Here’s a detailed look at the 2025 NFL Draft and its biggest storylines:
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🏈 Draft Overview & Historic Context
The 2025 NFL Draft, held April 24–26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, was the 90th annual draft and featured 257 picks over seven rounds, including Kobee Minor as Mr. Irrelevant with the final selection . For the first time in the common draft era, every team kept its original first-round pick initially, though several notable trades altered the order by draft night .
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🎯 The Top Picks
1️⃣ Tennessee Titans used the first overall pick on QB Cam Ward from Miami, signaling a major quarterback investment .
2️⃣ Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to select Travis Hunter from Colorado, landing a top defensive back .
4️⃣ New England Patriots surprised many by choosing OT Will Campbell from LSU — their first top‑10 offensive lineman pick since 1974 .
Other notable first-rounders included:
Kenneth Grant, DT from Michigan, selected 13th overall by Miami .
Jaxson Dart, QB, went 25th overall to the New York Giants after they traded back into the first round .
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📈 Draft Grades & Analytics
Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Cleveland Browns an A+, highlighting their maneuver, including taking QB Shedeur Sanders at pick No. 144, plus additional Day 2 value .
PFF awarded A+ grades to the Cardinals, Panthers, and Cowboys for multiple high-value selections, while flagging the 49ers and Vikings near the bottom .
CBS Sports’ Prisco rated the Bengals a “C” class, noting upside in picks like LB Barrett Carter but overall unfinished premium talent .
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📬 Rookie Contracts & Shake-Up
Unusually, almost all second-round rookies remain unsigned into late June. Early second‑round fully‑guaranteed deals (e.g., Texans’ Higgins, Browns’ Schwesinger) are rewriting expectations and causing impasses in negotiations .
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🧵 Key Rookies & Position Battles
Shedeur Sanders (5th‑round, Browns): Son of Deion Sanders and former QB at Colorado, he slid in the draft despite projected Round 1 status. Voices inside and outside NFL circles are split—some praise his savvy and toughness, others criticize his readiness . His Week 1 QB competition with Dillon Gabriel and veterans like Joe Flacco is drawing early attention .
Jaylin Lane (WR, Washington, 4th round): A speedy slot receiver with special-teams upside, expected to contribute immediately as a return specialist .
Tate Ratledge (OG/center, Detroit, 57th overall): Seen as a strong run-blocker with potential to start at center for the Lions .
Ashton Jeanty (RB, Raiders, 6th overall pick): Garners “Tier 1” rookie fantasy buzz—PFF calls him elite-level talent deserving early round consideration .
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🧩 Off–Field & Strategic Moves
Tom Brady, part‑owner of the Raiders, reportedly blocked signing QB Sam Darnold, preferring Geno Smith; Darnold has since moved to Seattle on a major $100.5 million contract .
Seahawks used 1st‑round selection on OL Grey Zabel and drafted QB Jalen Milroe in the 3rd—part of a broader offseason revamp including coaching changes and acquisitions like Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp .
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🔍 Final Take
The 2025 Draft was defined by bold QB moves (Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders), historic OL selections (Will Campbell), and shifting dynamics in rookie contracts. Teams like Cleveland and Arizona are already being slotted as big winners, while the drama around QB rooms (Seahawks, Browns) and budding fantasy stars (Jeanty, Sander
s) adds layers of intrigue before training camp kicks in.
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