NFL Draft
4/29/25
7 min read
NFL Teams That Improved The Most In 2025 NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft had more surprises than anyone predicted, making for a fun three-day event for fan bases. Throughout the process of making all 257 picks, each team looked to blend filling needs and adding the best players possible. Hitting on gems can change the face of a franchise in a heartbeat.
Early-round selections have the most press and expectations upon them for good reason. However, we can't sleep on quality players emerging from Days 2 and 3. Even if someone isn't a Pro Bowler, there's major value in finding reliable rotational pieces and average starters at positions of weakness.
These four teams walked out of the draft more improved than any other. They may not have earned the highest grades or maximized value, but their drafting improved the team.
Most Improved Teams in 2025 NFL Draft
Las Vegas Raiders
Draft class:
- Pick 6: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
- Pick 58: Jack Bech, WR, TCU
- Pick 68: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
- Pick 98: Caleb Rogers, OL, Texas Tech
- Pick 99: Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
- Pick 108: Dont'e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee
- Pick 135: Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
- Pick 180: JJ Pegues, DT, Mississippi
- Pick 213: Tommy Mellott, QB, Montana State
- Pick 215: Cam Miller, QB, North Dakota State
- Pick 222: Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
Getting 11 chances to find contributors helps, and Las Vegas also had the unfortunate advantage of needing to fill more holes than most rosters were tasked with. Nevertheless, with the Raiders' offense needing as much talent injected as possible, they successfully pulled off two approaches.
Pete Carroll's first draft with the franchise added immediate star power and intriguing developmental options.
The two obvious offensive building blocks are Ashton Jeanty and Jack Bech. Jeanty is well-known and will be an explosive offensive engine who opens up everything else for Geno Smith and Chip Kelly. He's an obvious star and should immediately be one of the five most productive backs in the NFL.
Bech isn't as well-known despite always being open at LSU before transferring to TCU. His production exploded in 2024, but the signs of his stardom were evident as a freshman in 2021. He parlayed a stellar senior season and combine performance into being penciled in as the team's No. 2 receiver and main benefactor of playing in a Chip Kelly offense that favors versatile weapons.
Darien Porter could also be an unheralded star addition on Day 2, boasting elite athleticism and ball skills despite playing cornerback for only one season.
There were smart athletic fliers, too, like Charles Grant, Dont'e Thornton, and JJ Pegues. Tonka Hemingway could fight for time on the field as well.
Arizona Cardinals
Draft class:
- Pick 16: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
- Pick 47: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
- Pick 78: Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon
- Pick 115: Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
- Pick 174: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
- Pick 211: Hayden Conner, G, Texas
- Pick 225: Kitan Crawford, S, Nevada
One of Arizona's top priorities all offseason was adding useful veterans who could not only impact the win column in 2025 but also mentor the next generation of starters.
This roster was at the bottom of the barrel not long ago, so their ability to plug every need was impossible. With this in mind and having fair expectations, they had to commit more to one side of the ball; it's impressive how they walked out of this class.
The best case for Arizona's draft is quite insane. Walter Nolen and Will Johnson were among the top 10 on-field talents who could be franchise cornerstones at two of the most critical positions in football. There's certainly a downside involved with each, as Nolen has major character concerns, and Johnson's knee was flagged as a medical risk.
But if they hit even reasonably close to their expected ceiling, the Cardinals can quickly become a defensive force. That's before considering how valuable role players who enter the NFL with vast experience can help this team's depth. Jordan Burch is the highest-upside option as a versatile defensive lineman with NFL-ready pass-rush skills.
The two Ohio State additions are interesting as well. Jonathan Gannon has a variety of linebackers at his disposal, and Cody Simon could challenge Mack Wilson to start in 2025. Denzel Burke fell way farther than he should've, and he fits nicely into this zone-based defense that needs a fourth corner to stick on the roster.
Seattle Seahawks
Draft class:
- Pick 18: Grey Zabel, OG, North Dakota State
- Pick 35: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
- Pick 50: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
- Pick 92: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
- Pick 142: Rylie Mills, DL, Notre Dame
- Pick 166: Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
- Pick 175: Robbie Ouzts, TE, Alabama
- Pick 192: Bryce Cabeldue, G, Kansas
- Pick 223: Damien Martinez, RB, Miami
- Pick 234: Mason Richman, OT, Iowa
- Pick 238: Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
Unlike Arizona and Las Vegas, Seattle entered this draft with a lot of picks and not many immediate needs. Their recent investments in this roster mean they're young and unproven, but not lacking overall talent. Seattle wisely played the board for needs but was also unafraid to make some great value additions that made sense.
Seattle had my favorite four-player start to the draft of any team in the league. As usual, Seattle added elite athletes, including a historically good one in Nick Emmanwori. It's not just about movement ability and fit, though. Grey Zabel, Emmanwori, and Elijah Arroyo are outstanding players with Pro Bowl upside.
Each complements exactly what Seattle wants to do at each of their respective positional groups. It could be argued that Seattle could've added yet another offensive lineman to their class, but they carefully added options who can quickly become role players.
Jalen Milroe can be a subpackage star while he works on his game behind Sam Darnold. Rylie Mills is an older prospect, but someone who will work in a rotation of veterans. Tory Horton and Damien Martinez were incredibly productive and good athletes in college and should make the final roster.
Baltimore Ravens
Draft class:
- Pick 27: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
- Pick 59: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
- Pick 91: Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
- Pick 129: Teddye Buchanan, LB, California
- Pick 141: Carson Vinson, OL, Alabama A&M
- Pick 178: Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan
- Pick 186: Tyler Loop, K, Arizona
- Pick 203: LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado
- Pick 210: Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech
- Pick 212: Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers
- Pick 243: Garrett Dellinger, G, LSU
Free agency left Baltimore weaker than most talked about then, but leave it to the Ravens to score unexpected value with their first three picks. Some franchises stay great because they have an unrivaled ability to get lucky and not overthink their decisions.
Baltimore added two first-round talents, Malaki Starks and Mike Green, and a possible starting guard, Emery Jones Jr.
Playoff teams with a late pick in each round aren't supposed to pull that off. But Starks' mediocre combine and Green's off-field flag from his days at Virginia opened the door for a slide. Both should see the field a lot after incredibly productive college careers. Jones will kick in from tackle to guard and could backfill Patrick Mekari's spot.
The Day 3 picks aren't as juicy, but Aeneas Peebles stands out as a rotational candidate. He's short and undersized but can rush the passer with speed and shoot gaps. With Baltimore getting long in the tooth along the unit, Peebles will be a refreshing supersub option.
