Over the course of April 24–26, the NFL Draft unfolded with all 32 teams making selections to bring in the next generation of talent.
Draft Week is widely regarded as one of the most unpredictable times of year on the NFL calendar. This year proved no different; it was full of surprises and headline-worthy picks. Teams aimed to secure the best talent available to meet their specific needs.
Although the weekend brought chaos, the draft began exactly as many experts had predicted. For the first time in NFL Draft history, no trades occurred before the opening ceremony. Many teams had attempted to persuade the Tennessee Titans to trade their No. 1 overall pick, but the Titans stood firm.
With the first pick, the Titans selected quarterback Cam Ward, from the University of Miami. After finishing last season with a 3–14 record, Tennessee aimed to stabilize its quarterback position and secure the top player on the board.
At No. 2, the Jacksonville Jaguars, who traded up with the Cleveland Browns, took Travis Hunter from the University of Colorado Boulder. A two-way player capable of contributing as both a wide receiver and cornerback, Hunter brings elite versatility to Jacksonville.
The New York Giants followed at No. 3, selecting Abdul Carter, a linebacker from Penn State University. Carter is widely considered the best defensive player in the draft and fills a major hole on the Giants’ defense.
At No. 6, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Ashton Jeanty, a running back from Boise State University. Jeanty has already drawn comparisons to NFL stars Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry for their strength and agility.
The New York Jets picked at No. 7, drafting Armand Membou, an offensive tackle from the University of Missouri. Membou, considered by many to be the top offensive tackle in the draft, joins a growing group of young talent protecting quarterback Justin Fields.
“[Membou wasn’t] a flashy pick, but it fills a position of need,” sophomore Drew Milberg said. “Now we have all five of our offensive line spots filled out to protect Justin Fields.”
Another key pick came when the Atlanta Falcons selected Jalon Walker, a linebacker from the University of Georgia, at pick No. 15. Later in the first round, the Falcons traded with the Los Angeles Rams to move back up and select James Pearce Jr., an edge rusher from the University of Tennessee, at No. 26. These moves directly addressed Atlanta’s long-standing struggles with pass-rushing; the team has ranked 31st in sacks over the past five years.
Meanwhile, the Giants continued making waves in the first round. After selecting Carter at No. 3, they chose Darius Alexander, a defensive lineman, in later rounds to further fortify their defense. Then came one of the most shocking moves of the night—The New York Giants traded back into the first round with the Houston Texans to grab Jaxson Dart, quarterback from the University of Mississippi, at pick No. 25.
Many analysts had projected Dart as a Day 2 or 3 pick, but the Giants were impressed by his potential. Despite already signing veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in the offseason, the Giants saw Dart as a developmental player with future franchise potential.
“Abdul Carter and Darius Alexander upgrade the defensive line and make it arguably one of the best in the league,” freshman Ethan Wysmierski said. “Jaxson Dart is in a position where he can very much be the Giants’ franchise guy.”
The Jets added one more key player, tight end Mason Taylor from Louisiana State University. While not a headline-grabbing pick, Taylor is expected to make an immediate impact in the passing game.
While many surprises came out of the first round, none was bigger than the unexpected fall of Shedeur Sanders. Once considered a top-10 pick and projected as the second quarterback off the board behind Ward, Sanders slipped all the way to pick No. 144 in the fifth round.
He ended up being the sixth quarterback selected, after Tyler Shough and Dillon Gabriel, both of whom had been considered borderline prospects.
“Most things went how I planned, except for Shedeur falling that far,” freshman James Mahanna said. “Gabriel was a very shocking pick for me. I think that’s when they [the Browns] should have drafted Shedeur.”
Eventually, the Cleveland Browns did select Sanders, but the unexpected drop triggered widespread confusion and debate across social media, with many fans calling it the most dramatic fall in draft history.
The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft was filled with drama, bold decisions and big-time talent. As the NFL heads into the new season, all eyes will be on these rookies to see how they perform. The season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 4, when the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host an as-yet-to-be announced opponent.
