2025 NFL draft: Picking one best prospect fit in the class for each team

The 2025 NFL draft is a little more than a month away. Pro days across the college landscape give teams and scouts another chance to see how dozens of prospects perform in key tests. Those results could play a role in teams making decisions over the seven-round draft.

This year is marked by a class featuring depth at defensive line, running back, tight end and interior offensive line. There aren't many blue-chip talents at the top but the quality of the late first round through Round 3 (roughly picks No. 20 through No. 75) is very good.

That means the draft likely will be about finding great fits at those positions rather than taking the best player available because there's not a big talent gap in the top 75 prospects.

Some players stand out as great fits for specific teams. They may emulate a player who thrived in those systems previously, add a wrinkle the team could use to improve or offer an ideal fit to fill a need on the roster.

Here's one favorite fit for each NFL team in the 2025 class:

2025 NFL draft: One favorite fit for each team

Quarterbacks are not included in this exercise.

Arizona Cardinals: Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia

Walker spent most of his career in Athens as an off-ball linebacker before rushing the passer more in 2024. His impressive athleticism and long frame are promising as a pass rusher in the NFL but his experience in multiple positions could make him a versatile piece. Arizona's defensive staff could be one to maximize his skillset and move him around the formation.

Atlanta Falcons: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

The Falcons have needed pass rush help for years. Ezeiruaku's the most pro-ready pass rusher in the class who wouldn't need development before being a contributor on an NFL team. His ceiling isn't as high as some of the other more developmental prospects in the class but he'd be a needed boost to the defense.

Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, Marshall

Baltimore needs help getting after the passer off the edge and Green fits the bill with his 17 sacks (most in the nation) and 23 tackles for loss in 2024. The Ravens have often selected prospects who other teams have overlooked for one reason or another. Pro Bowlers Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum both slipped in the 2022 NFL draft due to positional value.

Green may slip in the draft due to competition concerns as well as a suspension from his time at Virginia in 2022. The Ravens could capitalize and get a ready-made edge rusher who could fit in their defense.

Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

The Bills' defense was exposed on the back end against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game. They need an injection of talent in the secondary beyond bringing back former Bill Dane Jackson in free agency.

Hairston's not the longest cornerback in the draft but makes up for it with blazing speed and a history of ball production. He's scheme versatile and could help Buffalo keep up against vertical threats in the AFC.

Carolina Panthers: Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State

The Panthers just signed cornerback Jaycee Horn to a long-term extension but gave up more passing touchdowns than any team in the NFL in 2024. Thomas would be another long, physical cornerback opposite Horn. Like the former first-round pick, Thomas didn't have much ball production in college but offers tools for coordinator Ejiro Evero to develop.

Chicago Bears: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

Chicago addressed the interior offensive line, defensive line and edge rusher positions in free agency or via trades. But their top running back remains D'Andre Swift, who new coach Ben Johnson worked with for one season as offensive coordinator in Detroit before he was traded away.

Johnson likely will want to run the ball given the success in Detroit and the offseason moves to bolster the offensive line. Judkins is an explosive, powerful athlete with receiving ability out of the backfield and would keep Swift out of a starting role. Chicago was rumored to be interested in Kareem Hunt in free agency, so they're looking to upgrade the position.

Cincinnati Bengals: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

Cincinnati's spent a lot on offense and enter the 2025 NFL season with multiple question marks on defense. They brought in a new coordinator on defense, Al Golden, who was previously with the Bengals for their Super Bowl run in 2021 and most recently coordinated Notre Dame's defense.

Watts' rapport with Golden as well as his instincts, ball skills and allergy to penalties in coverage would have a great impact on Cincinnati's defense. They likely wouldn't need to spend a first round pick on him, either.

Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Cleveland got their star on the defensive line back by making Myles Garrett the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. Hunter would give them a star in the secondary opposite Denzel Ward and a potential upgrade over Martin Emerson Jr. On offense, there would be little keeping him from working in at wide receiver to give the pass-catchers another weapon beyond Jerry Jeudy.

Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

This one makes too much sense. Jeanty, a Frisco, Texas native, is the marquee name at a position of need for a marquee team in the NFL. Dallas has shown an affinity for Boise State players in the past (Leighton Vander Esch, DeMarcus Lawrence, Cedrick Wilson Jr.). The Cowboys had a league-low six rushing touchdowns in 2024. Jeanty had 29.

Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Drafting another Tar Heel running back may scare some Broncos fans but Hampton is one of the best talents at the position in a loaded class. He's an ideal mix of size, speed, explosiveness, vision and footwork with receiving chops out of the backfield. The Broncos need more from their running backs. With Jeanty a better fit in Dallas, Hampton fits the bill for Denver.

