2025 NFL Draft Grades Through Round 4: Which Teams Are Crushing It?
With four rounds in the books, several teams have dramatically improved their rosters while others left fans scratching their heads. Here’s our assessment of which franchises are winning the draft so far:
A+ Grades: Draft Dominators: Draft Grades So Far
Chicago Bears
• Key Picks: QB [Top Pick], WR [Speedster], EDGE [Day 2 Steal]
• Why They’re Winning: Addressed every critical need with premium talent. Landed franchise QB plus weapons and defensive playmakers.
Detroit Lions
• Key Picks: CB [Shutdown Potential], OL [Mauler], DT [Disruptor]
• Why They’re Winning: Perfect “win-now” draft for a contender. Upgraded secondary and trenches with pro-ready talent.
A Grades: Strong Value
Houston Texans
• Key Picks: WR [Deep Threat], LB [Athletic Freak], OL [Versatile]
• Why It Works: Brilliant pairing of offensive weapons for Stroud while adding defensive athleticism.
Los Angeles Chargers
• Key Picks: OT [Day 1 Starter], WR [YAC Monster], CB [Ball Hawk]
• Why It Works: Harbaugh’s blueprint coming together with physical, tough players.
B Grades: Solid But Unspectacular
New York Giants
• Key Picks: WR [Big Target], S [Range], RB [Power Back]
• Good Not Great: Helped Jones/Daniels but missed elite defensive talent.
Pittsburgh Steelers
• Key Picks: OL [Road Grader], CB [Physical], WR [Slot Weapon]
• Steeler Typical: Solid picks but no game-changers yet.
C Grades: Question Marks Remain
Las Vegas Raiders
• Key Picks: TE [Project], DL [Rotational], QB [Development]
• Concerns: Reached for needs rather than taking best available.
Atlanta Falcons
• Key Picks: EDGE [High Motor], CB [Inconsistent], WR [Small School]
• Missed Opportunities: Didn’t maximize premium picks for a rebuilding team.
D/F Grades: Head-Scratchers
Carolina Panthers
• Key Picks: RB [Early Reach], LB [Special Teamer], G [Backup Caliber]
• What Are They Doing? Still no true WR1 for Young and questionable value picks.
New Orleans Saints
• Key Picks: TE [Blocking First], DT [Age Concerns], S [Limited Upside]
• Old Approach: Drafting like it’s 2015 rather than building for future.
Biggest Steals Through 4 Rounds
- [Player Name] to [Team] (Round 3) – Projected 1st-rounder who fell
- [Player Name] to [Team] (Round 4) – Elite athlete at premium position
- [Player Name] to [Team] (Round 2) – Perfect scheme fit at great value
Teams With Most to Prove on Day 3
• Tennessee Titans – Need offensive weapons
• Denver Broncos – Must find defensive gems
• Dallas Cowboys – Typical late-round magic needed
Final Thoughts
While the Bears and Lions are running away with best draft honors, several teams (Panthers, Raiders) have failed to maximize opportunities. Day 3 could change everything, but through four rounds, the smartest teams are separating themselves from the pack. Read More Blog
2025 NFL Draft: Day 2 Grades for All 32 Teams
After an exciting second day of the 2025 NFL Draft, several teams have dramatically improved their rosters while others left fans scratching their heads. Here’s our assessment of which franchises crushed Rounds 2-3 and which ones stumbled:
Top Performers (A Grades)
Chicago Bears: A+
• Key Picks:
- WR Malik Nabers (LSU) – Immediate WR1 for Caleb Williams
- EDGE Bralen Trice (Washington) – High-motor pass rusher
• Why They’re Winning: Perfectly supported their new franchise QB while adding defensive firepower. Nabers could be the steal of Day 2.
Detroit Lions: A
• Key Picks:
- CB Kamari Lassiter (Georgia) – Physical press corner
- G Cooper Beebe (Kansas State) – Mauling interior lineman
• Why It Works: Added two Day 1 starters who fit their tough, physical identity perfectly.
Strong Value (B Grades)
Houston Texans: B+
• Key Picks:
- LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Clemson) – Instinctive playmaker
- WR Roman Wilson (Michigan) – Perfect slot complement to Collins/Dell
• Analysis: Smart additions to an ascending roster. Trotter could start immediately.
Los Angeles Chargers: B+
• Key Picks:
- WR Troy Franklin (Oregon) – Deep threat for Herbert
- CB Max Melton (Rutgers) – Athletic boundary corner
• Why It Works: Harbaugh building a complete team with speed at skill positions.
Mixed Results (C Grades)
New York Giants: C+
• Key Picks:
- S Javon Bullard (Georgia) – Versatile defensive back
- RB Blake Corum (Michigan) – Productive but redundant with Singletary
• Analysis: Solid players but didn’t address OT need sufficiently.
Pittsburgh Steelers: C
• Key Picks:
- OT Blake Fisher (Notre Dame) – Developmental tackle
- WR Jalen McMillan (Washington) – Smooth route runner
• Concerns: Fisher is a project and McMillan doesn’t solve WR1 issues.
Disappointing Days (D/F Grades)
Las Vegas Raiders: D
• Key Picks:
- TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (Texas) – Athletic but raw
- QB Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) – Major reach in Round 2
• What Went Wrong: Reached for need over value, especially at QB.
Carolina Panthers: F
• Key Picks:
- RB Will Shipley (Clemson) – Luxury pick for bad team
- LB Cedric Gray (UNC) – Special teams contributor
• Biggest Issue: Still no true WR1 for Bryce Young after two days.
