2025 AFC South NFL Draft recap | Pick-by-pick, trades, analysis
11 min read
After three collegiate stops, Cam Ward is headed to Nashville as the NFL Draft's number one overall pick.
The 2025 AFC South draft recap features a a Texan-born gunslinger who could have the Titans faithful singing my Tennessee Mountain Home.
One of college football’s most versatile weapons seems like a stylistic fit in Indianapolis. The Colts drafted four players from the Big Ten.
Jacksonville attempted to inject a measure of speed into its offense. Its draft focused on prospects from the Big 12, ACC and AAC.
The Houston Texans drafted three Jaylins and one Jayden.
Two of those Cyclones may bring a strong center of low atmospheric pressure to defensive backs facing the Texans. And, for good measure, the defensive-driven team added the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year for C.J. Stroud. That wasn’t the last Big Ten player drafted by the team. By the end of the proceedings, six former Big Ten standouts had been drafted by the squad.
We break down all of the picks, trades and team fits in our 2025 AFC South NFL Draft recap.
| AFC South Draft recap | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | |||||
| Round, pick | Player Selection | Position- School | Nasty’ Take | Value (1-5) | Trades |
1 (14) | Tyler Warren | 6’5 1/2” 256 TE-Penn State | The Colts should be able to get creative with Warren in the Wildcat and use him as an extra fullback on first and second down. Warren runs through the reception point on routes that cross the field and does not lose speed. He struggled to get off jams in the 2024 College Football Playoff vs. Boise State. | 4.5 | |
2 (45) | JT Tuimoloau (link) | 6’4 265 DE-Ohio State | Tuimoloau practices what he works on in the preparation for an opponent. He employs several different strategies as a pass rusher, but lacks game-changing bend. It did not matter. The power rusher posted 21.5 tackles for losses in 2024. | 4.5 | |
| 3 (80) | Justin Walley | 5’10 190 CB-Minnesota | Walley was an active and physical presence at just 190 pounds. He ranked as one of the Golden Gophers team leaders in each of the last two seasons. Seven of his 10 pass breakups this past season came against USC and Maryland in a three-game stretch. | 4.25 | |
4 (127) | Jalen Travis (link) | 6'8 339 OT-Iowa State, Princeton | Travis’ rise from Princeton to honorable mention All-Big 12 selection was sprinkled in with an anthropology degree. His overall footwork and athleticism shined in the postseason. The anchor is the biggest question mark. The Colts needed offensive line help with possible free agent departures a year from now. | 4 | The Colts traded a 2025 fourth-round pick (117th overall) to the LA Rams in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick (127th overall-Travis) and a 2025 sixth-round pick (190th overall-Smith). |
5 (151) | DJ GiddensDJ Giddens link | 6'0 212 RB-Kansas State | We spotlighted Giddens’ spectacular lateral jump-cutting skill versus Colorado in 2024. In that game, he dropped a pass and also caught one wheel route down the right sidelines. He struggled in pass protection in this contest. Overall, an exciting back whose best football is still ahead of him. | 4.5 | |
| 6 (189) | Riley Leonard | 6’4 216 QB-Notre Dame, Duke | Dating back to 2022, Leonard’s long stride has put defenses on notice (see Boston College). That speed did not have to show itself all the time at Notre Dame, but his leadership and moxie are undeniable. Leonard has to become more consistent on intermediate pass patterns to earn a roster spot. | 3.75 | |
| 6 (190) | Tim Smith | 6'4 302 DT-Alabama | Smith’s underrated quickness allows him to penetrate gaps when stunting. In Alabama’s three-man fronts, he’s played the zero-technique and two-gapped off of centers to make plays (Miss St. ’22). A consistent five-year contributor who finished with 15 tackles for losses as a run stuffing defensive tackle. | 4.25 | |
| 7 (232) | Hunter Wohler | 6'2 213 S-Wisconsin | A fluid mover at 213 pounds, Wohler reacts well to the action in front of him. He led the Badgers in tackles and ranks as a solid eighth man in the box when needed. He led the Badgers in tackles each of the past two seasons. 120 tackles and 6 tackles for losses in 2023. | 4 | |
