Friday, April 25th 2025, 10:01 am
The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is in the books. There may not have been quarterbacks flying off the board the way they had the prior year, but there were some big some moments Thursday night.
After Miami quarterback Cam Ward was taken No. 1 overall by the Titans, the Browns and Jaguars came together to deliver the first surprise of the night. Jacksonville surrendered a future first-round pick in order to move up and draft Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. In total, there were four trades in the first round, including the Giants trading back into the first round to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. At the end of the night, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was still available.
MORE DRAFT COVERAGE:
Rather than looking behind, CBSSports.com looks ahead to Friday night where the Browns are scheduled to pick first at No. 33 overall. Here are the five best prospects available, according to the CBSSports.com prospect rankings:
Days and rounds:
Ward is a boom or bust prospect at the quarterback position. He is the creative passer that every team covets, but the decision-making has to improve for him to find success. Tennessee starts over at the quarterback position two years after drafting Will Levis in the second round.
Hunter has the capability to play two positions at the next level and both happen to be positions of need for Jacksonville. Few are as natural with the ball in their hands as Hunter. His ball skills are his blue-chip trait and new head coach Liam Coen plans to deploy that opposite Brian Thomas Jr.
Although the Browns did not follow the script, the Giants have by selecting Carter. Carter is a twitchy pass rusher that should see several one-on-one opportunities in the same defensive front as Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence.
Many wondered if New England may deliver a surprise even though it has felt as though they were locked into Campbell for weeks, if not months. The franchise's commitment to supplementing the protection for last year's No. 3 overall selection, quarterback Drake Maye, continues as Campbell is the left tackle of the future.
After moving back three spots, the Browns finally make a pick. A year after taking defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. in the second round, Cleveland once again addresses the interior defensive line with the selection of Graham. Myles Garrett may not have Abdul Carter rushing on the opposite side, but he does get some help up front.
Jeanty is a dynamic runner, but he is also sturdy in pass protection and a valuable contributor in the pass game. In 2023, when he caught 43 passes, he was credited with a 0% drop rate, according to TruMedia. Pete Carroll believes in a strong run game and Jeanty now gives them that option.
The Jets construction of its offensive line is complete as Membou is the new right tackle in the Big Apple. After signing Justin Fields in free agency, it was clear that New York's identity would be running the football, so having a big, physical presence that allows them to get downhill goes a long way towards bringing that vision to life.
Carolina is not concerned with putting a dynamic defensive product on the field. They want to ensure Bryce Young has a variety of outlets to continue his development. For the third straight year, the Panthers are taking a wide receiver in the Top-50 overall. McMillan joins Adam Thielen and Xavier Leggette, among others.
With eight of their past 10 first-round picks, New Orleans has selected an offensive or defensive lineman. Banks played left tackle for the Longhorns, but has the positional flexibility to move inside, if necessary. Who will be taking snaps at quarterback though?
New Bears head coach Ben Johnson is a believer in utilizing 12 personnel, which deploys two tight ends. Chicago now has Cole Kmet and Loveland at tight end. The offensive rebuild continues in the Windy City.
San Francisco has been associated with a number of edge rusher prospects, but they have a type and Williams fits it. At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Williams is a young prospect with a high floor as a run defender as the hope of developing into more as a pass rusher opposite Joey Bosa.
Zack Martin's retirement created a void along the Dallas offensive line. Two starters, Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe, were added to that unit in last year's draft and the overhaul continues in 2025 as Jerry Jones adds a massive, physical interior presence.
Since Christian Wilkins departed in free agency, Miami has lacked a physical presence on the defensive interior. Grant is a wide body that immediately upgrades the run defense with an arsenal of pass rushers like Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Chop Robinson off the edge.
Tight ends have been linked to Indianapolis throughout the process and the selection of Warren validates those beliefs. Shane Steichen had Dallas Goedert in Philadelphia and now gets his tight end for young quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Atlanta has failed to consistently apply pressure on the opposing quarterback for several years. Could Walker be the answer? Although undersized, Walker is incredibly quick and can get into gaps, move the quarterback off his spot.
Arizona has signed Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson after drafting Darius Robinson in the first-round a year ago. Jonathan Gannon is committed to fixing the defensive line and the Nolen is the latest addition. The former 5-star recruit is a quick penetrator that will be expected to bring down the opposing quarterback.
