Now that NFL teams have had a few days to process the 2025 draft, it’s a great time to check in with league executives for perspectives on the most compelling decisions.

The Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars were two of the most intriguing teams, so we’ll start with a run through the AFC, hitting every team in the conference here. We’ll save the NFC for Friday.

Beyond Cleveland’s quarterback double-dip, capped by the Shedeur Sanders selection, and the Jaguars’ revolutionary expectations for Travis Hunter, we’ll explain why Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane was right (and possibly wrong) for pushing back so hard on critics of his draft. Also, what binds the Jaguars to the Tennessee Titans? That and much more.

Baltimore Ravens

For the third time in the past four drafts, the Ravens used a first-round pick to select the first player chosen at his position. Safety Malaki Starks, chosen at No. 27 this year, joins safety Kyle Hamilton (No. 14 in 2022) and center Tyler Linderbaum (No. 25 in 2022), who both earned Pro Bowl honors in each of the past two seasons.

“If you are willing to take a non-premium position, you can get those immediate starters like that, or like Jack Campbell in Detroit (No. 18 in 2023),” an exec said. “For Malaki Starks to be the only safety in Round 1, for (Nick) Emmanwori to go Round 2 coming off that freak workout and for Xavier Watts, I was shocked that he almost fell all the way to Day 3.”

Another exec referred to Starks’ floor as “super high” and called him the best player available when the Ravens chose him.

Baltimore took criticism for using a second-round pick for edge rusher Mike Green, who has denied two sexual-assault allegations levied against him, after coach John Harbaugh previously declared the team had a “zero tolerance” policy regarding such cases. Selecting kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round suggests the Ravens’ tolerance for kicker Justin Tucker, who has denied claims by 16 massage therapists that he engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior, is waning.

“They said it is unfair to link Justin Tucker and Mike Green, but there is an obvious link, and it is the Ravens, so they should answer for that,” another exec said.

One evaluator called Green one of the three best pass rushers in the draft, comparing him to former Steeler James Harrison.

“You can drop a guy like that into a sound culture easier than at a place that is rebuilding without leadership,” another exec said.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills used their first five choices for defense. After the draft, Beane went on offense by ripping critics who thought Buffalo should have done more to address the receiver position (the team waited until the seventh round to select one and later signed Elijah Moore).

• Let it go: “Reading and listening to everything that is said about your team and collecting receipts is exhausting. Let it go.”

• More power to ya: “If it was anybody but a handful of GMs, I’d say that is bad form, but he has walked the walk, and he has backed it up. When you do that, you earn that. Their fan base and media are a little spoiled. Don’t forget how bad it was before.”

The second exec thought the Bills’ receiving corps is better now than it was last season, when Buffalo fielded the NFL’s second-ranked offense by EPA per play, per TruMedia.

But this draft was all about defense.

“They got a fast corner for the first time maybe ever,” an exec said of first-round choice Maxwell Hairston. “He is maybe the most athletic corner in the draft, a potential No. 1 corner. Anybody would take that kid, no matter what, because of the speed.”

The huge influx of personnel on defense points to a youth movement. The unit’s average age on a snap-weighted basis dropped from third oldest in 2023 to 13th oldest last season. By comparison, Buffalo’s primary AFC rival, Kansas City, has fielded one of the five youngest defenses by that measure in recent seasons.

Third-round pass rusher Landon Jackson will be a player to watch. The fit in Buffalo could be better than elsewhere.

“They figure they are going to be ahead in most games and play in sub all the time, so he becomes a designated pass rusher for them, which makes sense,” an exec said. “The miss factor for him would be if a 3-4 team tried to make a case for him.”

Cincinnati Bengals

Let the debate rage over whether the Bengals were wise to use their first-round pick for Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart, who had 1.5 sacks in each of his three college seasons.

“He is the epitome of a high-risk pick with bust potential,” one exec said. “People are going to say Von Miller, but he doesn’t make many plays. Runs (fast), and there is no production.”

