2025 NFL Draft: Jaguars go bold for Travis Hunter, Shedeur slides out of first round

The NFL Draft returned for 2025 in Green Bay, with an electrifying first round that brought trades, surprises, and plenty of drama.

Kicking off with the Tennessee Titans selecting quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall, that pick turned out to be one of the less dramatic and attention grabbing on opening night, as the Jacksonville Jaguars stole the spotlight early, trading up to the second overall pick to select Colorado’s Travis Hunter, the versatile Heisman Trophy winner known for excelling as both a wide receiver and cornerback.

The Jaguars sent their fifth overall pick, a second-rounder, a fourth-rounder, and a 2026 first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in a bold move orchestrated by new GM James Gladstone. Hunter’s rare two-way talent makes him a game-changer, and Jacksonville hopes he’ll pair with 2024 first-rounder Brian Thomas Jr. to spark a franchise turnaround.

The New York Giants kept the surprises coming, trading back into the first round to draft Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25. After passing on a QB at No. 3, the Giants sent their second-round pick (No. 34), a third-rounder (No. 99), and a 2026 third-round pick to the Houston Texans for the slot.

Dart, who shattered SEC passing records in 2024, edged out other prospects like Shedeur Sanders in the Giants’ eyes. Coach Brian Daboll sees him as a perfect fit, with veterans like Russell Wilson providing a buffer for his development.

Perhaps the night’s biggest shock was Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders going unselected in the first round. Once a projected top-10 pick, Sanders saw his stock dip amid concerns over arm strength and NFL readiness, with the most likely team to select him in the Pittsburgh Steelers opting for Oregon DT Derrick Harmon at #21 overall instead.

Elsewhere, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers raised eyebrows by selecting Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka at No. 19, adding to an already stacked group featuring Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Egbuka’s crisp routes and dependable hands bolster the offense, but critics argue Tampa neglected targeting a premium defensive player.

Beyond the headlines, the Las Vegas Raiders grabbed Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty at sixth overall, the highest-drafted back since 2018, while the Packers drafted a wide receiver in the first round for the first time since 2002, in taking Matthew Golden.

With the drama certainly about to continue, the stage is set for more excitement in rounds two and three on Friday.

Full First-Round Selections of the 2025 NFL Draft

1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (via CLE) – Travis Hunter, CB/WR
3. New York Giants – Abdul Carter, EDGE
4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OT
5. Cleveland Browns (via JAX) – Mason Graham, DT
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB
7. New York Jets – Armand Membou, OT
8. Carolina Panthers – Tetairoa McMillan, WR
9. New Orleans Saints – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT
10. Chicago Bears – Colston Loveland, TE
11. San Francisco 49ers – Mykel Williams, EDGE
12. Dallas Cowboys – Tyler Booker, G
13. Miami Dolphins – Kenneth Grant, DT
14. Indianapolis Colts – Tyler Warren, TE
15. Atlanta Falcons – Jalon Walker, EDGE
16. Arizona Cardinals – Walter Nolen, DT
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Shemar Stewart, EDGE
18. Seattle Seahawks – Grey Zabel, OL
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Emeka Egbuka, WR
20. Denver Broncos – Jahdae Barron, CB
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Derrick Harmon, DT
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Omarion Hampton, RB
23. Green Bay Packers – Matthew Golden, WR
24. Minnesota Vikings – Donovan Jackson, G
25. New York Giants (via HOU) – Jaxson Dart, QB
26. Atlanta Falcons (via LAR) – James Pearce Jr., EDGE
27. Baltimore Ravens – Malaki Starks, S
28. Detroit Lions – Tyleik Williams, DT
29. Washington Commanders – Josh Conerly Jr., OT
30. Buffalo Bills – Maxwell Hairston, CB
31. Philadelphia Eagles – Jihaad Campbell, LB
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Simmons, OT