2025 AFC East NFL Draft Recap | Pick-by-pick, trades, analysis
10 min read
Campbell -a 2024 consensus All-American- also won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in the SEC. He was chosen with the fourth overall pick in this year's draft by the New England Patriots.
The 2025 AFC East NFL Draft recap featured a number of moves being made by teams in real time. New England’s front office had plenty of healthy debates over who to take at various points of the proceedings. This shows the passion that has been brought to the table by new head coach Mike Vrabel.
In the case of the Buffalo Bills, they had already started making moves prior to the draft. The trade of cornerback Kaiir Elam and a 2025 sixth-rounder netted them Day 3 draft picks in this draft and next year’s. And they weren’t the only team trading picks over the weekend. The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets joined in the Bills and Patrtiots aggressiveness. We go over all of the moves, picks and grades in our 2025 AFC East NFL Draft recap.
2025 AFC East NFL Draft Recap
| New England Patriots | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round, pick | Selection | Position- School | Nasty’ Take | Value (1-5) | Trades |
| 1 (4) | Will Campbell (link) | 6’6 320 OT-LSU | Campbell- one of the more competitive players in this year’s draft- brings more than a just lunch pail mentality to the Patriots. The athletically-gifted tackle may have to fine-tune some of his techniques, but he’s wired in the right manner to do so. | 5 | |
| 2 (38) | Tre’Veyon Henderson | 5’10 202 RB-Ohio State | Despite being slightly over 200 pounds, Henderson is well-built, tough and explosive. For a team that needed to add speed offensively, he’s the right complement for Rhamondre Stevenson | 4.75 | |
| 3 (69) | Kyle Williams | 5'11 190 WR-Arizona State, UNLV | Williams ranks as yet another UNLV transfer who went in the third round of this year’s draft (Nohl Williams-KC Chiefs). Before he even arrived in Pullman, he had 117 career receptions. That alone ranks as a nod to his year-to-year consistency. | 4.25 | |
| 3 (95) | Jared Wilson | 6’3 310 OC-Georgia | First of all, give Eliot Wolf and the team’s personnel department credit for managing the draft board through the trades. Wilson - who could have gone in-between picks 77 and 95- ranked as a major coup at this portion of the round. He’s mobile, needs more reps and serves as legitimate competition for Bradbury, Strange and last year’s fourth-round pick Layden Robinson. | 4.5 | The Patriots traded the 77th overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for the 85th overall pick and the Panthers fifth-round pick (146th overall). They then traded the 85th overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs (Nohl Williams) for the 95th overall pick (Wilson) and a 2026 fourth-round pick. |
4 (106) | Craig Woodson (link) | 6’0 200 S-Cal | There weren’t many safeties in this year’s draft with Woodson’s combination of athleticism and acumen. The academic standout came back from injury to start every game for three straight seasons in Berkeley. He ranks as a steal at this portion of the draft. | 5 | |
| 4 (137) | Joshua Farmer | 6’3 305 DT-FSU | The Patriots deemed the lengthy Farmer as too good to pass up and moved up to get him. Farmer’s scheme-versatility helps, but he can also rotate with free agent Khyiris Tonga significantly helps the team’s defensive front. In addition, he’s athletic enough to share reps at the end position in their 3-3-5 schemes. | 4.75 | After picking up the 146th overall pick from the Panthers in the Wilson trade, the Patriots traded away their original fifth-round pick (144th overall) and a 2025 seventh-round pick (238th overall) to Seattle and move up seven spots (137th overall). |
| 5 (146) from Carolina | Bradyn Swinson | 6’4 255 DE-LSU, Oregon | The Patriots use the pick they got from the Panthers to pick up Swinson, a contributor going all the way back to his days at Oregon. He’s developed an arsenal of pass rush moves that accompany enough bend (7.13 3-cone) and hand violence. | 4 | |
