NFL Draft 2025 picks, grades for Rounds 2 and 3: Jalen Milroe was a nice gamble for Seahawks. Dillon Gabriel and the Browns, not so much

Yahoo Sports NFL draft analyst Charles McDonald offers pick-by-pick analysis and grades of Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Here’s how he rated teams on Day 2 of the 2024 and 2023 drafts if you’re scoring at home. And here’s how he rated Round 1 of the 2025 Draft.

Grade: B

The Browns had a need at linebacker with the serious injury to Jeremiah Owusu Koramoah and took a similar player in Schwesinger. He is a fast, rangy player in coverage who will benefit from playing behind a talented defensive line.

Player comparison: Deion Jones

Grade: B-

The Texans needed a slot receiver and they opted for a big one in Higgins. He is built like wideout Nico Collins, but won’t play the same position for the Texans — and they needed the depth with injuries to Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs leaving the team.

Player comparison: Joshua Palmer

Grade: C+

Emmanwori doesn’t play up to his wild scouting combine performance, but has enough potential for someone like head coach Mike Macdonald to get the most out of him. I just don’t love trading up for a guy who doesn’t play like the baddest dude on the field, despite having those traits.

Player comparison: Ifeatu Melifonwu

Grade: B

The Browns needed a starting caliber running back after moving on from Nick Chubb and found someone with a similar running style, albeit less explosive. Judkins has a chance to be a bellcow back early for the Browns.

Player comparison: David Montgomery

Grade: A-

A lineman! The Dolphins needed beef up front after the retirement of Terron Armstead and added a talented, explosive one here in Savaiinaea. The Dolphins want to be a team that runs the ball well and this is a move in the right direction.

Player comparison: Jordan Morgan

Grade: B

Big-play running back who has a great feel for running outside and finding a crease to exploit for big runs. He’s not the most powerful runner, but his vision and speed will make him a threat in the NFL.

Player comparison: J.K. Dobbins

Grade: B

Burden is an explosive slot wide receiver who can create first downs and touchdowns out of nothing, but his role has been streamlined in his career. He can be an exciting player if the Bears can expand his route tree and overall skill set.

Player comparison: Curtis Samuel

Tyler Shough of Louisville participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

(Brooke Sutton via Getty Images)

Grade: C+

A need pick. Shough is a quality prospect, but injuries and age make him a curious case. Shough will be 26 this fall and was in college for seven seasons. He operated Louisville’s offense well and has some nice traits as a passer. He has starter potential, but the Saints will need him to get there quickly.

Player comparison: Case Keenum

Grade: C+

A bit of a trade up here for the Bills and it might not have been necessary due to where Sanders was seen prior to the draft. Sanders has upside as a pass rusher, but still has a ways to go before he gets there.

Grade: A

Just like his father Jason, Mason Taylor looks like he was built in a lab to be an NFL player. Taylor might not be as flashy or explosive as Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, but he should be a quality starting tight end in the NFL soon. Taylor gives Justin Fields a reliable tight end target over the middle, something the Jets have been searching for for years.

Player comparison: Hunter Henry

Grade: C

Collins is a run-first defensive tackle, albeit missing some explosive traits to be a good pass rusher. This is a pick that should keep Fred Warner clean, but a quality starter here.

Grade: B+

Ezeiruaku is another player in this class who should be a strong addition to a Cowboys team trying to bolster its pass rush. He isn’t the biggest pass rusher out there (6-2 1/2, 248 pounds), but he’s quick, explosive and has a nice array of moves to get home. He had a fairly similar combine performance to former Boston College edge rusher Harold Landry III, who is a decent comparison for him moving to the pros.

Player comparison: Harold Landry III

Grade: B

Heavy handed pass rusher who can help the Colts’ pass rush and run game. A solid replacement for Dayo Odeyingbo who they lost in free agency. Tuimoloau is a thick, bruising defensive end who might be able to play some on the interior for obvious passing downs.

Player comparison: Jabaal Sheard

Grade: B

Rams had a need at tight end and got one here with Ferguson. He has some big-time upside to be a productive pro down the road as the Rams move into the next phase of their offense.