Detroit Lions: Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas

This one's a bit of a deep cut as Bryant is likely a late-Day 2 prospect. He's a long cornerback at 6-foot and 180 pounds but lacks elite speed. He makes up for it as a ballhawking, extremely competitive athlete who doesn't shy away from a challenge and fiercely defends the run. The Lions signed D.J. Reed in free agency but Bryant could be a developmental piece to fit both the system and the culture in Detroit.

Green Bay Packers: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

It's a very long shot considering Carter's draft status as one of the top two prospects (regardless of position) but his profile is a lot like what the Packers aim for at the position. He's bundle of elite traits that will need development but would absolutely supercharge the Green Bay defense.

Houston Texans: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State

Houston's banking on new coordinator Nick Caley to solve some of the protection woes last season after trading away left tackle Laremy Tunsil. In Jackson, they'd have a proven player at guard with potential to move to tackle after doing so in 2024 following teammate Josh Simmons' season-ending injury. He has an ideal frame and movement skills for guard and would ease at least some concern about protecting franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Indianapolis Colts: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard has a penchant for prioritizing elite athletes. Look no further than 2022 draft pick Anthony Richardson, an athletic outlier at quarterback. Stewart is similarly an outlier at edge following an incredible performance at the NFL combine. Indianapolis could use more pass rush help for new coordinator Lou Anarumo and Stewart would fit what the team likes in the draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

New Jaguars coach Liam Coen showed an impressive ability to maximize players to create an effective, efficient offense. With Brian Thomas Jr. in-house already, Burden could complement him as an after-the-catch threat from the slot position. After building up the offensive line in free agency, the team could add a dynamic threat in the short and intermediate areas of the passing game.

Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Warren earned the honors as the top tight end in college football in 2024. He was a versatile, movable piece who was a mismatch in the passing game and a good blocker in the running game. Coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs' offense could maximize him as a potential long-term replacement for Travis Kelce. Considering the class, it may be tough for them to draft Warren unless they trade up in the first round.

Las Vegas Raiders: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

New Raiders coach Pete Carroll's dominant defenses in Seattle featured long, instinctual and dominant players in the secondary. Johnson's 2023 tape from Michigan makes him a first-round lock. His mix of size, athleticism and technique at this point of his development make him an ideal outside cornerback. He did drop off a bit before his injury in 2024 but he's still one of the top corners in the class.

Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

The Michigan connection with Jim Harbaugh plays a role in this but so does Grant's skillset. Teammate Mason Graham gets more of the attention but Grant is an athletic marvel at 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds with long arms. The Chargers made do with Poona Ford at nose tackle last season but he signed with the Rams in free agency. Bringing Grant in would be an upgrade in the trenches, something Harbaugh and his staff value.

Los Angeles Rams: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

The Rams are set to have the cheapest defense in the NFL by a long way in 2025. They have standouts on the line in Jared Verse, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske. But what if they dropped in a playmaker into the secondary?

Emmanwori tested off the charts at the NFL combine with a mix of linebacker size (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) and elite defensive back speed. In a division with tight ends George Kittle and Trey McBride, he could help in coverage and has the size to line up in the box as an extra linebacker. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula would have fun maximizing his skill set.

Miami Dolphins: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Miami loves fast wide receivers. So the fastest wide receiver from the combine and a productive player in college makes for a good piece on the outside for the Dolphins' offense. With Tyreek Hill entering his age-31 season, Golden could be a succession plan or another reliable, vertical piece in the pass-catching group.

Minnesota Vikings: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Starks didn't test well at the NFL combine but his tape shows impressive flashes. He started in all three of his college years at national championship contender Georgia thanks to his versatility, football IQ and run defense. He'd be a playmaker on the back end to provide defensive coordinator Brian Flores a movable piece in coverage and run support.

New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OL, LSU

Mike Vrabel put a priority on the trenches in his time with the Tennessee Titans. Now with New England, he could help establish a similar mindset again with Campbell. The LSU left tackle has arm length concerns but he's an elite athlete at the position and a well-respected leader. He plays with an attitude and strength that could set the tone for a position group that needs help.

New Orleans Saints: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri

New Saints coach Kellen Moore's previous stops were in Philadelphia and Dallas, two teams that invested heavily in their offensive lines. Membou is a ridiculous athlete for his size (6-foot-4, 332 pounds) with long arms and the tools to be a long-term starter at tackle. The Saints could use another building block in the trenches as Moore coaches up the offense.

New York Giants: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

New York needs more reliable players on offense. It's hard to find a more ready-made wide receiver than Egbuka in this class. The Buckeyes standout looks like another plug-and-play slot wide receiver from Columbus, following in the footsteps of 2023 first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He'd ease the load on Malik Nabers and diversify the Giants' pass-catching corps.

