The 5 Losers from the 2025 NFL Draft
Terry Fontenot (Falcons GM)
Feb 5, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot addresses the media as Raheem Morris is introduced as the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports.
The 2025 NFL Draft did not disappoint, filled with topsy-turvyism and a general disregard for the mock draft community’s Consensus Big Board.
The 5 Losers from the 2025 NFL Draft
The next step for teams is organized team activities next month and training camps in July.
So, to put the draft to bed for good, these are the biggest losers from the event, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top loser).
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Shemar Stewart is not very refined, even in rookie-speak, and probably could’ve been selected later in Round 1 with a Bengals’ trade down. Cincinnati also had defensive secondary concerns but drafted offensive linemen and linebackers after the Stewart pick.
Sep 2, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (4) in action during the first half against the New Mexico Lobos at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports.
The Bengals employ decent corners in Cam Taylor-Britt and Dax Hill; it’s not nothing. However, Jahdae Barron might’ve been the wiser selection. Failing to obtain defensive secondary aid and reaching a bit for Stewart earned Cincinnati a spot on the “loser” list, albeit at the bottom (in a good way).
4. The Steelers’ QB Plan
Pittsburgh secured defensive tackle Derrick Harmon and running back Kaleb Johnson early in the draft. That was the commendable part. Therefore, we couldn’t skewer the organization as a loser; it wouldn’t be fair.
The Steelers’ plan at quarterback, though, is a loser. It’s Aaron Rodgers, Carson Wentz, or Ryan Tannehill from free agency; a Kirk Cousins trade; Mason Rudolph as the current QB1; or Will Howard, a 6th-Rounder.
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Those are horrendous options, and they almost shove Pittsburgh into the arms of Aaron Rodgers, which he probably adores for attention’s sake.
Will Howard as the only youthful connection to the Steelers’ future is a disasterclass.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Listen, Tyler Booker will probably turn out to be a fine offensive guard. Book it.
Donovan Ezeiruaku and Shavon Revel Jr.? Just wonderful. Those are fancy selections.
Jan 27, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; (L to R) Dallas Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones, head coach Brian Schottenheimer, and owner Jerry Jones pose for pictures after a press conference at the Star. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Still, Dallas needed playmakers on offense, whether Omarion Hampton, Matthew Golden, Luther Burden, or Kaleb Johnson. They just did.
The prospect of Javonte Williams and Jalen Tolbert as primary playmakers is one of those things where Cowboys’ fans will talk themselves into, “This isn’t so bad. It can work.” But compared to other teams’ rosters, those weapons are poor.
Dallas required at least one notable playmaker, and Jaylon Blue from Round 5 just isn’t enough.
2. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons donated a 1st-Rounder to the Los Angeles Rams next year for the pick that netted James Pearce Jr. of Tennessee.
Tennessee defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins (97) and Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) walk off after Ohio State scores a touchdown in the final minutes of the third quarter during a College Football Playoff first round game between Tennessee and Ohio State held at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024.
Adding two new EDGE defenders in Jalon Walker and Pearce Jr. is peachy, but offloading next year’s 1st-Rounder is silly business. The Falcons will not barnstorm the league with a 13-4 record, for example. That pick will be between 1 and 19. Atlanta will miss it next April.
1. The Sanders Family
Prank-calling Shedeur Sanders was dumb. Watching his draft stock fall to Round 5 was sad. The whole pre-draft lead-up that suggested Sanders would be selected in the Top 3 was bizarre.
All that said, the Sanders family has talked the talk for two years, almost guaranteeing that Shedeur would depart the draft in the Top 5, certainly in the Top 10.
But the NFL, on the whole, humbled the Sanders family — a group not renowned for humility.
Shedeur Sanders is no longer on tap as a QB1 in the pros. He’s a 5th-Round — almost 6th-Round — lottery ticket. For two years, folks believed he’d become the next big thing in the NFL.
He’s not. And he might even be cut by the Browns later this summer amid roster trimdowns.
The mock draft community failed with Sanders’ assessment, and his family bought into the hype. Everybody lost — except the team(s) that didn’t invest a Round 1, 2, 3, or 4 pick.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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