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NFL.com's ranking of draft's strongest position groups

Whilemock draft seasonhas officially kicked into high gear, let's take a look at something a little different this time around.

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein recently released his annual ranking ofthe draft's strongest position groups.

As Zierlein notes, "This is a great year to need D-line help, because future starters will be found into the middle rounds at both defensive tackle and along the edge. And the RB depth in this draft class is a gift to any roster that could use another backfield weapon. Elsewhere, there appears to be more star potential at tight end than wide receiver, while the offensive tackle and cornerback markets feel a little more hit-or-miss than usual."

Let's dive right into it.

Here are Zierlein's ranking of the 11 position groups in the 2025 NFL Draft, listed from strongest to weakest.

1. Edge Defender

"If you need edge help, it will be difficult to not come away from this draft happy. Abdul Carter is at the top of the list, but Mike Green, James Pearce Jr. and Donovan Ezeiruakuhave high ceilings as pass rushers, while Shemar Stewart and Mykel Williams are impressive physical specimens with two-way value. Day 2 of the draft will offer starters galore, with plenty of high-energy, high-aggression talent at both even-front end and 3-4 rush linebacker. What stands out, in my opinion, is the sheer number of future starters and high-quality rotational players that should be available into the deeper stages of the fourth round."

2. Running Back

"Ashton Jeanty brings a level of star power at this position that we haven't seen since Saquon Barkley (although Bijan Robinson came close). Beyond Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are early-impact runners. Teams seeking draft discounts with high ceilings will be able to target Bhayshul Tuten and Dylan Sampsonaround Round 3, while Trevor Etienne and Jaydon Blue offer speed and pass-catching talent in the middle rounds. There will be fourth- and fifth-rounders who develop into productive backups and committee backs."

3. Interior Defensive Line

"There hasn't been a draft with more than 11 defensive tackles taken inside the first 100 picks since 2016 (when there were 14), but this year could match that total. There should be four first-rounders who could all become stars -- Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Derrick Harmon and Walter Nolen -- but the most impressive part of this group is how many quality starters it is likely to produce. T.J. Sanders, Joshua Farmer and Tyleik Williams could all go in the second round, but the run on tackles should be hot and heavy throughout Day 2 of the draft. The position is not only deep but also filled with more pass-rush potential than we usually see."

4. Tight End

"The point value for this TE group is a little tricky, because the depth isn't great; I don't foresee a high number of quality starters coming from this draft. However, it's impossible to ignore the star potential of Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, as well as the enticing upside in Mason Taylor and Elijah Arroyo. Teams prioritizing tight end within the first two rounds should walk away happy, but beyond the top four prospects, this TE class quickly falls into "good backup" or "below-average starter" territory. I like Thomas Fidone II as an underrated Day 3 pick and Jackson Hawes as a later-round run blocker."

5. Offensive Tackle

"Last year featured significant first-round firepower at tackle, but this year's crop of early-round OTs is much more speculative. Five tackles should come off the board inside the first round, with Armand Membou being the safest of the group, in my opinion. Ozzy Trapilo and Anthony Belton are Day 2 picks and solid future starters, but many of the second- and third-round tackles could end up being average rather than high-impact talents. From a depth standpoint, teams can hit reset on some first-contract selections who didn't pan out from past drafts, but there won't be many "diamonds in the rough" to mine this year."

6. Wide Receiver

"Compared to last year's offering -- Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Brian Thomas Jr. and Ladd McConkey all went within the first 34 picks -- this year's crop will be more about filling in missing pieces than adding star power. I have no Pro Bowl-caliber grades on any receivers in this group, but I do believe Matthew Golden is an ascending talent, Luther Burden III is undervalued and Tetairoa McMillan has a higher ceiling than his 2024 tape might indicate. There is solid depth that will provide help at WR3 and WR4 into the fifth round, and I see players like Nick Nash, Dominic Lovett and Dont'e Thornton Jr. as upside guys available on Day 3. Note that, for the purposes of this article, I counted CB/WR Travis Hunter as a cornerback only; I don't see any NFL team allowing him to play both ways full-time, so it made sense to limit him to one position here. But if he were included with the wide receivers, he would have boosted the group's score by a full point."

T-7. Cornerback

"The 2024 cornerback crop outperformed where I had it rated last year, but this class is much lighter on overall talent. Travis Hunter (who, as I mentioned above, is considered only as a member of the CB group in this article) is the headliner and the real deal. Will Johnsonneeds to run and put up a good 40 time to prove himself as a scheme-independent cornerback, but he has tremendous instincts and ball skills as a first-rounder. There figures to be a run on future starting cornerbacks in the second round and into the early third, but the middle class is lacking this year. Cornerback is a premium position and will be drafted as such into the middle rounds, but it feels like the floors on some of those prospects are a little lower than usual."

T-7. Interior Offensive Line

"This ranking could change drastically if a team were to move Amand Membou, Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks Jr. to guard, but that won't happen unless the prospect fails at tackle first. Donovan Jackson, Tyler Booker and Grey Zabel (Zabel can play guard or center) are this year's "big three" inside, and there is a noticeable drop-off after those players. Tate Ratledge and Wyatt Milum are brawling future starting guards as probable Day 2 selections, but if your team doesn't prioritize the interior inside the first 100-to-110 picks, it might as well wait until the fifth round for a depth-level prospect."

9. Linebacker

"I consider Jalon Walker a linebacker who can rush off the edge when needed, not an edge defender. There is some star potential with Walker, but linebackers like Carson Schwesinger, Demetrius Knight Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. are future starters who ultimately could give this class some pop when we look back on it in the future. I have Jihaad Campbell in this group, but I like him more as a rush-and-cover guy than as a classic read-and-react linebacker. The depth at LB will be much stronger than it was in 2024."

10. Quarterback

"The 2024 draft saw six quarterbacks taken in the first twelve picks, but this draft won't offer much in terms of early-round fireworks. There is very limited star potential this time around -- Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders top the board, but neither's an elite prospect -- and the amount of solid future starters is light, as well. On the flip side, there is good depth to be had, with Tyler Shough, Jaxson Dart, Quinn Ewers, Kyle McCord and Dillon Gabriel all capable of becoming good backups (and some even eventual starters). Jalen Milroe is the biggest wild card, as he could be pushed up the board due to his explosive athletic ability."

11. Safety

"Since 2022, when I ranked safety as the second-strongest group in the draft, the position has landed at or near the bottom for three straight years. While Nick Emmanwori looks the part, he's more of a projection player with elite traits. Malaki Starks, Xavier Watts and Kevin Winston Jr. offer future starting potential, but this group lacks star power and is light on depth after the first 10 or so safeties come off the board."

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