| No. 1 UDFA signing: | Blayne Taylor | 6'4 212 WR-Abilene Christian | Taylor had been a playmaker in the past, but last season took his game to new heights. The 6-foot-4-inch wideout with 4.4 speed ran hot-and-cold, but posted three games of 140-plus yards receiving. He lit up Texas Tech to the tune of 141 yards in late August 2024. In that game, he scored on a slick double move vs. double coverage. | 4.25 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.22 | ||||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | |||||
| Round, Pick | Player Selection | Position- School | Notes | Value (1-5) | Trades |
1 (2) from NY Giants | Travis Hunter | 6’1 188 AP-Colorado, Jackson State | Hunter now has to wonder whether the Jaguars have plays for him within either their offense or defense. His playmaking skill could realistically be used on both sides of the ball. In 2024, the team finished with just six interceptions. Several high-priced additions have just been okay. The team has enough receivers to have him incorporate into packages. | 5 | Cleveland sent the 2nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft along with a 4th round pick (104th overall-Tuten) and a 2025 sixth-round pick (200th overall-Lane III) in the sixth round to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for this year’s fifth overall pick, a 2025 second-round pick (36th overall), a 4th round pick (136th overall) and a 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick. |
| 3 (88) | Caleb Ransaw | 5’11 197 DB-Tulane, Troy | Ransaw was lauded by Tulane defensive backs coach and former NFL DB JJ McCleskey as a high-character, talented playmaker. We think he fits in Jacksonville because he can get off the hash marks at safety and cover with aggression as a press-man corner. The on-ball production was limited (one career INT). He, too, has versatility on special teams. | 4.25 | |
| 3 (89) from Houston Texans | Wyatt Milum | 6’6 1/2” 313 OL-West Virginia | Milum’s “nasty” on-field demeanor could work at OG as he learns to keep his pad level square. He found ways to win in pass protection through angles on the perimeter. At his size, Milum gives the Jaguars an element of positional versatility along the offensive front. | 4.5 | The Jaguars traded a 2025 third-round pick (102nd overall) and a 2025 fifth-round pick (142nd overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for a third-round pick (89th overall-Milum) and a 2025 seventh-round pick (236th overall-Allen). |
4 (104) from Cleveland Browns | Bhayshul Tuten (link) | 5’9 206 RB-Virginia Tech | Tuten adds more than just another running back injection into the Jaguars attack. He averaged over 28 yards per kickoff return in 2023 and dominated FSU on the road to the tune of 210 all-purpose yards (TD). Tuten will run through tacklers with underrated power (see Mauigoa-Miami ’24-55-yd TD) and find another gear in the open field. | 4.5 | |
| 4 (107) | Jack Kiser | 6'2 231 LB-Notre Dame | Kiser is yet another Jaguars prospect who was a very productive special teams player earlier in his career. This while still earning significant reps as an off the ball LB. Kiser has also made plays on the ball in coverage. Never was this more evident than in 2022. He returned both of his interceptions for touchdowns, broke up five passes and forced two fumbles. | 4 | |
6 (194) | Jalen McLeodJalen McLeod (article link) | 6’2 241 OLB-Auburn, Appalachian State | McLeod may not be what every team projects in their OLBs, but he may have found the perfect place to inject a pass rush element from a litany of spots. Despite being just 241 pounds, McLeod put up 22.5 QB sacks during his time at two different stops. In addition, he was a factor running down on kickoffs as far back as 2021 (see ECU ’21). | 3.75 | |
| 6 (200) from Cleveland | Rayaun Lane III | 5’11 200 S-Navy | Lane III’s activity in coverage is aided by the missiles he launched when timing hits in the middle of the field. Underrated footwork made his angles succinct. Can he cover TEs in one-on-one situations? | 4 | |
| 7 (221) | Jonah Monheim | 6'4 302 OC-USC | Monheim has experience at offensive tackle, which somewhat nullifies questionable arm length inside. Why? He understands angles and knows how to work leverage. Mobility is a plus for the former Trojan. | 4.25 | |
