The Cleveland Browns are collecting all the quarterbacks.

One day after drafting Dillon Gabriel, the team decided to take the plunge on another signal caller, this time drafting Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

It brings the total to five in the room, which is getting more crowded with each passing day.

Of course, only one can start and typically two or three make the roster, meaning there are quite a few names on the chopping block this summer in Cleveland.

Here’s a look at where the Browns’ quarterback depth chart stands after the Sanders selection.

Browns QB depth chart

Deshaun Watson
Joe Flacco
Kenny Pickett
Dillon Gabriel
Shedeur Sanders

Watson remains the headliner, but his 2025 season is in doubt after rupturing his right Achilles again in January. It occurred just three months after the initial surgery, clouding Watson’s future not only for 2025, but also as a Brown.

The team opted to bring in some reinforcements by acquiring Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles and signing Flacco ahead of the draft.

However, once the draft got underway, things started to get funky in Northeast Ohio. They passed on Sanders multiple times, instead opting for Gabriel in the third round. The Oregon prospect projects more as a backup than anything else, but still managed to become the fourth quarterback in the room.

In the fifth round, Cleveland doubled down by taking the sliding Sanders, who was initially considered to be a first-round pick.

It sets off what will be a fascinating competition for Kevin Stefanski’s team during training camp. Any of the quarterbacks can seemingly win the job, so expect plenty of fireworks over the summer.

With the draft capital invested, it would appear Sanders has the longest road ahead of him.

Given the Browns’ history with quarterbacks, perhaps they are looking for quantity in the hopes one becomes a quality starter down the road.

Colorado’s record-setting quarterback was selected with the 144th pick in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns, who traded up to that pick on the NFL Draft’s third day. He was the sixth quarterback taken in this year’s draft, including Dillon Gabriel, who Cleveland selected in the third round with the 94th pick overall on Friday night.

The Browns’ quarterback room entering mini-camps has Deshaun Watson, who is injured, Kenny Pickett, and Joe Flacco, who is 40 years old.

The speculation about why Sanders dropped has run rampant, especially in the draft coverage on television and on social media.

Shedeur Sanders drafted by Browns: Reactions

The 2025 NFL Draft has two days and three rounds in the book, but the event hasn’t even reached its true midpoint yet.

On Friday, teams turned their attention to an all-important two-round stretch. This section of the draft can accelerate rebuilds by allowing franchises to stock up on young talent at key spots, and it can also help fuel – or sustain – contenders by equipping them with low-cost talent that allows them to pay top dollar to stars. And while several players atop our big board rankings of the top options available quickly heard their names called, many more – including Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders – are still waiting for resolution.

USA TODAY Sports graded each pick in the second and third rounds as they came in, so take a look back at all our the latest analysis for every selection on the night.

2025 NFL draft grades: Every pick in second and third round

Second round

33. Cleveland Browns: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA – Grade: B-

An off-ball linebacker is a bit of a luxury for a team with as many holes as the Browns. Schwesinger could be a hyperactive presence at the second level for Cleveland, but the team is going to have to start attacking premium positions to truly get this rebuild going.

34. Houston Texans (from Giants): Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State – Grade: B+

Rounding out the receiving corps made sense for Houston given the departure of Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell’s uncertain status, and the Texans got ahead of a possible run on the position early on Day 2. Higgins has drawn comparisons to new teammate Nico Collins and should be a matchup problem on in-breaking routes and in contested-catch scenarios.

35. Seattle Seahawks (from Titans): Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina – Grade: B+

If the Seahawks had taken Emmanwori at 18, it likely wouldn’t have created a stir. Instead, Seattle trades up to secure the singularly athletic playmaker near the top of Round 2. Emmanwori needs to be a more controlled and reliable presence against the run, but he can unlock all sorts of coverage looks for Mike Macdonald and his mad scientist approach to defense.

36. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State – Grade: C-

Well, so much for attacking premium positions in a rebuild. The Browns’ backfield is in dire straits, but it’s hard to square taking a workhorse back here, especially given the depth available at the position. It’s also a little surprising to see Judkins taken ahead of his more dynamic former Buckeyes teammate TreVeyon Henderson.

37. Miami Dolphins (from Raiders) – Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona – Grade: B-

Stout and steady, Savaiinaea provides something different and necessary to the Dolphins’ line as a powerful and reliable interior presence. Trading up for the 6-4, 324-pounder warrants some scrutiny given the number of Day 2 options at the position, but Miami has made a serious commitment toward firming up its fronts.

38. New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State – Grade: B

Adding more explosiveness for the Drake Maye-led offense was bound to be a priority for New England on Day 2. But many assumed it would come in the form of a receiver rather than a running back. Henderson still ramps up the big-play quotient for the attack, however, and he should also factor heavily into the passing attack as someone who can create mismatches.

39. Chicago Bears (from Panthers): Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri – Grade: A-

No excuses for Caleb Williams in Year 2. Between the addition of Ben Johnson, the overhauling of the offensive line and the addition of dynamic receiving targets in first-round tight end Colston Loveland and Burden, the Bears have weaponized their attack in impressive fashion. Johnson needs to get Burden to lock in, but the electric run-after-catch threat can ignite big plays, though many of his early touches will likely need to be schemed.

40. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville – Grade: B

Imagine telling someone in January that Shough would be taken ahead of Shedeur Sanders. Shough, a seventh-year senior who was in the same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, has an extensive injury history and only one year of consistent production, but it’s easy to see the appeal of a 6-5, 219-pound passer with a live arm. The uncertainty with Derek Carr’s health could prompt Shough into action in short order, and he won’t have a very promising setup to work with as a rookie. But this is a worthwhile rolling of the dice for a team that could come back to the spot next year if the pick doesn’t work out.

41. Buffalo Bills (from Bears): T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina – Grade: C+

Attacking needs is the clear theme of the Bills’ draft, as they follow up a selection for their most pressing shortcoming at cornerback by moving up the board for a defensive tackle. Sanders can be disruptive as someone who can shoot the gap, but his inconsistency will make him hard to count on as an every-down defender early in his career.

42. New York Jets: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU – Grade: B+

After taking Armand Membou over the top tight end options at No. 7, Gang Green circles back to the position to land a player one notch below Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren. Taylor can be an immediate asset to Justin Fields as a reliable target who can thrive operating in traffic.

43. San Francisco 49ers: Alfred Collins, DT, Texas – Grade: B+

The outlook for the 49ers’ defensive interior after the team parted with Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins was rather shaky, but San Francisco did a nice job of capitalizing on a deep class at defensive tackle. Collins should have no trouble controlling the line of scrimmage and stuffing the run, though you likely won’t find him chasing down quarterbacks with any regularity. But Nick Bosa and first-round pick Mykel Williams can lead the charge there.

44. Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College – Grade: A

Nice bounce-back pick for Jerry Jones after the questionable use of resources in taking Tyler Booker at No. 12. Ezeiruaku was second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 16 1/2 sacks last season, and he should be able to continue deploying his advanced approach to rushing the passer effectively as he operates opposite Micah Parsons.

45. Indianapolis Colts: JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State – Grade: B

Tuimoloau might not single-handedly jolt the Colts’ edge rush, but he can be an important part of a rotation. The 6-4, 265-pounder reliably creates pressure with his bull rush and sets a firm edge against the run.

46. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon – Grade: B

Sean McVay and Les Snead really wanted their playmaking tight end. One year after their push for Brock Bowers came up empty, the Rams turn to Ferguson, an impressive athlete who should serve a solid complementary role in the passing attack that will center on Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

47. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan – Grade: A

It’s impossible to fully assess this pick without knowing the prognosis for the knee ailment that weighed down Johnson’s stock, according to multiple reports. But his play and coverage tools are otherwise that of a top-10 pick, so he could be a massive boon to Arizona’s rebuilt defense if he can stay on the field.

48. Houston Texans (from Dolphins and Raiders): Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota – Grade: B

Solving the protection problems for C.J. Stroud was bound to be a multipronged approach for Houston. The Texans take another stab at a solution with Ersery, an uneven but promising blocker who should be a good fit in offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s zone-blocking scheme. Bringing him along slowly behind Cam Robinson in his rookie year is probably the right move.

49. Cincinnati Bengals: Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina – Grade: C+

Some help at the second level definitely belonged on the Bengals’ to-do list, but perhaps not this high. Knight can be an active presence against the run, but he could be exploited if tasked with too many man coverage looks.

50. Seattle Seahawks – Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (Fla.) – Grade: B-

After bringing on Cooper Kupp alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba and parting with both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, Seattle looked due for a pass catcher who could attack defenses downfield. Arroyo looks promised to take on that role as a player who will split out wide frequently and essentially be a tight end in name only.

51. Carolina Panthers (from Broncos): Nic Scourton, DE/OLB, Texas A&M – Grade: B-

Addressing the edge rush early was a Day 2 necessity for Carolina, which paid off the final part of the Bryce Young deal earlier in the round but traded up from a spot later on to get to this slot. Outside of a wicked spin move, Scourton won’t win on style points, but his high-effort approach to pass-rushing could still pay nice dividends.

52. Tennessee Titans (from Steelers via Seahawks): Oluwafemi Oladejo, DE/OLB, UCLA – Grade: B-

Another team lacking a spark off the edge takes action to find a catalyst. The 6-3, 261-pound Oladejo is an imposing presence thanks to his power, but he has to develop a more diverse array of moves to make a consistent mark as a pass rusher.

53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame – Grade: B-

A hip injury knocked Morrison out of his final season in South Bend, and it likely took a toll on his draft stock as well. The 6-0, 193-pounder could have some trouble against more physical receivers who will look to push him around, but his ball skills could position him as a nice staple of the secondary for Todd Bowles.

54. Green Bay Packers: Anthony Belton, OT, North Carolina State – Grade: C+

More help for Jordan Love is on the way, though maybe not immediately. Belton overwhelms opponents when he locks in on them, but he has work to do to become a more controlled presence who can be trusted in the starting lineup.

55. Los Angeles Chargers – Tre Harris, WR, Mississippi – Grade: B

The Bolts found another flavor in the passing game to take the load off of Ladd McConkey. Harris is underdeveloped as a route-runner after coming out of Mississippi’s simplistic scheme, but he can tax defenses downfield while he learns to become a more complete player.

56. Chicago Bears (from Vikings via Texans and Bills): Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College – Grade: B

All offense, all the time for Chicago. The Bears get back to the trenches with Trapilo, a towering blindside blocker who provides some insurance if left tackle Braxton Jones falters or has any trouble staying on the field after he fractured an ankle last season.