Player comparison: Jake Ferguson

Grade: A+

There has certainly been an increased injury concern regarding Johnson, but the Cardinals needed someone to play on the outside and Johnson has potential to be a real deal CB1 if he can get and stay healthy.

Player Comparison: A.J. Terrell Jr.

Grade: A

Ersery could’ve been drafted higher than this and the Texans desperately needed offensive line help after trading away Laremy Tunsil. Ersery can play anywhere up front and should be an immediate starter for Houston.

Player comparison: Bryan Bulaga

Grade: D

This is rich for Knight. New Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden is flexible, but he played man-to-man a majority of the time at Notre Dame, and Knight’s lack of speed and quickness could cost him there. The Bengals need defense, though, and clearly felt good enough about Knight to select him higher than his general third-round projection.

Grade: B-

Needs refinement, but Arroyo looks the part of a tight end. He’s a receiver first, who will be on the bench for the run. He is versatile as a pass catcher, who at times can serve as an isolated receiver.

Player comparison: Foster Moreau

Grade: A-

Scourton is one of the most fascinating players in the entire draft. Prior to transferring to Texas A&M, Scourton looked like a real deal top-15 pick as an edge player at Purdue. He was fast, explosive, technically sound and played a role that was perfect for where he was physically. However, he gained a whole lot of weight for a heavier interior role at Texas A&M that didn’t suit him at all. If he can get back to his Purdue form, Scourton has major boom potential as an every-down starter in the NFL.

Player comparison: Melvin Ingram

Grade: B

You can do some things with a player who’s fast and tries really hard, even though there’s still a ways to go for him to reach his potential.

Player comparison: Yaya Diaby

Grade: A

Morrison’s season was cut short with a season-ending injury, but before that he was the instinctive, playmaking cornerback everyone would love to have. He’s still rehabbing a hip injury, so he might be a nice stash pick for the Bucs.

Player comparison: Asante Samuel Jr.

Grade: B-

Belton is a little rough around the edges, but it’s hard to find guys at 335 pounds with feet as light as his. Sometimes he can get stood up by defensive linemen who weigh significantly less, and he needs to learn good leverage and become a better run blocker. Still, late second round for a player who can pass protect like this isn’t a bad swing.

Player comparison: Larry Borom

Grade: B-

It’s tough to find starting outside wide receivers in the NFL, even if Harris needs seasoning from the Chargers’ coaching staff. There’s a good base to build from here, and Harris will benefit from being in a run-heavy offense with Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey in the ecosystem.

Player comparison: Mike Sims-Walker

Grade: B-

A good athlete who’s also huge at 6-foot-8 and 319 pounds, the Bears add to their OL depth and give Trapilo a chance to develop along the path to being a potential starting tackle in the NFL. Some time in an NFL weight room will help improve his questionable strength.

Player comparison: Roger Rosengarten

Grade: B-

He’s got tricks. Coming into the season, he was Georgia’s highest projected o-line talent, but injuries set him back. At his best, he projects to be a starter, but it’s hard to gauge because he was so banged up.

Grade: B+

Bech is a do-it-all slot wide receiver who immediately raises the floor for the Raiders. He doesn’t have great speed, but he’s good in contested catch situations and immediately brings a level of size and physicality that most teams don’t consistently have at the slot.

Player comparison: Austin Collie

Grade: B-

The burst and speed Green has coming off of the edge will have defensive line coaches pounding the table for him. Even though he doesn’t have the most refined skills yet, he was able to lead the nation with 17 sacks and put up a good fight in the run game against heavier offensive tackles.

Player comparison: Whitney Mercilus

Grade: C-

Great landing spot. The Broncos are primed for a running back. He’ll likely be a part-timer under Sean Payton’s scheme, but he can break some tackles and will add an explosive element Denver needs.

UCF’s RJ Harvey is headed to Denver after getting drafted Friday in Round 2. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)

(Bruce Yeung via Getty Images)

Grade: A+

Could’ve been a first round player without blinking, but the Commanders got a steal here. Amos and Mike Sainristil give the Commanders two long-term starting cornerback prospects.

