailed much of his college career. Arroyo was a terrific big-play target for Cam Ward last season and could fill that role in Seattle for Sam Darnold if he stays healthy.

Carolina took a risk going offense in Round 1, but it might have paid off if Scourton develops. He was a tricky player to evaluate because he appeared to put on too much bad weight last season, but the Panthers might have something here if he can complement his high motor with some pass-rush refinement. He attacks QBs like a junkyard dog, which sometimes is effective.

The edge run continues. Oladejo is a converted linebacker who is still learning the finer points of trench warfare, but he might be perfectly cast as a 3-4 linebacker in the Titans' scheme. He's an ascending talent who could be something in a few years.

And now the injury-concern players are now starting to roll off, too. Morrison has top-40 talent and an NFL-made frame, but questions about his hip and play strength might have pushed him down a bit. This feels like a smart risk for Tampa at this phase of Day 2.

I had Belton just outside my top 100 (No. 104 for those scoring at home) because of his weight ballooning in the past, along with his occasional lack of fundamentals as a blocker. But with Belton's sheer mass and some good coaching, he could be a starting tackle or guard down the road.

Harris is a perfect Joshua Palmer replacement and likely an upgrade eventually. He's not a blazer but has enough downfield juice and the kind of "post-up" game to make him an easy target for Justin Herbert to appreciate. Harris is polished, smooth and effective.

The first three picks will make Ben Johnson a happy man. One of the few starting-caliber tackles remaining, Trapilo is likely best-suited for RT duties, but he's a disciplined, surprisingly effective pass blocker and is regarded as mature and pro-ready by scouts.

Get ready for the mullet, Detroit. When the Lions talk about their type of guys, they mean tone-setters such as the gnarly Ratledge. Georgia's line was demonstrably worse after he was sidelined for a slew of games, missing his competitive fire. He's been a right guard all his college life, and guess where Detroit has a starting job open? Yep, right guard.

Bech earned a legion of fans for his game-winning touchdown in the Senior Bowl after his brother was killed less than a month earlier. He plays with an inspired style and has a running back-like build. Bech could be a star in Vegas, where the Raiders need difference-making playmakers at wideout.

Character concerns arose during the pre-draft process, likely knocking Green down at least a round. On tape, he looked like a top-15 talent, able to bend the edge, convert speed to power and display some force in the run game.

The Broncos knew they'd be rolling the dice on an offensive playmaker on Day 2 by going defense in Round 1. Harvey doesn't play as fast as his timed speed (4.4-second 40-yard dash), but he offers good quickness and doubles-hitter potential in a rotation for Sean Payton's offense.

Coming into the draft, I thought Amos had a chance to sneak into the back end of Round 1. I didn't imagine he'd tumble all the way to a nearly perfect spot, meeting Dan Quinn's thresholds for size, playmaking and tackling to play outside. This feels like a great pick.

The defense had taken a backseat until this point, but Chicago addressed it with a good selection here. Turner needs to play with more control and discipline, but he's an upgrade to the Bears' interior.

The Chiefs love to rotate their defensive front heavily, but they were a little shorthanded with interior options last season. Norman-Lott is one of the better pass-rushing prospects from the inside in this class, but he wasn't close to being a three-down contributor in college. A high-risk, high-reward gamble.

One of these days, I am going to hate an Eagles pick. I just don't know when that'll be. Mukuba was a personal favorite, and though I had him ranked slightly lower than this, it was more that his size could be somewhat limiting. He's just a fun, instinctive and super competitive playmaker who adds to the terrific Eagles depth.

After trading away the No. 34 overall pick to move up for Jaxson Dart in Round 1, the Giants reenter the draft with a pretty solid selection. Alexander is a mature, NFL-ready talent with some room to grow. He has good length and interior rush skills and will upgrade the Giants' front.

Gillotte opened eyes at his pro day with a 4.65-second 40-yard dash and a 6.94 three-cone drill at 264 pounds. He's an urgent playmaker whose statistical dips in 2024 probably cost him a shot at being selected in the top 50 picks.

It's safe to say -- with Shedeur Sanders and Jalen Milroe on the board -- the Browns are not enamored with the QB options available to them. Instead, they select a detached tight end in the Jonnu Smith mold with Fannin. Perhaps this signals a shift to more 12 personnel. It's anyone's guess.

The Raiders have drafted, pound for pound, one of the best pure athletes in the 2025 draft class in Porter. The question: How to use him best? Porter didn't really do much until his sixth college season, but he showed enough playmaking skill at outside corner to make him a worthy gamble.

The Patriots haven't hit on a Round 2 WR since Deion Branch in 2002 -- so they avoid the jinx by waiting until Round 3 for Williams, who is a second-level threat capable of finding the cracks in the secondary. He might not become a star, but he has big-play potential for an offense that needs more of it.

TeSlaa's story comes full circle, from starring at Hillsdale College in Michigan to being drafted by Detroit, which traded way up to get him. TeSlaa was a Senior Bowl standout with the kind of athletic traits and intangibles the Lions seek. He'll be a bit of a project early unless he can contribute readily on special teams.

Broughton had some eye-opening moments in the Longhorns' playoff run, as the light was just starting to come on for him in his final season. This is an upside pick with some risk, but it could pay off in time.

I mocked Jackson to the Bills in Round 2 after the completion of Round 1, so this is clearly a pairing I could envision. This is good value for a highly athletic, high-energy edge rusher who could take A.J. Epenesa's place one day.

