It was an exciting start to the 2025 NFL draft. We saw a little bit of everything in Round 1, and it got wild quickly. The Titans took Cam Ward to begin the night as everyone expected, but then the Jaguars came out of nowhere to trade up to No. 2 for receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. The Giants took edge rusher Abdul Carter and then later moved up to get quarterback Jaxson Dart (with Shedeur Sanders still on the board). The Packers finally took a receiver in Round 1 with Matthew Golden, after more than two decades of avoiding it. The Falcons really attacked a big defensive need with two edge rushers. And we saw more guards than quarterbacks!
Let’s put the picks into context. Which teams were the big winners of the night? I really liked a bunch of these selections, as front offices were able to get some players at great values. But as always, there were also a handful of head-scratchers. To break down the best and worst of the first round, I leaned on my own Big Board rankings and prospect grades to get a sense of which teams got steals and which teams reached. Each roster’s biggest needs and any trades involved in the picks — both up and down the board — were also important considerations.
We’ll be back for Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App). I still have five players in my top 25 on the board, so expect some more impact selections on Day 2. Someone is going to get a top-five prospect in Sanders. I listed my best available players at the bottom here with some early second-round thoughts. But first, let’s recap the highs and lows of Round 1, starting with the host city breaking a long-standing draft trend.
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Biggest winners and best picks from Round 1
Green Bay Packers
The pick: Matthew Golden (No. 23)
The first receiver in Round 1 for the Packers since 2002! I love this pick. I remember watching Golden in 2023, when he was still at Houston. His consistency continued at Texas last season; he runs great routes and is a big-play threat with 4.29 speed. Receiver was a huge need for the Packers (and has been for a while). They have good pass catchers in Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson, but none of them are no-doubt WR1 options. Golden can be that.
And wait, it gets better. I ranked Golden 16th overall. He was my second-ranked receiver in the class behind Travis Hunter, yet we saw Tetairoa McMillan and Emeka Egbuka go before him. This is a really nice marriage of value, need and upside. What a night for the host city.
Indianapolis Colts
The pick: Tyler Warren (No. 14)
I heard teams were trying to trade ahead of the Colts to get one of the top two tight ends. I thought Warren might go to the Jets at No. 7, but they took Armand Membou. Then Colston Loveland — the other top tight end — went No. 10 to Chicago. But somehow, someway Warren ended up falling into the Colts’ lap four picks later.
I actually have Warren ranked five spots higher than Loveland at No. 7 overall. He moves all over the offense, has the strong hands to make contested plays and is simply unstoppable after the catch. He will fill a major need for Indianapolis, which managed just 467 receiving yards from its tight end room in 2024. The team also lost Kylen Granson, its top guy at the position. In a huge year for Anthony Richardson‘s long-term evaluation, the Colts had to get their third-year quarterback some more reliable pass catchers. Warren will stretch the seams and catch some Richardson deep balls, but he will also eat up targets underneath and turn them into first downs. Great pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The pick: Travis Hunter (No. 2)
As soon as Cam Ward went to the Titans at No. 1 — essentially a formality at this point — the fireworks started. The Jaguars made an aggressive move up to get Hunter, sending Nos. 5, 36 and 126, plus a 2026 first-rounder, to Cleveland for Nos. 2, 104 and 200. Yes, it’s a rich package. But Hunter is going to bring some much-needed juice to this team; he was the wire-to-wire No. 1 prospect on my board, dominating on both sides of the ball in college. His ball skills, feel for the game and quickness are outstanding. I could see Hunter making big plays on offense and defense for the Jags.
I expect Hunter to play primarily on offense in Jacksonville. New coach Liam Coen wants to give quarterback Trevor Lawrence help, and the combination of Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. should do it. Hunter is a touchdown machine. But I also fully expect him to spend a lot of time on the field with the defense, especially late in games. Cornerback is an issue in Jacksonville, so look for Hunter to get reps opposite Tyson Campbell (Jourdan Lewis will be mainly in the slot). I’m betting defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile will push to get him out there when his unit is backed up against the red zone, too.
Hunter is a baller who is going to make this team better very, very quickly. Two for the price of one.
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Jaguars draft Travis Hunter with the No. 2 pick
The Jaguars select Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter with the second pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Cleveland Browns
The pick: Mason Graham (No. 5)
The flip side of that trade was the Browns moving back three spots. They added a Day 2 pick this weekend. They added a first-rounder in 2026. And then they took my No. 3 prospect in Graham. He doesn’t have many “wow” traits, but he’s an extremely good football player. I love his technique and power, and Graham will join Maliek Collins and Shelby Harris to form a reliable defensive interior in Cleveland. The Browns are trying to reset, and Graham will help boost the defense.
