2025 NFL Draft: First Round Recap - Jags, Giants and Falcons trade up and a receiver finally lands in Green Bay?
- Gareth Evans
- Apr 25
- 9 min read
Just two quarterbacks were taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, where one of the main headlines revolved around a third quarterback who was not selected in the opening round. The first trade was announced just over two minutes into the clock for the second pick, the first of three made on the night.
Green Bay, Wisconsin, with a population of 107,000 and home of the thirteen-time world champion Packers hosted the NFL Draft for the first time. Over 125,000 attended the first round in person, dwarfing the population of the host town.
The 2025 NFL Draft gets under way
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell upheld a famous Packers training camp tradition, where players ride the bicycles of fans to the training ground, by freewheeling on to centre stage, followed by a cluster of Packers legends including Clay Matthews, Mason Crosby, James Jones, Ahman Green and Jordy Nelson.
Matthews grabbed the microphone, indicating he had an important message to announce from President Trump, before yelling "The Bears still suck!" to the delight of thousands of Packers fans. The stage was set. Here's how the picks, and the drama unfolded...
(*indicates trade)
The First Round
Tennessee Titans - Cameron Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
The last time the Titans franchise had the first overall pick, they selected the great Texas running back Earl Campbell in 1978 in their former guise as the Houston Oilers. Texas was the starting point in the journey for Ward, who received just one college offer, from Incarnate Word in San Antonio. His upward trajectory through college football continues to the NFL as the No.1 pick and future of the Tennessee Titans.
*Jacksonville Jaguars (from Cleveland Browns - Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Two and a half minutes into the Browns on-the-clock time and news of a blockbuster trade broke. Jacksonville act decisively to jump up three spots and land Hunter, arguably the best talent in the Draft, giving up their No.5 pick, second and fourth round picks and their first round pick in 2026.
Hunter, who danced on stage after his selection, adds immediate impact to the Jaguars offensive, lining up across from Brian Thomas, Jr at receiver, and on defense as a standout corner. The Heisman Trophy winner, born in West Palm Beach, returns to Florida, swapping his bright pink jacket for the teal of Jacksonville.
New York Giants - Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
The first pick of two in the first round for the Giants sees the outstanding Penn State pass rusher join Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on an elite defensive line. Carter registered 12 sacks in 2024 and was the best pass rusher in the Draft.
New England Patriots - Will Campbell, T, LSU
The Patriots, who may have taken Hunter or Carter if they were available here, address a glaring need at tackle and protect their 2024 No.3 overall pick, quarterback Drake Maye.
Campbell started all 38 games at LSU and was seen as the top offensive tackle on the board.
*Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) - Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The player many picked in this spot in mock drafts for the Jaguars goes at No.5 to the Browns instead. Graham is a disruptive defensive tackle from a wrestling background. He is extremely effective against the run and will be a superb compliment to Myles Garrett on the interior defensive line.
Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
College football's most explosive runner swaps the famous blue turf of Boise State for the silver and black colours of the Raiders. Sporting a glittery pair of Crocs as he took his seat in the Green Room backstage, Jeanty will be back in cleats quickly under the tutelage of new Las Vegas coach Pete Carroll.
Carroll likes working with big, powerful backs - remember Marshawn Lynch in Seattle. Jeanty will entertain fans in Vegas, bringing a 185.8 yard per game average from his college career, where he rushed for over 150 yards in 10 games this season.
New York Jets - Armand Membou, T, Missouri
Any whispers of a quarterback landing with the Jets were snuffed out with the smart selection of Membou, an imposing 6'4", 322 lbs presence in the trenches. The Missouri prospect will slot straight in at right tackle, where he started all 13 games this year for the Tigers.
Carolina Panthers - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Panthers have needs all over the roster. McMillan is the second receiver taken and, at 6'5", offers an improving Bryce Young, the top overall pick in 2023, a big bodied target. McMillan had 1,319 receiving yards in 2024 and will immediately boost Carolina's offense.
New Orleans Saints - Kelvin Banks, Jr., T, Texas
New coach Kellen Moore joined New Orleans from the Eagles, who built a Super Bowl winning team by investing in the trenches. Moore's first pick does just that, selecting the huge Texas tackle to set the tone for the Saints rebuild. Banks started 15 games at left tackle for Texas and will anchor the offensive line in the Big Easy.
Chicago Bears - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
A slight surprise that Loveland, rather than Penn State's Tyler Warren was the first tight end taken off the board. The Michigan standout is renowned for creating separation on passing routes, and is an excellent blocker, so offers quarterback Caleb Williams options downfield and protection in the pocket.
San Francisco 49ers - Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
With Leonard Floyd and Javon Hargrave no longer in San Francisco, Georgia's Williams adds some much needed muscle and explosiveness to the 49ers defensive line. The dynamic Bulldogs pass rusher will be a solid running mate to Nick Bosa on the edge.
Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Brian Schottenheimer's first pick as Dallas head coach beefs up the Cowboys' offensive line. Booker's strength and mobility helped open up running lanes for Jalen Milroe in Alabama, where he allowed no sacks on 371 snaps in 2024.
Miami Dolphins - Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The third player from Michigan off the board in the first 13 picks. Grant made a career-high 32 tackles for the Wolverines in 2024, 6.5 for a loss. He is an ideal replacement for Christian Wilkins, who bolted to Las Vegas last season.
Indianapolis Colts - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Most mock drafts featured Warren going in this pick to Indianapolis. The best player available going to the team with the most need in this position. Simple.
Warren excelled at Penn State, acting as the focal point of the Nittany Lions' offense in racking up 1,233 receiving yards, an impressive return for a tight end. He can give the Colts a dangerous playmaking option.