Player comparison: James Bradberry IV

Grade: B-

A project here for the Bears. Had a better junior season than senior season at Texas A&M. He’ll likely be a rotational player on this Chicago defense.

Grade: B+

What Norman-Lott lacks in size (6-2, 291 pounds), he makes up for with speed and quickness. He probably isn’t going to be a huge factor on run downs in the NFL, but his pass rushing and quick disruption skills will get him in the rotation for playing time.

Player comparison: Willie Henry Jr.

Grade: A+

Mukuba and Cooper DeJean, this is what dreams are made of. Mukuba has been one of my favorite players in the draft all offseason and his energetic, physical style of play will fit right in with the players the Eagles already have in their back seven.

Player comparison: C.J. Gardner-Johnson

Grade: B+

Alexander’s weaknesses — average anchor at the point of attack, a little upright and wild going forward — could be negated as part of the Giants’ increasingly monster front seven. He’s a space eater with surprising athleticism who can win snaps on early downs up the middle.

Player comparison: Keeanu Benton

Grade: C+

Gilotte is a decent rotational dice roll for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. He plays with power and violent hands, though he’ll never win outright against NFL tackles consistently with his speed. He also doesn’t have a deep bag of pass rush moves.

Grade: A

Good pick at this spot for the Browns. Fannin is a bit of a tweener who lacks great size for a tight end, but he’s versatile and good with the ball in his hands and Kevin Stefanski’s offense could find a way to maximize him. His closest pro comp, strictly as a player: Aaron Hernandez. There are flashes of Tyler Warren too.

Player comparison: Mark Andrews

Grade: A

This is a really good risk to take. There is so much upside with his length, man coverage ability and strength. He hasn’t played the position long, but putting him on a Pete Carroll outfit is reason to believe Porter will be a good find.

Player comparison: Zyon McCollum

Grade: B

Williams may not be the big X receiver prototype, but the name of the game is explosive plays, and that’s what Williams can bring to New England.

Player comparison: Jayden Reed

Grade: B-

A Michigan native who tested off the charts athletically, which didn’t match his production on the field. He’s a big body for the WR room who can block too, which he’ll have to do as a Lion.

Grade: C +

Feels like a reach at this position, but the Saints are desperate to add youth and depth to their d-line. Broughton projected more as a Day 3 pick.

Grade: A+

Surprised that Jackson fell this far. He checks a lot of traits teams want to see from a prospect. This pick tracks for what the Bills desire in an edge rusher.

Player comparison: Shaun Phillips

Grade: B+

Thomas lacks elite athleticism and isn’t the greatest tackler, but has some technically sound reps with a prototypical build (6-1 1/2, 197 pounds, 32 3/8-inch arms) Aaron Glenn can mold with the Jets.

Player comparison: Benjamin St-Juste

Grade: C+

Bryant doesn’t project to have the speed to be a perimeter receiver in the NFL and he isn’t an elite separator, but he has good hands. Could have a role like Tim Patrick in the NFL.

Grade: D+

In conversations with talent evaluators, the impression I got was Martin would be a seventh-rounder. So, yeah, the Niners went for a bit of a reach here. San Francisco needed a replacement for Dre Greenlaw, so at least they added some speed here. Martin is also on the smaller side.

Grade: A+

Revel has first-round talent and the Cowboys got him mid-third. He’s a long, athletic corner with great ball skills. The only question mark is an ACL injury suffered last September.

Player comparison: Antonio Cromartie

Grade: B+

A pure pass rusher, though he lacks the athleticism to be a leadoff guy at the next level. Still a good Day 2 pick at a position of need.

Player comparison: Kayvon Thibodeaux

Grade: B

Burch has the size and he’ll make his presence felt with the Cardinals’ defensive creativity. He can play inside and outside. He’s a ‘tweener in a good way.