I would have loved Hunter here, too. Like Jacksonville, Cleveland needs players who will excite the fan base. But factoring in the trade return and the fact that they still got a top-three prospect, this is a good start to their draft. The Jaguars aren’t a lock to make the playoffs next season, so that 2026 first-rounder could end up being in at least the teens. And remember that Cleveland has the No. 33 pick at the beginning of Round 2 on Friday; could it get a quarterback there?
Los Angeles Chargers
The pick: Omarion Hampton (No. 22)
I thought Hampton would be a Bronco. Denver’s run game was missing a punch, and Hampton would have helped second-year QB Bo Nix by taking some pressure off him. Instead, Hampton goes two picks later to a division rival! Denver might have some regret in short order. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh loves to run the football, and he now has a really good duo in Hampton and Najee Harris. Hampton runs through contact, has breakaway speed and can catch the ball out of the backfield.
I don’t love first-round running backs, and this is a deep class at the position. But given Los Angeles’ identity on offense, this just makes sense. Hampton is my 14th-ranked prospect, which means there actually is some value despite the position.
• Go to Draftcast | Round 1 pick reaction
• Kiper’s Day 1 winners and losers
• Rankings: Kiper | Miller | Reid | Yates
• Order | Best available | Trades | More
Kansas City Chiefs
The pick: Josh Simmons (No. 32)
The Chiefs added a fifth-rounder in a move back from No. 31 and addressed a big problem at left tackle with my No. 15 prospect. I can’t say enough good things about this bookend to Day 1. Simmons was dinged during the predraft process because of his knee injury, which limited him to six games in 2024. But if healthy, he might have been the top tackle in the class. Seriously. He’s consistent with terrific pass protection traits.
If you watched the Super Bowl, you know Patrick Mahomes‘ blindside was going to be an offseason focus. Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris weren’t the answers there, and Joe Thuney — who moved outside from guard — was traded. The Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore, but he was a backup in San Francisco, so he’s not a sure thing. Simmons could be the long-term answer. He can help inside at guard, too, or potentially bump to right tackle, where Jawaan Taylor has been inconsistent.
More picks I liked in Round 1
- There was speculation that the Giants might go quarterback at No. 3. But this team needs difference-makers, and Abdul Carter is one of the two elite prospects in this class. It makes sense. The Giants are going to get after the quarterback; they also have Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux off the edge. And remember that Carter also has the versatility to play off-ball if needed.
- Everyone knew the Falcons had to draft a pass rusher early in this draft, likely in the first round. Names associated with them at No. 15 included Mike Green and Shemar Stewart — guys a little further down the board. So getting Jalon Walker, who ranked 10th for me, is a steal. He slid down the board as teams picking earlier focused on offense. Pairing him with Leonard Floyd (and James Pearce Jr., but more on that in a moment) should improve this Atlanta unit. Walker had 6.5 sacks last season and plays with heavy hands. He popped in every game I watched. I actually had him graded as an off-ball linebacker — he played both positions at Georgia — but that versatility only raises his pro ceiling.
- Grey Zabel to the Seahawks wasn’t the sexiest pick. But they needed to fix the interior protection, and Zabel can play all along the offensive line. They tackled their biggest need, and they now have four picks on Day 2 to get a receiver and some help on defense.
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Giants nab Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick
The Giants select Penn State DE Abdul Carter with the third pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Questionable picks and reaches from Round 1
Dallas Cowboys
The pick: Tyler Booker (No. 12)
This was a reach for need. The Cowboys were 24th in pass block win rate last season, and Zack Martin retired. I get it. Dallas obviously wanted an immediate replacement at right guard, and Booker is a good player — it’s a heavyweight fight on every snap against him. Movement is not his game, but there’s no doubt he’s a mauler at the line of scrimmage. I thought he was outstanding in pass protection, too.
The value is just really iffy. He barely clipped my final top 25, and he plays a nonpremium position on the interior offensive line. Matthew Golden was on the board, and the Cowboys have a big hole at WR2 opposite CeeDee Lamb. Omarion Hampton was on the board, and the Cowboys had a dreadful run game last season. I would have gone another direction here.
New Orleans Saints
The pick: Kelvin Banks Jr. (No. 9)
This isn’t really about Banks. He started 42 games in college and is a really good run blocker. All in all, he’s decent value at No. 9 (No. 13 on my board) and checks a box for New Orleans. The Saints needed to improve their pass protection.
No, this is really about passing on the quarterback class — and specifically Shedeur Sanders. He is my QB1 and ranked No. 5 overall on my final board. He’s accurate and tough in the pocket, and he sees the field well. While he doesn’t have a huge arm, he is strong enough to deliver the ball to every level of the field. And he was right there for the taking.
This match would have made all the sense in the world. The Saints play indoors at the Caesars Superdome, which alleviates any arm strength concerns. They have a new coach who has worked with a bunch of young passers in Kellen Moore. And they have a sudden need at the position, with starter Derek Carr uncertain for this season because of a shoulder injury. Even if Carr does play, he’s 34 years old and isn’t a lock to be on the roster beyond 2025. New Orleans has to start planning for the future at some point, and it again passed on the most important position in Round 1. The Saints haven’t used a first-round pick on a QB since Archie Manning in 1971. They can’t keep rolling the dice.
