The 2025 NFL draft is a long way from completion – 225 picks yet to be made over the next two days in Rounds 2 through 7.
But a tone was certainly set in Thursday night’s first round, which was chalk for exactly one pick before the Jacksonville Jaguars tossed a grenade into all of those carefully (and not so carefully) crafted mock drafts by trading up to the second spot. Plenty of surprises from that point forward – which, said another way, means several (premature?) winners and losers in the context of Round 1. (May the “losers” see their fortunes change over the coming days and weeks):
LOSERS
Shedeur Sanders
Like it or not, he remains the headliner of this draft – even as he continues waiting to get picked on that brutal NFL playground. Sanders and his father, Hall of Famer and University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, watched from their Texas home … only to realize the Big 12’s 2024 Offensive Player of the Year will have to wait 24 more hours – they’re bound to bring another brutal news cycle – before he finds a professional home. Was Sanders unfairly maligned? Is he eating deserved humble pie? Is he merely being slotted where his abilities appropriately merit? All matters for debate – and they will doubtless be parsed. Hopefully for Sanders, his fire is stoked, Friday’s wait is short, and his next team truly provides an optimal opportunity to eventually silence a growing legion of naysayers and haters.
Cam Ward
Good for him, appropriated with the No. 1 pick by the Tennessee Titans, an outcome largely expected over the past two months. But with the draft’s glaring spotlight trained on Sanders, hard to remember when a quarterback drafted in the top spot seemed so incidental. Maybe it’s because there was so little drama regarding Ward’s fate. Maybe it’s because the Titans don’t exactly have a national following. Maybe it’s because Ward likely would have been the sixth or seventh QB taken had he remained in last year’s draft, which he initially declared for. Whatever the case, Ward will have his day and certainly the platform to prove he was the marquee passer, if not player, to enter the league in 2025.
Draft-eligible offensive backfield
Just two quarterbacks (Ward and Jaxson Dart) were picked Thursday despite all the airtime and ink, whether real or digital, devoted to the highest profile of positions. Moreover, only two running backs (Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton) were chosen from a deep and seemingly impactful group at the position.
Draft-eligible defensive backfield
Three-and-a-half defensive backs (Travis Hunter, Jahdae Barron, Maxwell Hairston, Malaki Starks) were called in Round 1 – kinda light given how many teams are primarily in nickel and dime packages (5-6 DBs on field) and the continuing proliferation of the position. It was especially surprising given Michigan CB Will Johnson and South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori were among those who dropped, though Johnson’s knee has apparently scuttled his stock. But expect a run early Friday, especially with the likes of Ole Miss CB Trey Amos, East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr., Florida State CB Azareye’h Thomas and Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison and Xavier Watts still on the board.
Clay Matthews
Really, dude? Amid all the jobs lost, depressed stocks and ongoing chaos in the world, you had to bring political jokes to the stage Thursday when it’s eminently easy to play to a Wisconsin crowd by declaring any number of other ways that “the Bears still suck”? In this case, stick to sports.
New England Patriots
The run from quarterbacks likely cost them the opportunity to select Hunter or Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter – widely regarded as the two most talented players in this draft. Still, the Pats likely got the guy they actually needed most in LSU LT Will Campbell, who was clearly moved by the opportunity he’ll have to keep QB Drake Maye from being drawn and quartered in 2025.
Abdul Carter
Buddy … it’s nice that you’re renouncing your Eagles fandom and embracing your new employer, the archrival New York Giants. But suggesting the No. 56 worn by Lawrence Taylor, arguably the greatest pass rusher (and maybe defensive player) ever, should come out of the rafters so you can wear it might not play well – with LT or this fan base. You’re not worthy, Mr. Carter, no matter how good you think you are.
TO BE DETERMINED
Cleveland Browns
In the aftermath of the disastrous Deshaun Watson trade, they celebrated their first pick inside the top 50 in four years … by trading it to the Jaguars. Jacksonville snatched up Hunter – a sublime two-way threat that Cleveland GM Andrew Berry spoke glowingly of last week, though perhaps that was by shrewd design. The Browns instead took Michigan DT Mason Graham with the fifth pick, a selection that won’t catalyze the fan base the way Hunter would have … though Wolverines have recently found it pretty easy to win in Ohio, so nicely done, Mr. Berry. But any verdict will have to wait until 2026, when it seems more likely Cleveland will use one or both of its first-rounders to obtain the franchise quarterback Watson never was. (And, let’s not forget, it’s still possible Kirk Cousins pops up here in the interim…)
Dallas Cowboys
So far, so good? Not sexy but taking O-linemen has served them well for years, and G Tyler Booker could legitimately be the next great one in Big D.
WINNERS
Abdul Carter
The first pure defender chosen, going third overall, the LT wannabe will have the opportunity to showcase his personality in the New York market while playing on a defense with two very capable pass rushers, Pro Bowler Brian Burns and 2022 first-rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux. Expect Carter to have short odds as the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year here.
Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen
Not only did the Giants’ embattled brain trust come away with Carter – the player they correctly chose with the No. 3 pick – they also managed to get back into the first round for Dart at No. 25. The best part(s)? The Giants just got much better; Daboll, the coach, and Schoen, the GM, probably improved their job security; and Dart doesn’t have to be forced into the lineup prematurely with veteran QBs Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston available to serve as 2025 cannon fodder. This franchise might actually be back on track.
Super Bowl 59 winners
Super Bowl 59 losers
If not for blocking issues, the Kansas City Chiefs might have won five of the past six Super Bowls. But they appeared to enjoy a stroke of luck, too, talented Ohio State LT Josh Simmons only slipping to them because he tore a patellar tendon last October. The injury might cost him some money in the near term, but being QB Patrick Mahomes’ bodyguard in the long term could pay off very handsomely for Simmons and the league’s only active dynasty.
Travis Hunter
The Jags clearly made a strong commitment to get Hunter, who, while rocking his pink blazer, seemed to be having the time of his life in Green Bay on Thursday. Now he heads to a rebooting operation where he doesn’t have to be WR1 or CB1 and has a reasonable chance to make strong contributions offensively and defensively – and in a sad division where his presence could very much spark a turnaround in Duval County (or however new HC Liam Coen says it).
Packers fans
They were out in force for the first draft in the Cheese State in more than 80 years. They booed the Bears, while being respectful of recently passed Chicago Hall of Famer Steve McMichael. Finally, they were gift wrapped a first-round wideout, Texas’ speedy Matthew Golden, for the first time in 23 years. On Wisconsin!
Aaron Rodgers
Assuming he signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers … it appears he won’t have to compete with Sanders … barring what would likely be a costly trade to come up to get him given Pittsburgh has no second-round pick. But seriously, assuming he can still whip Mason Rudolph, it appears Rodgers has a clear runway to the Steel City QB1 job.
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