To each his own, right?

“It is not all sack production,” another exec said. “It is total pressures, pressure rate and then physically, it’s their three-cone, their 10-yard shuttle, broad jump, those things. The dude the Bengals took had very low sack numbers but was back there all the time.”

The Bengals’ current top pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson, had 23 sacks over his final two college seasons at Florida Atlantic.

“They had to have someone opposite Hendrickson,” the second exec said. “(Sam) Hubbard retired. That is just straight need, and they took the big 4-3 edge rusher on the board at the time.”

Another exec saw the Bengals emphasizing traits, which can heighten risk.

“They did it with the middle linebacker (Demetrius Knight Jr.) too,” this exec said. “He is not really complete, but he is a b—- coming downhill and whacking people. Where they picked and where they are as a team is different. Anytime you’ve got a quarterback like Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Tom Brady and those guys, you can take some risks because they will fix it for you.”

Cleveland Browns

Execs thought the Browns’ decision to select low-profile quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round before taking Shedeur Sanders in the fifth was consistent with an organization that seems to collect pieces without necessarily having a vision for the collective.

“You like some of the pieces, but there is the glue that has never been there,” one exec said. “Most teams had Sanders rated as a second-round pick, but when you are building a team, you have to include the intangibles and the other stuff and decide whether you want it or not. For most teams at that stage, it was not worth it. So he falls a couple rounds, and it’s too hard for a team like the Browns to pass on him.”

There was also the matter of the Browns’ coach, GM and personnel staff appearing less than jubilant when cameras captured Cleveland making the Sanders selection. That added to the perception that ownership drove a selection that wouldn’t make sense to team builders.

“What the team builders are saying is, there is a level of distraction that comes with some players that impacts the team,” another exec said. “The energy that goes into coaching certain players impacts the team.”

Whatever the case, Cleveland emerged from this draft with Jacksonville’s 2026 first-round pick after trading down three spots to No. 5 to select Mason Graham at the expense of Travis Hunter. Execs loved adding that pick. The Browns also selected a league-high three players among the top 36 selections and landed Sanders far later than anticipated.

“They got a lot of talented players,” another exec said.

Sanders’ story dominated the draft. At the scouting combine in early March, as word filtered out about Sanders interviewing poorly with NFL teams, speculation gathered that the Giants might not select the Colorado quarterback with the No. 3 pick.

“Maybe the Giants came to the conclusion like the rest of us that Sanders is a second-round pick,” an evaluator said at the time. “I bristle at everyone saying they are smearing his name. Everyone has caught up to the evaluation that he is not a first-round prospect. The media guys are lagging behind the evaluations, so there has to be a reason.”

Getting Sanders in the fifth round might actually help. As one coach put it, many players come into the league with a sense of entitlement while overrating their own abilities. Some, such as Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield, become No. 1 picks anyway, based on perceptions of their talent. Sanders, with less perceived upside, did not.

“Kyler took years to get where he’s at today; Baker took time to get there,” the coach said. “If Shedeur were the second pick, does he ever get there? In the fifth round, maybe he will be humbled and listen. Because he works and is a good student and all that. He just comes off as entitled and as having a higher opinion of himself than he should.”

Denver Broncos

There was no secret entering the draft about the Broncos’ intentions to trade up in the first round, possibly for running back Ashton Jeanty or tight end Colston Loveland, but some execs saw that as pre-draft bluster.

With no trades involving picks No. 6 through No. 24, Denver stood pat at No. 20 and selected cornerback Jahdae Barron. The Broncos then traded down twice in the second round, counter to coach Sean Payton’s long history of trading up in drafts, especially with New Orleans.

“(Trading down) probably shows some level of growth with Payton, but it also might give us some insight into some of the things that happened in New Orleans, and why they happened, like trading up for the rusher Marcus Davenport,” one exec said. “There could be more of a healthy tension in Denver.”