Now here’s what can change everything for New Orleans, though: It picks at No. 40 on Friday. Could Sanders fall to the Saints? Could they trade up to get him? Stay tuned.
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Miami Dolphins
The pick: Kenneth Grant (No. 13)
The Dolphins could have had Will Johnson (though he reportedly has a knee issue). They could have had Jahdae Barron. If they do trade Jalen Ramsey, their cornerback room would include Kader Kohou, Storm Duck, Cam Smith and Ethan Bonner. That’s a problem, and Miami opted to skip the position to draft a nose tackle. Yes, Grant is explosive, and sources told me the league was hot on him heading into the draft. But he was 30th on my board.
Carolina Panthers
The pick: Tetairoa McMillan (No. 8)
McMillan is tremendous on contested-catch balls, and he always produces. He had 1,319 receiving yards last season, and he had 1,402 the year before. I’ve comped him to Drake London, who was also the eighth pick (2022), and he should be a big target for Bryce Young. The Panthers lacked a true No. 1 receiver, and they clearly see McMillan as that guy. They now have a nice young receiving core to build Young’s offense around (Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker). I’m expecting some solid TD numbers from McMillan in the red zone.
But I wonder about the value. I have McMillan ranked 19th in the class, and I thought Matthew Golden might come off the board before him. The knock on McMillan is that he doesn’t always get consistent separation. That could be a problem in the NFL against elite cornerbacks.
There’s also the defense question. I had Jalon Walker projected to Carolina in all four of my mock drafts, and he was still on the board when it picked. This team allowed a league-worst 6.0 yards per play last season and gave up more the 30 points per game. I’m surprised the Panthers went offense here.
More picks I questioned in Round 1
- Who is going to play quarterback in Pittsburgh? If the Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers, this is less of an issue. He would at least give them a 2025 starter. But I had issue with the Saints passing on Shedeur Sanders, so I have to point out the Steelers doing the same 12 picks later. Plus, Pittsburgh doesn’t have a second-round pick, meaning it will be a long wait until No. 83 on Friday night. Derrick Harmon could bring some pressure inside for the Steelers, who have to think about the future with Cameron Heyward turning 36. But if they don’t sign Rodgers, and they don’t get lucky with the Day 2 quarterbacks, we’re going to be examining this pick all season long.
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Derrick Harmon’s NFL draft profile
Check out some of the top highlights from Oregon’s Derrick Harmon as he heads to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- I’ll mention the Jaxson Dart pick for the Giants, too — but only because he went before Sanders. I ranked Dart 28th, which means the value was right in line at No. 25. He has the arm to drive the ball in the New York weather, and he can make plays with his legs. So the pick itself is solid. But trading three Day 2 picks over the next two years to get back into the first round for him, and passing on Sanders — who, again, is No. 5 overall on my board — makes it less appealing.
- James Pearce Jr. was 34th in my rankings. So while I mentioned the Falcons’ sizable pass-rush issue earlier, I was shocked they traded a future first-rounder to move up to No. 26 to get him. It’s a lot to give up, and talented edge rushers such as Donovan Ezeiruaku and Mike Green were still on the board. Atlanta got value with Jalon Walker, but this one was questionable.
- I have mixed feelings on the Lions’ pick. Tyleik Williams was the lowest-ranked first-round pick on my board at No. 44. But defensive tackles went fast Thursday, with my top four off the board by No. 21. When Detroit was on the clock at No. 28, Darius Alexander was the best remaining player at the position, but he was only a few spots higher than Williams on the Big Board at No. 39. So it’s a slight reach, but there weren’t many options if Detroit was set on adding to its interior. Williams is sudden and stuffs the run, but he isn’t a dominant pass rusher, and I would have liked to see Detroit get an edge rusher here to take the load off Aidan Hutchinson.
Kiper’s best available prospects for Round 2
Here are the best players on my board still available for Day 2. I have their predraft top-150 ranking in parentheses.
1. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (No. 5)
2. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (No. 11)
3. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina (No. 17)
4. Mike Green, OLB, Marshall (No. 18)
5. Donovan Ezeiruaku, OLB, Boston College (No. 23)
6. Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA (No. 32)
7. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (No. 36)
8. Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (Fla.) (No. 37)
9. Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo (No. 39)
10. Mason Taylor, TE, LSU (No. 41)
I’m obviously watching where Sanders might go on Day 2 — Cleveland could be a fit at No. 33 — but I’ve talked about him enough here. Johnson could be an excellent value in Round 2, and Schwesinger has a lot of upside. Teams that need pass rushing could be jockeying for position Friday, with Green and Ezeiruaku still out there. There are a lot of good players still on the board.
