By Luke Curran, ’27
Staff Writer
The 2025 NFL Draft is done, and there’s a lot to discuss. Some teams made smart picks, some took significant risks, and a few surprises shook things up. A couple of players left earlier than expected, while others fell significantly. In hindsight, this year’s draft did not fall short of expectations.
When reflecting on the first round of the draft, it’s clear that many teams selected players who were considered the best fit for certain positions. Organizations such as the Tennessee Titans and the New York Giants sought talented quarterbacks, while other teams, including the New England Patriots, drafted offensive linemen. The Titans, possessing the first overall pick, selected Cam Ward from the University of Miami. Other notable players chosen within the first round included Heisman winner Travis Hunter, who went to Jacksonville; Will Campbell, a left tackle selected by New England; and Ashton Jeanty, heading to Las Vegas as a running back.
Some significant risks were taken within the first round of the draft, including quarterback decisions. One notable example is Jaxson Dart, selected 25th overall by the New York Giants. Dart was projected to land outside of the first round. Other risky draft picks include quarterback Tyler Shough, taken by New Orleans, and quarterback Dillon Gabriel, selected by Cleveland.
However, some players who were projected to land in the first round were not as fortunate. A clear example of this is former NFL star Deion Sanders’ son, Shedeur Sanders, a quarterback from Colorado. Shedeur Sanders was widely anticipated to fall within the first round, yet many teams passed up on him. The Cleveland Browns eventually chose Sanders as the 144th overall pick in the 5th round of the draft after a series of other quarterbacks had been selected before him.
This 2025 NFL draft class is loaded with talent and standout players who have each given it their all just to be drafted. The efforts shown by these individuals reveal the hard work required to be part of the league, no matter how easy it may appear to be. Overall, it’s clear that the future is bright for several teams and players. The next class of stars is on the way, and fans have a lot to look forward to.
The Hawk 