NFL Draft Wins & Losses

The 2025 NFL Draft took place from April 24 - 26, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Over the course of those 3 days, the 32 NFL teams drafted over 250 new players to join their teams. While some teams looked to add supporting players to their already strong rosters, others searched for the new face of their franchise. Here are a few of the highlights and most inspiring stories from the draft!

The Number One Pick

Cam Ward, the quarterback for the University of Miami, was the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ward was selected by the Tennessee Titans, who have finished last in the AFC South for two consecutive seasons. 

In high school, despite his evident skill, Ward faced a tough recruiting process and was a zero-star recruit. He received only one offer, from the University of Incarnate Word. There, amidst the cancellation of his first season due to the Coronavirus, Ward fought to become the starting quarterback. A year later, he entered the transfer portal, and after being pursued by over 15 teams, he transferred to Washington State University, where he had two outstanding seasons. 

In his last year of eligibility, Ward transferred to the University of Miami and excelled, even becoming a finalist for the Heisman trophy. His time at the University of Miami solidified his potential to be the number one pick. On April 24, 2025, Cam Ward became the first zero-star recruit to be drafted first in the NFL Draft in over 20 years. With Ward, the Titans are looking to replicate the success that the Philadelphia Eagles have with Jalen Hurts and make Ward the new leader of their franchise. 

The Browns Passed on Travis Hunter 

The Cleveland Browns received the number two pick in the draft and were expected to draft Travis Hunter. Hunter is a wide receiver for the University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as a two-time Heisman Trophy winner. The Browns needed to strengthen both their offense and defense, so Hunter, who plays Cornerback (a defensive position) and Wide Receiver (an offensive position) seemed like an obvious choice for them. 

However, the Browns traded their number two pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for the number five pick. Hunter was drafted by the Jaguars, and Hunter stated that he was excited to return to his home state. The Browns instead drafted Mason Graham, a defender from the University of Michigan. It remains to be seen whether the Brown’s choice to pass on Hunter will pay off in the long run. 

Shedeur Sanders Waits Five Rounds to be Drafted 

Shedeur Sanders, quarterback at the University of Colorado, Boulder, was regarded by many as a first-round pick in the draft. However, Sanders wasn’t picked until the fifth round, where he was drafted as the 144th pick by the Cleveland Browns. 

This was shocking to many NFL analysts and fans, especially considering that several teams were seeking a new franchise quarterback. In mock drafts, Sanders was projected to be drafted by such teams, including the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers. These teams instead chose to draft players who were ranked much lower than Sanders. 

Sanders’ father is former Dallas Cowboys cornerback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. Some analysts have predicted that certain teams passed on Sanders because they perceived his father as a distraction. 

As of right now, Sanders is participating in rookie camp for the Browns, and has stated that he believes his story will be similar to Tom Brady’s, who was drafted as a sixth round pick.  

The Biggest Winners of the Draft 

1. The New England Patriots 

The New England Patriots had many gaps to fill with their offense, and scored big when they drafted Will Campbell. Campbell played offensive tackle for Louisiana State University, and he stated that he would “fight and die” to protect Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots also drafted several more outstanding offensive linemen, including wide receiver Kyle Williams, who is known for his speed. 

2. The New York Giants 

The New York Giants got who many considered to be the best pick of the draft, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. While the Giant’s defense wasn’t weak to begin with, Carter will add some much needed speed and agility to the team. The Giants also drafted Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, who they hope will follow in their former quarterback Eli Manning’s path. 

3. The Los Angeles Rams 

While the Rams passed on some great talents during this draft, their decisions were by far the most strategic for the future of their team. The Rams traded their first round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a second first round pick in the 2026 draft. Despite this, they were still able to acquire outstanding players in the following rounds, including Terrence Ferguson, a tight end from the University of Oregon who will be a great asset for quarterback Matthew Stafford.