The 2025 Draft

Two potential starters in the first two picks, one of them a medical bet the club says it cleared, and a Day 3 that few outside the building rated.

• The need: a 23rd-ranked defense by yards per play, 28th in pass rush win rate, 29th in completion percentage allowed, with the March signings already aimed at the front.
• The price: Nolen at 16 was seventh on PFF's board and a little high on Kiper's; Johnson at 47 was Kiper's 11th-ranked player, slid on medicals the club says it cleared.
• The trades: one small swap, 152 to Dallas for 174 and 211, so the capital was what the club walked in with.

From 10 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The right target, twice, with next year's first-round pick spent on the second one.

• The need: 31 sacks in 2024, second fewest in the league, and the fewest since 2019 by 30.
• The trades: 46, 242 and the 2026 first to the Rams for 26 and 101; 101 and a 2026 fifth to Philadelphia for 96.
• The pick: Walker at 15 was Kiper's 10th-ranked player; Pearce at 26 was his 34th, with Ezeiruaku ranked 23rd still on the board until 44.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The board came to Baltimore twice, at safety and at edge, and the club did not have to move for either.

• The need: a safety to pair with Hamilton and a corner, both named by DeCosta before the draft, plus a second edge.
• The pick: Starks at 27 was the best player left on PFF's board; Green at 59 had been ranked 21st by Daniel Jeremiah.
• The trades: two Day 3 swaps only, 136 and 183 to Tennessee for 141 and 178, and 176 to the Jets for 186; the capital was the club's own.

From 9 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The cornerback need met at 30 without moving, and the interior need met at 41 by moving twice.

• The need: cornerback after Douglas and Elam left, and an interior pass rush that produced eight sacks, third fewest in the league.
• The trades: 56, 62 and 109 to Chicago for 41, 72 and 240; then 132 and 169 to Chicago to get 109 back.
• The pick: Hairston at 30 held a first-round grade in the building; Sanders at 41 sat 126th on Kiper's board.

From 9 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The receiver came first, the defense came Friday, and the Friday trades were swaps rather than purchases.

• The need: a defense that finished last in points allowed, yards allowed, yards per play and third-down rate, plus a big target for Young.
• The trades: 57, 74, 111 and 230 to Denver for 51, 85, 122 and 208; 85 and 146 to New England for 77.
• The pick: McMillan at 8 was Kiper's 19th; Scourton at 51 was PFF's 29th; Umanmielen at 77 was PFF's 50th.

From 11 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Three trades down, three second-round picks, a quarterback with new toys, and an edge rotation that got nothing.

• The need: weapons and a tackle for Williams, and an edge group with the third-worst pass rush win rate in the league.
• The trades: 41, 72 and 240 to Buffalo for 56, 62 and 109; 109 to Buffalo for 132 and 169; 148 to the Rams for 195 and a 2026 fourth.
• The pick: Loveland at 10 with Warren still there at 14; Burden at 39 at the top of the club's board; Trapilo and Turner a bit ahead of the board.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The right positions, in order, at prices the boards did not support.

• The need: more than 25 points allowed a game, Hendrickson and Pratt both requesting trades, and a guard spot where pass protection struggled.
• The price: Stewart at 17 with four and a half college sacks and a 27th ranking on Kiper's board; Knight at 49 ranked 82nd there and 25 at camp.
• The trades: none, six picks used in place.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A trade down that added a 2026 first, then a draft that bought two backs and two quarterbacks while the tackle, receiver and edge spots waited.

• The need: a quarterback room and a defensive line that already had Garrett, Collins and Hall; the tackle, receiver and edge holes went unfilled.
• The trades: 2, 104 and 200 to Jacksonville for 5, 36, 126 and a 2026 first; two Day 3 picks to Seattle for 144.
• The pick: Graham at 5 a top-five talent on the weekend's reads; Sanders at 144 the slide of the draft, taken after Gabriel at 94.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A named hole filled at a debated price, then two Day 2 picks the boards liked better than their slots, and no receiver.

• The need: right guard after Zack Martin retired; the club graded Booker close to Martin and called him an immediate starter.
• The price: a guard at 12 was called light on value; picks 174 and 211 bought the move to 152 for Shemar James, and the fourth had already gone for Jonathan Mingo.
• The pick: Ezeiruaku at 44 and Revel at 76 were each called worth a round earlier, with Revel's ACL the risk on the record.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The first pick was value at a premium position and the trades added picks; the players the picks bought sat below the boards.

• The need: running back first on the need list; the club took a corner at 20 and said the runner it liked would have come after a trade back.
• The trades: back from 51 to 57 and again to 60, moving the third and fourth up and adding a pick, then three picks spent to reach 101 and 134.
• The pick: Barron was called great value; Harvey at 60 was Kiper's ninth back with two he rated higher still available, and Bryant had run 4.61.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A need at edge left until the sixth round, a cheap trade for a guard, and two future thirds spent on a receiver the boards did not rate.

