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:
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)
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.”
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?
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)
2025 NFL draft tracker: Second-round picks
33. Cleveland Browns –
34. Houston Texans (from Giants) –
35. Tennessee Titans –
36. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars) –
37. Las Vegas Raiders –
38. New England Patriots –
39. Chicago Bears (from Panthers) –
40. New Orleans Saints –
41. Chicago Bears –
42. New York Jets –
43. San Francisco 49ers –
44. Dallas Cowboys –
45. Indianapolis Colts –
46. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons) –
47. Arizona Cardinals –
48. Miami Dolphins –
49. Cincinnati Bengals –
50. Seattle Seahawks –
51. Denver Broncos –
52. Seattle Seahawks (from Steelers) –
53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers –
54. Green Bay Packers –
55. Los Angeles Chargers –
56. Buffalo Bills (from Vikings via Texans) –
57. Carolina Panthers (from Rams) –
58. Houston Texans –
59. Baltimore Ravens –
60. Detroit Lions –
61. Washington Commanders –
62. Buffalo 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 –
72. Chicago 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. Seattle 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. Miami Dolphins –
x – 99. Houston Texans (from Giants) –
y – 100. San Francisco 49ers –
y – 101. Atlanta Falcons (from Rams) –
y – 102. Detroit Lions –
x – compensatory selection
y – special compensatory selection
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