2025 NFL Draft Superteam Simulation: Breaking Down the Expert Rosters

With the 2025 NFL Draft just weeks away, ESPN's top analysts - Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates - conducted a unique 10-round, 40-pick fantasy draft to build ultimate superteams composed solely of this year's prospects. The results provide fascinating insights into player valuations and team-building philosophies.

Draft Mechanics and Strategy

The snake-draft format required each analyst to build a complete starting lineup with:

• 1 Quarterback
• 1 Running Back
• 2 Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
• 1 Offensive Tackle
• 1 Interior Offensive Lineman
• 2 Front-Seven Defenders
• 2 Defensive Backs

"This exercise reveals how we value different positions and prospects," explained Field Yates. "When you're forced to build a complete team, your draft strategy becomes much more nuanced."

Round-by-Round Analysis

First Round Highlights:

1. Yates: Cam Ward, QB, Miami - "The QB1 gap was too significant to pass up"
2. Reid: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado - "A franchise cornerstone with elite potential"
3. Miller: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado - "The most versatile weapon in the draft"
4. Kiper: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State - "My defense starts with dominant pass rush"

Positional Value Observations:

• Quarterback Premium: All four analysts prioritized QBs early, with three selected in the first eight picks
• Defensive Focus: Kiper built around his defensive line, grabbing Carter and Mason Graham with back-to-back picks
• Versatility Pays: Travis Hunter's two-way potential made him Matt Miller's first-round steal

Complete Rosters Revealed

Yates' Offensive Machine:

• QB: Cam Ward
• Key Weapons: Luther Burden III (WR), Tyler Warren (TE)
• Strengths: Elite QB with dynamic pass-catchers and solid offensive line

Reid's Balanced Attack:

• QB: Shedeur Sanders
• Playmakers: Tetairoa McMillan (WR), Matthew Golden (WR)
• X-Factor: Walter Nolen anchoring the defensive line

Miller's Speed Scheme:

• QB: Tyler Shough
• Weapons: Travis Hunter (WR/CB), Emeka Egbuka (WR)
• Philosophy: "Built for explosive plays with the fastest roster"

Kiper's Defensive Juggernaut:

• QB: Jaxson Dart
• Defense: Carter/Graham pass rush duo with ball-hawking secondary
• Strategy: "Good luck scoring double-digits against this unit"

Expert Insights and Debates

"I got five players in my top 11 overall," boasted Kiper. "My defense will terrorize opponents while my two-TE offense creates mismatches everywhere."

Yates countered: "Five of my picks were position leaders. Who's playing for second place?"

The analysts disagreed most on quarterback valuation, with Reid calling Sanders "a generational talent" while Miller waited until the final round to select Shough, believing "the value gap after QB1 wasn't significant."

Cast Your Vote

Which superteam would dominate in actual NFL action? [Vote now] to crown the 2025 Draft Fantasy Champion!

More NFL Draft Content:

• [Latest Mock Drafts from All Four Analysts]
• [Positional Rankings Breakdown]
• [Draft Sleepers Flying Under the Radar]