32 teams, 32 questions, 32 answers

30.04.2025, 14:28 espn.com

The 2025 NFL draft wrapped up Saturday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The three-day event saw a record 30 defensive tackles selected -- the most for a seven-round draft (i.e., since 1994) -- and one of the most shocking draft slides in history when Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders -- the No. 1 QB prospect on ESPN draft analyst's Mel Kiper's board -- fell to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round.

There are 257 new faces joining the league, but will they help solve teams' woes? What questions linger after the three-day player selection extravaganza, and what comes next?

We asked our NFL Nation reporters to tell us the most pressing question facing the teams they cover coming out of this weekend. Read their postdraft insights below.

Check out ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper's grades for all 32 draft classes (ESPN+) and analysts Jordan Reid and Matt Miller's postdraft superlatives (ESPN+) for more insight into all seven rounds of the draft.

Jump to a team:ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CINCLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | INDJAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MINNE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SFSEA | TB | TEN | WSH

Did they do enough to support quarterback Josh Allen?

The Bills waited until the seventh round to add a wide receiver, with general manager Brandon Beane emphasizing afterward that the team prioritized sticking to its plan of selecting the best player on the team's board. That resulted in the Bills taking defensive players with their first five picks for the second time in the common draft era (also 2006), and while addressing receiver earlier might have been wise, improving Buffalo's defense, especially the defensive line, is a form of supporting Allen. The Bills are showing confidence in reproducing last year's success -- the team also signed wideout Joshua Palmer in free agency -- and have a history of continuing to add free agents after the draft. -- Alaina Getzenberg

What is the plan at cornerback?

Miami entered the draft with needs at defensive tackle, offensive guard and cornerback. It addressed the trenches in the first two rounds but didn't take a cornerback until Round 5. If the Dolphins trade cornerback Jalen Ramsey -- which they are trying to do -- they'll need to introduce two new starting corners before the season begins. GM Chris Grier has suggested the team will look to the veteran free agent pool to fill its remaining needs -- it's just a matter of which players are interested in signing. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

How does the logjam at wide receiver shake out?

After signing veterans Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency, and drafting Washington State's Kyle Williams in the third round, the Patriots have revamped their wide receivers room. Third-year slot DeMario Douglas is probably safe, which means veteran Kendrick Bourne, third-year player Kayshon Boutte and 2024 draft picks Ja'Lynn Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth round) are among those vying for a role in a suddenly crowded position group. -- Mike Reiss

Did they leave themselves vulnerable in the middle of their defense?

A total of 30 defensive tackles were drafted over the weekend, and, surprisingly, not one was picked by the Jets, who will rely on a trio of low-cost veteran additions to man the spot next to Quinnen Williams. It's a risky move for a team that struggled against the run last season. New York hopes to squeeze some production out of Derrick Nnadi, Byron Cowart and Jay Tufele. Maybe second-year DT Leonard Taylor III can make a giant leap. -- Rich Cimini

Does drafting a kicker signal the end for Justin Tucker?

A month ago, Ravens president Sashi Brown said the team would wait for the NFL to finish its investigation on the allegations of sexual misconduct against Tucker before determining his future in Baltimore. But the Ravens made a momentous move Saturday when they drafted a kicker for the first time in their 30-year history. When the Ravens selected Tyler Loop in the sixth round, it was the first sign that Baltimore is preparing for life after Tucker. -- Jamison Hensley

What does the draft mean for DE Trey Hendrickson?

The Bengals did not trade Hendrickson on draft weekend. And a couple of selections could give Cincinnati extra cap room that will help if it wants to give Hendrickson the long-term deal he's looking for. If second-round linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. supplants Germaine Pratt, who has already requested a trade, and third-rounder Dylan Fairchild starts over Cordell Volson at left guard, Pratt and Volson become more expendable. Cutting the two veterans would give Cincinnati $8.9 million in additional cap space for this season and more financial flexibility in 2025. Cincinnati currently has $23.3 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com. -- Ben Baby

Who will rise from a suddenly crowded quarterback room?

