2025 NFL Draft Grades: NFC North
By Julian Cordova
The NFC North played hosts to the 2025 NFL Draft for the second straight season. After Detroit in 2024, it was Green Bay’s turn to host and by all accounts they did not disappoint. There were plenty of interesting names added to the division through those three days. Let’s dive into the key selections, evaluate the potential impact of the picks, and assign grades to each team.
Chicago Bears
1 (10) – Colston Loveland | TE, Michigan
2 (39) – Luther Burden III | WR, Missouri
2 (56) – Ozzy Trapilo | T, Boston College
2 (62) – Shemar Turner | IDL, Texas A&M
4 (132) – Ruben Hyppolite II | LB, Maryland
5 (169) – Zah Frazier | CB, UTSA
6 (195) – Luke Newman | T/G, Michigan
7 (233) – Kyle Monangai | RB, Rutgers
Grade: A+
Chicago started strong, adding two immediate offensive playmakers with their first two picks of the draft. Ozzy Trapilo has the potential to quickly become a starting tackle, especially given the team’s current depth. Turner also looks likely to see significant snaps early on and the addition of Frazier gives them some depth in the secondary.
One of the standout value picks of the entire draft is Monangai in the seventh round. Even if he doesn’t become the primary back, he should be an excellent complementary piece. Chicago’s training camp invites of Washington WR Jeremiah Hunter and Oklahoma P Luke Elzinga are intriguing, and the signing of Michigan State K Jonathan Kim sets up an interesting special teams competition. Overall, this looks like an excellent first draft for Ben Johnson.
Detroit Lions
1 (28) – Tyleik Williams | IDL, Ohio State
2 (57) – Tate Ratledge | G, Georgia
3 (70) – Isaac TeSlaa | WR, Arkansas
5 (171) – Miles Frazier | G, LSU
6 (196) – Ahmed Hassanein | EDGE, Boise State
7 (230) – Dan Jackson | SAF, Georgia
7 (244) – Dominic Lovett | WR, Georgia
Grade: B-
While Detroit’s draft has some bright spots, it wasn’t my favorite. Williams fits their defense but I don’t think he was great value. The selections of Ratledge and Frazier were great though and addressed a clear need at guard. I also really like the value of Ahmed Hassanein in the sixth round.
Their other selections weren’t great though. My biggest issue was the TeSlaa pick. Not only did No. 70 overall feel very premature, but trading two future third round picks for a player with modest college production feels overly aggressive. I wasn’t overly fond of the Dan Jackson and Dominic Lovett picks either. This wasn’t a terrible draft, but it feels slightly underwhelming compared to Brad Holmes’ usual standards.
Green Bay Packers
1 (23) – Matthew Golden | WR, Texas
2 (54) – Anthony Belton | T/G, North Carolina State
3 (87) – Savion Williams | WR, TCU
4 (124) – Barryn Sorrell | EDGE, Texas
5 (159) – Collin Oliver | LB, Oklahoma State
6 (198) – Warren Brinson | IDL, Georgia
7 (237) – Micah Robinson | CB, Tulane
7 (250) – John Williams | T, Cincinnati
Grade: C+
Green Bay’s draft class has a few unexpected twists, notably selecting receivers in the first and third rounds. I’m not the biggest fan of the picks though. They seem to have drafted Golden to be the true number one receiver they’ve been seeking, but he still has a decent bit of work to do before fulfilling that role.
Belton was also a somewhat surprising pick as his best future is likely to be at guard but the Packers just splashed out on Aaron Banks in free agency. The Sorrell and Oliver picks feel similar. Both projected best as outside linebackers in odd fronts, which isn’t really what you are getting from Jeff Hafley. Post-draft, the Packers have been active, signing Kentucky LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Georgia IDL Nazir Stackhouse, among others, and inviting CFL QB Taylor Elgersma to training camp. This class could produce contributors over time, but I have some doubts.
Minnesota Vikings
1 (24) – Donovan Jackson | G, Ohio State
3 (102) – Tai Felton | WR, Maryland
5 (139) – Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | EDGE, Georgia
6 (201) – Kobe King | LB, Penn State
6 (202) – Gavin Bartholomew | TE, Pittsburgh
Grade: A
This was a small class, but I thought Minnesota did well. Things started nicely with the Donovan Jackson selection. The former Buckeye fills an immediate need at guard with his versatility while also providing valuable backup across the offensive line. Felton projects as a potentially impactful slot receiver and provides them with a complementary piece alongside Jefferson and Addison.
Ingram-Dawkins and King are two good depth additions for the defense and Bartholomew is an athletic and versatile tight end. They got some value with their UDFAs too, scooping up the likes of Georgia TE Benjamin Yurosek, UNC TE Bryson Nesbit, and Kansas OT Logan Brown. Considering their limited draft capital, this appears to be a very solid draft for the Vikings, further bolstered by a strong group of UDFAs.