NFL NationApr 24, 2025, 09:38 PM ET
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- NFL Country is made up of 32 team-specific journalists who quilt the NFL year-round throughout ESPN.com, ESPN tv presentations, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was once established forward of the 2013 season.
The 2025 NFL draft started Thursday night time in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin, with the Tennessee Titans settling on Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 general select. All 32 groups are scheduled to make first-round selections on Thursday.
We will be able to be monitoring all 257 selections for Rounds 1-7, and you can also take a look at all of the perfect to be had draft possibilities.
The draft continues with Rounds 2-3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET) and concludes with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (midday ET).
ESPN’s group of journalists will publish professionals and cons under for each and every of the 32 avid gamers decided on in Thursday’s first around:
protection:
Best possibilities at each place
Kiper’s place scores
Spherical 1 selections / order
Why they picked him: Ward is the most efficient quarterback within the draft magnificence and suits the largest want at the Titans’ roster. Having performed 38 video games in school, Ward has the enjoy to play straight away if known as upon. Titans trainer Brian Callahan makes use of identical passing ideas to what Ward was once requested to execute at Miami. Callahan’s rapid long term is dependent upon the good fortune he is ready to reach with Ward beneath heart. The Titans like Ward’s self belief and consider that may lend a hand him deal with the force that includes being the highest select.
Largest query: Will Ward’s playmaking talent be a present or a curse? His arm energy and self belief will lead to a few ill-advised throws that may end up in turnovers. The Titans’ good fortune depends upon whether or not Callahan can steadiness Ward’s want to take dangers with the opportunity of large performs. Callahan stated there is a subtle steadiness when training a participant with that tendency. Tennessee is not constructed to triumph over turnovers, but additionally must be extra explosive on offense. — Turron Davenport
Why they picked him: Hunter is an elite participant on each side of the ball and he straight away upgrades a Jaguars offense that has few playmakers. He will draw consideration from receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and is a large spice up for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has struggled together with his consistency over the last two seasons. The Jaguars say they consider Hunter is the most efficient participant within the draft and along with his substantial ability he brings big name energy to a franchise that hasn’t had a lot of that over the last decade.
Largest query: How are the Jaguars going to make use of him? The hot button is to have a plan for him, and they are prone to get started him on offense and provides him a package deal on protection, which might make bigger as he grows extra relaxed. The Jaguars gave up so much for Hunter — the No. 5 select, No. 36 and No. 126 this 12 months and their No. 1 select in 2026 — and there will likely be super force to get him at the box up to imaginable however they will have to be certain they steer clear of overworking him mentally early. — Michael DiRocco
Why they picked him: Carter is regarded as the type of blue-chip or generational prospect that common supervisor Joe Schoen mentioned “you do not move on that form of participant.” He has explosive characteristics that experience evaluators making comparisons to All-Professional Von Miller. It is usually a transparent indication that the Giants had a transparent difference between Carter and any of the opposite final quarterbacks (together with Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders). Carter is helping Schoen satisfy his want to get the most efficient avid gamers for 2025 with the force on to provide wins this season.
Largest query: What do the Giants do now at quarterback? They handed on Sanders, Dart and Jalen Milroe, amongst others, at No. 3. Do they transfer again into the ground of Spherical 1 to seek out their doable quarterback of the long run? That most definitely is dependent upon the price. Or possibly they wait till Friday. The Giants clearly did not like all of the quarterbacks sufficient to take them on the peak of the draft over Carter. Nonetheless, Schoen and trainer Brian Daboll have not begun to draft and increase a quarterback getting into Yr 4. Sooner or later it is going to be vital, particularly bearing in mind proprietor John Mara mentioned previous this 12 months that discovering a quarterback of the long run is the group’s peak precedence this offseason. — Jordan Raanan
Why they picked him: One of the vital peak objectives for the Patriots on this draft is construction extra infrastructure round quarterback Drake Maye. Imagine that the Patriots ranked remaining in run block win fee (67%) and forward of handiest the Bengals in move block win fee remaining season (51%). Trainer Mike Vrabel known as Campbell a “foundational piece” and a “21-year-old who’s mature past his years.” Vrabel mentioned Campbell made a “large have an effect on” at the Patriots throughout the pr-draft procedure and mentioned, “This was once an excessively, really easy select for us.”
Largest query: Is Campbell constructed to play take on into the long run? Campbell’s arm duration (33 inches at LSU’s professional day) had some groups viewing him extra as a guard. However Vrabel mentioned the Patriots plan to play him at take on, the place he began 38 video games at LSU. — Mike Reiss
Why they picked him: After buying and selling again with the Jaguars and getting a draft haul that features a 2026 first-round select, the Browns landed Graham, a consensus top-five prospect at a place the group values. Graham was once a disruptive participant at the inner of the line of defense and the Browns like to rotate move rushers alongside the defensive entrance. He suits Cleveland’s penetrating protection and may just play an important position as a rookie.
