The 2025 NFL Draft class was pretty difficult to sort once you got beyond the top 10, and a number of very talented players fell down the board for one reason or another. Some (Shedeur Sanders) slid further than expected; others (Mason Taylor) only endured a slight wait.
Either way, as always, there were steals to be had during draft weekend. Using Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” as a guide, here’s a look at some of our favorites from this year’s draft:
QB: Shedeur Sanders (pick No. 144), Cleveland Browns
Beast rank: No. 34 (first-/second-round grade)
There were legitimate reasons for Sanders’ slide, to be sure. But there’s little sense arguing that a player of his ability isn’t a possible steal in the middle of Round 5 — plenty of even his most vocal critics thought he was a top-100 player in this draft class. Cleveland’s QB situation is a mess (and taking Dillon Gabriel in the third round was one of the draft’s biggest reaches), but there could be real value here.
Shedeur Sanders Colorado HT
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Not the athlete his father was but has touch and confidence of an NFL starter
RB: Dylan Sampson (No. 126), Cleveland Browns
Beast rank: No. 74 (second-/third-round grade)
This was one of the deepest running back classes we’ve seen in years, so someone was bound to slide down the board — Sampson and Trevor Etienne (pick No. 114) likely wouldn’t have made it beyond Day 2 in previous classes. The newest Browns back, Sampson is small (5-foot-8, 199 pounds) and light on experience, but he scored a touchdown once every 12 carries at Tennessee.
WR: Jaylin Noel (No. 79), Houston Texans
Beast grade: No. 42 (second-round grade)
The smaller of Iowa State’s dynamic receiver duo, the 5-10, 194-pound Noel was an elite tester (4.39-second 40-yard dash, 41 1/2-inch vertical, broad jump of 11 feet, 2 inches) and plays much bigger than his frame. Also a kick returner, Noel had nearly 3,000 career receiving yards in college and made 13 contested catches last year — just one fewer than 6-4 former teammate Jayden Higgins.
WR: Elic Ayomanor (No. 136), Tennessee Titans
Beast rank: No. 90 (third-round grade)
One of the few true X receivers in this class, Ayomanor (6-2, 206) ran a 4.44 40 and posted a 38 1/2-inch vertical at the combine. He also measured in with nearly 33-inch arms at his pro day, after a very productive final two years at Stanford (125 catches, 1,844 yards, 12 TD). His slight dip in production last season ultimately might have contributed to his draft slide, but this was a very nice add for Cam Ward and company.
TE: Mason Taylor (No. 42), New York Jets
Beast rank: No. 33 (first-/second-round grade)
Some evaluators believed Taylor would be the third tight end taken in the first round; the Jets got him in the middle of the second. The draft’s youngest prospect and LSU’s all-time leader among tight ends in catches and receptions, Taylor could be an instant impact performer this season.
Mason Taylor LSU HT
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Projects as solid NFL starter who doesn’t have to leave the field
OL: Miles Frazier (No. 171), Detroit Lions
Beast rank: No. 81 (third-round grade)
Not unlike what Detroit was able to do last year by selecting Christian Mahogany in the sixth round, the Lions late in the draft landed an extremely physical and experienced guard who might be ready for a job immediately. Detroit’s offensive line was already one of the league’s best, and it got better on draft weekend.
OL: Marcus Mbow (No. 153), New York Giants
Beast rank: No. 84 (third-round grade)
Mbow and Frazier are two of the best value picks in the draft, period. Mbow (6-4, 302) is athletic enough to play tackle or guard in the NFL and stood out as one of the best interior athletes in this class. He’s a possible day-one contributor for the Giants.
OL: Jared Wilson (No. 95), New England Patriots
Beast grade: No. 57 (second-round grade)
Many were down on this center class overall, and this is a position group known for slipping in the draft, but New England found terrific value in Wilson either way. A terrific mover with gigantic hands and great play strength, Wilson might be able to earn a starting job during training camp.
OL: Jalen Rivers (No. 153), Cincinnati Bengals
Beast rank: not ranked in top 100; No. 9 guard (fourth-round grade)
Rivers was hardly the best athlete in this year’s O-line class, but he definitely sports versatility. A 6-6, 319-pounder with 35 1/4-inch arms, Rivers has true guard/tackle capability and even took some snaps at center during the Senior Bowl. This was good value for a possible utility man up front.
OL: Jackson Slater (No. 167), Tennessee Titans
Beast rank: not ranked in top 100; No. 5 center (fourth-/fifth-round grade)
Another versatile interior lineman who likely will play center at the next level, the 6-3, 311-pound Jackson more than held his own inside at the Senior Bowl, then ran a 5.01 40 and posted a 28 1/2-inch vertical jump at the combine. He’s a very explosive player and might have a chance early in Tennessee.