Jaylin Noel was the fourth receiver drafted in Round 3. (Photo by Dustin Markland/Getty Images)

(Dustin Markland via Getty Images)

Grade: A

A second Iowa State receiver for C.J. Stroud this draft, Noel is one of the best athletes this class and fits in perfectly as a credible big-play No. 2 with Nico Collins as the top option in the passing game.

Grade: B-

A fast, rangy cornerback who has potential to grow into a starter, which is certainly worth the gamble at this point in the draft.

Grade: B-

Fairchild is a project, but like the other Georgia offensive linemen he had an incredible scouting combine performance and might be able to start with the right development.

Grade: B+

High upside safety who has a chance to be a real playmaker behind the defensive linemen the Titans have acquired. Winston is a fun pick who has some real boom upside.

Grade: A+

This is such a Steelers pick. Johnson is a big back with balance, and despite lacking top-end speed, he can rip off explosive runs with his patience and ability to set up blocks. Home run pick for Pittsburgh.

Player comparison: Arian Foster

Grade: C+

Parrish’s ceiling is a No. 2 corner, with an ability to shine in press coverage.

Grade: B

The Chiefs feel hellbent on adding playmakers who can fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s dynamic schemes. They have solid reason to believe Williams will fit in nicely in KC.

Grade: C+

The Chargers needed beef on the interior and added an NFL-sized body in Caldwell. Probably more of a run-stuffer than a pass rusher.

Grade: C+

Williams won’t be counted on to be a solid route-runner or separator in the league. So he’ll be a gadget guy, taking some of that load off Jayden Reed.

Grade: B

Good nickel potential here. He’s effective against the run, though solid route runners can beat him consistently.

Grade: A

Solid and sturdy guard who can start on Day 1. He played a lot of football at West Virginia and showed some good tape. He can also move over to tackle in a pinch.

Grade: B

He won’t be a star, but Stewart fits in with this Rams group. L.A. won’t need him to be an ace pass rusher. He’ll provide depth and effort. Stewart is labeled as a “try hard” guy, and it’s not a diss.

Grade: B-

He profiles as a guard in the NFL with his big, long frame, but has shown inconsistency in picking up stunts and twists from a defensive line. A try-hard player like Jones isn’t a bad swing at this point in the draft.

Grade: B+

This is a fun range for Milroe. He’s the most “what if?” player in this draft because of his supreme athleticism. Consistency, or lack thereof, is why he wasn’t a Day 1 pick.

Grade: C

Good size, willing tackler, but needs a lot more discipline to his game. Has a chance to be a special teams contributor right away.

Grade: D

LOL. An older, shorter QB with limited arm talent in Round 3?

Grade: B

Strong upside and athleticism. Improved throughout the season amid some questionable offensive line coaching at UGA.

Player comparison: Chris Chester

Grade: B+

Good range for him considering there are some concerns about Watts’ athleticism despite a strong reputation as a ballhawker. Pairing him with Jessie Bates III, a solid veteran, is a nice plan for the Falcons. Beware the double moves, though.

Player comparison: Tre Boston

Grade: B

Fair to project Smith as a nickel back for DeMeco Ryans’ scheme considering the Texans are set at the top corner spots with Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter.

Grade: B

He’s got raw tools and can move well, testing very well as an athlete, which pairs well with his size. He’s got upside as a potential starter at tackle down the road.

Grade: A

Back-to-back project picks for the Raiders on the o-line. Grant dominated at a small school with his athleticism. He made our All-Juice team and gives Vegas some good value.

Grade: C

Another All-Juice team player goes off the board. Stout is small at 5-foot-8 1/2 but he is regarded as a playmaker.

Grade: C+

The Broncos curiously traded up to get Jones, a rugged defensive end with a little bit of twitch. He’s possibly a nice change of pace on a defensive front that likes to be tricky and aggressive.

Grade: B-

Has hands issues and is more of a finesse wideout than someone who brings a rugged edge. Speed slot with big-play ability and can stretch the field.

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NFL Draft 2025 picks, grades for Rounds 2 and 3: Jalen Milroe was a nice gamble for Seahawks. Dillon Gabriel and the Browns, not so much

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