With the 2025 draft complete, theScore's senior NFL writer Dan Wilkins hands out his initial grades for each team's incoming rookies.
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Grade: A
Chicago's dream offseason continues. Loveland is a dynamic receiver who I've compared to Darren Waller, and he'll be an outstanding fit for the Sam LaPorta role in Ben Johnson's offense. And the Bears went right back to searching for playmakers from there. Burden is one of the most explosive pass-catchers in this class, Trapilo could push Braxton Jones for a starting job at tackle before long, and Turner's a powerful interior lineman with the traits to become a three-down player with some more development. It would have been nice to see the Bears make a big move at running back earlier, but Monangai is a fascinating sleeper. The Rutgers product is an extremely physical runner who also plays with impressive lateral quickness. He could be a productive early-down runner behind this new-look offensive line.
Grade: C
The Lions have proven everyone wrong several times on the path to becoming one of the league's most well-run organizations. That may well happen again here, but this group, and the process involved in putting it together, leaves something to be desired. Williams is an outstanding run defender who doesn't offer much as a pass-rusher. Could that pick have been used to fill the edge-rush need opposite Aidan Hutchinson? Ratledge is a strong addition to the offensive line, so there's a lot to like there, but things get weird in the third round. While TeSlaa's an interesting lottery ticket at receiver, giving up two third-round picks next year to move up 32 spots is simply bad business. And it's not the first time the Lions have done this: Detroit coughed up third- and fourth-round picks this year to move up twice in the fourth round in 2024. The Lions remain among the top teams in the NFC, but this wasn't the kind of expert maneuvering I've come to expect from this front office.
Packers: B
Aaron Rodgers has to be smiling somewhere. Or scowling. Who's to say? Either way, the Packers taking a first-round receiver for the first time since 2002 is worth celebrating. And Golden is exciting. His speed and route-running skills will be an important addition to the Green Bay offense after a frustrating 2024 season. Belton may have been a bit of a reach in the second round, but you've got to live with that when offensive linemen were flying off the board so quickly; his impressive size and power makes him worth a shot there. Williams is a bit of a curious decision in Round 3, as the receiver room is starting to get crowded. He shouldn't necessarily be seen as a pure receiver, though - he's a unique playmaker who can be used all over the field. Sorrell is an under-the-radar Day 3 pick, but it would have been nice to see the Packers invest in the defense earlier.
Grade: B-
Minnesota had only four selections in this draft, so this was bound to be a relatively underwhelming haul. The quality was up to the standard of this Vikings offense, though. Jackson should be a Day 1 starter at left guard, rounding out a much-improved offensive line for sophomore starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. And Felton's an underrated playmaker who could quickly earn a role alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The volume impacts the overall grade, but all things considered this was still a productive weekend for the Vikings. This team has everything it needs to take the next step this season.