| 6 (182) | Andres Borregales | 5'11 199 PK-Miami (Fla.) | The Patriots take another shot on a kicker after giving up on 2023 fourth-round pick Chad Ryland a season ago. Borregales will compete with former All-XFL kicker Parker Romo for the job. | 4.5 | The Patriotts traded away a fifth-round pick (171st overall) to the Detroit Lions in exchange for the 182nd overall pick (Borregales) and a 2025 seventh-round pick (228th overall). |
| 7 (220) | Marcus Bryant | 6'6 5/8” 317 OT-Missouri, SMU | After manning the LT spot for the Mustangs during their 2023 AAC Championship season, Bryant transitioned favorably at the same position for the Tigers this past season. | 3.75 | |
| 7 (251) | Julian Ashby | 6’1 231 LS-Vanderbilt, Furman | Ashby’s long snaps have gotten into the .65-second range and accompany an ability to force fair catches in coverage (see Missouri ’24) if left unblocked. He’s a big reason Jesse Mirco led the SEC in punting during his senior campaign. It should come as no surprise. While at Furman, he posted 15 tackles as an all-conference long snapper. | 3.75 | |
| 7 (257) | Kobee Minor | 5'11 190 CB-Memphis, Indiana, Texas Tech | Minor’s physicality and athleticism showed itself in his final career game (the 2024 Scooter’s Coffee Bowl). 2024 was Minor’s third collegiate stop and arguably his best (7 TFLs, 2 FF, 6 PBUs). | 4 | |
| Notable UDFA signing: | Jack Conley | 6'6 327 OG-Boston College | Conley’s experience and overall understanding of HC Bill O’Brien’s offense at Boston College should help in his NFL transition. A people mover inside, Conley at the least may warrant practice squad consideration on an interior OL that has an opportunity to be creased. | 4.5 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.4 | ||||
| Miami Dolphins | |||||
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | Notes | Value (1-5) | |
| 1 (13) | Kenneth Grant | 6’4 331 DT-Michigan | It could be argued that the Dolphins could have opted for Walter Nolen, Jr. or even Derrick Harmon at this spot, but Grant’s potential pass rush skills at the zero-technique could open opportunities for others. Benito Jones and Grant could rotate, while opening the door for fifth-round pick Jordan Phillips to grab reps. | 4.25 | |
2 (37) | Jonah Savaiinaea (link) | 6’4 324 OL-Arizona | The Dolphins continued their theme of getting more physical on both sides of the line with the selection of Savaiinaea. What is encouraging about this selection is that it gives them positional-flex on the offensive front with Savaiinaea’s experience at guard and both tackle spots. | 5 | The Dolphins traded a second round pick (48th overall), a third rounder (98th overall) and fourth-rounder (135th overall) to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for the 37th overall pick (Savaiinaea) and a 2025 fifth-round pick (143rd overall-Jordan Phillips). |
| 5 (143) | Jordan Phillips | 6’2 312 DT-Maryland, Tennessee | The Dolphins traded back in the fifth round to draft a player named Jordan Phillips for the second time (2015 NFL Draft, 2nd round, 52nd overall pick). This Phillips is not 341 pounds, but he is explosive and plays with leverage. Never really broke out in school. | 3.75 | |
| 5 (150) | Jason Marshall, Jr. | 6’0 194 CB-Florida | Marshall has flashed instant closing speed breaking on in-breaking routes (see Las Vegas Bowl ’22). The occasional big play (see Wk 1, Utah ’23) has been an issue. However, he is a solid SEC starter with 4.45 speed and a 195-pound frame. A shoulder injury caused a fall in this year’s draft. | 4 | |
5 (155) | Dante Trader, Jr.(link) | 5'11 196 S-Maryland | Trader, Jr. -an All-American lacrosse standout- also stood out in the classroom. He has the highest GPA on the team in 2022. His inside-out angles to tackle have been uneven, but his range out of the middle of the field excites despite a 4.65 40-yard dash time. He reacts well to the QB’s body language. | 4.5 | |