This is a little later than I imagined Thomas going after a strong first day at the Senior Bowl appeared to cast him toward a top-50 spot. His pro day testing was a little disappointing, but Thomas can be an excellent addition for Aaron Glenn's defense. A strong Jets draft continues in GM Darren Mougey's maiden voyage.

A bit of a head-scratcher for me. Bryant's appeal is obvious: He's a sneaky, savvy and tough receiver with a special-teams mentality that shows in his play style. That said, Bryant isn't a dynamic athlete, profiling more as a WR3 or WR4 than a leading man. 

Martin is a sawed-off playmaker who might need to be well-shielded to become a consistent playmaker at the next level. He has make-it traits and a pro's pro mentality but will often be physically tested.

A classic Cowboys pick of yore, Revel likely could have gone 40 or 50 picks higher had he not gotten hurt early last season. He's a physical corner with good length and all the traits to make it. He's similar style-wise to the Eagles' Quinyon Mitchell.

The Panthers add a different style of rusher than Nic Scourton in Umanmielen, who won with speed and flexibility and was successful sacking quarterbacks in the SEC. Can he hold up against the run regularly? That could determine whether he's a full-timer or not.

Jonathan Gannon is adding layers of talent to his defense. Interestingly, Burch is being called a linebacker, so he'll be standing up and showing off the light feet he displayed on a 36-yard fake-punt run last season. He wasn't a consistent sack producer until last season but is active closing down passing lanes.

The Texans bring in their second Cyclone receiver, as Iowa State teammates Jayden Higgins and Noel are reunited. And with Tank Dell sustaining another serious injury last season and Stefon Diggs gone, Noel can step into a playmaking void.

Walley brings a lot of experience and ball production (more with passes defended than INTs) to the Colts' secondary, but he might have to be forced inside at the next level. He has speed and quickness but lacks length and mass.

The Bengals rolled the dice by waiting to draft a guard, but it might pay off here. Fairchild has all the physical traits to make it, even if he's probably a better athlete than he is a finished product. He could vie for a starting job in Year 1 or be someone who takes a few years to settle in.

Winston might have cracked the top 50 had he not gotten hurt early last season. His interviews were impressive, and Winston should be physically ready to go as a rookie, although he's still harnessing his instincts in deep coverage.

The Steelers are not displaying any panic on quarterbacks, so that should tell you they feel good about how it'll all work out. Johnson, like their first-round pick Derrick Harmon, feels like a central-casting Steelers pick, able to upgrade over Najee Harris as a big-play threat.

I figured the Bucs would have drafted an edge by now, but it's hard to complain about this pick. Parrish is a speedy corner who plays bigger than his size; don't assume he has to be forced inside to nickel, unless that's where there Bucs envision him getting on the field the soonest.

The cornerbacks keep flying off the board, and the Chiefs got a good one. This might be the perfect spot to feature Williams' solid length and very good ball skills, and he won't be pressed into immediate duty if he isn't ready.

Although Caldwell is not yet the sum of his parts, he can work his way into the DT rotation in L.A. and be a factor on special teams, where he has a history as a kick blocker. 

The Packers are showing off for the home fans, drafting a second wide receiver -- and he fits their mold. Williams is a Swiss Army knife of a weapon who can be a Cordarrelle Patterson knockoff. He's raw but fun as heck with the ball in his hands.

I probably knocked Ransaw too much for his lack of playmaking skills. He's a quality athlete, smooth in his backpedal and solid as a run defender. I warmed to him more as the pre-daft process went on.

He's listed as a guard, and I think that's the right move. I could never fall in love with Milum as a tackle prospect, and he was a mixed bag in the Senior Bowl one-on-ones. But if Milum gets comfy inside, he could bring an edge as a run-game finisher.

The Rams will never turn down opportunities to add rush talent, and Stewart is a perfect fit, style- and temperament-wise. He's a smaller-framed bull in a China shop with the kind of playmaking chops you just can't teach. Jim Harbaugh's former player goes to the other L.A. team. 

Jones is a player I've always pulled for because he has all the tools to be special, but the tape is just inconsistent. Interesting that the Ravens listed him as a tackle; some teams projected Jones inside, but his length and athleticism could work outside.

Well, now. Milroe was a player who fascinated scouting circles for his rare running ability and tools to develop as a passer, even with the crude product we've seen to this point. Still, Milroe won over evaluators with his intangibles and could be an instant boost as a running complement to Sam Darnold.

Sanker plays with a competitive urgency and will find a role on this team in some way, be it special teams or defense or both. He's a big hitter with a solid floor as a prospect.

The Browns pull a stunner by selecting Gabriel, whose game and size carry some shades of Tua Tagovailoa. Gabriel's big-play potential in the NFL is debatable, even for a winner who threw for nearly 19,000 yards in college and at the worst could be a steady No. 2. But who's starting in Cleveland?

This one is fascinating. No doubting the value here; I thought Wilson would go far earlier, if for nothing other than the sheer dearth of centers in this class. But that's pretty much his only position, and the Patriots already have Garrett Bradbury there. I like the player, but I wonder about the fit.

I've beaten the Falcons up a bit for trading up for James Pearce Jr., but this is a super value for Watts this late in the third. I think you could play Jessie Bates III and Watts together. Nice pick by Atlanta.

Smith is a lean-framed DB who's played throughout the secondary, but I think his best shot to make it is at nickel. The lack of length and mass do show up on the tape, and he has a history of injuries.

A college tackle, Rogers will be moving inside in the NFL. He looked a little raw to me for a four-year starter, but perhaps the move inside will work well. Rogers is a quality athlete with a competitive spirit.