57. Detroit Lions (from Rams via Panthers): Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia – Grade: B+

Good marriage of value and need here for Detroit. An interior offensive line on slightly uncertain ground after Kevin Zeitler’s departure in free agency gets revitalized with Ratledge, who is solid to the core in both pass protection and the run game.

58. Las Vegas Raiders (from Texans): Jack Bech, WR, TCU – Grade: B

More skill-position talent is headed to Sin City to invigorate the Silver and Black’s attack. Geno Smith likely will need to trust Bech in jump-ball scenarios to truly take advantage of what he offers, but the 6-1, 214-pounder’s track record suggests he’ll continue to deliver in tight quarters.

59. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, DE/OLB, Marshall – Grade: A-

Two sexual assault allegations – one in high school and one at Virginia before his transfer to Marshall – almost assuredly complicated Green’s draft outlook. There’s little question that the Football Bowl Subdivision leader in sacks can electrify the Ravens’ pass rush, but more questions will follow this choice.

60. Denver Broncos (from Lions): RJ Harvey, RB, UCF – Grade: B-

It’s a bit of a surprise to see the 5-8, 205-pound Harvey be selected ahead of some ball carriers who look better equipped to handle a substantial workload, but clearly Sean Payton saw something in the twitchy threat. Though he has substantial upside as a pass catcher who can help fill the ‘Joker’ role, his rocky showings in protection could limit his usage.

61. Washington Commanders: Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi – Grade: A

The arrow is pointing up for Amos, who can make quarterbacks pay for daring to test him. The 6-1, 195-pounder can have some trouble against savvier receivers in man coverage, but his tools are well worth the investment at this point in the draft.

62. Chicago Bears (from Bills): Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M – Grade: B-

Defensive line makes a sensible area for Ryan Poles to address after the Bears went heavy on offense early. Turner adds some juice to Chicago’s front, though he’s a bit wild to be entrusted as an every-down entity.

63. Kansas City Chiefs: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee – Grade: C+

Finding another interior disruptor to put next to Chris Jones figured to be a point of interest for Kansas City given the depth of this defensive tackle class. Norman-Lott might be a boom-or-bust kind of player given how much the 6-2, 303-pounder relies on beating players off the ball.

64. Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas – Grade: C+

Howie Roseman deserves the benefit of the doubt on secondary picks after he aced last year’s haul of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. But despite his instinctive coverage skills, Mukuba shapes up as a potential liability as a tackler while offering a pedestrian athletic profile.

Third round

65. New York Giants: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo – Grade: B-

At 6-4 and 305 pounds, Alexander looks the part of a player who can cause problems in the middle. But he’s too often washed out of plays and has to develop more ways to win if he is to make a heavier impact in opponents’ backfields.

66. Kansas City Chiefs (from Titans): Ashton Gillotte, DE, Louisville – Grade: B

There’s not a ton of mystery to Gillotte’s approach, which typically entails him trying to plow through whoever is lined up across from him. But for whatever he lacks in creativity, he still has a way of flustering offenses with his forcefulness.

67. Cleveland Browns: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green – Grade: B

There’s a stark contrast between Fannin’s process, which entails jerky movements, and his prolific receiving results. He figures to max out as a complementary asset, but that’s still something that Cleveland’s eventual quarterback of the future can benefit from.

68. Las Vegas Raiders: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State – Grade: B

Pete Carroll and John Spytek settle a particularly pressing spot with a pick that Al Davis would have loved. At 6-3 and 195 pounds with 4.3-speed in the 40-yard dash, Porter boasts astonishing athleticism and considerable ball skills at cornerback. But the former receiver is very much not a finished product given his limited experience at the position, and he could be in for some turbulent reps in coverage if he’s forced into a heavy rookie workload.

69. New England Patriots: Kyle Williams, WR, Washingon State – Grade: B+

Drake Maye might be salivating at the prospect of a receiver with the wheels to make things happen downfield. If the undersized Williams can beat press looks, he has the speed to pull away from cornerbacks and bring the big-play element New England’s aerial attack sorely needs.

70. Detroit Lions (from Jaguars): Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas – Grade: C+

The upside for a 6-4, 214-pounder is immense, as TeSlaa can pluck passes over the heads of smaller defensive backs downfield. But he still has a long way to go on his development, and he might be relegated to a big slot role at the next level.

71. New Orleans Saints: Vernon Broughton, DT, Texas – Grade: C+

Another stout run stuffer goes off the board. Still, this feels like a bit of a stretch, particularly for a team with as much to address as New Orleans.

72. Buffalo Bills (from Bears): Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas – Grade: A-

Sean McDermott has already shown he can get the most out of a massive edge rusher with Greg Rousseau. The 6-6, 264-pound Jackson is likely too mechanical to match the pass-rush production of the former first-rounder, but he’s still a pain for offensive tackles to keep at bay given his length and power.

73. New York Jets: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State – Grade: A-

Hard to think of a better place for an ascending cornerback to land than with Aaron Glenn. A Senior Bowl standout, Thomas routinely flusters receivers with his length and determined approach to coverage.

74. Denver Broncos (from Panthers): Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois – Grade: C

Boosting Bo Nix is an understandable aim, but it’s difficult to understand how much adding a possession receiver moves the needle. Bryant was taken ahead of several targets who seemingly possess more upside.

75. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State – Grade: C

The production and playmaking range – recall that Martin caught up with 40-yard dash record-setter Xavier Worthy to make a tackle – are major pluses. But a missile-like mentality toward finding the ball too often results in misfires for Martin, who also might be engulfed by bigger blockers.

