Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft is in the books. Below is Bucky Brooks' analysis for every player drafted in Round 1.
NOTE: Only trades agreed to after Day 1 began are reflected below.
Reminiscent of former Tennessee QB Steve "Air" McNair, Ward is a gunslinger with the confidence and moxie to lead a franchise. Those traits brought out the best in his teammates and elevated his team at Miami, and I see him doing the same in Tennessee under Brian Callahan's tutelage. Ward gives the Titans a chance to close the gap in the AFC.
The Jaguars need a No. 2 receiver and No. 1 cornerback, and Hunter can play both of those spots. Hunter has elite ball skills and is a tremendous playmaker who'll bring an electric game and a ton of pizzazz to Jacksonville. The Jags will want to get the ball in Hunter's hands, and his versatility allows Liam Coen to use him as a chess piece on offense and defense.
I love this pick because the Giants are always at their best when led by their defense. Carter is an exceptional disruptor off the edge thanks to his elite get off and explosiveness. Putting him on a defensive line alongside Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux allows the G-Men to send multiple pass rushers after the quarterback on a regular basis.
The Patriots offensive line needs a guy on the edge who can lock it down, and Campbell does just that. He was an absolute beast in the SEC week in and week out. With firm hands and a good base, the technical Campbell puts on a clinic in pass protection. He has room for improvement in the run game, but the Patriots are setting Drake Maye up for success with this pick.
Graham is one of the true dawgs in this draft class. He might not have the prototypical dimensions, but he can play ball. Graham is physical, aggressive, quick off the ball and has a nonstop, relentless motor. With Myles Garrett bringing pressure off the edge, Graham gives Cleveland a disruptor on the interior.
Jeanty joins an offense that desires a dominant rushing attack. The Boise State star is a workhorse who has drawn comparisons to LaDainian Tomlinson and Frank Gore. That's not a surprise, as Jeanty can make big plays as a runner and receiver and has that closer mentality in the fourth quarter.
First-year head coach Aaron Glenn wants to play bully ball, and Membou gives the Jets another bully at the point of attack. The Missouri product is a supersized blocker with elite burst who can step in immediately at right tackle. This staff continues to shore up the offensive line for Justin Fields to work behind.
The Panthers get a big-bodied receiver with exceptional hand-eye coordination and athleticism who routinely wins 50-50 balls. Dave Canales continues to redesign his wide receivers room and creates Carolina's version of the Mike Evans-Chris Godwin tandem with McMillan joining Xavier Legette. Expect the jump-ball specialist to jell with Bryce Young from Day 1.
The offensive line is everything for a creative play-designer like Kellen Moore. The Saints get a premier pass protector in Banks with the footwork, agility and athleticism to be an ideal dancing bear for Moore's offense.
Loveland is a jumbo wide receiver who can line up in the flat or out wide while also possessing the toughness to be a "Y" option (traditional tight end). Ben Johnson is building this offense to elevate second-year QB Caleb Williams, who gets a dominate target in the middle of the field here.
Williams is dynamic off the edge, has ideal traits and the relentless competitiveness to bully blockers at the point of attack. The 49ers do a great job at developing pass rushers, and in time, Williams should turn into a dominant player off the edge opposite Nick Bosa.
Booker is an absolute bully up front who loves playing in the phone booth. Dallas' offense is best when led by an elite offensive line, so brass brings in a dominant guard who thrives in a gap-scheme and will knock defenders back into the second level in the run game.
Grant is a massive defensive tackle with the athleticism and aggressive mentality to dominate opponents at the line of scrimmage. Miami now has a run-stuffer in the middle of the D-line who also possesses pass-rushing skills.
General manager Chris Ballard loves prototypical players at the tight end position and gets a playmaker with positional versatility in Warren. The Penn State product has exceptional catch ability and will help Anthony Richardson and/or Daniel Jones in the middle of the field.