| 6 (179) | Ollie Gordon II | 6'1 226 RB-Oklahoma State | We felt the Dolphins needed to add a big back in this draft to complement Devon Achane and Jaylen Wright. They hit this pick out of the park. And they secured a third-round pick in next year's draft. If you’re going to get more physical up front, then add a 225-pound runner. Gordon II had two 270-yard+ rushing performances in 2023 and ended that season with 21 runs of 20-plus yards. | 4.5 | The Dolphins traded a 2025 fourth-round pick (116th overall and 20225 seventh-round pick (224th overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for this pick (179th overall) and a 2026 third-round pick. |
7 (231) | Quinn Ewers(Link) | 6’2 214 QB-Texas, Ohio State | Why not add one of the nation’s top recruits in 2021 to the mix in the quarterback room? Ewers led the Longhorns to back-to-back CFP appearances and has the look of a solid backup option at the next level. Even if he doesn’t beat out Zach Wilson for the No. 2 spot, he should have a chance to earn a practice squad spot as the No. 3 QB. | 4.5 | |
| 7 (253) | Zeek Biggers (link) | 6’5 321 OT-Georgia Tech | Biggers was not only a big man in the middle for the Yellow Jackets, his athleticism shined on the field goal block team (four blocked kicks). If he can control his pad level more consistently down-to-down, he could develop into a viable rotation candidate. | 4 | |
| Notable UDFA signing: | Eugene Asante | 6’0 1/2” 223 LB-Auburn, UNC | It had to be disappointing for Asante that he did not get drafted but his 4.4 speed should have a chance to shine on special teams. His energy is infectious. Concentrating on flexibility is the key in his NFL journey. | 4.25 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.31 | ||||
| New York Jets | |||||
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | Nasty’ Take: | Value (1-5) | |
| 1 (7) | Armand Membou | 6'4 332 OT-Missouri | Membou continued to make improvements with his quickness year-to-year and became dominant in 2024. For a team that wants to emphasize a dominant run game, Membou seems like the perfect fit. | 4.5 | |
| 2 (42) | Mason Taylor | 6’5 251 TE-LSU | Taylor was used in motion frequently during school in a variety of roles. One of his best attributes revolves his capability as an insert blocker. His soft hands provide the Jets with three viable tight end options for Justin Fields. | 4.25 | |
| 3 (73) | Azareye’h Thomas | 6'1 1/2” 197 CB-FSU | Thomas’ smooth movements take away many of the question marks regarding his foot speed. The Jets corners have to tackle and he should mix in well with the group. | 4.5 | |
| 4 (110) | Arian Smith | 6'0 179 WR-Georgia | Smith, a blazer who has gotten repetitions at the gunner position in school, could fill a variety of roles on special teams while he develops at the receiver position. He became much more consistent this past season. | 4 | |
| 4 (130) | Malachi Moore | 5’11 196 DB-Alabama | Moore began his career locked in a battle with the player Jets head coach Aaron Glenn just got through coaching, Brian Branch. He has extensive experience covering the slot and proved that he could get off the hash marks with effectiveness in 2024 (see INT, Tennessee ’24). | 4.25 | The NY Jets traded a 2025 fifth-round pick (145th overall) and a 2025 sixth-round pick (207th overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the 130th overall selection (4th Rd-Moore). |
| 5 (162) | Francisco Mauigoa | 6'1 236 LB-Miami (Fla.), Washington State | Mauigoa’s relentlessness on the football field is undeniable. He needs to improve in pass coverage. Mauigoa has been a very good blitz threat in school. If he can become a core special teams player, then he may have options in some of the team’s packages. | 4.5 | |
| 6 (176) | Tyler Baron (link) | 6'5 269 DE-Miami (Fla.), Tennessee | Baron aligned up-and-down the defensive line while at Tennessee. A large majority of his 38.5 career tackles for losses came from the defensive tackle spot. Can he develop more variety as an edge rusher? | 4 | |
| Notable UDFA signing: | Dean Clark | 6’0 208 S-Fresno State, Kent St. | The former Kent State team captain is an academic all-star with explosive capability (41” VJ, 11’0 BJ). His spectacular interception versus Utah State this past season showed off his potential in pass coverage. | 4 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.25 | ||||
