Throughout the 2025 NFL Draft, simply two quarterbacks have been chosen within the first spherical, in comparison with six final yr. Regardless of the shortage of elite QBs, it is protected to say it wasn’t uneventful.
After 257 picks, listed here are 10 knee-jerk reactions to the 2025 draft.
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders’ slide could possibly be one of many greatest in NFL historical past
According to NFL Mock Draft Database, 93.7 % of mock drafts had Sanders going within the first spherical. He fell to the fifth spherical, the place the Cleveland Browns took him with decide No. 144.
In a narrative revealed Saturday, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported Sanders fell due to poor interviews on the 2025 NFL Scouting Mix in Indianapolis and considerations about how he could possibly be a distraction as a backup. The QB, in fact, is the son of Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer/Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion.
It is nonetheless honest to marvel why a staff did not take a flier on Shedeur Sanders on Day 2, particularly in a weak QB class. In two seasons with the Buffaloes, the 23-year-old accomplished 71.8 % of his passes for 7,364 yards and 64 landing passes.
Browns ought to commerce one among their QBs after puzzling draft technique
Together with Sanders, the Browns chosen Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel with decide No. 94 within the third spherical.
“We do not actually go into the draft saying, ‘OK, listed here are our wants and we’re simply going to select sure gamers at [certain] positions,'” Browns common supervisor Andrew Berry said of drafting both QBs on Saturday. “In case you try this, that is the way you sometimes make errors.”
After taking Sanders and Gabriel, the Browns have a crowded QB room that additionally contains Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. QB Deshaun Watson is predicted to overlook many of the season after tearing his Achilles for a second time in January.
The Browns might have too many QBs, and thus they need to contemplate buying and selling one to accumulate extra picks and fill different wants. Groups could also be focused on Pickett, a first-round decide in 2022.
Jaguars playing on Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter may repay
Jaguars first-year common supervisor James Gladstone would not appear to be having second ideas about trading four picks to the Browns to maneuver up from No. 5 to No. 2 and take Hunter.
“There are only a few gamers who’ve the capability to change the trajectory of the game itself,” Gladstone stated Thursday, via Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons.
Buying and selling a number of picks carries danger, however 2024 Heisman winner Hunter could possibly be a uncommon prospect. In 13 video games final season, he logged 15 TD catches and 4 interceptions.
The Titans probably gave Miami QB Cam Ward the weapons he wanted
After taking Ward with decide No. 1, the Titans probably put him able to succeed, bolstering his receiving corps.
In Spherical 4, Tennessee grabbed Stanford broad receiver Elic Ayomanor (decide No. 136), Florida broad receiver Chimere Dike (decide No. 103) and Texas tight finish Gunnar Helm (decide No. 120).
Dike ran a 4.34 40-yard sprint on the mix, whereas Ayomanor earned a second-team All-ACC nod in 2024. Helm broke out in his last season at Texas, ending with a career-high 786 receiving yards in 16 video games.
The Patriots might have had one of many higher drafts
Talking of constructing round younger QBs, New England’s Drake Maye, 22, ought to really feel significantly better concerning the staff’s roster after the draft.
With decide No. 4, the Patriots took LSU offensive deal with Will Campbell. Regardless of considerations about his arm size (32 5/8 inches), the 2024 first-team All-American ought to enhance an O-line that tied for fifth within the league in sacks allowed (52) final season.
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson (decide No. 38) may additionally present an enormous boon for New England. In 16 video games in 2024, he rushed for 1,016 yards and 10 TDs on 144 carries.
The Steelers might have waited too lengthy for a QB
The Steelers chosen Ohio State QB Will Howard with decide No. 185 within the sixth spherical. Though the QB guided the Buckeyes to a nationwide championship within the 2024 season, he is possible a profession backup. On his last large board, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. rated Howard as his No. 7 QB.
Ready to take a QB alerts that Pittsburgh is assured it should signal Aaron Rodgers. On Saturday, Steelers HC Mike Tomlin instructed NFL Community they’ve had “productive talks” with the four-time MVP (h/t ESPN’s Brooke Pryor).
If the Steelers add Rodgers, it could not make them a Tremendous Bowl contender. In 17 video games with the New York Jets in 2024, the 41-year-old ranked twenty fifth within the league in QBR (48).
First-round working backs ought to thank Eagles star Saquon Barkley
Throughout the 2024 season, Barkley rushed for two,005 yards in 16 regular-season video games, the eighth most in a season in league historical past.
After watching Barkley carry Philadelphia to its second Tremendous Bowl victory, some groups are seemingly making an attempt to copy the Eagles’ blueprint.
The Las Vegas Raiders chosen Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty with decide No. 6, and the Los Angeles Chargers took North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton with decide No. 22. It is the third time since 2020 two backs have been first-rounders.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman retains including to stacked protection
Why does the league let Roseman proceed to get his fingers on proficient SEC defenders?
With decide No. 31, he took Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who led the Crimson Tide in tackles final season (117 in 13 video games). He additionally grabbed Texas security Andrew Mukuba (decide No. 64), who had a career-high 5 interceptions in 15 video games in 2024.
Final season, Philadelphia ranked second within the league in factors allowed (17.8). Including Mukuba and Campbell retains the elite unit intact.
Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter ought to elevate Giants’ fearsome pass-rush
Edge-rusher wasn’t a necessity for the Giants after they tied for the league’s eighth-most sacks (45) in 2024.
Taking Carter with decide No. 3 may nonetheless show to be good. In 16 video games in 2024, he had 24 tackles for loss, incomes a first-team All-American nod.
A robust pass-rush is essential within the NFC East, the place Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and Cowboys QB Dak Prescott await twice a yr.
Taking Louisville QB Tyler Shough with decide No. 40 might backfire on the New Orleans Saints
After watching Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix thrive in his rookie season, the Saints might have felt Shough may do the identical in New Orleans. Nix tossed the league’s sixth-most TD passes (29) in 17 begins and led the Broncos to the playoffs in 2024.
Like Nix, Shough is an older QB prospect. Nix turned 25 on Feb. 25, whereas Shough turns 26 on Sept. 28.
In contrast to Nix, although, Shough had sturdiness points all through his faculty profession. In seven seasons at Texas Tech, Oregon and Louisville, he broke his left collarbone twice and fractured his left fibula.