76. Dallas Cowboys: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina – Grade: A

Brian Schottenheimer spoke early this month about his desire to build the team outside in. With Revel, Dallas does exactly that, giving itself a smothering coverage presence who likely would have been a first-round talent if not for a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in September.

77. Carolina Panthers (from Falcons via Patriots): Princely Umanmielen, DE/OLB, Mississippi – Grade: A-

Doubling up on the edge rush is a reasonable decision to assist a defense that ranked 31st in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate metric. Umanmielen gives Carolina a more dynamic threat than solid second-rounder Nic Scourton, though he’s far less consistent.

78. Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Burch, DE, Oregon – Grade: B+

Monti Ossenfort clearly didn’t want to leave the offseason without a front seven that could pack a punch. Burch might not translate his testing marks into prolific sack stats at the next level, but he can push blockers back and hold the edge.

79. Houston Texans (from Dolphins via Eagles and Commanders): Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State – Grade: B

Noel and second-round receiver Jayden Higgins will remain teammates with contrasting styles at their next stop. There’s certainly a redundancy question given Christian Kirk’s presence and the other figures in play here, but Noel is the kind of pass catcher who can further put C.J. Stroud at ease with his ability to uncover.

80. Indianapolis Colts: Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota – Grade: C-

At 5-10 and 190 pounds, Walley is fairly unremarkable in most elements of his game, though he’s experienced and productive. There were more promising options who would have been more appealing here.

81. Cincinnati Bengals: Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia – Grade: B

Exiting Day 2 with a starting-caliber guard was an important step for the Bengals given their unstable protection for Joe Burrow. Mission accomplished, as Fairchild has the strength to become a fixture with more polish.

82. Tennessee Titans (from Seahawks): Kevin Winston Jr., S, Titans – Grade: B

A torn ACL suffered in September not only complicated Winston’s draft outlook but also robbed him of the opportunity to gain valuable experience. He should be a valuable asset against the run right away, but his work in coverage might be a little more of a roller-coaster.

83. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa – Grade: B+

Not the backfield selection everyone was waiting for with Shedeur Sanders on the board, but there’s plenty to like about this pick. Johnson has drawn some comparisons to Le’Veon Bell for his distinct and patient running style, and he could enjoy a more fruitful career than several of the ball carriers taken ahead of him.

84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State – Grade: B

With two cornerbacks selected on Day 2, change is afoot in the Buccaneers’ secondary. Speedy and smooth, Parrish can hang outside or in the slot, though the latter might be his settling point given his 5-10, 191-pound frame.

85. Kansas City Chiefs (from Denver Broncos): Nohl Williams, CB, Cal – Grade: B

With 14 career interceptions, Williams is a certified ballhawk. He could have trouble translating that playing style to the next level given his pedestrian athleticism, but he should allow Kansas City to be flexible with how it uses Trent McDuffie.

86. Los Angeles Chargers: Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon – Grade: B+

Jim Harbaugh finally gets some bulk to a defensive line that was in a bad way after the departure of Poona Ford. Caldwell can be considered a discount Kenneth Grant, and he should help Los Angeles dictate terms in the run game.

87. Green Bay Packers: Savion Williams, WR, TCU – Grade: B

A second wide receiver going to Green Bay early is a fun subplot, but Williams is more of an all-purpose weapon than a true wideout. He’s been compared to a supersized Cordarrelle Patterson, and he should have sufficient time to hone his approach while still seeing several schemed touches.

88. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Vikings): Caleb Ransaw, CB, Tulane – Grade: B-

Asking Travis Hunter to save the league’s last-ranked pass defense is too much, even for the Heisman Trophy winner. Ransaw might not fully settle the spot opposite Tyson Campbell, but he can be a sticky and versatile piece on the back end for Jacksonville.

89. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Texans): Wyatt Milum, G, West Virginia – Grade: B

If the start of the Jaguars’ class was all about excitement, then the next step might be about stability. Though Milum doesn’t have ideal length or athleticism, he can get the job done for Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville run game with his savvy and strength.

90. Los Angeles Rams: Josaiah Stewart, OLB, Michigan – Grade: B

At 6-1 and 249 pounds, Stewart is firmly in outlier territory for an edge rusher. But his burst off the edge will give him a chance to make his way into opponents’ backfields, and he has a better track record against the run than one would expect of a player at his size.

91. Baltimore Ravens: Emery Jones Jr., G, LSU – Grade: B

A sturdy blocker at 6-5 and 315 pounds, Jones can obscure some of his shortcomings by moving inside to guard. His discipline can falter, but he can be a force in the run game.

92. Seattle Seahawks (from Lions via Jets and Raiders) – Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama – Grade: A-

With the selection Seattle received from the Geno Smith trade, the Seahawks take a shot at shaping their own quarterback future. With a rifle arm and scintillating running ability, Milroe has a ceiling that’s sky-high. It’s unclear if he’ll ever become refined enough as a passer to approach it, but this is the kind of gamble that a team without certainty behind center should be taking on Day 2.

93. New Orleans Saints (from Commanders): Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia – Grade: B-

Aggressive and athletic, Sanker has plenty of promise if he can become a little less volatile, particularly as a tackler. He can match up well against tight ends and bigger slots, though he could have trouble with more nimble targets.