| Buffalo Bills | |||||
| Round, pick | Player Selection | Position- School | Nasty’ Take: | Value (1-5) | Trades |
| 1 (30) | Maxwell Hairston | 5’11 183 CB-Kentucky | Hairston’s ease of movement is easily identifiable. If you are a second late throwing outside, he will make you pay (2 INT-TDs, Vanderbilt ’23). He has zone awareness and man coverage capability. This is required to play in the multiple schemes Buffalo employs. | 4.5 | |
| 2 (41) | T.J. Sanders | 6'3 297 DT-South Carolina | Sanders led the Gamecocks with 9.5 tackles for loss in 2023. That included a dominant nine-tackle, sack, two tackle for loss performance against Georgia. His instant nature is evident at the three-technique spot as a pass rusher, where he may get plenty of one-on-one opportunities in Buffalo. | 4.5 | The Bills traded a 2nd round pick (56th overall), a second round pick (62nd overall) and a 2025 fourth-round pick (109th overall) to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a second round, pick (41st overall -Sanders), a 2025 third-round pick (72nd overall-Jackson) and a seventh-round pick (240th overall-Prather). |
| 3 (72) | Landon Jackson | 6’6 264 DE-Arkansas | Jackson had plenty of dominant performances in school, including a three-and-a-half sack effort vs. Alabama in 2023. He’ll need to expand his pass rush repertoire, but tight ends will have a tough time blocking him one-on-one. | 4.75 | |
| 4 (109) | Deone Walker | 6’7 331 DT-Kentucky | Walker may not post workout testing numbers but that is not a reflection of how difficult it is to block him. In fact, he tallied 7.5 QB sacks in 2023. It will be tough for teams to move him in a rotation with Larry Ogunjobi and Daquan Jones. | 4.25 | The Bills traded a 2025 fourth-round pick (132nd overall), a 2025 fifth-round pick (169th overall) to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the 109th pick in this year’s draft (4th Rd-Walker). |
| 5 (170) | Jordan Hancock | 6'0 195 DB-Ohio State | Hancock was tasked with moving all over the defensive backfield for the Buckeyes. He handled motion, covered the slot and was used in underneath coverage at inside slot positions. Very talented player to get in Round 5. | 4.25 | Prior to the draft, the Dallas Cowboys traded a 2025 fifth-round pick (170th overall) and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for CB Kaiir Elam and a 2025 sixth-round pick (204th overall-Cornelius). |
| 5 (173) | Jackson Hawes | 6'4 1/2” 253 TE-Georgia Tech | The Bills continue to announce their intention to stay physical offensively with the addition of Hawes. He comes to balance as an edge blocker prior to latching the opponent. The economics and business major forces the action on the field. | 4.5 | |
6 (177)  | Dorian Strong (link) | 6'1 185 CB-Virginia Tech | Strong’s confidence rarely gets altered. He believes in his recipe. There were some inconsistencies with technique in 2024 that may have caused his stock to fall. However, his 6.56 3-cone time during Virginia Tech’s Pro Day show off his quick-twitch movement. | 4.5 | |
| 6 (206) | Chase Lundt | 6'7 1/2” 304 OT-U-Conn | Mobile and athletic at 304 pounds, Lundt was often asked to pull on the team’s toss-crack run schemes. The tough assignments did not stop there, as he was also asked to cut-off backside defenders on run action away. He may be another version of 2026 UFA LG David Edwards, but quicker. | 4 | |
| 7 (240) | Kaden Prather | 6’3 1/2” 204 WR-Maryland, WVU | Prather didn’t quite build on a 2024 campaign that ended with a 57-yard catch in the 2023 Music City Bowl. His 4.4 speed at 6’3 1/2” may need to be put to use as a special teams contributor to make the squad. | 3.5 | |
| Notable UDFA signing: | Kelly Akharaiyi | 6'1 194 WR-Ole Miss, UTEP | It can be argued that he could have his spot traded with Prather. Akharaiyi numbers didn’t wow at Mississippi State in 2024. However, his two-touchdown performance against Georgia spotlighted the potential. He’s adept on double moves and was dominant in his final year at UTEP. | 4.5 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.325 | ||||
About Author