| 7 (236) | LeQuint Allen | 6'0 204 RB-Syracuse | Allen was a big part of the Orange’s resurgence in 2024. For the back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher it was not, however, his first rodeo. He cleared the 100-yard mark seven times in 2023 before a two-yard rushing performance in the team’s bowl game. Allen scored twice in the team’s bowl game after doing the same thing against Miami (Fla.) in an upset that knocked them out of CFP contention. 119 career receptions. | 4.25 | |
Notable UDFA signing: | Seth Henigan (article link) | 6’3 213 QB-Memphis | What else did Henigan have to do to get drafted? He threw for a touchdown in 41 straight games and was named Bowl Game MVP three different times in school. Not bad for a player who threw the game-winning TD pass in the 2025 Senior Bowl with no time on the clock. | 5 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.35 | ||||
| Houston Texans | |||||
| Round, pick | Player Selection | Position- School | Nasty’ Take: | Value (1-5) | Trades |
| 2 (34) from NY Giants | Jayden Higgins | 6'4 214 WR-Iowa State | After finishing the 2023 campaign with an eye-opening 214-yard performance in the Liberty Bowl, the 6-foot-4-inch wideout produced five 100-yard receiving performances in 2024. | 4.25 | |
| 2 (48) from Las Vegas Raiders via Miami Dolphins | Aireontae Ersery | 6'6 332 OT-Minnesota | Ersery- the Rimington-Pace Big Ten OL of the Year- improved his hand placement in school on the edge. His size and mammoth profile make him a tough match for any defender if he latches early in the down. | 4.5 | |
3 (79) | Jaylin NoelJaylin Noel (feature link) | 5'10 191 WR-Ret-Iowa State | Noel’s refined route-running skill is punctuated by 4.39 speed that shows up on game day. The Co-Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year possesses outstanding field speed with the ball in his hands. | 4.75 | |
| 3 (97) | Jaylin Smith (link) | 5’10 1/2” 187 DB-USC | Few defenders play with the tenacity of the former Trojan. Not only can he line up at nickel with effectiveness, Smith put together several all-star caliber performances at the safety spot while in school. | 4.75 | |
4 (116) | Jo’quavious “Woody” Marks | 5'10 207 RB-USC, Mississippi State | Marks continued to grow as a runner after being used as Mississippi State’s No. 1 receiving target in 2022 (83 receptions). Many of those receptions were an extension of the running game for the Bulldogs. He developed into a much more decisive running threat at USC this past season. | 4 | The Houston Texans traded a 2025 sixth-round pick (179th overall) and a 2026 third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick (116th overall-Marks) and a 2025 seventh-round pick (224th overall-Hamilton). |
6 (187) from Minnesota Vikings | Jaylen Reed | 6'0 211 S-Penn State | Reed’s athletic profile makes him a perfect fit in Houston after losing Eric Murray in free agency. Rather quietly, the Detroit native developed as a blitz threat in school (2.5 sacks in 2024), something that certainly appeals to the Texans’ aggressive defensive scheme. | 4.25 | |
| 6 (197) from Denver | Graham Mertz | 6’3 212 QB-Florida, Wisconsin | Coming off a season in which he completed 77-percent of his passes in 2023, Mertz suffered a knee injury that curbed a good start to 2024. The former Badger has plenty of skills as a former four-star recruit. | 3.75 | The Texans traded a 2025 sixth-round pick (216th overall) and a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick (197th overall-Mertz). |
| 7 (224) from Miami Dolphins | Kyonte Hamilton | 6'3 303 DT-Rutgers | The first of three Texans seventh-round draft picks, Hamilton flashed off his power and quickness in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl. He proved tough to block one-on-one in that contest. Hamilton is strong (29 reps-225 lbs) and contains legitimate lateral quickness (4.6 20-yd SS). | 4 | |
7 (255) from Cleveland Browns | Luke Lachey (link) | 6'6 251 TE-Iowa | The former high school receiver arrives with NFL Pro Bowl bloodlines. HIs father, Jim, was an All-Pro for Washington. After recovering from injury in 2023, Lachey began to regain his 2022 form in this year’s postseason. | 4.25 | The Houston Texans traded a 2025 fifth-round pick (166th overall) and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick (179th overall), 2025 sixth-round pick (216th overall) and a 2025 seventh-round pick (255th overall-Lachey). |
