Photo of the National Football League Draft logo, under Creative Commons CC BY SA 3.0 (No changes made)
The conclusion of the 2025 National Football League (NFL) Draft shows aspiring new players. Many top college prospects were selected to play professionally. NFL teams are continuously developing their offenses and defenses. They are preparing for the upcoming season with their new draft picks and players acquired through free agency. Rookie mini camps reveal how these college prospects are emerging in a professional environment. They start to establish their worth to their franchises on the field.
First round picks include quarterback Cam Ward, wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, running back Ashton Jeanty and offensive tackle Will Cambell.
Quarterback Shadeur Sanders was drafted in the fifth round. This was later than expected and followed a prank call from the Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator’s son.
Tennessee Titans and Cam Ward
Cam Ward was selected as the first overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to the Tennessee Titans.
“Ward could become a good NFL starter inside of his first contract,” NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in an analysis.
The University of Miami’s quarterback was Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, Heisman Trophy finalist and consensus National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-America First Team in 2024.
The Titans have struggled with avoiding sacks last season. As a result they have not been as successful as they could be making drives down the field and creating scoring opportunities.
If a quarterback is sacked during an offensive possession, the likelihood of converting their possession into a score is dropped significantly. This can be due to a loss of team momentum and yardage.
A team’s inability to protect their quarterback is often reflected in their season outcome. Last year the Titans placed last in the American Football Conference (AFC) Southern Division with a record of 3-14.
With their first overall pick, the Titans now have the opportunity to transform their offense. Their quarterback in the pocket has the explosive capability to throw long passes and release the football quickly and accurately.
Zierlein also noted that Ward tends to play ‘hero ball’ and stray outside of the designed play call. This is in hopes that he will be able to make a play that saves the offensive drive.
Jacksonville Jaguars and Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter was selected as the second pick in the first round of the draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hunter, the dual threat wide receiver and defensive back from the University of Colorado recorded 1,258 receiving yards, 15 receiving touchdowns and four interceptions, during his 2024 season at Colorado, according to ESPN. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2024. This trophy is awarded to a player for their exceptional performance on the field. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious collegiate athletic awards.
There have been very few two-way players in the NFL. Many wonder if Hunter will be able to live up to the hype and perform well on both sides of the football. There are concerns that he will become one of the largest draft busts in history if he is unable to perform well at either position.
Last season the Jaguars were 4-13, did not make an appearance in the playoffs and finished second to last in the AFC South division. The Jaguars need more offensive capabilities. Draft picks like Hunter will hopefully give Trevor Lawence, their quarterback, more tools to create plays and become a threat.
On draft night, Jacksonville’s management traded up from the fifth overall pick to the Cleveland Browns for the second pick in the draft to select Hunter.
Hunter is an asset to the team and is bringing attention and excitement to the franchise. The owners have high expectations for him.
“It is a statement for how we plan to move, who we are,” Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone said during a press conference.
Las Vegas Raiders and Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty was the highest drafted running back in the draft this year. The Boise State alum was a Heisman Trophy finalist. He recorded 2,601 rushing yards in the 2024 season and holds the second most rushing yards in a single season, in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.
Jeanty was drafted in the first round, sixth overall, to the Las Vegas Raiders.
“He is doing great. He really is. He is right on point with everything that we are doing,” Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said according to ESPN.
Jeanty stands at five feet nine inches tall and weighs 211 pounds according to ESPN.
NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in Jeanty’s NFL Draft profile that his strengths included being able to create yardage from his power and speed. He has the ability to maintain his speed while making cuts and changing direction.
During his collegiate career Jeanty’s stance in the back field before the snap garnered a lot of attention from fans. Instead of standing in a crouched position, Jeanty instead chose to stand straight up. Fans and online media drew comparisons from Jeanty’s stance to horror film character Michael Myers.
Jeanty said that his stance allows him to calm down before the play and get a look at the defence. During his first workouts with the Raiders, Jeanty was seen in a crouched position.
In an interview Jeanty had an interaction with Chip Kelly, the Raiders offensive coordinator. He was told he would have to abandon the Michael Myers stance.
“I am going to try and persuade him one day. I got to earn my stripes, make some plays first, but I do not think it is going to be the end,” Jeanty said.
New England Patriots and Will Campbell
Will Campbell was drafted to the Patriots fourth overall, in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. The Louisiana State University (LSU) lineman was the highest drafted offensive tackle in the draft this year.
The Patriots are in need of an offensive line capable of protecting their quarterback, Drake Maye, this upcoming season. Campbell standing six feet, six inches tall, and weighing 319 pounds according to ESPN, is more than capable having provided consistent pass protection during his collegiate career.
He allowed only five sacks in his three years at LSU.
Concerns about the length of his arms, measuring at 32 7/8-inches, became prominent. Shorter arms tend to be a weakness in the NFL on the offensive-line. Players with longer arms are more likely to make first contact and gain an advantage quicker.
Some argue that Campbell’s athleticism, strength and ability to maneuver his body compensates for his arm length.
“I think that I have shown everything I need to on tape to show that… I can play tackle at an elite level,” Campbell said at the NFL Combine.
Cleveland Browns and a Full Quarterback Room
Shadeur Sanders, quarterback for the University of Colorado, was drafted to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, 144th overall. There was controversy around him being drafted so late as he was initially projected to be a first round pick by many.
In addition to drafting Sanders, the Browns also drafted Dillion Gabriel from the University of Oregon in the third round.
The two draft picks make up half of the Browns’ quarterback room, consisting of Sanders, Gabriel, Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, all aiming for a starting spot on the roster.
Many sports outlets have commented on the mix of veteran players like Super Bowl winners Flacco and Pickett withnewcomers Sanders and Gabriel.
There has been speculation after seeing them perform in preseason camps. From who is stepping up to lead the team and who is more successful with the skills necessary to perform at the professional level.
The 2025-26 NFL season is set to start on Thursday, September 4, 2025, with the first matchup consisting of the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, facing the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.