Atlanta Falcons - Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Atlanta's desperate need for a pass rusher is addressed here as the best player available falls right into their lap at No.15. Walker lined up at both inside linebacker and edge rusher for Georgia and was a menace at both positions. He registered 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in 2024.
Arizona Cardinals - Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
I thought Arizona might take a receiver here to compliment Marvin Harrison, their first round pick in 2024. Instead, they beef up their defensive line with the impressive Nolen who will slot in alongside Calais Campbell. The Rebels standout defender was a 1st team all-SEC selection and registered 6.5 sacks last season.
Cincinnati Bengals - Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
The Bengals scored over 30 points in five games which they still lost. Green Bay's Rashan Gary is a good comparison for Stewart. Both showed astonishing physical traits and potential, but without the production to back this up.
Stewart is the third Aggies defensive lineman to be selected in the first round in the 21st Century. The first two were Von Miller and Myles Garrett, so the Bengals will be thrilled if Stewart's potential reaches those lofty heights.
Seattle Seahawks - Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State
Zabel played all five positions on the offensive line at North Dakota State. He put up a strong performance at the NFL Combine and dominated defensive players at the Senior Bowl. This looks like a solid pick for Seattle to protect their $100 million investment in new quarterback Sam Darnold.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Tampa Bay's new receiver hauled in a school record 205 catches in his Ohio State career. When you consider the talent that has graduated from the Buckeyes to the NFL at the receiver position in recent years - Marvin Harrison, Jr., Garrett Wilson, Jaxson Sith-Njigba and Chris Olave - it's clear the Bucs have some prospect on their hands.
Denver Broncos - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Longhorns cornerback represents great value for Denver as the second cornerback off the board. Barron was a 1st team all-SEC selection at Texas, where he registered five interceptions last season. He will join Patrick Surtain II in a talented secondary, likely plugging in as a nickel cornerback.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
All eyes were on Shedeur Sanders' Draft party as the Steelers, barring trades, were viewed as the last potential landing spot for the Colorado quarterback in Round One. Instead, Pittsburgh selected Harmon, a big physical defensive presence who will bolster the middle of their defense.
Los Angeles Chargers - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The powerful Tar Heel back joins Najee Harris in Los Angeles to form a talented backfield to supplement Justin Herbert's pass attack. Similar to Jonathan Taylor, Hampton is a big, physical runner who racked up 1,660 yards in his career at Chapel Hill.
Green Bay Packers - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Pinch yourselves, Packers fans. CEO and President Mark Murphy, having welcomed the fans to the Draft, announced that, with the 23rd pick, Green Bay were selecting a receiver in the first round for the first time since 2002, to an eruption of cheers and wild applause.
Enter Matthew Golden, who ran a blistering 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The Texas receiver can stretch defenses and stepped up to make big plays in critical moments for the Longhorns.
Minnesota Vikings - Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
A solid if unspectacular pick for the Vikings, who are all in on J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, and spend their first round pick wisely on the two-time 1st team all-Big Ten selection.
*New York Giants (from Houston Texans) - Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Wow. The Giants, having snagged Abdul Carter at No.3, trade back into the first round to select their quarterback. and rather than Sanders, they take the Ole Miss passing yards record holder off the board.
Dart has improved in Mississippi under Lane Kiffin and will have time to learn with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in the Big Apple. An Ole Miss quarterback going to the Giants? It worked for Eli Manning, who won two Super Bowls in New York.
*Atlanta Falcons (from Los Angeles Rams) - James Pearce, Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Another trade! Having selected offensive players in the first round for the last four years, Atlanta manouevres back into the Round One to take their second defensive player, and add another pass rusher.
It transpires that the Falcons nearly selected Tennessee's talented defensive end at No.15, so took the opportunity to nab Pearce here, giving up their 2026 first-round pick as well as this year's second and seventh round picks. Atlanta also get the Rams' third round pick this year.
Baltimore Ravens - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
With 6 interceptions and 17 pass break ups in his career, Starks is a sneakily good addition to a strong Ravens defense. Georgia defenders always seeom to transition well to the NFL and this is a smart pick up for Baltimore.
Detroit Lions - Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
The 6'2" 334 lbs Buckeye can stop the run and is aggressive against the pass. With 11.5 career sacks, this run defender feels like a Dan Campbell pick and should slot comfortably into the Lions' defense.
Washington Commanders - Josh Conerly, Jr., T, Oregon
Conerly, Jr., the Oregon Duck, should slot straight in at right tackle, providing a solid book end opposite Laremy Tunsil. With just two sacks allowed against him in 1,091 snaps, this is another example of teams in the Draft backing the investments they have made in their quarterbacks. Jayden Daniels will be delighted with this pick.
Buffalo Bills - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Having landed Joey Bosa in the off season to bolster their defensive line, the Bills add a playmaker in their secondary who can also blitz from the corner. Hairston returned two interceptions for touchdowns last season, and has made 6 career interceptions for the Wildcats.
*Philadelphia Eagles (from Kansas City) - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The 12th highest rated player on Daniel Jeremiah's Draft Board is available at No.31, prompting Philadelphia to send their fifth-round spot to Kansas City to move up a place to grab him.
Campbell, an imposing presence at linebacker with 5 sacks last season, is a classic Eagles pick. Great defensive player from a leading college football contender landing late in Round One.
*Kansas City Chiefs (from Philadelphia) - Josh Simmons, T, Ohio State
Patrick Mahomes will be breathing a little easier. Having run for his life under relentless pressure in the Super Bowl, he will be relieved the Chiefs are investing in some offensive line protection. Simmons comes in with some pedigree, having lifted the national championship with the Buckeyes.
Comments