NFL Draft
4/11/25
9 min read
2025 NFL Draft: Top 4 Perfect Team-Prospect Fits
The NFL Draft is all about the fit and situation. A talented player on the wrong team can end up looking like a bust. A perfect example of that is Zack Baun, who was selected in the third round by the New Orleans Saints during the 2020 NFL Draft. They weren’t quite sure how to use him, and by the time his rookie contract expired, he was an afterthought for New Orleans.
Baun signed with the Eagles in free agency with a veteran defensive coordinator who knew how to get the most out of him. The result? An All-Pro season at linebacker and a Super Bowl win where he recorded an interception. Fit matters a lot for the draft, and we are reminded of that every year.
So, who are some of our favorite team/player fits in the 2025 NFL Draft? Here are four of our favorite early-round fits with the draft less than two weeks away:
Top 4 Perfect Team-Prospect Fits
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Fit: Los Angeles Chargers
The Jim Harbaugh-Michigan connection alone makes this an easy pick. That’s not the sole reason why Loveland would be a great fit with the Chargers. In fact, that’s not even the top reason.
The Chargers have been missing a dynamic tight end since Antonio Gates retired after the 2019 season. They just haven’t had that threat at tight end to scare defenses since he’s left.
But Loveland is the most natural tight end in the class and is arguably one of the best route runners we’ve seen at the position in the last decade. While he isn’t nearly as good after the catch as Brock Bowers, Loveland creates easy separation against man-to-man coverage. It’s hard to believe someone that big (Nearly 6-foot-6, 248 pounds) can move that fluidly.
Loveland’s production didn’t stand out in 2024, but consider this: Michigan averaged just 56.3 passing yards per game in the three games he missed last season. You read that right. 56.3 yards.
Loveland averaged 58.2 yards per game during the 2024 season, as he was the entire passing offense. Michigan’s quarterback play was a disaster, and it couldn’t fully utilize Loveland to his strengths. Without him, this was the worst offense in college football.
There is also a misconception that Loveland isn't a strong blocker, but that's not the case. He needs some refinement, but there are plenty of high-level reps on his tape that show he can block in the NFL. We know the Chargers want to be a balanced offense, and luckily, Loveland already has plenty of experience playing in that type of offense.
The Chargers make so much sense for Loveland, as he would be paired with Justin Herbert, one of the best intermediate passers in the NFL.
The Chargers are searching for another weapon in the passing game to pair with Ladd McConkey, and Loveland would be a perfect fit as a big slot tight end who can make plays down the field.
If Loveland were to fall to the Chargers at pick No. 22, this would be a home-run selection and pairing for both parties. Harbaugh and Herbert need a player like this to take the offense to the next level, and Loveland could really benefit from playing with a strong-arm, accurate quarterback.
Armand Membou, RT, Missouri
Fit: Las Vegas Raiders
There has been a lot of smoke regarding the Raiders selecting Ashton Jeanty at No. 6, and it’s easy to understand why that might be the case. He is clearly one of the top players in this class, and the Raiders have a huge hole at running back. They have an older head coach in Pete Carroll, who wants to win right now, and Jeanty could have an instant impact on the offense.
However, don’t be surprised if they go elsewhere in Round 1. The new general manager, John Spytek, was the assistant general manager with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they prided themselves on taking offensive linemen early in the NFL Draft.
They spent the No. 13 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on Tristan Wirfs, playing him at right tackle early in his career. They also used another first-round pick on Graham Barton in 2024 and two other second-round picks (Luke Goedeke and Cody Mauch) in back-to-back seasons to upgrade their offensive line.
The Raiders want to be a tough, physical team, and that’s why Armand Membou makes so much sense at No. 6. The Raiders have several good offensive linemen on the roster, but they have a huge hole at right tackle, and Membou would be a Day 1 starter at that spot.
Membou could be the first offensive lineman off the board, but because he only played right tackle at Missouri, there is a chance he could slip. Still, he checks every box that you would want from a high-level starter on the right side, and he might be too good of a fit for the Raiders to pass up.
In a division loaded with elite pass rushers, the Raiders would be wise to shore up the offensive line and try to find playmakers later on in the draft. Membou is the type of player who Carroll and Chip Kelly would love to add to their offense.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Fit: Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are expected to use their first-round pick to address their offensive line, and that’s a pretty safe bet. Kelvin Banks, Grey Zabel, and Josh Simmons are all potential targets for Houston as it looks to build a younger, cheaper offensive line to protect C.J. Stroud.
However, don’t be surprised if the Texans go elsewhere in Round 1 and use their Day 2 picks (No. 58, No. 79, No. 89) to improve their depth. If that’s the case, wide receiver could be a position they target at No. 25.
Nico Collins is one of the league’s top receivers, but there are plenty of questions with the rest of the wide receiver room. Tank Dell will miss the entire 2025 season with a multi-ligament knee injury, and it’s not a given that he can make it back the following season. Christian Kirk is on a one-year deal, and he’s been unable to stay healthy during the last several seasons.
That’s why Emeka Egbuka makes so much sense, as he is the ideal No. 2 receiver to pair with Collins for the foreseeable future. Egbuka had his best year at Ohio State playing with C.J. Stroud, catching 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns as a true sophomore. They obviously have a strong connection, and it wouldn’t take long for them to get back into sync in Houston.
Egbuka does all of the dirty work you need from a No. 2 receiver. He’ll block his rear off, play multiple positions, and doesn’t mind going over the middle. The Texans really could benefit from having a more reliable underneath receiver in the mold of Amon-Ra St. Brown, and picking him at No. 25 would be a steal.
We’ll see if the Texans decide to ignore the offensive line in Round 1 and take a receiver. If Egbuka were to be available, it’s hard to imagine a better fit for him or the Texans on Day 1 of the draft.
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Fit: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have a pretty simple draft strategy. Take the best players available with an emphasis on the trenches. While they didn’t do that during the 2024 NFL Draft, they’ve now spent three first-round picks on defensive linemen since the 2022 draft (Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Nolen Smith).
We can expect more of the same from the Eagles, especially after losing three starting-caliber defensive linemen this offseason (Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham). The Eagles could use more defensive end help, but Walter Nolen seems like the most Eagles pick possible should he fall to No. 32.
Nolen is as talented as any defensive player in the class, but his inconsistency as a pass rusher and off-the-field could cause him to fall. He’s down to No. 22 on The Athletic’s Consensus Board, but that number continues to drop, and we’ve now seen him out of Round 1 in several expert mock drafts.
The Eagles don’t mind gambling on upside, especially on the defensive line. And with Milton Williams now in New England, they could really use a disruptive defensive tackle to play behind Carter and Davis. This is a veteran team coming off a Super Bowl win, so it’s hard to imagine a better culture fit for Nolen than Philadelphia.
If he were to land with the Eagles, you could bet by the end of his rookie season that we will be wondering how they stole another talented SEC pass rusher at pick No. 32. Look for Nolen to be drafted somewhere between picks No. 25 and No. 32 and to be a productive player right away, even if that means he’s not a starter.
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