Draft Nation: Draft Review – AFC Teams

With the 2025 NFL Draft completed, NFL teams are doing their last roster movements to prepare for Summer OTA’s. Before they do, Draft Nation will be evaluating the draft classes of all 32 NFL teams. Ian Stuart Martin will be providing his evaluation of how well each team did in addressing their pre-draft needs. 

AFC South

Tennessee Titans: B+

It’s hard to grade the Titans selecting Cam Ward. They also added prospects on defense with Oluwafemi Oladejo and Kevin Winston Jr., and wide receivers Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor on offense. But the Titans didn’t take advantage of a deep running-back class to give Tony Pollard a running mate.

Jacksonville Jaguars: A

It’s a rare opportunity to get a player like Travis Hunter and the Jaguars clawed at the chance to get him. The potential of reviving Trevor Lawrence with the receiving duo of Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter was too much to pass up. Add in a technically sound corner with Caleb Ransaw and the speedster Bhayshul Tuten, and the Jaguars improved and should expect immediate impact.

Indianapolis Colts: B+

Sometimes the boring pick is the best. Selecting TE Tyler Warren is a great match for a Colts team that needed a middle-of-the-field target. They also added a solid mix of prospects with great tools, like the massive Jalen Travis, and prospects with day one ability, like J.T. Tuimoloau.

Houston Texans: C+

Initially the Texan’s draft appeared solid. Adding two wide receivers who have a proven track record of working together in Iowa, products Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, is great. However, the Texans need an overhaul of their offensive line. Aireontae Ersery is a commendable pick who will be an average anchor, but they needed to add more along the line to protect signal caller CJ Stroud.

AFC North

Cleveland Browns: C

Selecting two running-backs and two quarterbacks when the Browns need to get younger hurts them long-term. The Jaguars’ trade does help the Browns for the future, but they needed to add more prospects to develop behind great starters.

Cincinnati Bengals: B

While the Bengal’s defense still needs more help, adding Shemar Stewart, Demetrius Knight Jr., and Barrett Carter should help improve that defense. The Bengals could have added more defensive linemen, but overall, they did well.

Pittsburgh Steelers: A-

The Steelers were able to add valuable pieces to their defensive line with Derrick Harmon and Jack Sawyer. With the addition of a scheme perfect match of RB Kaleb Johson, the Steelers had an A- draft.

Baltimore Ravens: A

From a purely football aspect, getting Mike Green in the late second round along with Malaki Starks in the first adds tons of talent to the Ravens’ defense. Getting two offensive tackles and a guard will help shore up the lack of depth on the offensive line gets them an even higher grade. Overall, the Ravens built for the future and today.

AFC West

Las Vegas Raiders: B+

Ashton Jeanty is an incredible floor-raising move for the Raiders. Going from one of the weakest running-back rooms to having arguably one of the top five running-backs is a great upgrade. Pete Carroll will have a fun time scheming together an offense with the weapons he now has.

Denver Broncos: A

Pairing Jahdae Barron with Pat Surtain II is sure to make fon one of the league’s great corner duos. The additions of RB R.J. Harvey and WR Pat Bryant give Bo Nix excellent weapons to use in his sophomore campaign. Trickle in some developmental edge rushers in the third and fourth rounds, and the Broncos scored an A on draft day.

Los Angeles Chargers: B+ 

The Chargers had two main needs in the 2025 NFL Draft. First was to give Justin Herbet more weapons so he’s not just throwing to Ladd McConkey, and second was to deal with the losses of Joey Bosa and Poona Ford on the defensive line. The Chargers nabbed a bruising running back in Omarion Hampton and a top wide receiver prospect in Tre Harris. Adding Jamaree Caldwell will help solidify the interior defensive line as well.

Kansas City Chiefs: A

Getting Josh Simmons was amazing for the Chiefs. Simmons has character concerns but playing with an organization like the Chiefs will fix those. Adding solid defensive line prospects like Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte and the Chiefs bolstered their weaknesses, made plain to the league in their loss in the Super Bowl.

AFC East

New England Patriots: A+

The Patriots drafted great prospects across the three days. Getting highly talented offensive linemen in Will Campbell, a solid wide receiver, a great running back, and Bradyn Swinson, and you have one of the best draft classes this year. 

New York Jets: B

Getting Armand Membou, a solid day-one starting tackle, and a tight end with a very high ceiling are perfect additions to the New York Jets. The rest of their draft added solid developmental prospects, but the Jets don’t have a great track record of developing talent.

Miami Dolphins: B+

Going against their history of getting lighter, more agile trench players, the Dolphins have loaded up their defensive line with big bodies. Adding in a mauler like Jonah Savaiinaea on the offensive line will assist their run offense and run defense. 

Buffalo Bills: A-

Outside of a reach for CB Maxwell Hairston, the Bills got tons of great talent for their defense. Their main weakness in 2024 was their defense, so getting players like T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson, and Deone Walker will greatly raise the ceiling of the defensive line in the long term.