Winners, Losers, and Wildcards: Breaking Down the 2025 NFL Draft
As always, the NFL Draft had its fair share of studs—and some questionable picks. Here are the winners, the losers, and a few of the draft’s biggest storylines.
First Overall: All offseason long, the Titans were in love with Miami’s quarterback, Cam Ward. So, it’s no surprise he went first overall. The college quarterback was a hot commodity, with numerous teams trying to trade up with Tennessee for the pick. An expert escape artist, patient and quick—Cam Ward is the full package for the Titans. He has the strength, he has the flash, and now the hope is that Tennessee can build around him and turn this team into a contender. Only time will tell.
Trade Up: The best player in the draft? That’s what many analysts said about Travis Hunter. But the Browns didn’t see it that way. In a shocking move, they traded the No. 2 overall pick to the Jaguars. Hunter is a true two-way player—stellar at cornerback with WR2-level skills at wide receiver. A natural playmaker and loaded with talent, he’s a great weapon to pair with Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence.
Fall to the Fifth: Many believed Shedeur Sanders was the second-best quarterback in the draft, right behind Cam Ward. As the son of former NFL superstar Deion Sanders, he’s got a lot to live up to. But things didn’t go as expected. Five quarterbacks—Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel—were taken before him. Despite showing serious skills at Colorado, teams were skeptical. Reports surfaced about cocky interviews, his dad being a distraction, and some organizations not wanting the drama. Whether that’s fair or not, Shedeur is already starting his NFL career on the back foot. Only time will tell how it plays out.
Best Draft: New England crushed it. Running backs, offensive linemen, wide receivers—they gave Drake Maye exactly what he needs: help. Spending their first four picks on offense is a bold move, but I’m giving the Patriots the top grade because of how much I think it’ll impact their team. Watch out, AFC East—the Pats are on the rise.
Worst Draft: Miami missed the mark. They spent their first two picks on the trenches, which was the right area to target—but both selections were reaches. They passed on better players still on the board and didn’t have a third or fourth-round pick to make up for it. Not a disaster, but still the worst of the bunch.
The new season will crown a Rookie of the Year. It will separate the real contenders from the pretenders. With so much drama coming out of this draft, it’s hard not to be hyped for what’s next.
