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As usual, the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft had its share of good and bad selections. Some were worse than others, and one involved a team giving up their first-rounder next year. Let’s look at some of the worst picks from Night 1.
McMillan is one of the best receivers in this year’s class, so this isn’t a knock on him. However, Carolina passed up a golden opportunity to fill its glaring need at EDGE. Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, and Shemar Stewart were all available, but the Panthers decided to go with offense.
The other bad aspect of this pick is how McMillan’s and Xavier Legette’s profiles overlap. McMillan aligned outside 78% of the time last season, and Legette was outside 70% in his rookie year. Getting Bryce Young another weapon will help Carolina figure out what they have in their quarterback, but multiple of the same receiver seems unnecessary.
With Will Campbell and Armand Membo already off the board, this seemed like a panicky decision by New Orleans. They hopped off the quarterback train late in the pre-draft process, but their laundry list of needs did not include offensive tackle.
A lot of noise will be made about the Saints passing on Shedeur Sanders, but passing on a corner or one of the many pass rushers available is head-scratching. Banks could replace the recently retired Ryan Ramczyk, but it feels like New Orleans should have gone in a different direction.
Grant could become the next great defensive tackle, but this seems like a reach at No. 13. One of Miami’s higher needs was Guard, and Tyler Booker going one pick before likely led to the selection.
If the Dolphins wanted to reach, why not go for Malaki Starks or Nick Emmanwori? Or Tyler Warren even? Safety is their top need, and Warren could have led the offense to new heights.
This pick makes a lot of logical sense. Sam Hubbard retired, and Trey Hendrickson’s future in Cincinnati is up in the air. However, Stewart is the unquestioned workout warrior of this year’s class.
There’s no denying how impressive Stewart’s combine performance was. A 4.59 40-yard dash with a 1.58 10-yard split at 267 pounds is insanity. However, 4.5 sacks over three years isn’t worth the 17th-overall pick. This pick is potential over production right now, but will Stewart ever get there?
Atlanta did great, doubling down on its glaring pass rush need, picking up Jalon Walker at No. 15 and Pearce Jr. at No. 26. However, the jump from 46 to 26 cost way too much, as Atlanta had to give up their 2026 first-round pick.
Pearce totaled 17.5 sacks over his last two years, so the production is there for a first-round selection, but he walks into Atlanta’s facility under immense pressure. He could average seven sacks a season over the course of his rookie contract, but is that worth two first-round picks?
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: 5 of the worst picks From the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft
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Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina No. 8
McMillan is one of the best receivers in this year’s class, so this isn’t a knock on him. However, Carolina passed up a golden opportunity to fill its glaring need at EDGE. Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, and Shemar Stewart were all available, but the Panthers decided to go with offense.
The other bad aspect of this pick is how McMillan’s and Xavier Legette’s profiles overlap. McMillan aligned outside 78% of the time last season, and Legette was outside 70% in his rookie year. Getting Bryce Young another weapon will help Carolina figure out what they have in their quarterback, but multiple of the same receiver seems unnecessary.
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, New Orleans No. 9
With Will Campbell and Armand Membo already off the board, this seemed like a panicky decision by New Orleans. They hopped off the quarterback train late in the pre-draft process, but their laundry list of needs did not include offensive tackle.
A lot of noise will be made about the Saints passing on Shedeur Sanders, but passing on a corner or one of the many pass rushers available is head-scratching. Banks could replace the recently retired Ryan Ramczyk, but it feels like New Orleans should have gone in a different direction.
Kenneth Grant, DT, Miami No. 13
Grant could become the next great defensive tackle, but this seems like a reach at No. 13. One of Miami’s higher needs was Guard, and Tyler Booker going one pick before likely led to the selection.
If the Dolphins wanted to reach, why not go for Malaki Starks or Nick Emmanwori? Or Tyler Warren even? Safety is their top need, and Warren could have led the offense to new heights.
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Cincinnati No. 17
This pick makes a lot of logical sense. Sam Hubbard retired, and Trey Hendrickson’s future in Cincinnati is up in the air. However, Stewart is the unquestioned workout warrior of this year’s class.
There’s no denying how impressive Stewart’s combine performance was. A 4.59 40-yard dash with a 1.58 10-yard split at 267 pounds is insanity. However, 4.5 sacks over three years isn’t worth the 17th-overall pick. This pick is potential over production right now, but will Stewart ever get there?
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Atlanta No. 26
Atlanta did great, doubling down on its glaring pass rush need, picking up Jalon Walker at No. 15 and Pearce Jr. at No. 26. However, the jump from 46 to 26 cost way too much, as Atlanta had to give up their 2026 first-round pick.
Pearce totaled 17.5 sacks over his last two years, so the production is there for a first-round selection, but he walks into Atlanta’s facility under immense pressure. He could average seven sacks a season over the course of his rookie contract, but is that worth two first-round picks?
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: 5 of the worst picks From the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
