Mel Kiper 2025 NFL Draft Grades, Browns, Seahawks, Patriots Top ESPN Expert's Rankings

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. graded the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks as the most successful teams in the 2025 NFL draft.

Kiper gave the Browns an A-plus grade for a draft class comprised of Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger, Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins, Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr., Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

The Browns traded back from the No. 2 pick before picking Graham, bypassing the chance to draft wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.

But Kiper noted that the package Cleveland received in return included a 2026 first-round selection that could be a high pick if the Jaguars struggle in 2025.

Kiper also praised the Browns' additions to their run games and their decision to draft Sanders. Despite the Colorado quarterback's draft fall, Kiper believes Sanders "is going to be an outstanding pro QB."

"I believe we're going to look back on this pick in a few years and question what the rest of the NFL was doing," Kiper wrote.

Kiper gave the Seahawks an A grade for bringing in North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel, South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, Notre Dame defensive end Rylie Mills, Colorado State wide receiver Tory Horton, Alabama fullback Robbie Ouzts, Kansas guard Bryce Cabeldue, Miami running back Damien Martinez, Iowa offensive tackle Mason Richman and UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III.

The ESPN analyst believes the Seahawks found multiple potential starters in the early rounds of the draft, including with Zabel and Emmanwori.

He believes that Milroe "isn't ready to start, but he has unbelievable traits and could help the running game in 2025." He also called Martinez "a Day 3 player to watch" who could find a fit on the Seahawks roster during his first NFL season.

Kiper gave the Patriots a grade of A-minus for a draft class of LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams, Cal safety Craig Woodson, Florida State defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, LSU edge Bradyn Swinson, Miami kicker Andres Borregales, Missouri offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, Vanderbilt long snapper Julian Ashby and Memphis defensive back Kobee Minor.

He believes Campbell "instantly improves things" on the Patriots' offensive line, that Henderson and Williams will slot in well with Maye, and that New England landed the second-best kicker in the class by targeting Borregales.

The New York Giants also received an A-minus grade from Kiper, who likes Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter but is skeptical of trading up for Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Kiper's lowest grades went to the Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins (C+) followed by the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals (C.)

Kiper believes the Panthers, who drafted wideout Tetairoa McMillan in the first round, could have used more focus on defense. He wanted the Lions to prioritize an edge rusher, and questioned the Dolphins' decision to use a first-round pick on defensive tackle Kenneth Grant.

The ESPN analyst questioned the Falcons trading up to draft James Pearce Jr. after already drafting Jalon Walker earlier in the first round, and concluded that the Bengals' weekend in Green Bay had been overall "sort of a ho-hum draft."