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Best AFC 2025 NFL Draft picks

USA TODAY’s Tyler Dragon breaks down which teams in the AFC drafted the best this year.

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The 2025 NFL Draft completed its seven rounds of mayhem with 257 players selected by all 32 teams this past weekend.

It’s the start of a new era for the Jets, with the debut draft of first year head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey in the books.

The duo traded up twice on Day 3, resulting in seven total selections made throughout the three days in Green Bay.

With free agency and the draft completed, the NFL offseason rolls along, with deadlines for teams to exercise fifth-year options on Thursday, May 1 and rookie minicamps to come in the following weeks in early May.

Following the draft, here’s a way-too-early look at the Jets’ current depth chart with analysis and needs:

QuarterbackJustin FieldsTyrod TaylorJordan TravisAdrian Martinez

Breakdown: There’s no questions here, with Fields the starter after the new regime signed him to a two-year, $40 million contract in the offseason. He’ll have chance to prove if the Jets should look at giving him a contract extension, or if they’ll be looking at another QB in the draft or free agency a year or two from now if it doesn’t work. Taylor was solid in the limited capacity he played when taking over for Aaron Rodgers last season and provides a similar play style to Fields if he were to ever have to step in.

Running backBreece HallBraelon AllenIsaiah DavisKene Nwangwu

Breakdown: The morning of the first round of the NFL Draft, Hall posted a cryptic peace emoji on his ‘X’ account, with many signaling that the dual threat running back might have traded during the draft. Hall was not moved but still remains in the final year of his rookie deal and could very well go into the regular season without a new contract. Behind him will still be Allen, who had 92 carries but only averaged 3.6 yards per carry his rookie season.

Wide receiverGarrett WilsonAllen LazardTyler JohnsonJosh ReynoldsXacier GipsonMalachi CorleyArian SmithIrvin CharlesBrandon SmithStone SmarttEasop Winston Jr.Pokey WilsonZack Kuntz

Breakdown: With Davante Adams released the offseason, the receiver is room behind Wilson is notably thin. Allen Lazard remains on the roster, but has notably spent a majority of his career with Aaron Rodgers. Perhaps the happiest person when Fields was signed was Wilson, as the college duo connect again after being teammates at Ohio State. Yes, they chose Smith in the fourth round, but the lack of depth by Wilson is concerning if he were to have to miss time.

Offensive lineLT Olu FashanuLG John SimpsonC Joe TippmannRG Alijah Vera-TuckerRT Armand MembouLT Max MitchellLG Kohi LevaoC Josh MyersRG Xavier NewmanRT Chukwuma OkoraforLT Obinna EzeRT Carter WarrenRT Zack Bailey

Breakdown: Perhaps the most complete unit relies here in the trenches. The Jets completed their offensive line by selecting Membou — the best right tackle available in the draft — at No. 7 overall. There’s no denying this group will have to play better following a down year in front of a 40-year-old QB, but significantly upgrading the tackle spot and adding a mobile QB should make this unit hopeful before we even seen them take the field in the summer.

Tight endMason TaylorJeremy RuckertStone SmarttZack Kuntz

Breakdown: There’s a good chance that the targets leader behind Garrett Wilson is Taylor. Selected early in the second round, Taylor give the Jets a young, promising tight end prospect they haven’t had in quite some time. He should be a mismatch machine over the middle of the field and taking defenders away from doubling Wilson or worried about Hall’s receiving game out of the backfield. It’ll almost certainly take time as it does with any rookie tight end outside of Raiders’ Brock Bowers last season, but he could turn into a very reliable target for Fields.

Defensive lineQuinnen WIlliamsWill McDonald IVJermaine JohnsonDerrick NnadiMichael ClemonsLeonard Taylor IIIBraiden McGregorEric WattsByron CowartRashad WeaverJay TufelePhidarian Mathis

Breakdown: Perhaps the most puzzling move from Glenn and Mougey in their first ever draft was not taking a defensive tackle at any point with their seven picks. Yes, you have one of the best in the league in Quinnen Williams. But in a similar situation with Garrett Wilson, you don’t have a guy already in place that could step up or be paired next to him. Derrick Nnadi can be a decent partner next to Williams, but he’s not a long-term option, only signed to a one-year, 1.4 million contract in March. When it comes to edge rusher. Another concerning aspect here is that edge rusher depth could become an issue. Will McDonald had a breakout campaign in his second full season with 10.5 sacks. However, Jermaine Johnson is returning from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 2 last season and could take some time to find his rhythm after missing nearly all of 2024.

LinebackerJamien SherwoodQuincy WilliamsZaire BarnesJamin DavisChazz SurrattMarcelion McCrary-BallJackson SirmonJimmy CiarloTyler BaronFrancisco Mauigoa

Breakdown: Similar to McDonald, Jamien Sherwood was a star a season ago, leading the NFL in solo tackles (98) and finished tied-for the third most tackles with 158. This lead to the organization rewarding him with a three-year, $45 million contact this offseason. Coming off of an All-Pro season, Quincy Williams had another solid campaign in 2024. Both guys will yet again be an instrumental part of this defense bouncing back after the unit struggled as a whole last year.

CornerbackSauce GardnerBrandon StephensMichael Carter IIIsaiah OliverQwan’tez StiggersAzareye’h ThomasJarrick Bernard-ConverseKris BoydMalachi MooreTre Swilling

Breakdown: There’s no doubt Sauce Gardner is the No. 1 corner and still one of the best young DBs in the game even after a down campaign. With D.J. Reed departing in free agency, the Jets signed Brandon Stephens to a 3-year, $36 million contract. Opposing teams will undoubtedly target Stephens with Sauce patroling the other side of the field.

SafetyTony AdamsAndre CiscoJarius MonroeMalachi MooreJaylin Simpson

Breakdown: The notable additions here is Cisco, who’s listed as the team’s starting free safety after signing a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the organization. While he might be listed at No. 4 on the depth chart now, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more potentially move up this list during the summer after the Jets traded up early in the fourth round to get him.

Special teams

1. K Greg Zuerlein

2. P Thomas Morstead

3.LS Thomas Hennessy

4. KR Xavien Gipson

5. KR Isaiah Davis

6. PR Xavien Gipson

7. PR Isaiah Davis

8. KR Kene Nwangwu

Breakdown: It’s a bit of a surprise the Jets decided to stick with Zuerlein despite missing six field goal attempts and an extra point try in an injury plagued season where he only appeared in eight games. This will also likely be the final season for Thomas Morstead, who turned 39 last month and is an unrestricted free agent after this upcoming season.

NY Jets needs

When it comes down to it, the clear top areas of need for the Jets after the NFL Draft has to be a quality No. 2 wide receiver, a defensive tackle to pair with Quinnen Williams and another depth edge rusher.

NY Jets NFL Draft picks 2025Round 1, Pick 7: Armand Membou, OT, MissouriRound 2, Pick 42: Mason Taylor, TE, LSURound 3, Pick 73: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida StateRound 4, Pick 110: Arian Smith, WR, GeorgiaRound 4, Pick 130 (from Philadelphia): Malachi Moore, S, AlabamaRound 5, Pick 162 (from L.A. Rams through Pittsburgh): Francisco Mauigoa, LB, Miami (Florida)Round 6, No. 176 (from Baltimore): Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami (Florida)