Draft Day Surprises: Jaguars Pull Off Blockbuster Trade, Titans Take Cam Ward with First Overall Pick

The 2025 NFL draft got off to a thrilling start on Thursday night in Green Bay, with the Tennessee Titans selecting quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick. But it was the Jacksonville Jaguars who stole the show, trading up to select talented athlete Travis Hunter with the second overall pick.

Ward, a quarterback out of Miami, was widely considered the top prospect in the draft. The Titans, coming off a three-win season, are hoping he can lead them back to the playoffs. Ward’s college career was marked by impressive performances, including a record-breaking 39 touchdown passes and 4,313 yards passing last season.

However, it was the Jaguars’ bold move to trade up from the fifth overall pick that generated the most excitement. In return for the Browns’ second- and fourth-round picks, as well as their 2026 first-round pick, the Jaguars secured the rights to Hunter, a versatile player who can play both offense and defense.

Hunter, a standout athlete from Colorado, is being hailed as one of the most fascinating players to enter the NFL in years. His ability to play both wide receiver and cornerback makes him a valuable asset to any team.

The rest of the first round saw several notable picks, including the New York Giants selecting Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter with the third overall pick. The Giants are bolstering their defense with Carter, who led the country with 23.5 tackles for loss last season.

The New England Patriots selected LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick, with the goal of protecting promising quarterback Drake Maye. The Browns, who traded their fifth overall pick to the Jaguars, selected Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham.

The first running back off the board was Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the sixth overall pick. The Raiders are looking to improve their struggling rushing offense, and Jeanty may be the answer.

Here is the complete list of first-round picks:

Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado (from Browns)

New York Giants: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan (from Jaguars)

Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas

Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, LB, Alabama

Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&M

Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OG, North Dakota State

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State

New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (from Texans)

Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr, edge, Tennessee (from Rams)

Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr, Oregon

Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (from Chiefs)

Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State (from Eagles)