Largest query: Can Graham develop into an elite move rusher? In 3 seasons in school, Graham’s profession excessive for sacks in a season was once 3.5. Final season, the Browns had 9 sacks from avid gamers covered up at defensive take on, tied for fourth fewest within the NFL. — Daniel Oyefusi
Why they picked him: Pete Carroll needs to run the ball. And that is the reason one thing Las Vegas struggled to do remaining season, averaging 79.8 dashing yards in keeping with recreation — the fewest through any group over the last two seasons. Jeanty, a Heisman Trophy finalist, will supply a right away spice up within the backfield. In 2024, Jeanty totaled 2,601 dashing yards — 2d maximum in a season in FBS historical past. With the addition of Jeanty, the Raiders can take some force off new quarterback Geno Smith.
Largest query: What are sensible expectancies for Jeanty? He’s the primary working again decided on inside the first six selections of a draft since 2018, when the Giants drafted Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 select. Taking him that top within the draft is a transparent signal he would be the Raiders’ RB1 straight away since his ability set provides him an edge over others within the working again rotation. Be expecting Jeanty to play a big position on offense as a rookie. Carroll needs to take the force off Smith and Jeanty is the type of three-down working again who can lend a hand. — Ryan McFadden
Why they picked him: They sought after a plug-and-play take on to play reverse remaining 12 months’s first-round select, Olu Fashanu. In concept, the Jets will have their bookend tackles for the following decade. With Joe Tippmann at heart, and Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson at guard, the Jets must have an impressive line. And younger, too, with each starter beneath 29. Get able for a smashmouth dashing assault, led through quarterback Justin Fields and working again Breece Corridor. Membou was once a three-year starter at proper take on, so he can slide simply into that beginning position. He surrendered just one sack in 391 pass-blocking snaps remaining season, however his inventory did not leap till the scouting mix. He ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.91 seconds, handiest the 5th prospect 330 kilos or extra since 2003 to crack the 5.0 mark. Giant fella can transfer.
Largest query: How a lot is an excessive amount of? The Jets have used 4 first-round selections on offensive linemen since 2020 (Mekhi Becton, Vera-Tucker, Fashanu and Membou). They must have one of the most higher traces within the league, however they could have sacrificed a playmaker for Fields. Tight finish Tyler Warren was once at the board, and would’ve helped the passing recreation so much. — Wealthy Cimini
Why they picked him: Up to a protection ranked remaining within the NFL in 2024 mandatory lend a hand, McMillan’s ability was once an excessive amount of to move up. The participant nicknamed T-Mac reportedly ran a 4.48 40, speedy for a 6-foot-4, 219-pound participant. He will give quarterback Bryce Younger pace and a much-needed ownership receiver he did not have in remaining 12 months’s first-round select Xavier Legette.
Largest query: Will the Panthers be capable to fill large wishes on protection after passing on edge rusher Jalon Walker at No. 8? McMillan was once productive in school, however he nonetheless is slightly of a venture with regards to changing into a constant deep risk and true No. 1 receiver. — David Newton
Why they picked him: The Saints had been related to quite a lot of quarterbacks for the 9th select, however on the finish of the day, they went with a protected selection, settling on a participant who may just lend a hand building up an offensive line that struggled with accidents remaining 12 months. The Saints didn’t select up proper take on Trevor Penning’s possibility and in addition cycled thru left guards in 2024. Banks began 42 video games at left take on for Texas, and if the Saints envisioned him at that spot, then they may transfer Taliese Fuaga again to the best aspect, the place he performed in school.
Largest query: The place do the Saints in the long run envision Banks enjoying? The Saints actually have a want at guard and a few projections have Banks shifting inside of, however it is most likely the Saints would not be making an investment any such excessive select except they noticed a take on of the long run. Which aspect he finally ends up on could also be a query on the early degree. The Saints nonetheless want to upload extra offensive playmakers and determine their quarterback state of affairs with Derek Carr’s standing unsure. — Katherine Terrell
Why they picked him: Ben Johnson’s Detroit offense applied 12 staff (1 RB, 2 WR, 2 TE) on 32.2% of performs in 2024 (third-highest fee in NFL). The Bears drafting Loveland foreshadows heavy tight finish utilization proceeding in Chicago with the chance of Loveland being to the Bears offense what Sam LaPorta (who had 10 touchdowns as a rookie) was once to Detroit’s. Loveland was once focused on 41% of his routes remaining season (the perfect mark through any FBS tight finish) and stuck 56 passes for 5 touchdowns. The 21-year-old supplies quarterback Caleb Williams with every other weapon over the center of the sector (43% of Loveland routes had been comebacks, outs or crosses in 2024).