94. Cleveland Browns (from Bills): Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon – Grade: C-

Despite his extensive production, Gabriel landing in the third round – and ahead of Shedeur Sanders – is nothing short of a shocker. With the undersized passer seemingly possessing limited developmental upside after a lengthy college career, it’s hard to figure out what Cleveland saw here as it sets itself up for a 2026 QB splash.

95. New England Patriots (from Chiefs): Jared Wilson, C, Georgia – Grade: B+

His one year as a starter proved sufficient to catch teams’ eyes. There’s still plenty of room to grow as a blocker, but New England was wise to give itself an option at center beyond former first-round washout Garrett Bradbury.

96. Atlanta Falcons (from Eagles): Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame – Grade: B+

No one in this class matches Watts’ ability to put himself in position to make a play in coverage, as evidenced by his 13 interceptions over the last two years. Athletic limitations put a ceiling on his stock, but he can patrol deep so long as he is kept out of unfavorable man matchups.

x – 97. Houston Texans (from Vikings): Jaylin Smith, CB, USC – Grade: C

Cornerback didn’t shape up as a particular area of concern for a secondary that already boasts Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter and nickel Jalen Pitre. Smith might be pigeonholed to working inside and sticking underneath, but he can add depth.

x – 98. Las Vegas Raiders (from Dolphins): Caleb Rogers, G, Texas Tech – Grade: B-

Several college offensive tackles in this class are headed inside, and Rogers appears to be one of them. His prowess when pulling should serve Ashton Jeanty well, though he’s well short of a full-on bulldozer.

x – 99. Las Vegas Raiders (from Giants via Texans): Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary – Grade: B+

Traits of a high-end pass protector are difficult to find this late in the draft, and Grant certainly has them. A jump in competition will make for a rocky transition, but there’s the payoff here could be considerable, especially with left tackle Kolton Miller’s future unresolved amid contract questions.

y – 100. San Francisco 49ers: Upton Stout, CB, Western Kentucky – Grade: C+

Stout joins linebacker Nick Martin as the next undersized but extremely active playmaker to join San Francisco’s defense. He has been likened to Amik Robertson, but he might be boxed into a role that emphasizes his quickness and shields him from mismatches.

y – 101. Denver Broncos (from Rams via Falcons): Sai’vion Jones, DE, LSU – Grade: B

Nik Bonitto’s breakout season helped the Broncos’ pass rush reach new heights, but it never hurts to have additional weapons. Jones can be a bully against opposing linemen and spell others.

y – 102. Minnesota Vikings (from Lions): Tai Felton, WR, Maryland – Grade: B-

There’s no shortage of juice in the Vikings’ receiving corps with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison leading the way, but now Minnesota can prepare to spread the wealth with J.J. McCarthy at the helm. Felton will strain defenses with his acceleration, though he could be neutralized by physical defensive backs.

x – compensatory selection

y – special compensatory selection

Day 2 of the 2025 NFL draft kept the drama running in high gear.

While the stakes are inherently lower with the overwhelming bulk of top players already accounted for, Friday’s action in Green Bay, Wisconsin, proved plenty compelling on its own. The shocking slide of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders pushed to a point almost no one could have seen coming, with three more quarterbacks being taken ahead of him. Meanwhile, several teams scrambled to address needs that were overlooked on Thursday, and others turned their attention to supporting key veterans and their existing infrastructure.

Here are the biggest winners and losers of Day 2 of the NFL draft:

NFL draft winners of Day 2

Tyler Shough

Being a college football nomad is no longer disqualifying for quarterbacks, especially with Cam Ward leveraging his journey from Incarnate Word to Miami (Fla.) into the No. 1 draft slot. But Shough’s journey that traversed three schools was more winding than that of Ward, who continued to raise his game at each stop. It seems unfathomable, then, that a passer who will turn 26 as a rookie and endured three significant injuries in his previous stops at Oregon and Texas Tech could leapfrog the likes of Sanders to become the No. 40 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints.

Best of all for Shough: With Derek Carr’s health outlook uncertain, there’s a good chance that Shough gets an extensive runway this season to show whether he’s up for the task of holding down the starting spot. Staying cool under pressure could be an issue for the 6-5, 219-pounder signal-caller, who also will have to not draw Kellen Moore’s ire by putting the ball up for grabs too often. But he’ll get a shot to show his stuff while working for a coach in Kellen Moore who can take the long view with his development.

Caleb Williams

No one could question the Chicago Bears’ commitment to lifting up last year’s No. 1 pick after a series of offseason moves that centered on that desire. But hiring widely celebrated playcaller Ben Johnson as head coach and revamping the interior of the offensive line didn’t constitute the full extent of the organization’s plan to help its quarterback. After taking tight end Colston Loveland in the first round Thursday as a seam-stretcher, general manager Ryan Poles circled back for more help in the receiving corps with second-rounder Luther Burden III. A firecracker in the Deebo Samuel Sr. mold, the Missouri product can own the short area with schemed touches and run-after-catch opportunities as others work deep. And the front got even more help with third-round offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, who can offer a fallback plan if left tackle Braxton Jones has any trouble in his return from a fractured ankle.

Drake Maye

Williams wasn’t the only second-year signal-caller whose team made a theme of building out around him. While the New England Patriots’ first-round selection of left tackle Will Campbell didn’t generate much buzz, the additions of second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson and third-round wide receiver Kyle Williams immediately ratcheted up the big-play potential of what had been one of the league’s most stagnant attacks. And don’t underestimate how important third-round center Jared Wilson could be if his rapid growth allows him to take over for Garrett Bradbury sooner rather than later.

