The 2025 NFL Draft kicked off on April 24, 2025, at the iconic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, marking a historic moment as the Green Bay Packers hosted the event for the first time. Fans and analysts alike were buzzing with anticipation as the Tennessee Titans claimed the first overall pick, setting the stage for a thrilling evening of selections.
As expected, the Titans made a splash by selecting Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick. Ward, a senior, has been a standout player throughout his college career and was widely regarded as the top prospect heading into the draft. The excitement surrounding his selection was palpable, with Titans fans hopeful that he will lead their franchise into a new era.
Following the Titans, the Jacksonville Jaguars made headlines by trading up to the second overall pick, acquiring the spot from the Cleveland Browns. With this pick, the Jaguars selected the versatile Travis Hunter, a two-way star from Colorado who won the Heisman Trophy. Hunter's ability to play both wide receiver and cornerback makes him a valuable asset for Jacksonville as they look to bolster their roster.
At the third pick, the New York Giants opted for Abdul Carter, an edge rusher from Penn State, who is expected to bring a significant impact to the Giants' defense. Carter's explosive speed and agility made him a top choice for a team looking to improve its pass rush.
The New England Patriots followed suit by selecting Will Campbell, an offensive tackle from LSU, at the fourth overall pick. Campbell's size and strength are expected to fortify the Patriots' offensive line, which has been a point of focus for the team in recent seasons.
Another notable selection came at the fifth pick, where the Cleveland Browns, who traded down with the Jaguars, chose Mason Graham, a defensive tackle from Michigan. Graham's ability to disrupt opposing offenses will be crucial for the Browns as they aim to enhance their defensive front.
The Las Vegas Raiders made their mark by selecting Ashton Jeanty, a running back from Boise State, at the sixth pick. Jeanty's speed and elusiveness have drawn comparisons to some of the league's top backs, and Raiders fans are eager to see what he can bring to their offense.
As the draft continued, the New York Jets selected Armand Membou, an offensive tackle from Missouri, at the seventh pick, while the Carolina Panthers took wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona at the eighth. The New Orleans Saints followed with Kelvin Banks Jr., an offensive tackle from Texas, at the ninth pick, and the Chicago Bears rounded out the top ten by selecting tight end Colston Loveland from Michigan.
In a surprising turn of events, the San Francisco 49ers picked Mykel Williams, an edge rusher from Georgia, at the eleventh spot. Williams' ability to pressure quarterbacks made him a coveted prospect, and the 49ers are optimistic about his potential impact.
The Dallas Cowboys continued the trend of bolstering their offensive line by selecting Tyler Booker, an offensive guard from Alabama, at the twelfth pick. The Miami Dolphins followed suit with Kenneth Grant, a defensive tackle from Michigan, at the thirteenth pick, while the Indianapolis Colts selected Tyler Warren, a tight end from Penn State, at the fourteenth.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons took linebacker Jalon Walker from Georgia at the fifteenth pick, and the Arizona Cardinals selected Walter Nolen, a defensive tackle from Ole Miss, at sixteenth. The Cincinnati Bengals followed with edge rusher Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M at the seventeenth pick.
As the draft progressed, the Seattle Seahawks picked Grey Zabel, an offensive guard from North Dakota State, at the eighteenth pick, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected wide receiver Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State at nineteenth. The Denver Broncos chose cornerback Jahdae Barron from Texas at the twentieth pick, and the Pittsburgh Steelers selected defensive tackle Derrick Harmon from Oregon at twenty-first.
The Los Angeles Chargers followed with running back Omarion Hampton from North Carolina at the twenty-second pick, while the Green Bay Packers used their home advantage to select wide receiver Matthew Golden from Texas at twenty-third. The Minnesota Vikings rounded out the first round by taking offensive guard Donovan Jackson from Ohio State at twenty-fourth.
In a dramatic move, the New York Giants traded with the Houston Texans to secure the twenty-fifth pick, where they selected quarterback Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss. Dart's selection adds depth to the Giants' quarterback room as they look to solidify their future at the position.
As the first round drew to a close, the Atlanta Falcons, who traded with the Los Angeles Rams, selected James Pearce Jr., an edge rusher from Tennessee, at twenty-sixth. The Baltimore Ravens picked safety Malaki Starks from Georgia at twenty-seventh, while the Detroit Lions chose defensive tackle Tyleik Williams from Ohio State at twenty-eighth.
The Washington Commanders selected offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. from Oregon at twenty-ninth, and the Buffalo Bills rounded out the first round by picking cornerback Maxwell Hairston from Kentucky at thirtieth. The Philadelphia Eagles, who traded with the Kansas City Chiefs, selected linebacker Jihaad Campbell from Alabama at thirty-first, while the Chiefs concluded the first round by taking offensive tackle Josh Simmons from Ohio State at thirty-second.
As the draft progresses into the second and third rounds, anticipation builds for the remaining teams as they look to find hidden gems and solidify their rosters for the upcoming season. The NFL Draft remains a pivotal moment for franchises, shaping their futures and the landscape of the league.
With the first round complete, eyes are now on the second round, which begins on April 25, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the final rounds on April 26, 2025. Fans can catch all the action on NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC, as well as stream it on NFL+ and Fubo.