Broncos GM George Paton came from Minnesota, where the Vikings were not known for trading up as frequently. No one could call the Broncos’ head coach impulsive after this draft, especially with Denver doubling down on an already strong defense in the first round.

“Barron is a good slot defender but is older (23) and a one-year producer,” an exec said. “With players like that, you have to ask why it took so long to develop and then take into account he didn’t make an impact until he was playing against younger guys.”

Pat Bryant, the receiver Denver selected in the third round, was comped by Payton to former Saints receiver Michael Thomas. Multiple execs were surprised to see Bryant chosen so early, but in Payton they trust.

“He is a really good route runner, a savvy natural mover with good hands and instincts,” one exec said. “He is just not strong on the jam or quick with the burst.”

Houston Texans

With so much focus on the Texans’ offensive line following Laremy Tunsil’s trade to Washington, Houston pulled a bit of an end-around by remaking the receiver position. Early reviews were positive.

“They have Tank Dell coming off injury and lost Stefon Diggs, but man, when Dell gets healthy, adding the receivers they got — (Jayden) Higgins, (Jaylin) Noel — to go with Nico Collins, wow, C.J. Stroud is going to have weapons galore,” an exec said.

Collins and Higgins are both 6-foot-4.

“You don’t have physical enough corners to cover two 6-4 receivers,” the exec added.

The Texans traded back from No. 25 to No. 34 after Minnesota selected guard Donovan Jackson with the 24th pick. Two more offensive linemen came off the board in the interim, with Josh Conerly Jr. going to Washington at No. 29 and Josh Simmons going to Kansas City at No. 32. Houston then maneuvered to take tackle Aireontae Ersery at No. 48, between Higgins and Noel.

“They got out from under the money of Tunsil,” another exec said. “Ersery surely is not Tunsil. He is a stiffer, taller guy who they can probably get by within their scheme, with what they are going to do. They don’t need a downhill, physical left tackle.”

Another exec compared the Texans to the Bengals because both teams have prioritized weaponry over the offensive line.

“The quarterback is going to have an 8- to 10-year relationship with those two Iowa State kids (Higgins and Noel), and I think he’s going to have a great year,” another exec said. “Higgins can play outside the numbers in press coverage and win. The way he times his jumps, makes contested catches, wins on fade balls, jumps over guys, I love him. Noel is all business.”

Indianapolis Colts

Execs agree the Colts landed a solid player in tight end Tyler Warren with the 14th pick, but they do not see him as a dynamic threat in the passing game and fear Indy’s quarterbacks will not maximize his production in that realm.

“A tight end like (Colston) Loveland (chosen No. 10 by Chicago) is a dynamic athlete who can get open on his own and really affect the passing game,” one exec said. “That is more valuable to me than what the Colts are getting, because Warren is not running away from anyone, including middle linebackers.”

The Colts did fill a lingering need with a very good player.

“They are going to have a lot of hats that you have to account for in the run game,” another exec said. “He doesn’t create all his separation with athleticism, but he is really big at the catch point. He can adjust. He is going to make contested catches. He is strong. You can do a lot of things across personnel groups with that guy.”

Indy also drafted the second of five edge rushers selected in the second round, landing JT Tuimoloau from Ohio State.

“He’s a little different,” another exec said. “More of a power rusher. Good player. He may never be a double-digit sack guy, but he is well-rounded.”

Jacksonville Jaguars

Trading up three spots to select receiver/cornerback extraordinaire Travis Hunter delivered a player GM James Gladstone predicted might challenge the boundaries of the game as a two-way talent. It’s an exciting prospect. Is it practical?

“I can’t name a dual-threat guy who played both ways at the level they are drafting him at,” one exec said. “Deion Sanders? Rod Woodson? They all settled into whatever their position is. As soon as he gets one injury and is out for three weeks, he is going to one side of the ball.”