C.J. Stroud

Noticing a trend here? The Houston Texans also reached a breaking point this offseason with the subpar support for their star behind center, firing offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and blowing up the offensive line. After dealing out of the first round Thursday, the Texans turned their focus to boosting their receiving corps. Former Iowa State teammates Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel bring wildly disparate styles and skill sets to their surroundings, with the former figuring to threaten defenses with his supersized frame as the latter creates separation with quick-twitch moves. There’s an element of duplication here with Higgins drawing comparisons to Nico Collins and Noel being likened to Christian Kirk, but Houston clearly knows what it likes in its receivers – and Stroud should have a strong affinity for them, too.

Jerry Jones

Time to give one of the draft’s more maligned decision-makers his due. Jones drew heavy scrutiny for utilizing the No. 12 overall pick on offensive guard Tyler Booker despite the Dallas Cowboys’ foreboding outlook at receiver. But on Friday, he scooped up two of arguably the best prospects available after Day 1 in edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.

As one of the draft’s most polished and crafty pass rushers, Ezeiruaku should be able to wield his extensive arsenal of moves into an early impact opposite Micah Parsons. Revel, meanwhile, has the length and playmaking prowess of a first-rounder, but a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in September likely weighed down his stock. With those two in tow, Jones found a happy medium between embracing coach Brian Schottenheimer’s desire to build outside in and maintaining a true best player available mentality.

Instant-impact running backs

Thursday was a good day for ball carriers, with Ashton Jeanty (No. 6 to the Las Vegas Raiders) and Omarion Hampton (No. 22 to the Los Angeles Chargers) powering the way at the position. Friday, however, might have been even better. While only four more players came off the board, three were selected in the second round – and all of them could make a quick mark with their new teams.

Quinshon Judkins figures to take on a heavy workload for a Cleveland Browns backfield that offers few other weapons, while the aforementioned Henderson will be counted on to ignite big gains as both a runner and receiver. The more intriguing selections, however, were the final two. The Broncos surprised many by taking the quick-cutting RJ Harvey, who joins an offense readymade for a dynamic all-purpose threat. And while many were counting on the Pittsburgh Steelers to take a quarterback in the third round, the team addressed their backfield in a different route with the ever-patient Kaleb Johnson. Whether you’re looking for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year darkhorses or merely doing early prep work for your fantasy draft, make sure not to forget these names.

Jalen Milroe

Lasting until the third round might be somewhat of a letdown for Milroe, especially amid speculation a team could mount a push for him in the late first or early second. But with only so many teams shaping up as buyers at quarterback entering this draft, the uber-athletic Alabama signal-caller was fortunate to find a place with a franchise that looks eager to harness his singular abilities. Coach Mike Macdonald knows the value of a game-changing runner after working alongside Lamar Jackson during his stint as defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, and Milroe is comfortable breaking away from defenders or running them over en route the end zone. The polish and precision in his passing aren’t there yet for him to take starter reps anytime soon, but Macdonald indicated after the selection that Seattle would find a way to work him into action to leverage his distinct explosiveness.

NFL draft losers of Day 2

Shedeur Sanders

Sanders’ tumble out of the first round was met with plenty of explanations of why the touted signal-caller might have been mischaracterized during the pre-draft process as a likely first-rounder. By the end of Friday night, widespread bewilderment was the only appropriate response to an outcome that felt unfathomable just days ago. This range puts Sanders even out of the trial mode or developmental territory, where Shough and Milroe comfortably landed. The most critical element for his development remains landing with a staff that will buy into his skill set and provide him a legitimate path forward. But given the gulf between the public’s expectations and the eventual reality, this has gone from a commonplace draft redemption arc to an all-time stunner.

Cleveland Browns

For a franchise that is giving off every signal that it is focused on launching its rebuild in earnest in 2026, the Browns took some odd steps in their search for building blocks. While Carson Schwesinger exhibits an impressive knack for finding the ball, using the first pick of the second round on an off-ball linebacker constitutes a questionable use of resources. So, too, does taking a running back in the top 40 given the moribund state of the aerial attack. But the ultimate puzzler was the third-round choice of quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Putting aside the Sanders question, it’s difficult to suss out what more Cleveland thinks it can squeeze out of a 5-11 signal-caller who might be tapped out developmentally after making 63 starts in college. If the Browns are set on taking a quarterback next season, just continue to take more shots at other major areas of concern.

San Francisco 49ers

Putting powerful second-round defensive tackle Alfred Collins in between Nick Bosa and first-round edge rusher Mykel Williams was a nice stroke by John Lynch to push a dilapidated defensive front closer to its former glory. But in the third round, San Francisco then opted for two undersized and frequently out of control defenders in linebacker Nick Martin and nickel corner Upton Stout. Each one faces some limitations stemming from their frames, and neither immediately sizes up as a surefire staple for a team that has a lot of work to do as it reloads.

