The No. 1 pick went as expected, but the first round of the 2025 NFL draft had its share of intrigue. Expected first-round picks Shedeur Sanders and Will Johnson remain on the board, while a couple of late trades threw a curveball into what had been a mostly orderly draft night.
Now that the 32 first-round picks have been made, let's discuss everything that's happened -- the good picks, the overzealous reaches and the teams that perfectly filled their draft needs. NFL draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates answered 13 of the biggest lingering questions. Which trades stood out? Did the QBs land in good situations? What are our biggest mock draft regrets? And which playmakers are locks for huge rookie seasons?
The last question takes a quick look ahead to Day 2, as the second round will get underway Friday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC/ESPN App). But first, here's our instant reaction to Day 1.
Jump to a section:
Best pick | Most confusing | Biggest surprise
Best Sanders fit | Regrets from mock | Glaring need
Best trade | Improved contenders | Day 2 look
Who was the best pick of the night?
Miller: Jalon Walker to the Falcons at No. 15 was the best pick of the night based on value. I had him at No. 5 in my rankings. He also checks off the team's biggest need with Atlanta having just 31 sacks last season and a desperate lack of speed defensively. Walker's ability to play off-ball linebacker, spy quarterbacks and just straight-up rush off the edge made him a weekly force for Georgia. Now he'll get to stay in state and keep doing it.
Reid: Tetairoa McMillan to the Panthers at No. 8 was my favorite pick because Bryce Young needed a true WR1. The top-ranked wideout in my rankings, McMillan adds an alpha to a room that included a lot of secondary options. Entering Young's crucial third year, finding him a primary pass catcher was seen as essential. General manager Dan Morgan likely weighed the strengths of the receiver class vs. the defensive line group and saw the lack of high-end options, which is why he wasted little time in drafting McMillan.
Yates: Donovan Jackson to the Vikings at No. 24 was a fantastic pick, as he is an extremely versatile lineman. He was the 20th-ranked player on my board. Jackson was a star guard for Ohio State throughout his tenure until Josh Simmons suffered a torn patellar tendon in October, at which point he kicked out to left tackle. After having a difficult first test at tackle against Penn State, he did not surrender a sack and yielded just one pressure the rest of the season, playing outstanding ball in the playoffs. He's a welcome addition to a new-look Vikings line that added Will Fries and Ryan Kelly in free agency.
What was the most confusing pick of the night?
Miller: The Browns trading back from No. 2 to select defensive tackle Mason Graham at No. 5. I like Graham, but if Cleveland wanted to boost its defensive line, why not remain at No. 2 and select Abdul Carter to play opposite Myles Garrett? Graham is a good player -- I had him ranked No. 4 overall -- but the Browns need blue-chip players. Graham projects as a solid starter but not to have an All-Pro-level impact like Hunter or Carter.
Reid: The Giants trading back into the first round for Jaxson Dart instead of Shedeur Sanders. Before Thursday, they were circled as a potential trade-up team for their QB of the future. I had Sanders as the higher-graded player and thought he was a better fit in Brian Daboll's offense.
Yates: The Dolphins taking defensive tackle Kenneth Grant with the No. 13 pick. I am a fan of Grant -- whose 331-pound frame will immediately boost their run defense -- but felt there were other available defensive tackles who offered more pass-rush upside. My board had Walter Nolen (No. 16 to Arizona) and Derrick Harmon (No. 21 to Pittsburgh) ahead of Grant due to their superior pass-rush ability.
What was the biggest non-Travis Hunter surprise of the night?
Miller: Miami selecting Grant at No. 13. Defensive tackle was one of the Dolphins' needs entering the draft, but they also had to fill holes at cornerback, safety and along the offensive line, given Terron Armstead's retirement. Grant is a good player, but he's primarily a nose tackle and was ranked No. 30 on my board. This seemed like a luxury pick instead of a smart one.
Reid: The Buccaneers selecting Emeka Egbuka at No. 19. Considering they already have Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan (on whom they spent a third-round pick last year), I did not anticipate the Bucs using a first-round pick at receiver. Egbuka is a sure-handed and dependable route runner who might be an heir apparent to Evans or Godwin, but there were more pressing roster needs.
Yates: The Falcons sending a package of picks to the Rams that included a 2026 first-rounder to get back into the first round, where they drafted edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the No. 26 pick. Pearce likely wouldn't have made it to Atlanta's second-round pick (No. 46), but I'm a fan of the Rams making a bet on the downside of the Falcons' season next year. The Falcons got a necessary boost to their pass rush in Pearce and Jalon Walker, but at what price?
What's the best Day 2 fit for Shedeur Sanders?
Miller: Cleveland Browns. The Browns weren't convinced enough to spend a top-five pick on Sanders, but adding him at No. 33 is a much different conversation. With an offensive scheme under coach Kevin Stefanski that makes its living with a strong run game and heavy play-action, Sanders would be able to operate from the pocket and carve up defenses similar to how he played at Colorado. A team with an offensive-minded coach and little pressure to see the field early is the best scenario for Sanders.
