Grading NFC Teams’ First-Round Picks

By Jay Holahan

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Now that the first round is over, it’s time to play grade-school teacher and grade each team on its selections. In this article, I will be looking solely at the NFC teams, and grading them on a scale of whether or not they were picked at the best value for their pick.

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New York Giants: Abdul Carter – A+

This is a no-brainer—Carter might be the best player out of this draft. There is pressure for Cater to become a staple and bring back the glory days of the Giants’ defense. There have been comparisons to even the great Lawrence Taylor, but let’s not go crazy. Carter, however, will make opposing quarterbacks’ lives a living nightmare on Sundays.

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Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan – B+ 

McMillan has the potential to become a solid player; he’s 6-foot-4 and will help Bryce Young develop, while McMillan also develops himself. However, there were other options that Carolina passed on—Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker could have better suited Carolina.

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New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr. – B- 

Banks is an intriguing player, however, taking him in the top 10 feels like a stretch. Rumors were running wild as to whether or not the Saints would be taking a quarterback with the ninth overall pick, but now there are two real options. Select one at No. 40 or wait next year when Archie Manning declares.

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Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland – C-

Tyler Warren was the “sure” pick at No. 10, and why Bears general manager Ryan Poles decided to select Loveland over him is head-scratching, but more head-scratching is taking him with the tenth overall pick. Loveland most likely would have been there later in the first round, poor drafting once again by Poles.

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San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams – A- 

Williams falls into 49ers’ general manager John Lynch’s lap at No. 11. Having an edge rusher opposite Nick Bosa will help the 49ers’ pass rush be even stronger, and Williams will make teams regret they didn’t take him.

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Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker – C 

The pick itself could be good for the Dallas Cowboys, but picking Booker at No. 11? Likely, Booker would have been available later, and what about wide receiver Matthew Golden, who would have helped Dallas next season, and Warren, too?

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Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker – A 

It’s going to be interesting where the Falcons choose to play Walker. He can start at either inside linebacker or come off the edge and rush the quarterback. Both should be exciting for head coach Raheem Morris. Walker could go down as the second-best edge rusher in this draft or the best on-ball linebacker.

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Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen – B+ 

Jonathan Gannon should be ecstatic that he drafted Nolen at No. 16. Nolen will need some work to polish him into a dominant interior defensive lineman, and I would look back at this pick in two years and expect Nolen to become a force on the Cardinals’ defensive line.

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Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel – B

Whenever an FCS player comes off the board in the first round, the room collectively says, “Who?” However, Zabel is an intriguing prospect who can play anywhere aside from center on the offensive line for the Seahawks. The offensive line is a big need for Seattle, and Zabel can solve that here, but could he have been available later?

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka – B 

Egbuka was a surprise at No. 19 by the Buccaneers. It seemed like he was very undervalued during the draft process. However, the Bucs didn’t view him that way, and Egbuka can learn behind wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, who Bucs fans hope will be back on the field to start the season.

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Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden – B+ 

Golden is a terrific get for the Packers. He’s a speed demon who also has the flair for the “dramatic-spectacular catch.” Jordan Love needs targets, there is no doubt about that, and Golden will open up their passing attack even more.

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Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson – D

It was as if the Cowboys created a stir in the Seahawks and Vikings war rooms. Both teams seemed to panic and decided to draft interior lineman with their respective picks, both seemed to reach on their picks. Jackson likely would have been available day two.

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Jaxson Dart hitting 19.4 mph on this 29-yard touchdown 💨🔥

(🎥: @RAanalytics) pic.twitter.com/ezUMv09b3o

— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) April 25, 2025

New York Giants: Jaxson Dart – B- 

The Giants dealt with the Texans to jump back into the first round, and some questions are yet to be answered. Is Dart ready to play week one? No. However, in a year, will he be ready? Maybe. Giants owner Jon Mara is “growing impatient” with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll. Daboll, who made it clear that he was unhappy with the Giants’ quarterback situation the past two seasons, now perhaps Daboll has his man in Dart, but time will tell.

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Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr. – B-

Everyone seems weary of Pearce. He is someone that needs polishing and will need to be “coached up” to be a force for the Falcons defense. Edge rusher was a need for Atlanta last season, and pressure is placed on Pearce and Walker to deliver.

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Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams – C

Williams is an interesting pick by Detroit. It seemed like a match made in heaven for cornerback Will Johnson from Michigan to land in Detroit, however, the Lions felt Williams was the better pick at No. 29. However, he could have been there early in the second round had Detroit traded back.

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Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr. – B- 

Connerly is a solid pick by Washington. He will be competing with Andrew Wylie, who is in his final season of a three-year contract, and Connerly should be expected to be the starting right tackle for Washington’s future in a year or maybe sooner.

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Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell – B+

The Eagles traded up for Campbell at No. 31, only moving up one spot. Campbell underwent shoulder surgery in March. That could prevent him from playing right away in 2025. However, when building for your future, Campbell has the makeup of a “star” at linebacker for the Eagles, but we’ll have to see how he plays post-surgery.