Dak Prescott

As stated earlier, it’s hard to fault Dallas’ thought process here, as Jones extracted excellent value by netting arguably the best player available at premium positions. But the shortage of skill-position talent is glaring. Dallas is still within reach of a running back who can either shoulder a heavy load – think Damien Martinez of Miami (Fla.) or Devin Neal of Kansas – or ignite big plays – perhaps Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten or Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson. But beyond Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor and Colorado State’s Tory Horton, there aren’t a ton of promising options at receiver who can ease the burden on CeeDee Lamb.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is playing in Game 3 on Saturday, less than 48 hours after he was forced out of Thursday’s game by a hard hit.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel hit Barkov midway through the third period in Game 2, sending him off the ice for the rest of the game. Hagel was suspended for one game by the NHL Player Safety department on Friday for interference.

Barkov, who had three assists in the first two playoff games, is one of the Panthers’ top scorers. He has won the Selke Trophy twice as the NHL’s top defensive forward.

The Panthers, who also got defenseman Aaron Ekblad back from a 20-game PED suspension, entered Saturday with a 2-0 lead in their first-round series against their division rival.

Here’s the latest on Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov:

Aleksander Barkov injury update

Barkov had recovered enough from Thursday’s hard hit to play in Game 3. He was skating on his usual line with Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart.

Aleksander Barkov stats

Barkov had 71 points in 67 games to finish second on the Panthers in scoring in the regular season. He has three points (all assists) in the playoffs heading into Saturday’s game.

Hagel hit on Barkov

The veteran superstar scored his 35th point in Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on a 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter, producing the highest scoring performance by a 40-year-old player in an NBA playoff game. He finished with 38.

James scored 22 points in the first half. It was his 100th career 20-point half in the postseason. The Timberwolves beat the Lakers 116-104.

Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar previously held the record, after scoring 32 points in Game 6 of the 1987 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Former Laker Karl Malone scored 30 points against the Houston Rockets on April 25, 2004.

Who are the oldest players to play in the NBA playoffs?

LeBron James is not the oldest player to play in the NBA’s postseason. Here are other players who have played beyond the age of 40.

43 years, 254 days — Robert Parish (May 11, 1997, Chicago at Atlanta) 
42 years, 363 days — Udonis Haslem (June 7, 2023, Miami vs. Denver) 
42 years, 300 days — Dikembe Mutombo (April 21, 2009, Houston at Portland)
42 years, 58 days — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (June 13, 1989, Los Angeles vs. Detroit)

LeBron James stats Friday vs. Timberwolves

Points: 38
FG: 13-for-21
3PTs: 5-for-9
FTs: 7-for-10
Rebounds: 10
Assists: 4
Steals: 2
Blocks: 2
Turnovers: 1
Fouls: 0
Minutes played: 41

Lakers’ next game

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

The scale stared back.

Watson, a defensive lineman out of Florida who on Saturday could become the heaviest player ever to be picked in the NFL draft, saw the digital numbers flash before settling: 437.2 pounds.

EJ Gonzalez, Watson’s agent, documented the weigh-in with two “live’’ photos. He said he sent them to 25 NFL teams and planned to do so for the remaining seven teams.

‘New meal plan, sleep advice, trying to get him to change his habits,’ Gonzalez said of Watson, who’s from Plant City, Florida.

The current unofficial record for a heavyweight draft pick is 400 pounds. But Watson, 22, has lost about 26 pounds since Florida’s pro day on March 27, when he reportedly impressed NFL personnel with a performance that included: bench pressing 225 pounds an astounding 36 times; running the 40-yard dash in 5.86 seconds, about the same time clocked by eventual Pro Bowler Orlando Brown at the 2018 NFL combine; and displaying exceptional athleticism.

Then, he was carrying 464 pounds on his 6-foot-5 frame, before embarking on his current effort to lose weight.

“There (are) times where I do basically starving and stuff like that,’ Watson told USA TODAY Sports. “And I would drop weight, of course, but I didn’t feel confident that way. I didn’t feel strong, I didn’t feel fast. I feel like right now is the best I felt with the process of losing weight.’

He’s got more to go.

Gonzalez said all NFL teams want Watson to weigh under 410 pounds and some want him considerably lighter.

In 51 games, he had 63 tackles, including four tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. He also forced a fumble, recovered it and returned it eight yards before fumbling it back. And in crowd-pleasing moment, he carried the ball once, gaining a yard and conjuring up images of William (The Refrigerator) Perry.

With feedback from NFL teams, Watson said, he knows he must take weight loss seriously. Recently, he started working with Danny Martoe, a former NFL agent who now works as a “deep health” performance coach.

“I had to give up basically sugar, all sugars, starches and everything like that,’ Watson told USA TODAY Sports. “Now I eat a lot of peas, a lot of beans are basically my big intake. I eat a lot of chili or spinach and soups and things like that.’

Watson also sends photos of his meals to a WhatsApp group chat that includes his mother, girlfriend and agent.

‘I feel like it’s taking my accountability up to a whole ‘nother level,’ he said.

Lifestyle changes will be key

After working with Watson for about a month, the deep health performance coach made a startling proclamation. ‘There’s no reason that he is not capable of shedding 100 pounds,’ Martoe told USA TODAY Sports. ‘I want to be careful, but before the year is out.’

Asked if he thinks it’s possible to lose 100 pounds, Watson said, ‘I do. Obviously I have it to lose, but it’s possible.’’

Martoe said the weight loss wouldn’t involve GLP-1 medications like Ozempic.

‘Here’s the thing with GLP, whether you do it or not, you still have to make therapeutic lifestyle changes,’ he said.

A premium is put on low-glycemic foods, which help regulate the rise in blood sugar, according to Martoe.