As the situation involving Trey Hendrickson continues to play out, Cincinnati is left with Joseph Ossai and former first-round pick Myles Murphy rushing the passer. Stewart has as much athletic potential as any prospect in this year's draft, but the production has not been there to this point in his career. At 6-foot-5, 267 pounds, he is one of the most physically imposing prospects as well.
The offensive guard spot was a glaring weakness in the Pacific Northwest. Fans have had little faith in leadership's ability to identify a Day 2 prospect capable of filling that role based on my radio spots in Seattle. They take a big swing rather than leave it to chance by draft Zabel, who has five-positional flexibility having played left tackle for the Bison, but projects inside.
Tampa Bay delivers a surprise by taking Egbuka. He is worthy of consideration at this level, but wide receiver was not thought to be a position of need for the Buccaneers after re-signing Chris Godwin, retaining Mike Evans and drafting Jalen McMillan in the Top-100 overall last year. Egbuka has been one of the most productive pass rushers in Ohio State's decorated history.
After being linked to running backs for months and making key defensive signings in free agency, Denver shows its faith in Bo Nix and the offense by continuing to bolster the defense. Barron is going to bring a professional mentality to that locker room and make plays over the slot.
Pittsburgh chose not to take a quarterback in the first round. Instead, they address the defensive line as Harmon joins the likes of Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton. Harmon, a transfer from Michigan State, was a big riser this season.
After signing former first-round pick Najee Harris in free agency, the Chargers have thrown another first-round running back onto the pile. Hampton lands in the AFC West as expected, but not with the Broncos. Hampton was a standout at the NFL Scouting Combine and brings a physical presence to the position.
For the first time since selecting Javon Walker in 2002, Green Bay has used a first-round pick on a wide receiver. Golden has inside outside versatility and is dynamic after the catch. The Texas native has been highly productive since stepping foot on a college campus at Houston. The addition of Golden puts a big question mark over those currently on the roster.
Minnesota completes its spring project as Jackson rounds out the offensive line. With a healthy Christian Darrisaw returning at left tackle, the Vikings have now added free agents Will Fries and Ryan Kelly, as well as Jackson. Jackson played left tackle for the Buckeyes during the College Football Playoffs run, but projects inside.
Dart has the size and mobility that teams look for in the position. He has good arm strength and interviewed really well with teams during the process. His ability to consume defensive fronts and process an NFL offense will be a work in progress, but the signings of Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston will allow him time to develop.
Pearce is an explosive pass rusher that certainly helps the Falcons in a problem area, but this is one of the worst trades I can recall in recent draft memory. Trading a future first-round pick to move up 20 spots to No. 26 overall in this draft class is awful. The franchise previously selected Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker No. 15 overall.
Starks is one of the best pure football prospects in this draft class. His testing was not eye-popping but his play speed is off the charts, because he trusts his eyes. A rarity, Starks had been making plays for a National Championship contender going back to his true freshman year. Baltimore's secondary is in good hands with Kyle Hamilton and now Starks.
Edge rusher was thought to be a bigger need for the franchise, but they choose to address the interior defensive line. Detroit is deep with DJ Reader, Alim McNeill, Roy Lopez, Levi Onwuzurike and now Williams. Stopping the run won't be a problem for lead knee-cap biter Dan Campbell's defense
Washington traded for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and now have Conerly to play on the right side. Last year's left tackle could slide inside to guard or serve as the swing tackle. Jayden Daniels will be sleeping soundly tonight, but the pass rush remains a concern.
For the second consecutive year, Buffalo has drafted a Kentucky player; running back Ray Davis was taken in the fourth round last year. The Bills rewarded Christian Benford with a contract extension this offseason then brought back former first-round selection Tre White. Hairston has zone and man exposure, but his presence will allow the defense to play more man coverage.
The Eagles had been looking to move up and it only cost them a fifth-round pick. Philadelphia is bucking the narrative that they do not take linebackers in the first round, but Campbell also brings flexibility as a pass rusher. Campbell had slipped a bit due to an injury but he may be one of the ten best prospects in this draft when healthy.
After signing OT Jaylon Moore to a pretty healthy deal in free agency, Kansas City has double-dipped at the position with the selection of Simmons. Simmons had the best tape of any offensive tackle in this year's draft, but he suffered a season-ending injury and teams did not get to see him against more Power 4 competition. The 2024 season was his first in Columbus after transferring in from San Diego State.
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