The 2025 NFL Draft has concluded, and teams are now focusing on refining their rosters to address specific needs. With the draft's first three rounds completed, let's explore the key areas each team should target on Day 3 to bolster their squads.
Arizona Cardinals: Offensive Line
After selecting defensive talents like Walter Nolen, Will Johnson, and Jordan Burch, the Cardinals should now turn their attention to the offensive line. A tackle or guard who fits the team's gap-heavy scheme would be ideal, such as Rutgers' Hollin Pierce.
Atlanta Falcons: Center
Similar to the Cardinals, the Falcons have focused on defense in the early rounds. With Drew Dalman departing in free agency, Atlanta needs to find a replacement at center. Ryan Neuzil, who ranked 31st among centers last season, may not be the long-term solution. A player like Marcus Mbow could be a valuable addition in the fourth round.
Baltimore Ravens: Cornerback
The Ravens addressed their secondary by selecting safety Malaki Starks in the first round. To further strengthen their defensive backfield, adding depth at cornerback is essential. While a Day 3 pick may not yield an immediate starter, bolstering the position is crucial.
Buffalo Bills: Linebacker
Recognizing defense as their primary need, the Bills spent their first three picks on defensive players. To continue enhancing this unit, selecting a linebacker on Day 3 is advisable. Options like Chris Paul Jr. or Danny Stutsman could provide the necessary boost, especially considering that none of Buffalo's linebackers earned a 60 PFF overall grade last year.
Carolina Panthers: Secondary
The Panthers have had an excellent draft so far, selecting talented players at positions of need. On Day 3, Carolina should address a secondary that posted the fifth-worst PFF coverage grade in 2024 (50.7). Adding cornerbacks and safeties would be beneficial.
Chicago Bears: Running Back
The Bears have overhauled their interior offensive line by signing Drew Dalman and trading for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. New head coach Ben Johnson continued to bolster the offense by drafting tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III, and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo. Next on the agenda for Johnson could be to address the running back position, considering D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson are more complementary pieces than starting-caliber players.
Cincinnati Bengals: Interior Defender
Even after selecting Shemar Stewart in the first round, the Bengals should continue to target defensive linemen on Day 3. Defensive tackle, in particular, is a need since B.J. Hill is the only active player on the roster who even posted a top-100 PFF overall grade at the position last year.
Cleveland Browns: Wide Receiver
The Browns added a fun weapon to their offense in tight end Harold Fannin Jr. but should draft some wide receiver help on Day 3. Someone like Elic Ayomanor would be a dream pick for the Browns in the fourth round.
Dallas Cowboys: Running Back
The Cowboys let Rico Dowdle walk in free agency, instead signing Javonte Williams to a one-year deal. Williams has seemingly lost a step since tearing his ACL in 2022, posting the lowest PFF rushing grade of any running back in the league over the past two seasons (63.8). Dallas also brought in Miles Sanders on a one-year deal, but he hasn’t proven to be a starting-caliber option.
Denver Broncos: Center
Luke Wattenberg was below average in his first season as a starter, as the former fifth-round pick placed just 18th among centers with a 64.3 PFF overall grade. Seth McLaughlin could be a potential target for the Broncos on Day 3.
Detroit Lions: Edge Defender
While the Lions have a Defensive Player of the Year candidate at one edge spot in Aidan Hutchinson, they have a need at the other spot following Za'Darius Smith's release. Marcus Davenport is the other projected starter, but he has played only six games across the past two seasons due to various injuries. Detroit currently doesn’t pick again until the sixth round of the draft and still hasn’t addressed its biggest need.
Green Bay Packers: Cornerback
The Packers selected Matthew Golden in the first round of the draft, the first time the franchise has drafted a wideout in the first round in 23 years. They should be targeting the players who cover wide receivers on Day 3, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Jaire Alexander. None of the Packers’ other cornerbacks ranked in the top 50 in PFF overall grade last season.
Houston Texans: Interior Offensive Line
The Texans selected tackle Aireontae Ersery in the second round but should still attack the interior offensive line on Day 3. None of Houston’s guards placed in the top 40 of PFF grading, and the team also didn’t have a center in the top 20.
Indianapolis Colts: Linebacker
The Colts were one of the biggest winners of the first round, with tight end Tyler Warren falling into their lap at No. 14 overall. Indianapolis needs to address the linebacker position on Day 3 since Zaire Franklin was the only linebacker on the team's roster who played 250 snaps last year, and he earned only a 60.3 PFF overall grade.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Interior Defender
The Jaguars addressed their interior offensive line by adding center Robert Hainsey and guard Patrick Mekari in free agency. There is still major work to do on their interior defensive line, though. Among players currently on the roster, none of Jacksonville’s defensive tackles were even among the 75 highest-graded interior defenders in 2024.
Kansas City Chiefs: Running Back
The Chiefs have done an excellent job of selecting players at positions of need while simultaneously not reaching, drafting offensive tackle Josh Simmons, interior defender Omarr Norman-Lott, edge defender Ashton Gillotte, and cornerback Nohl Williams. Heading into the fourth round, Kansas City should continue adding to its running back room by tapping into a deep class at the position.
Las Vegas Raiders: Interior Defender
Even though the Raiders inked Christian Wilkins to a $110 million deal last offseason, he’s coming off a season-ending foot injury and Las Vegas still needs to add more help next to him. All three of the team's defensive tackles earned sub-60.0 PFF overall grades last year. Aeneas Peebles or CJ West would be a wise pick in the fourth round.
Los Angeles Chargers: Tight End
The Chargers added two offensive playmakers with their first two selections, running back Omarion Hampton and wide receiver Tre Harris. Los Angeles still hasn’t addressed tight end, though — arguably its biggest need entering the draft. Neither Will Dissly nor Tyler Conklin was among the 25 highest-graded tight ends last season. Gunnar Helm could be an option for the Chargers in the fourth round.
Los Angeles Rams: Cornerback
The Rams have struggled to replace Jalen Ramsey ever since they traded him to the Miami Dolphins two years ago. None of the cornerbacks on their roster earned a 65.0 PFF overall grade last season. Virginia Tech's Dorian Strong would be a strong pick for Los Angeles in the fourth round.
Miami Dolphins: Secondary
Jalen Ramsey’s future in Miami is uncertain, as he’s the subject of trade rumors. Even if he remains on the roster, the Dolphins have a serious need in their secondary. Miami earned the seventh-worst PFF coverage grade in the NFL last year and lost star safety Jevon Holland to the New York Giants. Adding defensive backs on Day 3 should be a priority.
Minnesota Vikings: Interior Defender
After taking offensive guard Donovan Jackson in the first round, Minnesota needs to continue adding in the trenches on defense. The Vikings did address defensive tackle by signing both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen in free agency. However, both players are on the wrong side of 30 and Allen is coming off back-to-back sub-60.0 PFF overall grades. It’s no longer as dire a need, but Minnesota would be smart to try to get younger along its interior defensive line.
New England Patriots: Edge Defender
The Patriots clearly emphasized building around franchise quarterback Drake Maye, selecting four offensive players with their first four picks in the draft. New England can now turn its attention to defense on Day 3 and add more to its edge room. None of its edge defenders ranked in the top 30 in PFF overall grade last year.
New Orleans Saints: Edge Defender
The Saints could stand to improve what they have at edge defender right now, as Carl Granderson is the only player at the position on the roster who was among the top 50 in PFF grading