Reid: New Orleans Saints. With pick No. 40, they are positioned to add him. Many viewed him as a possible option at No. 9, but they selected offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. instead, filling a hole along the line. The Saints have massive questions at quarterback, so they should make this move.
Yates: Pittsburgh Steelers. I believe the Steelers at least pondered picking Sanders at No. 21. Though they do not own a second-round pick, a maneuver to get into position to select him -- however high that needs to be -- could still be possible, dipping into 2026 draft capital. Unless Aaron Rodgers agrees to a deal by the time Round 2 begins, the Steelers have a massive question mark under center.
What is your biggest regret from your mock draft after seeing Day 1 play out?
Miller: I didn't want to place Shedeur Sanders to Pittsburgh at No. 21 after talking to teams, but I kept the pick given the Steelers' lack of an answer at quarterback. The Steelers weren't in love with Sanders, or at least not enough to pick him in Round 1. I ranked him as my No. 25 overall player and should have stuck closer to my ranking.
Reid: Not having guard Donovan Jackson higher. Because of his consistency, durability and versatility, it was not surprising to see him get picked in the top 25. Jackson slots perfectly at left guard as the final member of a remodeled Vikings' offensive front, joining free agent signings Will Fries and Ryan Kelly.
Yates: Not heeding some of the caution that was sent my way about where Will Johnson was going to end up. Though I am a fan of Johnson's game, there was concern over a prior knee injury that had some teams skeptical he would go in Round 1. That proved to be the case, as Johnson was one of two players in the green room who wasn't selected (quarterback Jalen Milroe being the other).
Which team best addressed a glaring need (or needs) on Day 1?
Miller: The Packers' first-round wide receiver drought is over, with Matthew Golden becoming the first receiver to go to Green Bay in Round 1 since 2002. It was a needed pick, too, given Christian Watson's inability to stay healthy. The Packers have plenty of WR2s and WR3s, but they lacked a true No. 1 who could win down the field and consistently make big plays. Golden showed that ability at Texas last season, leading the FBS with 23 catches of 20 or more yards.
Reid: After using free agency to bolster their defense, the Patriots needed an upgrade from Vederian Lowe at left tackle. By drafting Will Campbell with the No. 4 pick, New England got a tough, durable blocker to protect quarterback Drake Maye's blind side. The Patriots weren't dissuaded by Campbell's arm length and now have an immediate starter who could eventually become their franchise left tackle.
Yates: The Colts stayed patient and landed Tyler Warren, a difference-maker tight end they have lacked. Amazingly, the Colts have not had a tight end reach 500 receiving yards in a season since Eric Ebron did it in 2018. The winner of the Colts' quarterback competition will dramatically benefit from the presence of Warren, who is among the best run-after-catch players in the class.
What was the best trade up, down or for a player during Round 1?
Miller: Jacksonville trading up for Travis Hunter. The Jaguars clearly believe they can win the AFC South and help get quarterback Trevor Lawrence on track with Hunter's playmaking. Hunter will form a potentially elite receiver duo with 2024 first-rounder Brian Thomas Jr., while also helping the defense at corner. We'll see which position Hunter majors in, but I love the aggressive decision by first-time general manager James Gladstone to move up for one of the two elite players in this class.
Reid: The Rams trading back and gaining a second first-round pick in 2026 was excellent. Despite being in win-now mode, general manager Les Snead kept the future in mind, as the team could look for its QB of the future down the road. And the Rams still have a top-50 pick (No. 46), so they're in range to add a key player at a position of need.
Yates: The Browns trading down from the No. 2 pick. Let me be clear -- I love Hunter as a prospect. He was the No. 1 player on my board from start to finish and has a legitimate chance to be a Pro Bowler at both receiver and cornerback. This take represents my fundamental belief in the value of draft capital. The Browns are now well-positioned to stockpile talent in this year's draft and are armed with two first-round picks next year, when there will be a deeper group of quarterbacks.
Which contender helped itself the most?
Miller: The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles have made a living off waiting for great players to fall. They did it again by selecting linebacker Jihaad Campbell at No. 31. Campbell, who was flagged by teams for his shoulder issues, has elite potential as a linebacker and as a pass rusher. Teams are torn on his NFL position, but they love his versatility. My No. 15 overall player, Campbell can have an impact on the Eagles playing a role like Zack Baun did last season.
Reid: The Ravens stayed true to their historic ways, taking one of the best players on the board in safety Malaki Starks. Pairing him with Kyle Hamilton provides them with even more versatility in the secondary. Starks can play in the slot, but he projects best as a free safety. Regardless, he is an upgrade from Marcus Williams, who was released this offseason.
