The strongest and weakest positions in the 2025 NFL Draft

What will be the deepest position groups in the draft — and how do they align with Kansas City’s needs?

Like men, football seasons are mortal: they’re here and gone again in the blink of an eye.

But that’s part of what makes sports great. No team (and no season) is the same as the one before; each iteration is entirely new as teams plan (and rebuild) for the following year.

The NFL Draft may be the most important tool a general manager can use to change the fate of his team. Acquiring a good draft class can make the difference between finishing last in your division and making the playoffs.

Every draft has its strengths and weaknesses. Some position groups are stacked with quality players, while others have much less talent available.

Let’s take a look at the 2025 draft class to see which positions have the most talent available — and how that could affect what the Kansas City Chiefs will do.

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Strongest groups

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Running backs

For the first time since 2017, more than 30 running backs could be selected in April’s draft — and more than 20 of them have legitimate opportunities to contribute immediately. While big names like Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton are getting most of the attention, the depth in the middle of the group (including players like Central Florida’s RJ Harvey) is what makes it one of the strongest in recent memory.

Edge rushers

This is another deep group. There are about 15 players who could contribute in Week 1, including blue-chippers like Penn State’s Abdul Carter and Tennesse’s James Pearce Jr. EDGE is one of the few positions where I think the Chiefs should be sure to use one of their top-100 picks, targeting guys like Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer or Landon Jackson of Arkansas — both of whom should be available late in Round 1 or early in Round 2.

Defensive tackles

There are two kinds of defensive tackles in this class: explosive, powerful, gap-shooting pass rushers — and big ol’ boys who hold their ground and swallow up running backs. There are plenty of both. A pair of Michigan Wolverines — Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant — lead the group, while Mississippi’s Walter Nolen Jr. and Oregon’s Derrick Harmon are right there with them.

Cornerbacks

While the draft may not be as deep in cornerbacks as some other positions, those at the top are second to none. Colorado’s Travis Hunter is explosive. He’s the kind of freak athlete we don’t see very often. Players like Will Johnson of Michigan and Darien Porter of Iowa State have the ball skills and instincts to play both inside and outside — and in both man and zone coverage schemes, too.

Safeties

It’s much the same for the draft’s safeties. South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori might be one of the greatest pure athletes to ever step on a football field. While the opposite is probably true of Georgia’s Malachi Starks, the former Bulldog makes up for it with pure football talent.

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Average groups

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Linebackers

There are a lot of good linebackers in the class. Players like Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell and Georgia’s Jalon Walker are elite athletes who fly to the ball — and can make plays sideline-to-sideline. The problem is that college linebackers can find success when they’re a little light in the pants; it’s often hard for them to transition to the NFL, where the game is more physical. The 2025 class is full of linebackers who are excellent athletes, but are undersized for the position. You have to wonder how they will hold up at the next level.

Offensive tackles

This might be Kansas City’s greatest position of need, so we’d to see this group to be one of the draft’s strongest. But while there will be some pretty talented tackles available, the group is very top-heavy — and many of the guys at the top have pretty short arms, which is considered to be a deal-breaker for Kansas City. Still, the need is great enough that I expect the Chiefs to take a swing on a guy like Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr.

Wide receivers

While this year’s wideouts aren’t as good as last year’s historically-deep group, there are still quite a few guys at the top who can contribute right away — along with a few who might be superstars in the making. If Colorado’s Travis Hunter does indeed play receiver at the next level, then he has the tools to be one of the best in the game.

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Weakest groups

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Quarterbacks

I think Miami’s Cam Ward is far and away the best quarterback who will be available. While I have Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart behind him — followed by Colorado’s Sheduer Sanders — Ward is the only one who would excite me as my team’s pick. Teams always tend to over-draft quarterbacks, hoping to luck into a franchise player. We should see plenty of that this season.

Tight ends

I think Penn State’s Tyler Warren will be a nice professional tight end — the sort of player who presents defenses with an immediate mismatch. Michigan’s Colston Loveland has a shot to exceed expectations. But beyond that, I think there are only a few other tight ends who will even be drafted — let alone make a significant difference.

Interior offensive linemen

Like they say, one man’s tackle with T-Rex arms is another man’s starting guard. But if we exclude college tackles — that is, go purely with guys who played on the inside — the pickings in this group are a little slim. Aside from Alabama’s Tyler Booker, there isn’t a lot of talent available.