THE NFL The wild card round is coming to a close, meaning fans are one more week away from learning the entirety of 2025. NFL Draft order. Having already explored the ideal draft for every non-playoff teamit was fair to now also project the teams that lost this weekend.
Below, we look at the teams that lost in the wild-card round and predict which prospects they will take at their draft position.
19. Denver Broncos: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Denver threw gasoline on the offensive fire this season and exploded. In an ideal world, the Broncos would be able to add one of the best tight ends, Penn State’s Tyler Warren or Michigan’s Colston Loveland, but those players are left out of this thought exercise.
Productive interior defender DJ Jones is a pending free agent and one would imagine the team will work tirelessly to re-sign him. Reflecting on Sean Payton’s time in New Orleans and how that team was built, he had a versatile safety in Chauncey Gardner-Johnson before reaching a point where the team had to re-sign him under the franchise ceiling constraints. Emmanwori has great size to minimize in the box, but also the coverage skills to hold the back accountable.
Running back is another area that will be addressed at some point, but Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is already ruled out. Fortunately, this is a very deep running back class.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Jalon Walker, Georgia
Walker is a pass rush specialist, which is a trait Tampa Bay needs, filling the off-ball linebacker role as the team is expected to see Lavonte David and KJ Britt test free agency in the coming months. come. Georgia was ready to push multi-year starter Jamon Dumas-Johnson out the door to create a bigger role for Walker.
The Buccaneers will be able to tinker with something at the wide receiver position given the development of Jalen McMillan and the leverage the franchise likely holds in Chris Godwin’s free agency.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
One of the biggest storylines of the offseason will be what Pittsburgh does with Russell Wilson and, more broadly, the quarterback position. However, the solution probably does not await them in the first round. Instead, they add a complementary offensive piece in George Pickens, who has shown his propensity for downfield targets. Egbuka is a smooth, consistent operator who gives the Steelers another underlying outlet to accompany tight end Pat Freiermuth.
There was a long list of receiver contributors in Columbus during Egbuka’s time there: Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, etc… Yet Egbuka always produced. For the second time in his college career, he had 70 receptions and 10 touchdowns in a single season.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Scourton is the only prospect to appear a second time in this exercise. After watching more of his final season with the Aggies, that range is probably more realistic than where he might hear his name called during draft weekend. The Purdue transfer has seen his pass rush production decline this season, but powerful pass rushers are hot right now and Scourton would be a good replacement in the event the franchise loses/moves on Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree this offseason.
23. Green Bay Packers: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
Eric Stokes is set to become a free agent this offseason and Jaire Alexander has played in seven games or fewer in three of the last four seasons. Young cornerback Carrington Valentine has had some good moments during his time with the Packers, but even though the coaching staff feels comfortable with him as a starter, they need more at the position.
Morrison’s availability at this point in the first round may seem like a pipe dream, but, with the exception of one, no prospect has been mentioned for more than one team. Morrison would have been taken away much sooner if not for his injury.
24. Minnesota Vikings: AND Tyler Booker, Alabama
The decision came down to whether to go to the defense for a more sustainable style of play going forward, or the offensive line. After watching the wild card round against the Vikings unfold, the choice is clear. Sam Darnold was sacked nine times for 82 yards lost Monday night. Eight different players were involved and most of the chaos was the result of internal pressures. Booker steps into one of the starting guard spots.
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. More draft coverage can be found at CBSSports.com, including weekly mock drafts and one available regularly. look at eligible prospects.