Largest query: What does Loveland’s variety imply for Cole Kmet? The Bears deal with that Kmet could have a large position in Chicago’s offense. The group perspectives the veteran tight finish, who had 474 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in 2024, and the rookie as having complementary ability units but additionally giving Johnson the power to mix ‘n match their roles at the box. “Having two guys with dimension that may separate, that may roll the ball of their arms, I feel it creates mismatches, it creates creativity for an offense in Ben’s eyes,” Chicago senior director of participant staff Jeff King mentioned. — Courtney Cronin
Why they picked him: The 49ers’ wishes at the line of defense are not any secret after liberating beginning finish Leonard Floyd and tackles Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins throughout the outlet days of unfastened company. However this magnificence is regarded as deep at take on, and defensive finish remains to be the extra top rate place. In Williams, the Niners get somebody who they consider can instantly lend a hand their run protection (he had 14 tackles at or in the back of the road of scrimmage in 2024) whilst he continues to increase as a move rusher.
Largest query: Can the 49ers maximize Williams’ pass-rush doable? Williams had handiest 14 sacks in 3 seasons for the Bulldogs whilst lining up in every single place the line of defense. In San Francisco, he’s going to be anticipated to play finish within the group’s most well-liked wide-9 entrance, a place the place he spent little time in school. It is value noting he handled an ankle harm for many of remaining season however that is nonetheless a tender (20-year-old) participant who will want line of defense trainer Kris Kocurek to lend a hand him alongside to be the bookend for Nick Bosa the group has been looking for since 2019. — Nick Wagoner
Why they picked him: The Cowboys noticed Zack Martin retire in February after a Corridor of Repute profession and mandatory a alternative, in spite of having Brock Hoffman, who began seven video games remaining 12 months at proper guard, and including Robert Jones in unfastened company. He’s a peak run blocker. Booker is stout. The Cowboys play in a department with superb inner linemen and he’s going to lend a hand with that. Brian Schottenheimer mentioned he needs the Cowboys to have a bodily offense. Booker, who began 27 of 28 video games in his profession, will lend a hand with that too.
Largest query: The query isn’t such a lot about Booker, despite the fact that possibly there may be some fear about his talent in area. It is extra about how the Cowboys in finding lend a hand with playmakers for Dak Prescott because the draft continues. Tetairoa McMillan was once one in every of their peak objectives, however he was once picked at No. 8. The Cowboys want pace at receiver. They want a working again. They may be able to solution the ones questions in Rounds 2 and three. However let’s have in mind Jerry Jones mentioned the Cowboys have had “substantive” industry talks that would come to fruition throughout or after the draft. — Todd Archer
Why they picked him: After dropping Calais Campbell and Da’Shawn Hand in unfastened company, the Dolphins had an pressing want on their line of defense. Grant is an area eater at 6-foot-4, 331 kilos and must transparent up rush lanes for Zach Sieler and Miami’s plethora of move rushers. The Dolphins nonetheless have huge wishes at offensive guard and cornerback, however GM Chris Grier says he feels assured he will be capable to cope with the ones wishes later within the draft.
Largest query: Grier could be assured in his talent to handle the group’s different wishes with one in every of his selections on Day 2, however will the Dolphins remorseful about no longer taking one in every of this draft’s elite cornerbacks in Will Johnson or Jahdae Barron? Grant is proficient however will he proceed to increase as a move rusher (6.5 sacks in 3 seasons)? — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Why they picked him: The Colts had been remaining within the NFL in tight finish receptions remaining season and feature since misplaced their peak pass-catcher on the place (Kylen Granson) to unfastened company. The Colts were frank in regards to the want to improve the placement, with common supervisor Chris Ballard announcing previous this month, “Do we’d like a game-changer? Completely.” The Colts have gathered a productive crew of receivers and feature a celeb at working again in Jonathan Taylor. However tight finish has been a long-running void at the roster and Warren’s well-rounded recreation provides Indy a spice up within the move recreation and as a run blocker.
Largest query: Can the Colts in finding tactics to maximise Warren of their offense? Trainer Shane Steichen has had good fortune deploying tight results in his earlier stints as a play caller with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. However so far he is not been ready to get excellent manufacturing from the placement in Indianapolis. — Stephen Holder
Why they picked him: The Falcons have many holes on protection and Walker has the flexibility to suit more than one roles. He performed most commonly off-ball linebacker remaining season for Georgia, however has enjoy at the edge, which is the place Atlanta will want him probably the most. He has a ton of pace and talent to get to the quarterback, but additionally is efficacious in opposition to the run in addition to in protection. He is additionally a high-character man, which the Falcons all the time put a top rate on.
Largest query: How will the Falcons maximize his talent? At 6-foot-1 and 243 kilos, Walker is a bit of undersized as a straight-up edge rusher. From a point of view of natural bodily attributes, he tasks extra as an off-ball linebacker. However Atlanta will most definitely use him in each tactics, teaming up with Kaden Elliss as inside of linebackers, in addition to coming off the brink. Walker even covered up 50 instances at slot cornerback with the Bulldogs. So, he is able to doing many stuff, which most definitely has new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich salivating. — Marc Raimondi
