The Tennessee Titans selected Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick to kick off Thursday’s NFL draft. While Ward was long expected to go first overall, the excitement of the night really began at No. 2.
The Cleveland Browns held the second overall pick but traded the selection — as well as a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder — to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for the fifth overall pick, a second-rounder, a fourth-rounder and the Jaguars’ 2026 first-round pick.
With the newly acquired second overall selection, Jacksonville picked Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who played both wide receiver and cornerback at Colorado. It was a bold move by the Jaguars, who in addition to drafting Hunter are trying to resuscitate the franchise after they hired a new coach and a new general manager this offseason.
The Las Vegas Raiders were another team that made a splash early, selecting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty sixth overall. The Raiders should have a fresh offense under new head coach Pete Carroll in 2025 after they traded for quarterback Geno Smith this offseason.
The back half of the draft featured more wheeling and dealing.
The New York Giants, who selected Abdul Carter third overall, traded with the Houston Texans to get back into the first round, taking Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25. Dart is expected to sit behind veteran offseason addition Russell Wilson for a year, while the Giants get the benefit of a fifth-year option on Dart by taking him in the first round.
The Atlanta Falcons also traded into the first, giving up a costly 2026 first-round selection to the Los Angeles Rams so they could take Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 26th pick.
The Philadelphia Eagles also swapped picks with their Super Bowl rival the Kansas City Chiefs, moving from No. 32 to No. 31 to snag Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
One player notably not selected was Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was a possibility for the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21. Pittsburgh was a popular destination for Sanders in mock drafts, but the it ultimately took Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.
Sanders now slides to the second round, which will take place along with the third round on Friday.
