The Tennessee Titans selected Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick to kick off Thursday’s NFL draft. While Ward was long expected to go first overall, the excitement of the night really began at No. 2.
The Cleveland Browns held the second overall pick but traded the selection — as well as a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder — to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for the fifth overall pick, a second-rounder, a fourth-rounder and the Jaguars’ 2026 first-round pick.
With the newly acquired second overall selection, Jacksonville picked Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who played both wide receiver and cornerback at Colorado. It was a bold move by the Jaguars, who in addition to drafting Hunter are trying to resuscitate the franchise after they hired a new coach and a new general manager this offseason.
The Las Vegas Raiders were another team that made a splash early, selecting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty sixth overall. The Raiders should have a fresh offense under new head coach Pete Carroll in 2025 after they traded for quarterback Geno Smith this offseason.
The back half of the draft featured more wheeling and dealing.
The New York Giants, who selected Abdul Carter third overall, traded with the Houston Texans to get back into the first round, taking Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25. Dart is expected to sit behind veteran offseason addition Russell Wilson for a year, while the Giants get the benefit of a fifth-year option on Dart by taking him in the first round.
The Atlanta Falcons also traded into the first, giving up a costly 2026 first-round selection to the Los Angeles Rams so they could take Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 26th pick.
The Philadelphia Eagles also swapped picks with their Super Bowl rival the Kansas City Chiefs, moving from No. 32 to No. 31 to snag Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
One player notably not selected was Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was a possibility for the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21. Pittsburgh was a popular destination for Sanders in mock drafts, but it ultimately took Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.
Sanders now slides to the second round, which will take place along with the third round on Friday.
Best players available after Day 1
Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft has officially wrapped, which means teams now shift their focus to Rounds 2 and 3. Tons of great names remain on the board, and the Cleveland Browns will kick things off with pick No. 33.
Here are my top remaining prospects as Day 2 of the NFL draft awaits.
Which conference produced the most first-round picks?
SEC schools produced 15 first-round picks Thursday, led by three from Georgia and two from Alabama.
The Big Ten produced 11 picks, four of whom came from the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Three Michigan players were taken in the first 13 selections.
That's a wrap for Round 1
The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft has concluded with some stud players like Will Johnson, Mike Green, Shadeur Sanders and others still available.
Round 2 begins Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
No. 32: Kansas City Chiefs go with Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Simmons suffered a season-ending knee injury in October. Before that, he was on a trajectory to potentially be the top offensive tackle in this draft. He checks a ton of boxes at the position from a size and athleticism perspective, but the consistency and smoothness on tape were just as good. If teams are comfortable with his pre-draft medical, this ranking on the board is too low.
No. 31: Philadelphia Eagles pick Jihaad Campbell, LB/EDGE, Alabama
Campbell is a ball of clay at linebacker. He’s got size and length for the position with speed to cover a ton of ground. When Alabama let him rush off the edge, you can see flashes of his athletic traits as a pass rusher. If the Eagles can be patient with his instincts catching up to his raw ability, he can be a highly impactful player in an NFL front seven.
Packers invest in passing game with Golden
The Green Bay Packers do not typically select wide receivers, but Mike Florio reacts to the Packers picking a “speedy” WR in Matthew Golden, who can help add “firepower” to the offense.
No. 30: Buffalo Bills pick Maxwell Hairston, DB, Kentucky
You're talking about a guy who can turn and run down anybody. Turn on the Texas film. Watch him with Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond. He runs them down like they are nothing.
He has speed that jumps off the screen. His speed in every area is elite — acceleration, out of transition, turning his hips. His closing speed when the ball is in the air and he's beat down the field I think is the best of anybody in this draft. That to me is what you got to have to be that elite island-type of corner.
No. 29: Washington Commanders pick Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Conerly, who once upon a time played running back as a freshman in high school, has really light feet and the agility to mirror speed rushers. He needs to get stronger in his lower half to anchor against power, but he took really big strides in 2024.
Bucs prepare for the future with WR Egbuka
Mike Florio explains the “luxury pick” the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made at No. 19 by selecting Emeka Egbuka, and how the star wide receiver can help lift up an already electric offense.
No. 28: Lions pick Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
Williams’ presence up front forces teams to game plan differently with how and where they run the ball. While that doesn’t show up in the box score, scouts and coaches are going to love it on tape.