Edge: Bradyn Swinson (No. 146), New England Patriots
Beast rank: No. 100 (third-round grade)
There were some “coachability” concerns surrounding Swinson, which likely played a role in his slide. But the 6-4, 255-pounder blends great length with explosion and quickness, both as a pass rusher and run defender. If he can prove those off-field worries wrong, this could be a steal.
Bradyn Swinson LSU HT
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Best suited for stand-up reserve role on passing downs in 3-4 scheme
Edge: Jack Sawyer (No. 123), Pittsburgh Steelers
Beast rank: No. 58 (second-round grade)
The biggest knocks on Sawyer were his subpar measurables (31 3/4-inch arms) and the lack of bend or nuance in his pass-rush plan. However, not many defenders in this class played with more passion or effort than Sawyer, who always seemed to find a way to make an impact for the national champion Buckeyes.
DT: Joshua Farmer (No. 137), New England Patriots
Beast grade: No. 76 (third-round grade)
A versatile — and gigantic — interior presence, Farmer (6-3, 305 with 35-inch arms) flashed elite power and explosion during his two years as a starter at Florida State. Consistency was a problem at times, but he moves like a man at least 30 pounds lighter.
DT: Jordan Phillips (No. 143), Miami Dolphins
Beast rank: not ranked in top 100; No. 16 DT (third-/fourth-round grade)
One of the most explosive defensive linemen in the class, Phillips (31-inch vertical) was downright dominant at times during the Shrine Bowl and was known in college as a workhorse, both on the field and in the weight room. He lacks length and doesn’t have much of a rush plan, but his raw ability is outstanding.
LB: Jeffrey Bassa (No. 156), Kansas City Chiefs
Beast rank: No. 99 (third-/fourth-round grade)
A four-year starter at Oregon, Bassa has average size but elite explosion and above-average speed as an inside linebacker capable of playing either off-ball spot in just about any scheme. A very rangy player with good coverage and rush potential, Bassa was a basketball player turned safety/receiver in high school, and he still moves like he’s on the hardwood.
Jeffrey Bassa Oregon HT
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Must turn “almost” plays into steady production, but does everything well
LB: Chris Paul Jr. (No. 172), Los Angeles Rams
Beast rank: not ranked in top 100; No. 7 LB (third-/fourth-round grade)
An undersized linebacker, Paul (6-0, 222 with 29 7/8-inch arms) nonetheless showed plenty of twitch and IQ in the middle of Ole Miss’ defense last season, after beginning his career at Arkansas. A former running back (and shortstop), Paul should prove to be a great value because of his quickness and nose for the ball.
LB: Smael Mondon Jr. (No. 161), Philadelphia Eagles
Beast rank: not ranked in top 100; No. 5 LB (third-/fourth-round grade)
A three-year starter for Kirby Smart at Georgia, Mondon’s length and speed at 6-2, 224 turned him into a heavy producer inside one of the country’s most talented defensive units. Mondon, who has dealt with several injuries, is a leader and one of the most vocal defenders in this class.
CB: Will Johnson (No. 47), Arizona Cardinals
Beast rank: No. 18 (first-/second-round grade)
If you turn Johnson’s 2023 tape on, you’ll see one of the best overall players in the 2025 class. Injuries and a lack of elite speed caused his slide, but he could turn into the steal of this draft, if he’s healthy. Big, rangy and smart, Johnson scored more touchdowns on defense (3) than he allowed in coverage at Michigan (2).
Will Johnson Michigan HT
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Outstanding eyes, feet and IQ — should be a day one starter
CB: Dorian Strong (No. 177), Buffalo Bills
Beast grade: not ranked in top 100; No. 13 CB (fourth-round grade)
A physical corner with five years of starting experience at Virginia Tech, Strong is more of an average athlete with size to match (6-1, 185, 30 7/8-inch arms). His savvy in man or zone coverage, however, makes up for quite a bit. Also a very good run defender, Strong has the football instincts that could earn him a rotational spot in Buffalo.
S: Nick Emmanwori (No. 35), Seattle Seahawks
Beast rank: No. 17 (first-/second-round grade)
Arguably the best overall athlete in the 2025 NFL Draft, the 6-3, 220-pound Emmanwori (4.38 40, 43-inch vertical jump, 11-6 broad jump) looks like a linebacker, runs like a corner and makes plays like a hybrid safety. He can be too aggressive at times, but once the pro game slows down for him, his elite potential could make him a versatile chess piece in the secondary.
S: Xavier Watts (No. 96), Atlanta Falcons
Beast rank: No. 54 (second-round grade)
A lack of size or elite testing marks likely pushed Watts further down the board than we expected, but there are reasons he didn’t fall out of the top 100. A former wide receiver who moved to safety at Notre Dame, Watts turned into a total ballhawk in South Bend (he also played some linebacker), and he will have serious playmaking potential as a box safety in the NFL.
(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; Photos: Michael Allio, James Gilbert, Ken Murray / Getty Images)
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