Biggest Steals of Day 2
- WR Malik Nabers (CHI) – Top-10 talent at pick 32
- CB Kamari Lassiter (DET) – First-round corner at 45
- LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (HOU) – Defensive leader at 59
Teams With Most to Prove on Day 3
• Tennessee Titans – Need offensive weapons
• Denver Broncos – Must find defensive gems
• Dallas Cowboys – Need their typical late-round magic
Final Day 2 Takeaways
The Bears and Lions continue to dominate the draft, while teams like the Panthers and Raiders have failed to maximize value. Several playoff contenders (Texans, Chargers) made smart moves to strengthen their rosters. Day 3 will be crucial for teams that have struggled so far to find hidden gems.
2025 NFL Draft: Day 3 Recap & Final Grades
The final day of the 2025 NFL Draft saw teams mine for hidden gems in Rounds 4-7. While stars are made in the early rounds, championships are often won with late-round steals. Here’s our breakdown of the biggest steals, reaches, and overall team performances from Day 3.
Biggest Day 3 Steals
1. CB Elijah Jones (Arizona Cardinals) – Round 4, Pick 108
- Why He’s a Steal: A fluid cover corner with ball skills (5 INTs in 2024), Jones fell due to size concerns but fits perfectly in Arizona’s zone-heavy scheme.
2. RB Bucky Irving (Miami Dolphins) – Round 5, Pick 158
- Why He’s a Steal: A perfect fit in Miami’s offense—elusive, great hands, and explosive in space. Could be the next Dolphins RB gem.
3. WR Jacob Cowing (San Francisco 49ers) – Round 6, Pick 211
- Why He’s a Steal: Blazing speed (4.34 40-yard dash) and YAC ability make him an ideal developmental piece in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Teams That Crushed Day 3
1. Philadelphia Eagles (A)
- Best Picks:
- LB Ty’Ron Hopper (Round 4) – Instinctive, three-down potential
- DT McKinnley Jackson (Round 5) – Run-stuffing interior disruptor
- S Kitan Oladapo (Round 6) – Hard-hitting safety depth
- Why They Won: Filled defensive needs with high-upside players who fit their scheme.
2. Baltimore Ravens (A-)
- Best Picks:
- OT Roger Rosengarten (Round 4) – Athletic tackle with starting upside
- CB Jarrian Jones (Round 5) – Physical nickel with special teams value
- EDGE Jalyx Hunt (Round 6) – Small-school freak with pass-rush potential
- Why They Won: Classic Ravens draft—athletic, versatile, and developmental gems.
3. Green Bay Packers (B+)
- Best Picks:
- S Cole Bishop (Round 4) – Rangy, high-IQ safety
- RB Dylan Laube (Round 6) – Dynamic receiving back for LaFleur’s offense
- Why They Won: Found contributors at positions of need with late-round value.
Teams That Struggled on Day 3
1. Las Vegas Raiders (D)
- Questionable Picks:
- QB Carter Bradley (Round 6) – Major project with limited upside
- WR Isaiah Williams (Round 7) – Undersized, likely just a camp body
- Missed Opportunities: Failed to add impact players despite glaring roster holes.
2. Carolina Panthers (D+)
- Questionable Picks:
- TE Dallin Holker (Round 5) – Decent athlete but redundant with Hurst
- LB Edefuan Ulofoshio (Round 6) – Limited athleticism for modern NFL
- Biggest Issue: Still didn’t find a true WR2 to help Bryce Young.
Best Remaining Undrafted Free Agents (UDFAs)
Several talented players went undrafted but could make rosters:
- QB Kedon Slovis (BYU) – Strong arm, could stick as a backup
- WR Tahj Washington (USC) – Quick slot with return ability
- EDGE Brennan Jackson (Washington State) – High-motor pass rusher
Final Draft Grades: Who Won the 2025 NFL Draft?
Top 3 Overall Draft Classes
- Chicago Bears (A+) – Nailed every round, from Caleb Williams to Day 3 steals.
- Detroit Lions (A) – Added physical, pro-ready talent at every level.
- Philadelphia Eagles (A-) – Balanced class with immediate contributors and upside.
Bottom 3 Overall Draft Classes
- Carolina Panthers (D+) – Failed to address WR sufficiently, questionable value picks.
- Las Vegas Raiders (D+) – Reached for needs instead of maximizing value.
- New Orleans Saints (C-) – Aging roster needed more young impact players.
Final Thoughts
Day 3 delivered its usual mix of surprises, with playoff contenders like the Eagles and Ravens finding key role players, while struggling teams (Panthers, Raiders) missed opportunities to improve. The true winners of this draft won’t be known for years, but early indications suggest Chicago and Detroit are set up for long-term success.
when does round 4 of the nfl draft start
Round 4 of the 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM ET (Noon Eastern Time) on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Key Details:
- Where to Watch:
- 📺 TV: ESPN, NFL Network, ABC
- 📱 Streaming: NFL+, ESPN App, YouTube TV, fuboTV
- Draft Location: Detroit, Michigan (NFL Draft Theater)
- Round 4 Order: Picks 103–135 (33 total selections)
What to Expect in Round 4:
- Hidden Gems: Future starters and key role players often emerge here.
- Potential Trades: Teams frequently move up for targeted prospects.
- Run on Positions: Late-round trends (e.g., RBs, developmental QBs, special-teamers) often start in Round 4.
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