There were some chaotic moments during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. What do Rounds 2 and 3 have in store Friday night?
Here’s a look at how the second day of the draft might unfold:
(Editor’s note: An asterisk indicates a compensatory draft pick.)
It should not come as a shock to people who paid close attention that Sanders fell out of the first round, nor that Jaxson Dart was selected ahead of him. That said, Sanders and Dart were very close with regard to the QB2/QB3 discussion. If Cleveland can use the extra picks it acquired Thursday to fortify its rebuild and give Sanders time to grow, this could be a great fit.
C.J. Stroud needs protection up front, so offensive tackle could be an option for the Texans after they traded out of the first round. But adding a legit playmaker who gives off Deebo Samuel vibes feels like great value.
There are off-field concerns surrounding Green, a top-15 prospect on several boards (including that of The Athletic’s Dane Brugler). It’s not impossible that he slides even further if teams aren’t comfortable with his situation, but he could be an elite value pick.
Not only did the Browns leave the first round with an elite defender, Mason Graham, but they also have a chance to address QB and running back at the top of Round 2. Offensive tackle could be another possibility.
Johnson slid out of the first round for a few reasons, including speed and injury concerns. When healthy, though, he’s one of the best defensive players in this class. This could be a steal.
One of two terrific Iowa State wideouts likely to be picked on Day 2 (Jayden Higgins being the other), Noel (5-foot-10, 194 pounds) ran a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine and plays without fear. He is outstanding in the air and can contort his body to bad throws. He could be a great weapon for Drake Maye.
In Round 1, the Bears landed Colston Loveland, a perfect fit for Ben Johnson’s offense. On Friday, Chicago has a chance to get tougher up front. The hulking 6-6, 331-pound Ersery could be a long-term answer on the left side.
Whether or not Derek Carr is healthy this season, the Saints need a long-term answer at quarterback. Shough — a much better athlete than people realize — had outstanding flashes last season in Jeff Brohm’s offense. He possesses the frame (6-5, 219) and arm talent to be a potential NFL starter.
This would be outstanding value for the Bears, who still need plenty of punch along their defensive front. Ezeiruaku has one of the deepest pass-rush move sets in this draft and is a very high-character player.
Maybe Justin Fields cashes in on his prove-it contract and becomes the Jets’ quarterback of the future. Maybe not. Either way, being able to stash and develop an elite athlete with immense potential such as Milroe — in an offense that will use its QB in the run game — feels like a terrific fit.
In Round 1, the 49ers grabbed a potential star in freaky Georgia edge Mykel Williams. But San Francisco still needs help along its defensive front and Turner (6-3, 290) is an explosive, twitched-up pocket pusher who’d fit the bill.
The Cowboys were one of the pre-draft favorites to land Ashton Jeanty. With the Boise State running back off the board by pick No. 12, though, the Cowboys instead opted for another mauling guard, Tyler Booker. They have a chance to attack this deep RB class on Day 2.
A 240-pound linebacker who runs like a safety, Schwesinger has elite upside. He tackled everything he saw in college (136 tackles last season) but also possesses exciting coverage upside playing from the stack.
The youngest player in the draft and one of the smoothest tight ends in college football last season, Taylor — son of Jason Taylor and nephew of Zach Thomas — could be a phenomenal fit in Sean McVay’s attack for years to come.
One of the savviest players in this class, regardless of position, Tuimoloau uses a deep move set coupled with great length and a high football IQ to overcome his lack of ideal explosion off the edge. A big-time producer at Ohio State, Tuimoloau was always around the football.
This would be a total steal — Emmanwori is one of the best athletes in this draft. No one rolled the dice on him in Round 1, and safety is a tough position to peg, but it’s certainly possible Emmanwori falls this far Friday. He also could be a trade-up target for a number of teams.
The Bengals still need to add more protection for Joe Burrow and find ways to be more efficient in the run game. Ratledge is one of this draft’s best run blockers and was a very dependable player — for a long time — at Georgia.
There were not a ton of CB-needy teams this year, which caused a number of very good coverage players to slide. Amos, a long and speedy corner comfortable in man or zone, has a ton of upside.
This is a big need for Denver, which has to find a No. 1 running back for 2025. Judkins, one half of Ohio State’s dynamic duo last season, is another true three-down weapon with plenty of upside.
A 6-4, 214-pounder with 4.47 speed, Higgins isn’t the world-class burner DK Metcalf is, but he blends elite ball skills with a ton of length and an ability to play multiple spots in any scheme.
If Revel hadn’t gotten hurt early last season, we might have heard his name in the first round. Tampa Bay went receiver in Round 1, so it now needs to focus on shoring up its defense — particularly in the secondary.
The Packers (finally) took a wide receiver in Round 1 — Texas burner Matthew Golden. Corner is a need here, and Thomas, one of the longest and most disruptive man-coverage players in the class, would be very good value.
The Chargers could go tight end or defensive tackle at this spot. But edge is a need, and Jackson — a 6-6, 264-pounder with speed and length — can be an edge setter or pass rusher with the ability to drop and cover for Jesse Minter.
The Bills need to get younger up front defensively — and more depth for 2025 couldn’t hurt, either. Alexander is long, powerful and quick, and he comes from one of the hardest-working programs in America.
Edge also should be a Day 2 priority for Carolina, but safety is a need right now — there are just three true safeties on the roster. Watts, a former receiver and linebacker with a great eye for the football, could fit nicely next to new addition Tre’von Moehrig.
The Texans’ trade out of the first round gave them the opportunity to address two serious needs with possible starters in Round 2. Savaiinaea is a versatile guard who would help keep Stroud upright.
The Ravens hit the jackpot at the end of Round 1 with Malaki Starks, a perfect fit for their roster. Burch, a versatile edge who can play inside, would be another.
Scourton’s high motor and high character would be terrific fits on Dan Campbell’s squad. Addressing DT and edge before the end of Day 2 would cross off a pair of big needs for the Lions.
A physical edge presence who is very difficult to seal and has enough speed to chase down players in the backfield, Oladejo could help fix a leaky Commanders run defense.
The Bills will be in the market for another pass catcher at some point this weekend, and Bech — a star of the Senior Bowl who has given many scouts Puka Nacua vibes — could be a great fit with Josh Allen.
One of the fastest ball carriers in the SEC last season, Sampson could form a perfect combination with Isiah Pacheco and provide another dynamic option in Kansas City’s backfield.
A powerful, physical and highly competitive presence on the edge, Sawyer is a passionate defender and got better every year at Ohio State. Another potential defensive standout from an elite college program for the Eagles.
(Top photos of Shedeur Sanders and Will Johnson: Stacy Revere, David Berding / Getty Images)
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