2025 NFL Draft Night Shocker- Shedeur Slides as Hunter Soars

With the Tennessee Titans on the clock and a draft class loaded with intriguing prospects, the stage was set for fireworks – and the teams didn't disappoint.

Titans Find Their Man in Ward

As expected, the Tennessee Titans selected Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick, officially making him the cornerstone of their rebuilding effort. Ward's journey from Incarnate Word to Washington State to Miami, and now to the NFL, represents one of the most remarkable climbs in draft history. His dynamic playmaking ability and improved pocket presence at Miami showed scouts everything they needed to see. Titans coach Brian Callahan, whose offensive system should complement Ward's skill set nicely, will be banking his future on the development of his new quarterback. The biggest question remains whether Ward's aggressive style of play – which sometimes leads to risky throws – will translate to the NFL or if he'll need to tone down his gunslinger mentality to succeed at the next level.

The Hunter Becomes the Hunted: Jaguars Make Bold Move

In perhaps the most shocking move of the night, the Jacksonville Jaguars executed a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns, moving up from the fifth pick to second overall to select Colorado two-way sensation Travis Hunter. The price was steep: the No. 5 pick, No. 36 and No. 126 this year, plus their 2026 first-round selection. Hunter, who excelled as both a cornerback and wide receiver at Colorado, gives the Jaguars a unicorn-type talent who could potentially transform their franchise on both sides of the ball. While the Jaguars have indicated he'll start primarily on offense, Hunter's unique versatility could see him playing significant snaps at cornerback as well. For Trevor Lawrence, Hunter's arrival alongside Brian Thomas Jr. provides a potentially elite receiving corps that could revitalize Jacksonville's passing attack after two inconsistent seasons from their franchise quarterback.

Giants Grab Carter, Then Dart Back Into Round One

The New York Giants made two of the night's biggest splashes. At No. 3, they selected Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, an explosive athlete drawing comparisons to Von Miller with his burst off the edge. Carter's selection signaled the Giants' prioritization of elite talent over immediate quarterback need. But General Manager Joe Schoen wasn't done. In a stunning move, the Giants traded back into the first round, acquiring the 25th pick from the Houston Texans to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. Despite rumors connecting them to Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, the Giants opted for Dart, believing his accuracy, deep ball capability, and mobility gave him the higher ceiling. While Russell Wilson is penciled in as the 2025 starter, Dart now represents the franchise's long-term plan at the position.

Patriots Build the Wall Around Maye

After a brutal rookie season that saw quarterback Drake Maye sacked 34 times in just 12 starts, the New England Patriots made protecting their young signal-caller their top priority by selecting LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell at No. 4. Campbell, who allowed just two sacks in his final 30 college starts, brings a combination of size, athleticism, and toughness that should immediately bolster the Patriots' struggling offensive line. New head coach Mike Vrabel clearly wanted to set a physical tone with his first draft pick, and Campbell's no-nonsense style fits perfectly with the blue-collar approach Vrabel is trying to establish. "I'm gonna fight and die to protect them with everything I got," Campbell said of his new teammates – words that surely made Vrabel smile.

The Shedeur Sanders Stunner

In what may be remembered as the biggest story of the first round, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders – son of NFL legend Deion Sanders and once considered a potential top-five pick – went completely undrafted on day one. Despite his impressive production at Colorado, teams clearly had concerns that weren't apparent during the pre-draft process. The fall was particularly shocking considering the quarterback-needy teams that passed on him. The Browns traded out of the No. 2 spot rather than selecting him. The Steelers, widely rumored to be interested at No. 21, opted for Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon instead. Even the Giants, who desperately needed a quarterback of the future, chose Dart over Sanders when they traded back into the first round. Sanders will now face an agonizing wait until the second round begins on Friday, where teams like the Browns (who hold the 33rd pick) could potentially end his slide.

Running Back Renaissance

In an era where running backs have been increasingly devalued, two ball carriers heard their names called in the first round – and one went shockingly high. The Las Vegas Raiders made Boise State's Ashton Jeanty the sixth overall pick, the highest selection of a running back since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018. Jeanty, whose 2,601 rushing yards last season were the second-most in FBS history, brings a dynamic three-down skill set to new coach Pete Carroll's run-heavy scheme. Later, the Los Angeles Chargers selected North Carolina's Omarion Hampton at No. 22, giving Jim Harbaugh the bruising power back his offense typically employs. At 6-foot, 221 pounds, Hampton combines rare acceleration with power and could form a formidable one-two punch with free agent addition Najee Harris.