The surprise created by Cleveland's pick of quarterback Dillon Gabriel over Shedeur Sanders in the third round was soon surpassed when the team traded up to select Sanders two rounds later. They now join a quarterbacks room that also includes new additions Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett (Deshaun Watson is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2025 season because of a right Achilles injury). Coach Kevin Stefanski said every player added to the quarterbacks room will be expected to compete for a starting opportunity, and each contender has traits that could lead to him emerging as QB1 this fall. -- Daniel Oyefusi

Will Aaron Rodgers sign with the Steelers?

The Steelers were disciplined in their approach to the draft, filling their most pressing needs with good value picks that will reinforce the team's physical identity. In making those picks, the Steelers passed on other quarterback options and waited to select Ohio State's Will Howard in the sixth round. That move clearly pays off if Rodgers fills the final quarterback spot, but if he doesn't, the Steelers might regret the decision to wait until Day 3 to take a signal-caller. -- Brooke Pryor

Is the offensive line good enough?

Houston didn't go heavy on the offensive line in the draft, instead choosing to add only Minnesota left tackle Aireontae Ersery in the second round. But is the revamped group -- led by tackles Cam Robinson, Blake Fisher, Ersery and versatile Tytus Howard, along with interior linemen Laken Tomlinson, Juice Scruggs and Jarrett Patterson -- good enough to protect quarterback C.J. Stroud? The next few months -- as the group begins playing together -- will be key. -- DJ Bien-Aime

Have they done enough at linebacker?

Weakside starter E.J. Speed left for the Texans in free agency, leaving middle linebacker Zaire Franklin as the only player in the unit with more than two career starts. Still, the Colts waited until the seventh round to draft Wisconsin's Hunter Wohler, who is a safety the Colts intend to convert to linebacker. This is a vulnerable area for the Colts, who already had challenges in coverage down the middle of the field last season. -- Stephen Holder

Why didn't they draft a defensive tackle?

The Jaguars gave up 5.9 yards per play (31st in the NFL) and were last in pass yards allowed and turnovers forced (nine), and a major issue was the play of the interior defensive line against the run and when rushing the passer. GM James Gladstone said the team didn't want to reach for a player at the position. But it's also a sign the new regime feels good enough about young DTs Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson improving in Year 2, as well as the boost it hopes to receive from moving Arik Armstead back inside from end. It might be a gamble, but Smith did come on strong at the end of last season (two sacks and three tackles for loss over the final three games) and Jacksonville hopes he can provide more interior rush to help out ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. -- Michael DiRocco

Does Cam Ward have enough weapons to succeed in Year 1?

The Titans did not do much to give Ward a scary group of receivers. They waited until the fourth round to select wide receivers Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor after remaining quiet in free agency outside of signing veteran wideout Tyler Lockett days before the draft. Lockett and Calvin Ridley are the only proven pass catchers on the roster, but perhaps the best favor Tennessee did for Ward was sign undrafted free agent Xavier Restrepo -- his top receiver at the University of Miami. -- Turron Davenport

Have the Broncos done enough at tight end?

Denver's tight end group lacked production in 2024, with Lucas Krull leading the group with 19 catches. The Broncos wined, dined and signed Evan Engram in free agency, but he'll turn 31 before the season starts, and injuries (he sat out eight games last season) and his ability after the catch are concerns despite being a 100-catch player in 2023. If Engram is injured this season, the Broncos are largely back to the same cast as last season. They waited until the seventh round to finally add a player at the position -- a developmental pick in Caleb Lohner, who was a basketball player at Baylor, BYU and Utah who had four catches (four TDs) in one year of football. -- Jeff Legwold

Did Kansas City solve its long-standing problem at left tackle?

Kansas City has tried to address its need at the position, signing Jaylon Moore in free agency and drafting Ohio State's Josh Simmons in the first round. But each comes with questions. Moore has been a career backup, so can he be a better-than-adequate starter? Simmons is coming off a torn patella, so can he overcome the injury to have a long and productive NFL career? If the answer to both of those questions is negative, it will be difficult for the Chiefs to continue overcoming a liability at a critical position. -- Adam Teicher

How will the Raiders address the nickel cornerback spot?

After the draf

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