NFL Draft 2025: Everything You Need to Know
FirstEnergy Stadium (home of the Cleveland Browns) during a game. The 2025 NFL Draft will be hosted at nearby Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The NFL Draft is an annual event where teams in the National Football League select eligible players (mostly top college athletes) to join their teams. The 2025 NFL Draft was scheduled for April 24–26, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 2025 there were a total of 257 draft picks. During the three-day event, 7 rounds of selections take place: Round 1 on Thursday, Rounds 2–3 on Friday, and Rounds 4–7 on Saturday. This draft is a major way NFL teams add new talent each year, and its outcome can shape the future success of the franchises.
History of the NFL Draft and Its Growth
Fans fill a football stadium for a big game. Today the NFL Draft is a major media event attracting large crowds and fan interest. The NFL Draft began in 1936 when league owners wanted to balance talent among teams. Back
then, team owners (led by Philadelphia’s Bert Bell) held the first draft at a Philadelphia hotel with only 90 players available. The Philadelphia Eagles used the first-ever pick on halfback Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago (a Heisman Trophy winner). In that original draft, many players chose other careers; only 24 of the 81 selected ever played in the NFL.
Over the decades the draft grew. It became a combined NFL/AFL draft in 1967 when the two leagues merged. By the 21st century the NFL Draft is a widely-televised spectacle. Fans pack large venues (for example, New York’s Radio City Music Hall was filled for the 2012 draft), and now the 2025 draft will be at the famous Lambeau Field stadium and its surrounding “Titletown” district. Today’s draft is supported by months of scouting and media coverage, making it one of the most anticipated events in sports. It has introduced many future stars into the league and is key to building every team’s roster.
NFL Draft Process: How It Works
An NFL football helmet on a field. Players meet draft eligibility rules to enter the draft and are then chosen by teams. The draft follows a set of rules:
- Selection Order: Teams pick in reverse order of their finish from the previous NFL season. The team with the worst record picks first, and the Super Bowl champion picks last in each round. If teams have the same record, strength of schedule breaks the tie. (Teams can also trade their draft picks before or during the draft, moving up or down in the order.)
- Eligibility: College players must be at least three years removed from high school (most are juniors or seniors, or underclassmen who declare early).
- Rounds and Picks: There are 7 rounds. In 2025 there were 257 picks (the exact number can vary each year due to supplemental picks). Each team normally has one pick per round. Late in Round 7 the final pick is nicknamed “Mr. Irrelevant” (a fun tradition for the last player chosen).
- Selection: When it’s a team’s turn, they announce (often via a public announcement or their call) the college player they are drafting. The player then typically goes on stage in a team hat or jersey and poses for pictures. All drafted players become part of the picking team’s roster (subject to signing a contract).
In summary, the NFL Draft process is a yearly cycle of evaluating, selecting, and signing new players. It is the main way teams acquire new talent, and it requires coordination of scouting, team needs, and strategy.
Top Picks of NFL Draft 2025
College football players in action on the field. NFL teams select top college players in the Draft, hoping they become future stars. The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft featured several highly anticipated picks. According to ESPN’s draft board, the first five picks of Round 1 were:
- Cam Ward – Tennessee Titans (QB, Miami-FL). Ward, a standout quarterback (the offensive leader of a team), led the nation in passing touchdowns. Titans head coach Brian Callahan praised him, saying “His tape is excellent, he’s a really good player”.
- Travis Hunter – Jacksonville Jaguars (CB, Colorado). Hunter is a rare two-way star, known for playing both cornerback (defensive back) and wide receiver (offensive pass-catcher) in college. He even won the Heisman Trophy (college football’s top player award) at Colorado due to his exceptional talent
- Abdul Carter – New York Giants (EDGE, Penn State). Carter is a defensive end (edge rusher) who can pressure opposing quarterbacks.
- Will Campbell – New England Patriots (OT, LSU). Campbell is an offensive tackle (offensive line blocker) from LSU.
- Mason Graham – Cleveland Browns (DT, Michigan). Graham is a defensive tackle (interior defensive lineman) from Michigan.
- Ashton Jeanty – Las Vegas Raiders (RB, Boise State). Jeanty was the 6th pick (a running back who carried the ball in college).
These top picks highlight the kinds of players teams sought. For example, the Titans clearly targeted Ward as a franchise quarterback (coach Callahan’s praise confirms their interest). The Jaguars moved up to select Hunter, a unique player who starred on both sides of the ball. Interestingly, one notable storyline was Shedeur Sanders, a highly productive college QB (son of NFL legend Deion Sanders). Despite high expectations, Sanders went undrafted in Rounds 1–4 and eventually was picked in Round 5 by Cleveland (pick No.144). That was one of the surprise moments of the draft.
Notable Future NFL Stars
Many of the players selected in the 2025 Draft are viewed as potential future stars for their new teams. For example, Cam Ward’s college success and leadership make fans hopeful he could lead the Titans for years. Jacksonville’s pick of Travis Hunter, a decorated two-way player, suggests they see him as a game-changer on both offense and defense. In general, first-round picks often become key starters; nearly every NFL team looks to its high draft picks to develop into core players. While not every first-rounder becomes a superstar, the expectation is high. Analysts and fans will closely watch these rookies as they train for the upcoming season.
Looking beyond the first round, other draftees (and even some undrafted players) can emerge as future stars. The draft overall is about building for the future: teams invest in young talent hoping these players become the next generation of NFL stars. The excitement of the draft comes from seeing which college standouts will break out in the NFL and shape the league’s future.
FAQ
Q: What is the NFL Draft?
A: The NFL Draft is an annual event where National Football League teams take turns selecting eligible players (mostly college football athletes) to join their teams. It typically has 7 rounds and is the main way teams acquire new players.
Q: When and where was the NFL Draft 2025?
A: The 2025 NFL Draft took place on April 24–26, 2025. It was hosted in Green Bay, Wisconsin at Lambeau Field and its surrounding Titletown area.
Q: How is the draft order determined?
A: Draft order is based on the teams’ performance in the previous NFL season. The team with the worst record picks first, then the next-worst, and so on, with the Super Bowl champion picking last in each round. Ties are broken by strength of schedule (whose opponents had a better or worse combined record). Teams can also trade picks, which can change the order.
Q: How many rounds and picks are in the NFL Draft?
A: There are 7 rounds in the NFL Draft. Most teams get one pick per round, plus there may be extra compensatory picks awarded (usually around 250–260 picks in total). In 2025 there were 257 total picks.
Q: Who was the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?
A: Quarterback Cam Ward from the University of Miami was selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans.
Q: What is “Mr. Irrelevant”?
A: “Mr. Irrelevant” is the nickname given to the very last pick of the NFL Draft (the final pick of Round 7). It’s a lighthearted tradition and that player often receives a bit of extra attention after being drafted.
These FAQs cover the basics about the NFL Draft and specific details of the 2025 event. The draft is a key part of each NFL offseason, and it sets the stage for the next season by bringing many new players into the league. Each pick is a potential future star, and fans closely follow their team’s selections during the three days of the draft.
Sources: Information in this article is based on official NFL sources and reputable sports news outlets. For details on draft picks and analysis, see NFL.com and ESPN draft coverageespn.comespn.comnfl.comespn.com. (Images are for illustrative purposes.)