The general feeling on the Jaguars was that they got a great player in Hunter but paid too much by sending their 2026 first-round pick to Cleveland as part of the deal to move up three spots into the No. 2 slot.

“The Jags have a young GM who, by all accounts, would be more analytically inclined in his decision-making, in an organization that you think holds analytics in high regard,” another exec said, “and what do they do? They do the opposite of the analytical decision by trading up to select a non-quarterback.”

The Jaguars’ 2025 post-draft Vegas win total of 7.5 is tied with six other teams for eighth-worst in the league, which suggests the pick going to Cleveland could be high.

“Hunter will really affect the game and will be great for the quarterback, but I would not have paid that much,” another exec said. “We’ll see when they are not picking in the first round next year how it feels, and if it’s a top-10 pick they traded away.”

The Jaguars later added two 2026 third-round picks from Detroit, giving them welcome firepower next year in the absence of their own first-round pick.

“They had to feel really good about their roster to give up a high two and next year’s one,” an exec said. “But is Trevor Lawrence the guy? What happens if he suffers his third concussion in three years? Everybody makes those trades thinking they will be 25 or later. It seems short-sighted.”

Kansas City Chiefs

An old football adage says a team with two quarterbacks is a team without any. The Chiefs hope that doesn’t apply to left tackles after the team doubled up on candidates to fill the troublesome spot on its line, using a first-round pick for Ohio State’s Josh Simmons after signing free agent Jaylon Moore for $15 million per year.

“I think they are raising the floor and do not need to be great at that position,” one exec said. “The quarterback makes up for so much deficiency up front. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady made up the difference for their teams too.”

After taking Simmons, who suffered a torn patellar tendon last season, the Chiefs used three picks for defense from selection Nos. 63 to 85. They took Tennessee defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott two spots before the Giants landed Darius Alexander at the same position.

“I understand why they took Norman-Lott — bigger-school guy, more actual pass-rush juice,” another exec said. “The corner they got from Cal (Nohl Williams in the third round) was a really good pick. He will be a good starter, a good No. 2 corner. He is smart, can play nickel, can play safety, great character, team captain. That’s a double in the third round.”

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders were fascinating entering this draft because they had so many high-profile people with the potential to influence decisions, from GM John Spytek to coach Pete Carroll to offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and minority owner Tom Brady.

Execs were split on whether taking running back Ashton Jeanty at No. 6 was the right move.

“What increases his value beyond being a very good player is that he is a cultural piece, and there are very few of those in any draft, kind of like the tackle the Chargers took last year (Joe Alt),” one exec said.

Others thought the Raiders were too early in their build to prioritize a running back so early. They would have preferred an offensive lineman. But with two highly drafted tight ends already on the roster, some of the line issues can be mitigated via 12 personnel packages.

“Jeanty and Travis Hunter were as clean as you could get in this draft, considering Abdul Carter has a medical issue,” another exec said. “Both incredibly productive with football character off the charts. At their workouts, you can tell they take care of their bodies, they are durable, they are going to put points on the board. I like it for the Raiders. It fits Pete’s philosophy.”

The Raiders did not select a quarterback, passing on Shedeur Sanders nine times (including two trade downs in the second round when Sanders was on the board), more than any other team passed on him.

“My guess is that Pete doesn’t want to do Geno (Smith) the way Atlanta did (Kirk) Cousins,” another exec said. “Atlanta was able to do that to Cousins because they didn’t have a previous relationship. For Pete, let’s face it: How long is he going to coach that team? Does he really want to start his last chance by alienating the quarterback he just got?”

The Raiders took offensive players with five of their first six picks. The lone defender, Iowa State cornerback Darian Porter, fit the mold of the corners Carroll coached in Seattle. Las Vegas did not address the offensive line until the third round, after taking receiver Jack Bech and Porter.

“Bech is good from the slot and a run blocker for Pete Carroll’s offense who can go catch everything, and is smart enough to play with the one-word (plays) for Chip,” an exec said.