| Notable UDFA signing: | Alijah Huzzie | 5'10 193 DB-UNC | The ETSU transfer settled in nicely at North Carolina and was well on his way to getting drafted before an ACL injury at the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl. After posting 12 INTs at East Tennessee State, he picked off four passes in the ACC. Also, he returned two punts for TDs. His ability to cover the slot competitively draws high marks. | 5 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.35 | ||||
| TennesseeTitans | |||||
| Round, Pick | Player Selection | Position- School | Nasty’ Take: | Value (1-5) | Trades |
| 1 (1) | Cam Ward | 6'2 219 QB-Miami (Fla.), Wash St, UIW | The Titans support for Ward began before he arrived in Nashville. The signing of Dan Moore provides him with a credible left tackle. Fumbles have been a major issue for the gunslinger, so blind side protection will be paramount. If Ward gets that issue under control, there is no limit to his next level potential. | 4.5 | |
2 (52) from Seattle via Pittsburgh | Oluwafemi Oladejo | 6’3 259 DE-UCLA, Cal | The former Cal Bears linebacker continued to play off the ball until a late season explosion as a pass rusher. That potential shined brightly at the Senior Bowl, where he looked a lot more polished than he should have at this stage of development. | 4 | The Titans traded a 2nd round pick (35th overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for the 52nd overall pick (Oladejo) and a 2025 third-round pick (Winston, Jr.). |
| 3 (82) | Kevin Winston, Jr. | 6'2 215 S-Penn State | Winston, Jr. gives the Titans a physical presence with both speed and ball skills. An injury curbed his final campaign, but the fact that he ran in the 4.5-range coming off an ACL injury gives credence to his explosive talent. One of the more instinctive, hard-hitting safeties in this year’s class, Winston, Jr. could outplay his draft status. | 4.5 | |
| 4 (103) | Chimere Dike | 6'1 196 WR-Florida, Wisconsin | Dike glides as a route runner and can win on double moves with slight hesitation at the top of cuts. A hard worker, Dike has to become more definitive versus press-man coverage. | 4 | |
| 4 (120) | Gunnar Helm | 6'5 241 TE-Texas | Chig Okonkwo’s yards per catch totals have gradually declined each season. Helm -despite less than stellar workout numbers- projects as a player who wins in-between the hash marks. His career-high 60 receptions in 2024 featured a wide variety of difficult grabs. | 4 | |
| 4 (136) | Elic Ayomanor | 6’2 206 WR-Stanford | Ayomanor’s length and athleticism complement a decent feel for the position when it comes to defeating press coverage. The extension catches serve as a complement to above average run after the catch ability. | 4.5 | The Titans traded a 2025 fifth-round pick (141st overall) and a 2025 sixth-round pick (178th overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick (136th overall-Ayomanor) and a 2025 sixth-round pick (183rd overall-Harris). |
| 5 (167) | Jackson Slater | 6'3 311 OG-Sacramento State | The multi-year starter at guard was versatile enough to play tackle. He once opened holes for NY Giants fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo. He’s very effective on the move as a puller and takes succinct angles to second level assignments. Battles in pass protection but anchor is inconsistent. | 4 | |
| 6 (183) | Marcus Harris | 5’11 189 CB-Cal, Idaho | Yet another Cal draft pick, Harris rounded out an impressive secondary that featured both Craig Woodson (4th Round, NE Patriots) and Nohl Williams (3rd Rd, KC Chiefs). His quick-footed, smooth approach could land him repetitions at an inside position in sub-packages and at gunner on special teams. | 4.25 | |
| 6 (188) | Kalel Mullings | 6'1 1/2” 226 RB-Michigan | A hard-nosed runner with the feet of a much smaller back, Mullings could provide a third element to Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. Arguably, it was Mullings’ growth that robbed Donovan Edwards of time in Michigan's one-two punch. | 4 | |
| Notable UDFA signing: | Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson | 6’7 316 OT-Florida, SDSU | While Josh Simmons got most of the ink as a SDSU transfer, Crenshaw-Dickson also receives high marks. Although not as flexible as most of the tackles in this year’s class, his feet are satisfactory. Crenshaw-Dickson should be able to fight for a practice squad spot in training camp. | 4.25 | |
| Draft Grade: | 4.2 |
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