Top Picks and Highlights
The Tennessee Titans made history when they drafted quarterback Cam Ward of the University of Miami as the number-one overall draft pick. Ward’s selection is important because he was the first zero-star recruit (out of high school) to be drafted number one overall in the 21st century. He will be a day-one starter in the NFL next season and will reshape the Titans into one of the best teams in football.
Needing a new star in Jacksonville, the Jaguars jumped up to the second overall pick (trading with the Browns) to select Travis Hunter from Colorado. Hunter is a dynamic talent who was an elite-level wide receiver and cornerback in college, possessing elite-level skills on both sides of the ball. He is considered to be a generational star on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
The New York Giants selected linebacker Abdul Carter from Penn State with their third pick. Carter is widely considered to be the best player in the draft. He had the highest PFF grade coming into the draft. He has arguably made the Giants’ D-line the best in the league with Carter, Lawrence, and Thibodeaux.
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Ashton Jeanty, a running back out of Boise State. Jeanty broke countless records this season and barely missed Barry Sanders’ (one of the best all-time running backs) record of 2628 yards by 27 yards. Ashton is projected to make a huge impact on the Raiders organization, but many question how he will play in the NFL because in college, he played against only two ranked teams, where he put up 30 carries for 104 yards and 25 carries for 192 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The last notable first-round pick was the Giants trading up to secure Jaxon Dart out of Ole Miss. Dart was originally thought to be a third-round pick in the draft, but after ending the season strong, and had the best combine out of all the quarterbacks. He might end the Giants’ drought of having the worst QB play in the league.
Memorable Day 2 and Day 3 Choices
On Day three, the Cleveland Browns made a strategic move by drafting Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round. He was a projected early first-round pick, and many draft experts like Mel Kiper, who basically invented the modern draft, said he is the best player in the draft. Although drafted MUCH later than expected, Sanders made headlines on his first practice, topping veteran quarterbacks and sparking controversy over his opportunity to start in the weirdest 5-man QB room in the league.
In the later rounds, teams kept piling on potential from the rosters. The Cardinals selected Will Johnson, who was widely regarded as the best cornerback in the draft class. He will add extra pass coverage to a rebuilding Cardinals defense.
Draft Trends and Team Strategies
The 2025 draft saw teams prioritize flexibility and short-term contributions. Players with the ability to play at more than one position were the top choices for teams, and this trend points toward flexible and dynamic players. The approach helps address numerous team requirements and offers more roster flexibility.
Overall, the 2025 NFL Draft contained a combination of usual picks and forward-looking team building, filling the pipeline for an exciting next season.
