The 2025 NFL Draft Kicks Off in Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee – The excitement of the 2025 NFL Draft was palpable as the Tennessee Titans selected Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick on Thursday night. Ward was favored to go first, and his selection set the stage for a night filled with surprising trades and standout selections.

The Cleveland Browns, holding the second pick, made a surprising move by trading it to the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the swap, the Browns received the fifth overall pick along with a second-rounder, a fourth-round pick, and a future first-round pick in 2026. With the second pick, the Jaguars chose Travis Hunter, a Heisman Trophy winner who showcased his talents both as a wide receiver and cornerback at Colorado. This bold decision reflects Jacksonville’s ambitions to rejuvenate the franchise following the hiring of a new head coach and general manager.

Another exciting choice came from the Las Vegas Raiders, who picked running back Ashton Jeanty from Boise State with the sixth pick. The Raiders have been active in building a more dynamic offensive strategy under new head coach Pete Carroll, aiming to enhance their backfield with Jeanty’s skills.

The New York Giants made headlines by selecting linebacker Abdul Carter at third overall, then executed a trade with the Houston Texans to get back into the first round, where they chose quarterback Jaxson Dart at 25. With veteran quarterback Russell Wilson now in the mix, Dart could be positioned as a long-term solution, benefiting from the mentorship of an experienced leader.

The Atlanta Falcons also made waves by trading into the first round to pick edge rusher James Pearce Jr. at 26, surrendering a costly future first-round selection to the Los Angeles Rams. The Philadelphia Eagles made a strategic move too, swapping their first-round pick with the Kansas City Chiefs to grab linebacker Jihaad Campbell at 31.

While many top prospects had their names called, notable omissions included quarterback Shedeur Sanders. In a surprising turn, he was not picked in the first round and is now anticipated to go earlier in the second round on Friday during rounds two and three, which will start at 7 p.m. ET.

As the teams prepare for the next rounds, the anticipation for talented players like Sanders and others continues to grow. With a league-wide focus on acquiring the right talent, the next phase of the draft could prove just as thrilling.

This draft showcased not only the players but the evolving strategies of teams as they maneuver to position themselves for future success.