‘I don’t have him weigh in every day,’ Martoe said. ‘While the weight is definitely a focus, it’s more of the lifestyle. Because when you become over-obsessed with a specific goal or an outcome such as a weight, then once you get it, it’s like. … I’ve got here and now I can go back.’

Some of Martoe’s tips: Put utensils down between bites; slow down; stop when you’re 80% full.

“I’m doing pretty good now,’’ Watson said, adding he’s focused on improving his health for more than football. ‘When I’m older, I don’t want to be bedridden the whole time. I feel like that’s a miserable life. I think before it gets to that or even close to it, I take care of myself right now.’

In 2017, tragedy struck his family when Watson’s younger brother Dyson, then 5, had a stroke, said Watson’s mother, Deonzia Woullard.

‘Instead of running up and down the field scoring touchdowns, tackling, he’s left now in a wheelchair,’ Woullard said. ‘He eats through a G-tube, he’s nonverbal.’

Watson, then a freshman in high school, felt the impact, Woullard said. ‘Mentally, it just was a big strain,’ she said. ‘Things just changed, and I don’t think he coped with it well, either.”

‘I’m so impressed with him and how he’s just taken over himself,’ she added. ‘And it’s still work to be done, but he’s doing a great job. And I can’t wait to see where his ending result is going to be.’

INGLEWOOD, Calif. − The Los Angeles Clippers’ elite defensive play was on display while the team secured its first playoff win at the Intuit Dome on Thursday night.

As a result, the Clippers have taken the Western Conference first-round series lead 2-1 against the Denver Nuggets.

The Clippers finished the regular season with the third-highest defensive rating (109.4), trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder (106.6) and the Orlando Magic (109.1). After three games in the playoffs, the Clippers are third (104.6) behind the Thunder (92.2) and the Houston Rockets (102.2).

The Clippers finished 16th (114.6) at the end of the 2023-24 regular season but the dramatic shift has been credited in part to the addition of assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy during the offseason.

The Clippers’ defense also ranked first in rebounding percentage (73.4) during the regular season, which was a drastic improvement from the 70.5 that had L.A. ranked 24th overall at the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season.

Head coach Tyronn Lue and the Clippers have spoken highly about the addition of Van Gundy throughout the season.

Lue mentioned that Van Gundy deserves “all the credit” for the defensive performance during the postgame news conference on Thursday that followed the 117-83 victory over the Nuggets.

Van Gundy previously served as a head coach for the New York Knicks (1995-2002) and the Houston Rockets (2003-07) before joining ESPN as an NBA broadcast analyst. He spent 16 years with the sports network, including time as a member of ESPN’s top NBA broadcasting crew along with Mike Breen and Mark Jackson.

“I just have to give credit to my coaching staff, starting with JVG being focused on that end and coming in with a passion and an aggressive mindset for us all,” said Kawhi Leonard, a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner. “It trickles down to us from there. There are guys on the floor who want to guard (the opposing team’s best players) and they aren’t just pointing at me and telling me to take them.”

Leonard draws motivation from watching teammates such as guard Kris Dunn, forward Derrick Jones Jr. and center Ivica Zubac.

“These guys will look the opponent in the eye and say ‘I want them,’ ” Leonard said. “They motivate me defensively … with how they want to play. They just motivate me to want to play. I think that’s where it comes from, you just see other guys digging in deep and wanting to guard and it just trickles down to everybody on the floor.”

Zubac has raised the level of his game this season and has become a focal point of opposing teams’ game plans.

The Clippers made a push for Zubac as a Defensive Player of the Year nominee in the final weeks of the season before Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley was named the recipient Thursday. Zubac finished sixth in the voting.

Zubac is a finalist for the Most Improved Player of the Year award alongside Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels. Daniels finished second in the DPOY voting.

The Clippers’ big man saw an increase from 11.7 points per game in 68 games played during the 2023-24 season to 16.8 per game in 80 games played this season. He also had an increase in total rebounds from 9.2 to 12.6.

Zubac is typically tasked with guarding Nikola Jokic – the Nuggets’ best player and a finalist for MVP – a challenge from Van Gundy and the Clippers that Zubac has accepted.

“(Jokic’s) basketball IQ is great,” Zubac said. “He can play in the post, he can shoot it, he can play the pick and roll. He can face up. He can do a bunch of stuff. It’s a pick-your-poison with him. You just have to be physical and play hard.”

Jokic, who led the Nuggets to the NBA title in 2023, finished Game 3 with his 36th triple-double this season. He tied a team-high with 23 points to go with 13 rebounds and 13 assists in 37 minutes played.

While Zubac can make the three-time MVP work for his scoring opportunities in isolation situations, the Clippers will provide help with a double-team strategy that will involve someone like Leonard.

Guard Jamal Murray also produced 23 points in Game 3, but he was held to just five points in the first quarter and just two in the fourth quarter after the game was already out of reach.

Despite the win, the Clippers aren’t willing to overlook the Nuggets in Game 4 on Saturday.

“Just take this win tonight and circle back and get as much rest, knowing the job isn’t complete,” Leonard said. “This is a great basketball team that we are playing against with great players, with Jokic being MVP and (Murray) always playing great in the playoffs. … We just have to have that mindset to come in and do it again and stay focused. We are playing a hungry team.”

When is Game 4 between the Clippers and Nuggets?

The Clippers will host the Nuggets for Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game is scheduled to air on TNT and stream on Fubo.