2025 NFL Draft: Five picks who will be the most impactful in NFC

When assessing who could stand out from the 2025 draft class in the AFC, skill-position players dominated the list. That's not the case in the NFC, where two offensive linemen could be among the most impactful rookies this season. 

Here's our list, ranked in inverse order of potential impact. Each player is a first-round selection. 

5. Grey Zabel, guard, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle's offensive line issues from 2024 must be fixed with new starting QB Sam Darnold, who is less mobile than last season's starter, Geno Smith. The Seahawks understood that and selected Zabel, who they hope will lower their sack total from last season (54, lower than only two other teams).

The former North Dakota State guard will provide a huge lift to Seattle's offense, which will be looking to establish the run with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak taking over the play-calling duties.

Zabel's versatility will allow the Seahawks to adjust accordingly if players along the offensive line continue to struggle.

"Instant starter," ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. called Zabel.

4. Tyler Booker, guard, Dallas Cowboys

Taking a skill-position player, whether a running back or wide receiver, was almost a universal pick for the Cowboys in mock drafts. However, Dallas leaned on its strength of drafting and developing offensive linemen by selecting Alabama product Booker.

Despite being a guard — which is not a premium position — Booker was considered a top-15 prospect in this year's draft class. QB Dak Prescott has suffered two significant injuries in the past five seasons, hampering his mobility, so it is important that Dallas keeps him upright. Booker will help.

3. Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay

Golden, who transferred to Texas after two seasons at Houston, was one of the more controversial prospects for scouts to evaluate throughout the draft process.

While multiple teams viewed the Texas wideout (58 catches, 987 yards, nine TDs in 2024) as a first-round talent, the production did not meet talent. Golden's inconsistencies in college could be boiled down to Quinn Ewers' ineptitude at quarterback. (The Dolphins selected Ewers in the seventh round.)

Nonetheless, for the first time since 2022, the Packers used a first-round pick on a receiver.

Christian Watson, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears, and Romeo Doubs are entering the final years of their rookie deals. With both players likely to depart in free agency following the 2025 season, Golden could establish himself as the clear WR1, which is something the Packers have been searching for the past few seasons.

2. Jalon Walker, EDGE, Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta's sack production in 2024 was paltry (31, 31st in the NFL).

The Falcons made sure that would not be an issue this season, taking two pass-rushers in the first round: Georgia's Walker and Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. Giving up a 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for Pearce Jr. was perplexing, but Atlanta now has a formidable pass-rushing tandem.

It was surprising that Walker, who Kiper Jr. had 10th on his big board, slipped outside the top 10. The former Georgia pass-rusher is a bit undersized for his position (6-foot-2 and 245 pounds), but his versatility and raw athleticism are attributes he can lean on to excel in the NFL. 

1. Abdul Carter, EDGE, New York Giants

Skipping a quarterback and taking one of the blue-chip prospects in this year's class with the third pick was the correct decision by the Giants. This selection also allowed New York to trade back into the first round to grab a potential franchise quarterback in Mississippi's Jaxson Dart.

Carter, who is 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, was one of the more dominant defensive players in college football last season. That was evident in his performance against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff, when the 21-year-old edge-rusher recorded one sack, seven pressures, a 22% pressure rate (per Pro Football Focus) and three run stops despite a shoulder injury.

With Brian Burns Jr., Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence and Carter, the Giants boast one of the better defensive lines in the NFL.