Yates: The Chiefs were incredibly patient, trading down from No. 31 to No. 32 and landing offensive tackle Josh Simmons along with a fifth-round pick. His immense physical tools stack up with any left tackle in the class. However, a torn patellar tendon in October left him on the board until the final pick of the round, meaning the team taking him needed a short-term solution at tackle. The Chiefs have that in new signee Jaylon Moore, so this move made a lot of sense for the extended future.
Who are you most shocked to see available on Day 2?
Miller: Will Johnson. His medical situation definitely foreshadowed a slide. He missed all but six games this past season with a turf toe injury, sat out of the combine and pro day with a hamstring injury, and then had a knee issue flagged by NFL teams. But Johnson was my No. 7 overall player based on his tape and an elite cover corner. He'll start Day 2 as my top available player.
Reid: Donovan Ezeiruaku. Because of the production, good testing and a standout performance at the Senior Bowl, the edge rusher was viewed as a mid-to-late first-round pick. Ezeiruaku will likely be picked quickly in the second round, as he's viewed as one of the top options still on the board.
Yates: I'm going with Johnson, too. This is a clear situation where the medicals are concerning enough for teams to stay patient. That being said, the team that lands Johnson in Round 2 is getting incredible value, provided his knee checks out. His size and ball skills are too impressive to ignore.
What's the biggest non-QB story to watch Friday?
Miller: When does the running back run start? We've talked for months about how great this running back class is, yet only two are off the board so far. When will TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins go? How about Kaleb Johnson? I have four running backs with Round 2 grades, so I'll be watching how early teams jump at starting-level backs.
Reid: Which cornerback comes off of the board next? Will Johnson surprisingly fell all the way out of the first round. Shavon Revel Jr, Trey Amos and Azareye'h Thomas are all still available, too, but I think they will fly off of the board during Day 2.
Yates: Do we see trades at the top of Round 2? Friday often leads to trade calls by teams that have a target who unexpectedly made it to the second round. Given that the Browns own two of the first four picks in the second round, they will be busy one way or another -- making picks and/or fielding calls to secure more capital.
Which first-round offensive playmaker will have the best rookie season?
Miller: I hate to be too obvious, but it's Ashton Jeanty. Chip Kelly will feed him early and often as a downhill runner; they'll throw him the ball, too. Jeanty has realistic Offensive Rookie of the Year ability since head coach Pete Carroll will look to mirror the strong run game that worked for him in Seattle. Jeanty is his new Marshawn Lynch.
Reid: Tyler Warren steps into a role where he can immediately be one of the Colts' best pass catchers. Indianapolis had the least productive group of tight ends in the NFL a season ago. Warren changes that right away, as he can be a versatile option in the passing game but can also contribute as a serviceable blocker in the run game.
Yates: I agree with Matt. Jeanty is my clear pick when factoring in the skill set he brings to the table and the system and organizational fit, plus the position he plays. Running backs frequently make immediate contributions as rookies, and Jeanty's combination of contact balance and explosiveness is elite. The Raiders will surely want to run the heck out of the ball with Carroll.
What's the one word you'd use to describe Atlanta trading back into Round 1 for James Pearce Jr.?
Miller: Expensive. I love that Atlanta doubled down on defense and added a ton of speed, but trading a 2026 first-rounder -- along with picks 46 and 242 -- to the Rams for the No. 26 and 101 picks seems pricey considering that it drafted Jalon Walker earlier in the round. Again, I really like giving Raheem Morris this much speed for his defense, but now the Falcons are sitting out of the first round of a deep 2026 draft.
Reid: Surprising. The Falcons moved up 20 spots for Pearce, but I thought that there were better players available and that a gigantic move like this wasn't necessary. It's clear that Atlanta had a very high grade on Pearce, and the Falcons were in desperate need of a presence off the edge. Pearce satisfies that, but giving up a first-rounder next year is steep.
Yates: Perplexing. Given the cost, Atlanta needs this move to pay off in a hurry after sending its 2026 first-round pick to the Rams in this deal. Though I believe Pearce was likely to be gone when Atlanta picked next at 46, I would have been comfortable also playing the board on Day 2 with the other available edge options. This trade increased the pressure on Atlanta in 2025.
Make one prediction for Day 2
Miller: Quarterbacks will come off the board fast. We should see Sanders, Tyler Shough and Milroe selected early Friday -- all three might be gone in the first 10 picks of Round 2. With QB-needy teams such as Cleveland and New Orleans going elsewhere in Round 1, it stands to reason they'll address the position early on Day 2.
Reid: We'll start to see a run on running backs very quickly in the middle of Round 2. TreVeyon Henderson is my top-ranked available running back, and we should hear his name called quickly on Day 2. Quinshon Judkins is another one I expect to be selected during the latter parts of Round 2 or early in Round 3.
Yates: This is a bold call that could be proved incorrect right away Friday, but I'll predict that Cleveland will not take a quarterback with either of its second-round picks. Instead, it will gear its efforts toward next year's QB class. The Browns have plenty of draft capital to be aggressive in what profiles as a much deeper 2026 class.