New York Jets: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

New York brought in Aaron Glenn as the new head coach from Detroit. While he was there, the Lions built up the secondary with a mix of long, aggressive cornerbacks and ballhawking safeties. The Jets already brought Brandon Stephens via free agency but Barron would be a great addition. The former Longhorn lined up all over the formation in 2024 and plays bigger than his 5-foot-11 frame. His ball skills and attitude would fit Glenn's track record in Detroit.

Philadelphia Eagles: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona

Philadelphia has one of the best rosters in the NFL and have few holes to sort out entering 2025. They could use a big, athletic mover like Savaiinaea on the interior after losing guard Mekhi Becton to Los Angeles in free agency. Savaiinaea likely lacks the athleticism to stay at tackle in the NFL but offers a huge frame, good burst, awareness and strong hands to fire off in the run game.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

The Steelers' defense has long relied on Cameron Heyward to be a force in the interior. He'll be 36 this season and Pittsburgh could use a succession plan for an interior rusher. Nolen offers versatility in a similarly sized frame (6-foot-4, 296 pounds) with explosiveness off the line. He needs some refinement as a pass rusher in his technique but the Steelers' infrastructure would be ideal for maximizing his talents.

San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Burch, DL, Oregon

San Francisco brought back former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for the same role in 2025. At the height of Saleh's defenses in San Francisco, the 49ers had long, athletic forces on the interior defensive line who could line up outside or inside in addition to a great edge rusher rotation. Burch wouldn't solve all of those needs but offers a versatile piece with inside-outside potential in a long, athletic frame.

Seattle Seahawks: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Seattle bolstered the pass rush in free agency and have a host of developmental pieces to get after the passer. Coach Mike Macdonald's best defenses in Baltimore featured playmakers at linebacker and in the secondary in addition to a stable of effective rushers. He already has Devon Witherspoon as a force in the secondary. In Campbell, he'd get a prototypical modern linebacker with the traits to be a force against the run or pass.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

The Buccaneers lacked punch off the edge in pass rush last season and signed Haason Reddick in free agency. In Williams, they'd get an edge rusher with one of the highest upsides in the class. He's a long, athletic, explosive athlete with power who could grow into a force multiplier for the likes of rookie contract players Calijah Kancey, Yaya Diaby and Logan Hall.

Tennessee Titans: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Titans coach Brian Callahan coordinated offenses in Cincinnati featuring Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at wide receiver. McMillan's pro comparisons given his size, athleticism and skill set are Drake London and Higgins. It'd be easy to imagine how Callahan could scheme up plays for the Arizona wideout thanks to his time with Higgins in Cincinnati.

Washington Commanders: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

The Commanders' defense will face a litany of talented wide receivers in division matchups. CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, Malik Nabers and DeVonta Smith line up against them twice a year. Revel Jr. could be a good fit to handle that tough competition. He's a mix of great size (6-foot-2, 194 pounds) with long arms and impressive speed. His skillset is ideal for zone coverages that Dan Quinn likes to lean on, making him a good fit for the future in Washington.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2025 NFL draft: One best fit in the class for each team

Topics

2025 NFL free agency matchmaker: One fit for each AFC team, including Justin fields ending up with Jets

Here's one free agent fit for each AFC club
CBS Sports - Mar. 8
Mel Kiper Jr. sends Jets popular prospect in post-free agency 2025 NFL mock draft

A fit for the Jets:
Yahoo Sports - 14h
2025 NFL Draft: Cam Ward is much more than the top QB of a weak class. Here's why

There's a lot to like about Ward's game, and Nate Tice thinks it would slot him favorably in 2024's lauded draft class. But can you win *because* of Ward in the NFL?
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Rams named 'worst fit' for 2025 WR draft prospect

The Los Angeles Rams shouldn't target this receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Yahoo Sports - 16h
2025 NFL interior OL market: Top free agents, best team fits, projected deals for Drew Dalman, other veterans

A look at some of the best interior offensive linemen who could be available this offseason
CBS Sports - Mar. 8
2025 NFL Draft order, tracker: Full list of all 257 picks, including every selection for the 32 teams

Here's where each team is currently slated to pick for the entirety of the 2025 NFL Draft
CBS Sports - 4d
Texans named 'best fit' for top 2025 WR draft prospect

The Houston Texans could be back in the running for the one wide receiver everyone wants to reunite with C.J. Stroud.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
Top sleeper prospects for the Steelers in the 2025 NFL draft

Our favorite late-round options for the Steelers in the 2025 NFL draft.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
2025 NFL free agent linebacker rankings: Best team fits for Bobby Wagner, Dre Greenlaw and other vets

Here's how the off-ball linebacker market stacks up in free agency
CBS Sports - Mar. 8