NFL Draft 2025: Winners and Surprises in First Round

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft concluded with surprises and strategic moves that could reshape franchises. The Miami quarterback Cam Ward was the first overall pick by the Tennessee Titans, as expected.

However, the draft quickly became unpredictable, highlighted by the Cleveland Browns trading out of the second pick to acquire additional future assets. Tensions peaked when the New York Giants traded back into the first round to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart with the 25th overall pick. This move has sparked conversation about the future of existing quarterbacks on their roster.

Among the notable selections, Colorado’s Travis Hunter emerged as a topic of intrigue. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to pick him second overall, a bold move reminiscent of past franchises leveraging their futures for a single player. The round also saw the Green Bay Packers select Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden at No. 23, marking the team’s first receiver taken in the first round since 2002.

Giants’ general manager Joe Schoen expressed confidence in their strategy after drafting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3 and Dart later, enhancing the team’s defense and future offense potential. “This aligns with our goal to build a competitive team,” Schoen said.

Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan picked Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan at eighth overall to support quarterback Bryce Young, underscoring the urgency for offensive enhancements. Morgan stated, “We believe Tetairoa will significantly contribute to our aerial game as he develops alongside Young.”

As Day 2 of the draft approaches, the fate of several top players, including Shedeur Sanders, remains uncertain. The Colorado quarterback was not selected in the first round despite high expectations. Sanders was observed holding a celebratory draft party while his name remained uncalled. “We all didn’t expect this, of course,” Sanders reflected. “But I feel like it’s just fuel to the fire for me moving forward,” he added.

Expectations are high as teams will look to bolster their rosters in the upcoming rounds, particularly for teams still seeking standout quarterbacks and additional playmakers. The upcoming picks could be crucial in determining the draft’s overall impact.