• The need: edge, with Hutchinson's 7.5 sacks in five games the club's high and three rated rushers on the board at 28.
• The price: 60 and 130 for 57 and 230 bought Ratledge cheaply; 102 and both 2026 thirds bought TeSlaa at 70, ranked 149th on Kiper's board.
• The pick: Williams at 28 was 44th on Kiper's board and drew a McNeill comparison from Holmes.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The receiver drought ended with a consensus pick, the second-round tackle was a size bet, and cornerback waited until 237.

• The need: receiver first, then cornerback and edge; the first corner came at 237.
• The price: eight picks at the slots the club held; no trade over the three days.
• The pick: Golden at 23 was the first Packers receiver in round one since 2002 and ran 4.29; Belton at 54 was called a gamble on size.

From 9 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Out of the first round for two thirds, back up the board for a tackle and a receiver, and the new third spent on a running back.

• The need: receiver, tackle and guard; two receivers and a tackle came, no guard.
• The trades: 25 for 34, 99 and a 2026 third; 58 and 99 for 48; 89 and 236 for 102 and 142; the 2026 third out again to reach pick 116.
• The pick: Higgins at 34 had the size few top receivers carried; Ersery at 48 was a first-round grade for Reuter.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Patience at 14 delivered a top-ten talent at the top need; the interior line waited until the fourth round.

• The need: tight end first, then guard and center; the first lineman came at 127.
• The trades: one, down ten spots from 117 to 127 with a sixth-round pick added.
• The pick: Warren at 14 was Kiper's seventh prospect and Ballard's easiest call since Quenton Nelson; Tuimoloau at 45 met value and need.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The consensus best player in the class, bought with a future first, and two trades later that clawed some of the capital back.

• The need: cornerback and receiver were on the list and Hunter is both; defensive tackle led it and none came.
• The price: 5, 36, 126 and a 2026 first for 2, 104 and 200; then 70, 182 and a 2026 sixth for 102 and two 2026 thirds, and 102 and 142 for 89 and 236.
• The pick: Hunter was first on PFF's board and Kiper's; Ransaw and Milum at 88 and 89 were called possible starters.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The one need the whole league could see, filled at 32 after a step back, with the knee priced in and every Day 2 pick meeting a named need.

• The need: left tackle after the Super Bowl; tight end was also listed and none came.
• The trades: down one spot from 31 to 32 and still Simmons; a 2026 fourth for the ten-spot move to 85; a second fifth acquired after the first went for DeAndre Hopkins.
• The pick: Simmons at 32 was the top lineman left with a torn patellar tendon on the record; Royals at 133 was 72nd on Kiper's board.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A first-round back at six, then two trade-backs that turned two Day 2 picks into four where the value sat.

• The need: last in the league in rushing, with Mostert atop the depth chart on Thursday morning.
• The trades: 37 and 143 became 58, 98, 99 and 135 across two Friday trade-backs.
• The pick: Jeanty at six is the positional-value risk; Bech at 58 and Thornton at 108 drew the weekend's praise.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Good players at the slots the club held, no capital added, and a first-round back on a roster that had just signed one.

• The need: receiver, tight end, guard and defensive tackle after Bosa's release, with McConkey carrying the passing game.
• The price: no trades of consequence; a fifth-round swap produced Gadsden.
• The pick: Hampton at 22 after signing Harris; Tre Harris at 55 filled the need with a known injury history.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A 2026 first-round pick for moving back 20 spots carried the class; the cornerback hole stayed open.

• The need: cornerback, linebacker, quarterback and tackle, with no second-round pick to work with.
• The trades: 26 and 101 became 46, 242 and Atlanta's 2026 first; Saturday spent five later picks and a 2026 fourth to move up three times.
• The pick: Ferguson and Stewart graded well on Day 2; no cornerback came at all.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Two linemen the club wanted, a third-round pick spent to reach one of them, and the secondary left for the fifth round.

• The need: safety, cornerback, defensive tackle and guard, with Ramsey a trade candidate.
• The trades: 48, 98 and 135 became 37 and 143 to reach Savaiinaea; 116 became 179 and a 2026 third.
• The pick: Grant at 13 filled the interior; no defensive back came before 150.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The fewest picks in the league, a sound guard at 24, and no cornerback.

• The need: guard, cornerback and defensive tackle around a quarterback who had not played.
• The trades: three small swaps turned 97 and 187 into 102, Sam Howell, 201 and 202.
• The pick: Jackson at 24 was the third guard taken; no defender came until 139.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Every named need answered, capital added on Day 2, and a measured arm-length risk taken at four.