Los Angeles Chargers

Drafting offensive skill in the first two rounds and not addressing the offensive line until Round 6 represented a shift for the Chargers, who made Alt the centerpiece of coach Jim Harbaugh’s debut 2024 draft with the team. There were few complaints about the Chargers using the 22nd pick for running back Omarion Hampton.

“He’s a really good player, and he fits exactly what Harbaugh wants to be and helps the quarterback,” an exec said. “He’s like Frank Gore, but more dynamic.”

Another exec liked the receiver the Chargers drafted in the fifth round (KeAndre Lambert-Smith) better than the receiver they took in the second round (Tre Harris).

“Quicker, faster, can close cushion on a DB and make him wet his pants,” this exec said. “He will turn into your starting Z and run by people.”

The decision to select Hampton came at the expense of filling needs on the interior offensive line. Donovan Jackson (24th to the Vikings) and Jonah Savaiinaea (37th to Miami) were two players the Chargers might have considered.

“Where they took Hampton was really good value, and it speaks to their identity,” another exec said. “They needed to add some dynamic components to that offense.”

Miami Dolphins

Opinions were mixed on the Dolphins using the 13th pick for defensive lineman Kenneth Grant before trading up to select guard Jonah Savaiinaea in the second round.

“Kenneth Grant is a big, tough dude who can line up in all the techniques in that Baltimore scheme they have down there. He can hold the line and throw people around,” one exec said. “He went a little early, but they basically said, ‘Eff it, we are going to get a big one.’”

Multiple execs called Grant a less-talented replacement for Christian Wilkins.

“Mason Graham had more splash plays at Michigan, especially in the pass game, but he had some real low points too,” another exec said. “Kenneth Grant just played his game and was consistent. He is not going to be Christian Wilkins, but he is a bigger body who can stand there and eat snaps and play well. I think he would have gone in the top 20 anyway.”

As for Savaiinaea, two execs questioned the decision to trade up for him, with one noting that the Arizona lineman did not impress at the Senior Bowl. But the strongest opinion regarding Savaiinaea was positive.

“He is a starting guard right away who is a really good player and will make them more physical,” this exec said.

New England Patriots

The Patriots executed a clear plan to help quarterback Drake Maye, which made sense even if they saw first-round tackle Will Campbell as more solid than spectacular.

“The makeup is elite,” one exec said of Campbell. “The player, if we are talking about last year’s draft, I don’t think he would be in the top 10.”

Of course, this was not last year’s draft. Another exec said teams had the four top tackles in different orders, depending on personal preference.

“Everybody was complaining about the length of Campbell’s arms, but it all depends on what you have,” another exec said. “I would not want him to play left tackle for us, because we have a guy. They have nobody. Campbell will come in and be the best player on that front. I liked it.”

Second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson is another piece with the ability to upgrade the pass protection in New England.

“Have you seen clips of that back pass-blocking?” another exec asked. “He stones them! There are coaches who liked him better than the Boise State guy (Jeanty) for his pass blocking and pass receiving ability.”

Some questioned the upside of third-round receiver Kyle Williams but thought he would add welcome speed to the offense. Drafting two specialists wasn’t for everyone, although the timing of those picks made some sense.

“They drafted a lot of guys (11), and this is a good time to do that, in the first year of your program,” an exec said. “I was a big fan of (Craig) Woodson, the safety from California. He is a high-impact player.

New York Jets

Execs liked the philosophy behind selecting an offensive lineman in the first round for a second consecutive draft, despite mixed reviews on the tackle they selected, Armand Membou. They universally endorsed second-round tight end Mason Taylor.

One exec raised an interesting thought about what the Jets should have done after picking those players in the first two rounds.

“I thought the Jets should have been in play for Jalen Milroe,” this exec said. “They draft Membou, so they are prioritizing the line of scrimmage a second year in a row. They are going to be a clear running threat with Justin Fields, but when you play that way, you open him up to potential injury. Milroe would let them continue playing that style.”

