Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft started off as most expected with the Tennessee Titansselecting Miami quarterback Cam Ward No. 1 overall. Then things changed up quickly as the first of multiple trades changed the landscape of the first round.
The Jacksonville Jaguars moved up to No. 2 overall via trade with Cleveland to select Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. The two-way star will now take his talents to Florida as potential starter at both cornerback and wide receiver.
Hunter’s teammate Shedeur Sanders fell out of the first round entirely in one of the biggest surprises of the night. He wasn’t the only surprise, though. Many teams managed to make unexpected selections with their Round 1 picks while others got great value for their selection.
Here are five of the best picks from Round 1’s action from Green Bay, Wisconsin – and five of the worst:
2025 NFL draft: Best picks of Round 1
North Dakota StateIOL Grey Zabel to the Seattle Seahawks (No. 18 overall)
The Seahawks had one of the worst interior offensive lines in the league in 2024 and didn’t wait to address that in the draft. Zabel was a college tackle but played extremely well at center in the Senior Bowl and should be an immediate upgrade along the interior. One of the best combinations of need and fit.
Ohio State OT Josh Simmons to the Kansas City Chiefs (No. 32)
There’s a chance in three years that Simmons is the best tackle in this entire draft class. The Ohio State product fell in the first round due to a knee injury he suffered mid-season in 2024. Before that, he was a lock for the top 15 or even top 10 selections. Kansas City can afford to bring him along slowly after signing Jaylon Moore in free agency and could end up with a standout tackle on a great deal.
Georgia S Malaki Starks to the Baltimore Ravens (No. 27)
Starks was one of the best safeties in the class with three years of experience starting for the Georgia defense. He’s shown versatility in coverage and can help the Ravens’ secondary prevent a drop off like it saw early on in 2024. Starks can line up in the nickel or remain at safety in coverage with a strong commitment to run defense.
Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty to the Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6)
The Raiders had plenty of options on the board but decided to take the best player available on the board in Jeanty. Las Vegas is lacking firepower on offense outside of star tight end Brock Bowers and Jeanty fits that bill. He’s an immediate starter and bell-cow back with potential as a receiver.
Miami QB Cam Ward to the Tennessee Titans (No. 1)
This one may be cheating slightly, but it’s hard to not like the top quarterback in the class going to a quarterback-needy team. Tennessee will need to spend the next two days of the draft building around Ward at the skill positions but they have an upgraded offensive line that’s ready to protect their No. 1 overall pick.
2025 NFL draft: Worst picks of Round 1
Oregon OL Josh Conerly Jr. to the Washington Commanders (No. 29)
Despite making the NFC championship game in the 2024 season, Washington entered the draft with lots of needs on both sides of the ball, more so on defense. Yet they used the first pick of their draft on a tackle with questions on whether he can stick at the position in the NFL. There were plenty of edge rushers and cornerbacks on the board at that spot who would’ve addressed key needs for the team.
Ohio State OL Donovan Jackson to the Minnesota Vikings (No. 24)
The Vikings have the fewest picks in the 2025 NFL Draft with just four overall. They decided to spend their most valuable pick on a position they addressed in free agency. Jackson is likely a guard in the NFL with tackle flexibility in a pinch. Minnesota has multiple holes in the secondary and opted against taking the top safety or a top-three cornerback in the class here.
Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams to the Detroit Lions (No. 28)
The Lions entered the 2025 draft with one of the best rosters in the NFL. Detroit is set at most positions with good to great players, including the defensive line with rising starter Alim McNeill. So it’s curious that the team spent its top draft pick on a player who is very similar to McNeill instead of bolstering other positions.
Alabama G Tyler Booker to the Dallas Cowboys (No. 12)
Dallas lost a franchise legend and future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin to retirement this offseason. They rightfully decided to use draft capital to replace him. But considering who was on the board at that time and the Cowboys’ other needs on offense, this is a bit of a head-scratcher. They could’ve likely picked a starting-caliber interior offensive lineman in Round 2. They almost certainly won’t find a player of the caliber of a Matthew Golden, Tyler Warren or Omarion Hampton at that pick.
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart to the New York Giants (No. 25 via trade)
The Giants moved back into the first round to get a passer in a weak quarterback class. In theory, this is a good idea; Get a quarterback with the fifth-year option who can be a cost-controlled starter for years until then. But Dart is one of many quarterbacks in this class who needs time to develop into an NFL starter. He ran a scheme at Ole Miss that relied heavily on RPO and play action concepts. With coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen on the hot seat, this could unravel if Dart’s forced to start sooner than later.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best and worst picks from Round 1 of 2025 NFL Draft