• The need: tackle, receiver and defensive tackle after Maye was pressured on more than 37 percent of dropbacks.
• The trades: two third-round trade-backs added a fifth-round pick and a 2026 fourth.
• The pick: Campbell's arm length was the known risk; Henderson at 38 split the graders.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The tackle was sound; the quarterback was an older, injured passer taken where the room called it a reach.

• The need: quarterback first, with Carr's shoulder unresolved the day before the draft.
• The price: no trades over the three days; the capital was what the club walked in with.
• The pick: Banks at nine was praised; Shough at 40 drew a C- and the word reach.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The best defender in the draft at three, then a second-round pick and two thirds spent on the quarterback the graders split over.

• The need: quarterback, guard, defensive tackle and receiver on a 14-loss roster.
• The price: 34, 99 and a 2026 third went to Houston for 25.
• The pick: Carter was the consensus; Dart split the room, from PFF's highest-graded passer to Prisco's C-.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Three picks that answered the roster's three needs in order, then a Day 3 that paid to move up for depth.

• The need: right tackle, tight end and receiver, with Moses and Conklin gone and Fields the new quarterback, and the first three picks took them in that order.
• The trades: two small climbs on Day 3, 145 and 207 for 130 and a 2026 fifth for a 2026 sixth, to take a safety and an edge; volume spent, nothing added.
• The pick: Thomas at 73 sat 47th on Kiper's board; Smith at 110 sat 343rd on PFF's, with Royals, Ayomanor and Lane still available.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A cheap climb for a top-ten board player, then a weekend of trading late picks into volume and a future pick.

• The need: Sweat, Williams and Gardner-Johnson were gone from a title defense; linebacker and safety came first, the line at 111.
• The trades: one spot for pick 164 to take Campbell, then four trade-downs that turned eight picks into ten and added a 2026 fifth.
• The pick: Campbell was a top-ten player on the club's board at 31, with a 2024 shoulder injury the club said it had cleared; Mukuba at 64 was called slightly early.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Sound value at the positions the club chose, with the quarterback question left to a sixth-round pick and a free agent who had not signed.

• The need: defensive tackle after 299 rushing yards allowed in the playoff loss, running back after Harris left, and a quarterback room headed by Mason Rudolph.
• The price: the second-round pick had gone to Seattle for Metcalf in March; the weekend's one trade moved 156 back to 164 and added 226.
• The pick: Harmon at 21 was the consensus fit; Black at 164 sat 66th on Kiper's board; Howard at 185 was the only quarterback drafted.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The right direction, taken at the wrong prices, with the offensive line left for the seventh round.

• The need: Banks, Ward, Greenlaw and Hufanga were gone from a 6-11 team that allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns.
• The pick: five defenders came first, the first time since 1981, and that direction was praised.
• The value: Williams and Collins drew questions on pass-rush production; Martin at 75 and Stout at 100 were called reaches.

From 6 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Sam Kezar, written Sep 22, 2026. The piece.

Deep capital used on the roster's stated needs, with one costly climb for a safety the room rated as a first-round player.

• The need: interior line, defensive tackle and receiver, with Zabel the club's top interior lineman at 18 and an instant starter on most boards.
• The trades: 52 and 82 to Tennessee for 35, priced at the value of the 121st pick; then three Day 3 trade-downs that turned two picks into five.
• The pick: Arroyo at 50 and Milroe at 92 were graded as value, with Arroyo's injury history and Milroe's accuracy the risks on the record.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A first-round receiver for a room that did not need one, at a fair price, and then the defense's needs met without a trade.

• The need: edge, corner and linebacker on a defense that had been hurt; the first pick went to receiver, the next four to defense.
• The price: no trades for the second straight draft; six picks held, six used, the sixth-rounder already gone in the 2024 Davis deal.
• The pick: Egbuka at 19 was a top-20 talent on NFL.com's board; Morrison at 53 came with a hip injury that had ended his 2024 season.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The right quarterback at one, a trade-back that added value, and a Day 3 that took its receivers in the wrong order.

• The need: quarterback on a team last in passing grade, then edge and receiver; Ward went first and both other needs were addressed by 52 and 103.
• The trades: 35 to Seattle for 52 and 82 added value on every chart; 141 and 178 to Baltimore for 136 and 183 bought Ayomanor.
• The pick: Winston at 82 was Kiper's 49th player after missing almost all of 2024 with a knee injury; Dike at 103 went ahead of higher-ranked receivers.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Two starters from five picks, with the edge need untouched and the capital already spent on veterans before the weekend.

• The need: edge, corner and running back; the first pick went to tackle with Tunsil and Coleman already on the roster, and edge was never drafted.
• The price: five picks, the second-smallest class in the draft, after the third-round picks went for Tunsil and Lattimore and 147 for Samuel; no trades on the weekend.
• The pick: Amos at 61 sat 43rd on Kiper's board and was in the club's first-round mix; Croskey-Merritt at 245 had played one game in 2024.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 28, 2025. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.