The Jets punted on quarterbacks in this draft. They have Tyrod Taylor as their backup (third-string QB Jordan Travis, a fifth-round pick in 2024, retired this week).

With no consensus on tackles in this draft, it was easy to find execs unsure about Membou or any of the others as top-10 picks. One called Membou a “major work in progress” and a “high-risk, high-reward” prospect carrying greater risk than a top-10 tackle ideally would carry.

There was no such debate regarding Taylor. Execs think he can start right away.

“Big fan of Mason Taylor’s game,” one said. “If I were Indy, I would have waited and taken Mason Taylor in the second round instead of taking Tyler Warren in Round 1.

“I just think in the NFL, unless you are a Gronk, a Kittle or someone that can play big at the catch point and win 50-50s at a high rate, you have to be able to separate as a pass catcher. Taylor can do that.”

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers’ decision to bypass a quarterback at No. 21, four spots before the Giants selected Jaxson Dart, assumes Pittsburgh will sign Aaron Rodgers or possibly acquire Kirk Cousins to solve the QB riddle for the coming season. Is the year-to-year QB approach the right way to go?

“Teams liked Dart, they liked (Tyler) Shough, but nobody really loved them,” an exec said. “The thinking is, if you don’t love them, you can’t pick them that high. But I think it depends on what you have and where you forecast yourself picking the next few years.”

The security Pittsburgh’s leadership enjoys insulates the Steelers from forcing a QB. (Kenny Pickett was their most recent first-round QB, chosen at No. 20 in 2022.)

“They are meandering in the wilderness here, and they are going to continue to do that until there is somebody they like, and then they will draft him,” another exec said. “They are doing what they do, and it has proven to work out pretty darn well for them on the whole. Could this year be rough? Would that be a bad thing? Probably not.”

This was not a unanimous opinion.

“They have overcome it for a number of reasons, but ultimately it will be their downfall,” another exec said. “The guys they have drafted and signed to play with since Ben (Roethlisberger) suggest they might not be very good at evaluating the position.”

Rodgers’ arrival would change the outlook for the short term.

“They are not panicking at all, which to me means they must have a wink-wink, nod-nod deal going,” an exec said. “They made clean picks. Derrick Harmon is a versatile three-tech, five-tech who can play across the line, a better Keeanu Benton. Jack Sawyer fits their mold. Kaleb Johnson speaks to their identity as a Najee (Harris) replacement. It all tracks.”

Tennessee Titans

The two teams picking in the top five with new GMs — Tennessee and Jacksonville — were rightfully excited about the players they selected. But when Titans GM Mike Borgonzi invoked Patrick Mahomes while discussing No. 1 pick Cam Ward, and when Jaguars GM James Gladstone talked about Travis Hunter possibly challenging the boundaries of the sport, some execs saw no upside in setting expectations so high.

In the Titans’ case, Borgonzi was more measured than Gladstone. But both GMs are coming from places where elite head coaches got the most from the players their teams drafted. There’s no Andy Reid in Tennessee, no Sean McVay in Jacksonville.

“There are so many things Kansas City had that I do not think Tennessee has, and then it’s not the same player,” one exec said. “You have to be really disciplined and understand that the worst thing you can do is put a young quarterback in a bad situation.”

That might be true, but how many times do GMs have their choice of QBs in any one draft?

“In the big picture, I think taking Cam Ward was a no-brainer for them, but if it was last year’s draft, Ward probably would have been the fourth (QB),” another exec said.

Titans president Chad Brinker said in January the team would not pass on a “generational” talent in the draft. The Jaguars think they got one of those in Hunter. Tennessee obviously felt differently, and liked Ward enough to make the pick.

“Good pick, solid guy, will be the first one in the building,” another exec said of Ward. “I don’t think he is missing anything, other than that he regressed during his two years at Washington State, trying to make every play. The scheme brought out his true skill set at Miami.”