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NFL 2025 Draft:The Puzzling Picks That Raised Eyebrows

USAThursday, May 1, 2025
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In the NFL Draft, teams often make selections that leave fans and experts scratching their heads. The 2025 NFL Draft was no exception, with several teams making picks that seemed questionable at first glance. In the AFC North, the Bengals grabbed linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. in the second round. Knight's struggles with disengaging from blocks and his comfort in open spaces raised eyebrows, especially since he was taken so early. The Bengals had a clear need at the position, but many wondered if Knight was the right fit. The Browns' selection of quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round was another head-scratcher. Sanders was a steal in terms of value, but the move didn't make much sense strategically. The Browns had the chance to draft Travis Hunter, a standout from Colorado, but traded out of that opportunity. Instead, they chose Sanders, potentially setting up a confusing situation with their current quarterbacks and future draft plans. The Browns' decision to prioritize Sanders over other needs was puzzling, to say the least. The Ravens picked linebacker Teddye Buchanan in the fourth round. Buchanan has the size and production to be a solid player, but his struggles in coverage and inconsistent tape performance were concerning. The Ravens had other needs that could have been addressed earlier in the draft, making Buchanan's selection a bit of a head-scratcher. In the AFC South, the Colts chose cornerback Justin Walley in the third round. Walley is a smaller player with good ball skills, but many experts had him pegged as a mid-to-late fourth-round pick. The Colts' decision to invest in a position of weakness was smart, but the timing of the pick raised some questions. The Jaguars, on the other hand, selected cornerback Caleb Ransaw in the third round. Ransaw's instincts and physicality were praised by his coaches, but his placement in the draft was higher than expected. The Texans made a splash with their fourth-round pick, running back Woody Marks. Marks is an older prospect with a short career longevity, and the Texans traded a future third-round pick to secure him. While Marks can be an impact player this season, the Texans' decision to prioritize him over other needs was seen as a bit of a reach. The Titans picked wide receiver Chimere Dike in the fourth round. Dike offers value as a returner, but his production was inconsistent until his final college season. His drop rate was also higher than the acceptable average, raising questions about his reliability. The Titans had other needs that could have been addressed earlier in the draft, making Dike's selection a bit of a head-scratcher. In the AFC East, the Bills chose tight end Jackson Hawes in the fifth round. Hawes is primarily a blocker, and using a fifth-round pick on that role seemed a bit rich. However, he makes sense as a potential replacement for Dawson Knox's contract. The Dolphins made a bold move by selecting defensive tackle Kenneth Grant in the first round. Grant will bolster the team's run defense, but his lack of pass-rush skills was a concern. The Dolphins' decision to prioritize defensive tackles was seen as a smart move, but the high placement of Grant was a bit of a surprise. The Jets picked wide receiver Arian Smith in the fourth round. Smith's speed is impressive, but his high drop rate was a significant red flag. For the second consecutive year, the Jets ignored a major issue with their wide receiver selections. The Patriots, on the other hand, made a unique choice by selecting long snapper Julian Ashby in the seventh round. Long snappers are rarely drafted, so Ashby must be a solution for several years. In the AFC West, the Broncos picked wide receiver Pat Bryant in the third round. Bryant has good size and is a reliable target, but his speed and route-running were concerns. The Chargers selected defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell in the third round. Caldwell's size will help the run defense, but his lack of pass-rush skills was a concern. The Chiefs picked edge rusher Ashton Gillotte in the third round. Gillotte is a good fit for the Chiefs' scheme, but he was taken earlier than expected. The Raiders' selection of offensive guard Caleb Rogers in the third round was seen as a bit of a reach, as he was more of a fifth-round talent. In the NFC North, the Bears picked linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II in the fourth round. Hyppolite's athletic potential is impressive, but his production did not match it. The Lions selected wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa in the third round, trading away valuable draft resources to secure him. TeSlaa has good size and speed, but his statistics were modest. The Packers picked offensive tackle Anthony Belton in the second round. Belton is a good player, but the second round seemed a bit early for him. The Vikings selected defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins in the fifth round. Ingram-Dawkins has great size and speed, but his tape suggests he is more of a project. In the NFC South, the Buccaneers picked wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round. Egbuka is a good player, but the Buccaneers had bigger needs to address. The Panthers selected defensive tackle Cam Jackson in the fifth round. Jackson is a solid run defender, but his lack of quickness off the snap was a concern. The Saints picked quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round. Shough is a pro-ready quarterback, but his injury history and inconsistent downfield throws were concerns. In the NFC East, the Commanders picked running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round. Croskey-Merritt is an older prospect with limited playing time. The Cowboys picked linebacker Shemar James in the fifth round. James lacks the ideal size to play in the box and struggles with deconstructing blocks. The Eagles selected safety Andrew Mukuba in the second round. Mukuba has leadership potential, but his high missed tackle rate was a concern. The Giants picked running back Cam Skattebo in the fourth round. Skattebo is a good short-yardage runner, but questions about his top-end speed remain. In the NFC West, the 49ers picked linebacker Nick Martin in the third round. Martin is undersized and missed a lot of time last season due to injury. The Cardinals picked linebacker Cody Simon in the fourth round. Simon struggles with deconstructing blocks, making it difficult to project him to the next level. The Rams picked tight end Terrance Ferguson in the second round. Ferguson has the size and testing numbers, but his high-waisted build and change of direction limits his playmaking ability. The Seahawks picked fullback/ tight end Robbie Ouzts in the fifth round. Ouzts' size will limit him to a role player, but his pass-catching potential is intriguing.
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