Colts Find Their Game-Changer at Tight End

The Indianapolis Colts addressed their most glaring offensive need by selecting Penn State tight end Tyler Warren with the 14th pick. After ranking last in tight end receptions last season and losing their top pass-catcher at the position in free agency, Colts GM Chris Ballard had openly stated they "absolutely" needed a game-changer at tight end. In Warren, they get a versatile weapon who can line up anywhere in the formation and create mismatches with his combination of size and athleticism. For whoever wins the quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, Warren should immediately become a reliable security blanket and red zone target.

Packers End 23-Year Drought

The Green Bay Packers made their passionate home crowd erupt with joy by selecting Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden with the 23rd pick – ending a 23-year drought without a first-round receiver selection. Not since Javon Walker in 2002 had the Packers used their top pick on a wideout. Golden, who ran a blistering 4.29 40-yard dash at the combine, gives Jordan Love a legitimate deep threat to complement the Packers' already talented young receiver room. With Christian Watson coming off an ACL tear and Golden now in the fold alongside Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Tucker Kraft, the Packers' passing attack looks increasingly formidable.

Panthers Give Young Another Weapon

For the second consecutive year, the Carolina Panthers invested their first-round pick in a wide receiver to support quarterback Bryce Young. After selecting Xavier Legette at No. 32 last year, the Panthers added Arizona standout Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall pick. The 6-foot-4, 213-pound McMillan brings exceptional catch radius and body control to a Panthers offense desperate for playmakers. His ability to high-point the ball and make contested catches should make him a perfect complement to Young's game, especially when the third-year quarterback is under pressure.

Alabama's Continuing Draft Dominance

The Alabama pipeline to the NFL remained strong, with several Crimson Tide stars hearing their names called in round one. Tyler Booker went 12th overall to the Dallas Cowboys, filling the void left by future Hall of Famer Zack Martin's retirement. Jihaad Campbell landed with the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 31, continuing GM Howie Roseman's affinity for SEC defenders. And defensive back Malaki Starks heads to the Baltimore Ravens at No. 27, where he'll pair with Kyle Hamilton to form one of the league's most athletic safety duos.

Browns, Steelers Quarterback Questions Remain

Two AFC North rivals with major quarterback concerns chose to address other positions in round one. The Cleveland Browns traded down from No. 2 to No. 5, acquiring extra draft capital (including a 2026 first-rounder from Jacksonville) and selecting Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. With Deshaun Watson's future uncertain, the Browns now face a training camp quarterback battle between 40-year-old Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. The Pittsburgh Steelers, meanwhile, passed on Sanders at No. 21 to take Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, signaling either tremendous confidence in Mason Rudolph as their 2025 starter or perhaps foreshadowing a potential Aaron Rodgers pursuit.

Day Two Anticipation

As the draft shifts to Day Two, all eyes will be on Shedeur Sanders and how far he might slide. The Browns hold the 33rd pick to open Friday's action and could potentially end his free fall, but quarterback-needy teams like the Steelers, Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings might also be in the mix. With several premier talents still available, including Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, Georgia tight end Ben Yurosek, and a host of talented receivers and edge rushers, Day Two promises plenty more fireworks as teams look to find value and address remaining needs.

Top 10 Picks Recap

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (from CLE): Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

5. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

8. Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

9. New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

10. Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Draft Night Winners and Losers

Winners:

Jacksonville Jaguars: They paid a hefty price, but landing Travis Hunter could transform their franchise. Adding his dynamic playmaking ability alongside Brian Thomas Jr. instantly makes their offense more explosive and gives Trevor Lawrence the weapons he needs to succeed.

New York Giants: Abdul Carter at No. 3 gives them an elite edge talent, and their aggressive move back into round one for Jaxson Dart addresses their long-term quarterback need without reaching. A masterclass in value and need.

Indianapolis Colts: Desperately needing a playmaking tight end, the Colts got the draft's best in Tyler Warren without trading up. He should immediately become a security blanket for whoever wins their quarterback competition.

Green Bay Packers: The fans went wild when the Packers finally broke their receiver drought, and Matthew Golden's 4.29 speed should open up the field for Jordan Love and the rest of their talented young weapons.

Losers:

Shedeur Sanders: From potential top-five pick to falling completely out of the first round – a stunning development that raises serious questions about what teams saw (or didn't see) in his game or personality during the pre-draft process.

Cleveland Browns: While they recouped excellent draft capital in their trade with Jacksonville, the quarterback room of Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett doesn't inspire confidence. If Hunter becomes a star, this trade could haunt them.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Passing on a potential franchise quarterback in Sanders is a massive gamble for a team with Mason Rudolph currently atop their depth chart. Unless Aaron Rodgers is in their future, their quarterback situation remains highly concerning.

Will Levis: After being benched for Rudolph late last season, the Titans' selection of Ward at No. 1 officially signals the end of the Levis era in Tennessee after just two seasons. Another reminder of how quickly things can change for young quarterbacks in the NFL.