The 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, wasted no time throwing the league into chaos. A first round that began with quarterback Cam Ward going first overall quickly turned into one of the most unpredictable openings in recent memory, with aggressive trades, shocking reaches and stunning slides — including the Jaguars’ bold move to trade up for Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders’ stunning fall down the board. By the end of the night, teams had taken large gambles, fortunes were rewritten and the first round draft board was left in ruins.
Among the night’s biggest shocks was Sanders’ dramatic fall. Projected by many to be a first-round pick, he slid all the way to pick No. 144 deep into Day 3, becoming the face of one of the biggest slides in NFL history.
Sanders enters a tough situation with the Cleveland Browns, a franchise long plagued by quarterback instability. While he will have a chance to compete — with Joe Flacco the projected starter and Deshaun Watson’s future uncertain — Sanders also steps into one of the NFL’s most crowded quarterback rooms, especially after Cleveland oddly spent a third-round pick on Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel. His path to the field is not impossible, but it will not be easy. Sanders will have to outwork veterans and rookies alike to prove the NFL made a big mistake.
While Sanders’ fall stole headlines, the top of the draft largely unfolded as expected. The Tennessee Titans made Cam Ward the top pick, locking in their franchise quarterback after a season where their offense ranked dead last in passing grade.
The Jacksonville Jaguars sent shockwaves through the night by trading up to No. 2 and taking Travis Hunter, a generational two-way star who immediately transforms their roster. The New York Giants stayed put at No. 3 and selected edge rusher Abdul Carter, giving their defensive front a major boost.
The New England Patriots rounded out the early selections by taking LSU tackle Will Campbell, a durable and technically sound lineman who will be tasked with protecting quarterback Drake Maye for years to come.
Several teams came away as clear winners. The Titans solved their biggest need, the Patriots solidified their protection for Maye and the Carolina Panthers gave quarterback Bryce Young a potential number one receiver in Tetairoa McMillan.
The Indianapolis Colts continued to build around Anthony Richardson by selecting Tyler Warren, the top-rated tight end prospect who brings a complete skillset to the offense. The Baltimore Ravens also shored up their secondary by drafting Georgia safety Malachi Starks at pick 27, pairing him with Kyle Hamilton to potentially form one of the most dangerous safety duos in the NFL.
The Denver Broncos, already boasting one of the best defenses in the NFL, somehow improved further by drafting defensive back Jahdae Barron. His instincts and ball skills should thrive opposite of Patrick Surtain II, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
To close the night, the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs pulled off two of the best moves. Philadelphia traded up to steal Jihaad Campbell, a fast, rangy linebacker who fits perfectly alongside Zack Baun while Kansas City grabbed Josh Simmons, a high-upside tackle with elite athleticism, potentially protecting Patrick Mahomes for the foreseeable future.
There were not many major losers, but a few decisions stood out for the wrong reasons. The Cincinnati Bengals choice to draft Shemar Stewart gave them an explosive but unfinished edge rusher, yet the franchise ignored glaring needs at cornerback, safety and defensive tackle — areas that desperately needed attention after a disappointing 2024 season.
The Giants, meanwhile, made a costly mistake by trading up for Jaxson Dart, a quarterback prospect who was viewed as a lesser prospect than Sanders. Given that Sanders was still available at their original second-round slot, the move felt unnecessary and desperate.
No team, however, had a worse night than the Atlanta Falcons. After selecting Jalon Walker with their first pick — a logical addition to a defense in need of playmakers — the Falcons made a baffling decision to trade their 2026 first-round pick for edge rusher James Pearce Jr. Although Pearce has traits worth betting on, he was far from a slam-dunk prospect and nowhere near the caliber of player worth giving up that much draft capital. The move reeked of panic and could haunt the franchise if they fail to make major strides next season.
Although some teams took bigger swings than others, the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft was shaped by bold decisions, consensus picks and controversy. It left behind a board torn apart by risk-taking, desperation and one of the most stunning quarterback falls the draft has ever seen. This class already feels destined to be remembered — for better or worse.