The Falcons immediately improve their pass rush with Walker, an explosive and natural edge defender. He also possesses "MIKE" linebacker skills, so it'll be interesting to see how Raheem Morris and Jeff Ulbrich use Walker in the defensive game plan.
Arizona continues to beef up its defensive line with the Ole Miss product. The talented Nolen has the elite explosiveness and violent hands to create consistent penetration at the point of attack.
Though Stewart's desirable traits didn't translate into big production at Texas A&M, he is a freak athlete with tremendous upside. With first-step quickness and great burst off the line, Stewart is an intriguing prospect with the talent to hone his craft in the right environment. It bodes well that he'll play opposite Trey Hendrickson.
Zabel has five-position flexibility. Playing with strength, power and agility, the small-school standout was very impressive throughout the pre-draft process and will have the opportunity to start somewhere along Seattle's offensive front.
A polished receiver who regularly separates from defenders, Egbuka is the perfect No. 3 receiver alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Baker Mayfield's options in the passing game improved upon adding the Ohio State product's natural pass-catching ability.
Winner of the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in college football, Barron addresses a lot of needs in the Broncos' defensive backfield. He has the right temperament, technique and the versatility to play slot, safety or outside corner opposite Pat Surtain II. He's a high-IQ player who should flourish under Vance Joseph, a great defensive backs coach.
Harmon is disruptive at the point of attack and fits like a glove in the Steelers' rough-and-ready defense. He begins his career playing alongside Cam Heyward before being an eventual replacement at the 5-technique.
Hampton is a true workhorse back who'll pair perfectly with Najee Harris in Jim Harbaugh's offense. The more he touches the ball, the better Hampton gets. The North Carolina product is a physical downhill runner built for an offense that wants to play bully ball.
Golden is the first receiver Green Bay has drafted in Round 1 since the franchise selected Javon Walker in 2002. The Texas product has the elite speed to stretch the field and is an exceptional route runner. Golden should begin his Packer career as a hybrid WR1/WR2 but should have the opportunity to earn the primary role as a true No. 1.
The Vikings continue to retool the offensive line this offseason, adding a violent mauler in the interior who should help bring a physicality to the run game.
Brian Daboll is a QB guru who had tremendous success with Josh Allen in Buffalo; in Dart, he may see a quarterback with similar athleticism and play-making ability. The Ole Miss product has the traits to play in an offense that features not only traditional drop-back passes but movement-based concepts.
Doubling down on a huge position of need, the Falcons trade back into Round 1 to nab one of the more natural pass rushers in this draft class. Pearce is a freak athlete with outstanding burst and explosiveness.
The Ravens love football players and get one in Starks who has position versatility in the secondary. Baltimore's defense will be a nightmare operating pre-snap disguises with Starks and Kyle Hamilton. The Georgia standout is a tough, high-level player who jumps off the tape.
The Lions fill a need with a massive interior disruptor who'll line up next to Alim McNeill and Aidan Hutchinson. Williams is a run-stuffer with violent hands and the skills to push blockers into the backfield.
By trading for Laremy Tunsil, Washington has the luxury of selecting a young player who can sit and learn, and eventually take over down the road. The best teams address needs before they become dire. Conerly has the size and athleticism to become a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
The Bills address a big need by drafting a young cornerback with tremendous speed and length. He has great instincts, awareness and the versatile game to play in Sean McDermott's defensive scheme. A really nice fit in Buffalo, Hairston also has the opportunity to learn from and play alongside veteran Tre'Davious White.
Vic Fangio unlocked linebacker Zack Baun last season, and now gets a similar understudy in Campbell, a "see ball, get ball" defender in the middle of the defense. This unit gets even better by putting the Alabama product behind Jalen Carter and utilizing combinations when it comes to blitzes and simulated pressures.
Simmons is the most talented offensive tackle in this draft class and has the sheer ability to become a high-end performer under Andy Reid's tutelage if he fully recovers from the torn patellar tendon he suffered last October. The hope is that this pick secures Patrick Mahomes' blindside for the long-term.
