What happened round one of the 2025 NFL Draft?

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer

April 26, 2025

By https://www.nfl.com/draft/, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79286296

The atmosphere in Green Bay, Wis. was electric as fans, analysts, and teams eagerly awaited the unfolding of an important night in professional football.

Flashing lights and cheers filled the venue as the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft was about to begin. General managers, coaches, and players alike understood that this night could reshape franchises and alter careers.

With the first overall pick, the Tennessee Titans took the podium to announce they selected Cam Ward, a quarterback from the University of Miami.

Ward, known for his impressive arm strength and ability to read defenses, had long been the consensus number-one pick as he looked to replace Will Levis as the starter in Tennessee.

His collegiate career had been nothing short of remarkable, as he shattered records and impressed audiences with his flair and ability under pressure.

As the draft unfolded, the Jacksonville Jaguars would select Travis Hunter, cornerback, and wide receiver from the University of Colorado with the second overall pick.

Hunter’s dual-threat capability made him incredibly valuable in today’s NFL, and Jacksonville was eager to maximize his potential.

To combine such physical prowess with undeniable intelligence on the field was rare, and Jacksonville envisioned him as a dynamic addition to a depleted roster due to moves made in the off-season.

The excitement grew as the New York Giants arrived on the clock with the third overall pick.

After a disappointing season, after selecting talents of the future like Malik Nabers, the team needed to continue to rebuild. With the third overall, New York would select Abdul Carter, an edge from Pennsylvania State University.

Carter had been a monster on the field in his final collegiate season, racking up impressive sack numbers and showcasing a relentless work ethic that made him a leader on and off the field.

The following is every pick first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft graded:

1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward (QB) from the University of Miami

Grade: B+

2) Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter (CB/WR) from the University of Colorado

Grade: A+

3) New York Giants: Abdul Carter (EDGE) from Pennsylvania State University

Grade: A

4) New England Patriots: Will Campbell (OT) from Louisiana State University

Grade: B-

5) Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham (DT) from the University of Michigan

Grade: D+

6) Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty (RB) from Boise State University

Grade: A+

7) New York Jets: Armand Membou (OT) from the University of Missouri

Grade: C+

8) Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan (WR) from the University of Arizona

Grade: C-

9) New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Blanks Jr (OT) from the University of Texas

Grade: A-

10) Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland (TE) from the University of Michigan

Grade: B-

11) San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams (EDGE) from the University of Georgia

Grade: A

12) Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker (G) from the University of Alabama

Grade: C+

13) Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant (DT) from the University of Michigan

Grade: B

14) Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren (TE) from Pennsylvania State University

Grade: B+

15) Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker (EDGE) from the University of Georgia

Grade: C+

16) Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen (DT) from Mississippi State University

Grade: B-

17) Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart (EDGE) from Texas A&M University

Grade: B

18) Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel (G) from North Dakota State University

Grade: A-

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka (WR) from Ohio State University

Grade: A

20) Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron (CB) from the University of Texas

Grade: C+

21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon (DT) from the University of Oregon

Grade: B

22) Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton (RB) from the University of North Carolina

Grade: B+

23) Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden (WR) from the University of Texas

Grade: A+

24) Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson (G) from Ohio State University

Grade: C

25) New York Giants: Jaxson Dart (QB) from Mississippi State University

Grade: D

26) Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr (Edge) from the University of Tennessee

Grade: B

27) Baltimore Ravens: Malakai Starks (SAF) from the University of Georgia

Grade: C+

28) Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams (DT) from Ohio State University

Grade: C

29) Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr (OT) from the University of Oregon

Grade: B-

30) Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston (CB) from the University of Kentucky

Grade: A-

31) Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell (LB) from the University of Alabama

Grade: C+

32) Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons (OT) from Ohio State University

Grade: A

Round one of the 2025 NFL Draft set the stage for an exciting new chapter for each team.

Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, and many more have stepped into an environment much larger than themselves. These players will face high expectations and the challenge of making their respective franchises proud.

As the night unfolded, the energy indicated that the future was bright, and the stories of these young stars were just beginning.

About the Contributor

Patrick Romito, Staff Writer

And that’s another Bethel Park Black Hawks win for the boys soccer team. Whether Patrick is on the soccer field or behind the keyboard, he’s always aiming to make an impact—one play and one story at a time. This year, Patrick Romito, an 11th grader, joins Scholastic Publications for the first time. When asked why he decided to sign up, Patrick said, “I took the class to get more involved in school activities.” With a clear passion for making the most of his high school experience, Patrick is eager to contribute to the class by writing articles for the Hawk Eye newspaper. He’s ready to take on whatever stories come his way, whether spotlight features, sports, or school news. Patrick is not just a writer; he’s also an accomplished athlete. With 12 years of soccer experience under his belt and as a three-year DECA member, he balances both extracurriculars and academics with ease. As someone who enjoys variety, he’s equally open to different kinds of stories, saying, “I enjoy writing in general, so whether it’s spotlights, sports, or school news-related content, it doesn’t matter to me.” Looking ahead, Patrick’s plans after high school include studying marketing and advertising, although he’s still deciding on a specific college. In the meantime, his favorite class is Law & You with Mr. Vic. He appreciates how the course prepares him for life after high school, and he enjoys Mr. Vic’s real-life stories that make each lesson engaging. Reflecting on his time in high school, Patrick recalls the excitement of attending football games as a freshman, where he formed friendships that have lasted throughout his high school years. “I really enjoyed going to the football games freshman year because I ended up making a lot of friends there, a lot of which I’m still friends with today,” he said. Outside of school, Patrick has worked as a lifeguard at Highpoint Fitness for almost two years, a job that highlights his dedication and work ethic. When he’s not working or playing soccer, he enjoys comedy movies, with Step Brothers being his top pick. And what’s his dream vacation? Patrick hopes to one day visit Italy. “My dream vacation is Italy because first, it is very beautiful there, as well as my family roots going back to there,” he shared. In just three words, Patrick describes himself as calm, caring, and hardworking — qualities that are sure to serve him well both in and out of the classroom. Keep an eye out for Patrick’s contributions to Hawk Eye this year as he dives into the world of scholastic publications! Written by: Grace Ferency, Staff Writer