How to watch the 2025 NFL Draft: Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders, rookie hopefuls gather in Green Bay
The chimes are queued, the suits are fitted and the clock is running. Thursday night begins the annual NFL Draft, a moment for zealous offseason football fans to congregate and for experts to pontificate on franchise-altering decisions. The 2025 rookie class is loaded with big names and unique skill sets. For some future All-Pros, everything begins right here.
Thursday's No. 1 pick belongs to the Tennessee Titans, who are widely expected to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward as their next staple under center. The team's last first-round QB selection was Marcus Mariota in 2015. They also took Jake Locker in 2011 and Vince Young in 2006. The results were middling at best: Mariota went 63-61 in Nashville, Young faded fast after a strong start, and Locker was out of the league by age 27.
Advertisement
As has been the case for most of the 21st century, the Cleveland Browns hold a juicy and highly consequential draft pick. They're going second overall this year, reportedly looking at Colorado's Travis Hunter and Penn State's Abdul Carter. Disastrously, the Browns have traded away each of their last three first-round looks. The franchise's last first-rounder who remains on the team is cornerback Greg Newsome II, who joined in 2021.
The reeling New York Giants pick third on Thursday. After its Super Bowl campaign in 2011, Big Blue has just one playoff win (2022's wild-card win over Minnesota). Worse, they've endured nine seasons with double-digit losses since 2011. These Giants need help at just about every position on the field, though 2024 first-rounder Malik Nabers looked the part of a future star last fall.
Pick No. 4 lies with the once-dynastic New England Patriots, now rebuilding from scratch in their post-Brady, post-Belichick iteration. The Pats took quarterback Drake Maye third overall last spring, and he put up respectable first-year stats with a depleted offense (he also had one of the coolest and most underrated plays in recent memory).
Rounding out the top five: the new-look Jacksonville Jaguars, trying to get right after offseason hires of coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone. The Jags have one 10-win season in almost two decades of ongoing futility. Speedy wideout Brian Thomas Jr., 2024's selection from LSU, is coming off a Pro Bowl rookie effort with nearly 1,300 receiving yards.
Friday covers rounds two and three, where a cadre of impact players have been found in recent drafts. Super Bowl hero Cooper DeJean went to the Eagles in the second round last year, and Jim Harbaugh's Chargers nabbed standout Ladd McConkey there, too. Recent Day 2 draftees include James Cook (2022, 63rd overall), Kerby Joseph (2022, 97th) and Landon Dickerson ('21, 37th).
Advertisement
The proceedings wrap up with a compressed four-round run on Saturday afternoon. Remember, Mr. Irrelevant has indeed been relevant in recent seasons.
NFL beat writer 2025 mock draft 3.0: Which team takes a chance on Shedeur Sanders?
2025 NFL Draft confidential: Woe is the team in need of a quarterback this year
NFL Draft 2025 news and live updates
Streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Photo of Cam Ward: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Schefter Offers Gruesome Bills Prediction on James Cook
Schefter Offers Gruesome Bills Prediction on James Cook originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The business side of the NFL is heading the Buffalo Bills' offseason, with running back James Cook seeking a new contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. Advertisement But there's a big problem. The Bills, through re-signing other stars this offseason, despite Cook stating first he wanted a new deal, having only $1.6 million in cap space per Over The Cap. James wasn't at OTAs, which is, of course, voluntary, but there have been little breadcrumbs laid out by Cook, seemingly voicing his discontent at the lack of movement on a new deal. Now, ESPN's Adam Schefter is discussing it all in his podcast, offering a rather grim view of the situation between Buffalo and Cook. 'It bears watching because you've got a guy who's unhappy with this contractual situation, who has basically disconnected himself from the organization, the city, put his house up for sale,' Schefter said. 'I don't think we'll be seeing him in Buffalo anytime soon, and again, the start of training camp will be the next critical moment. If they don't have a deal done there by then, does James Cook show up for training camp? Does he risk the penalties if he doesn't show up?" Buffalo Bills running back James Cook.© Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images That doesn't sound promising at all. Advertisement Buffalo's mandatory mini-camp will take place this week, and that will also serve as a test of Cook's mental state regarding his contract. Seen as one of the key offensive pieces for coordinator Joe Brady, this has the potential to get rather ugly the longer it goes without something being done. But Buffalo, barring some serious salary cap gymnastics, won't be able to get a deal done with the two-time Pro Bowler, and where that leaves Cook and the offense is unknown. And that isn't a good spot to be for a franchise aiming for Super Bowl glory. Related: Buffalo Coach Is 'Human Encyclopedia' Teaching Bills to Get Smarter Related: Bills Schedule Release Wish Is Prime-Time Revenge This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Homegrown NFL star returns to Texoma hosting 3rd annual youth football camp
Small town Munday, America was the place to be on Saturday morning!Athletes from all across North Texas flocking to the home of the Moguls for their chance to be up close and personal with a local NFL Collier, the pride of Munday high school, back in his hometown this weekend hosting his third annual youth football was fun for all ages at Scruggs Field as more than one hundred local student-athletes were in attendance, ranging in age from elementary school to high coming back to the place where it all started: A class of 2014 Munday grad, he won a state title with the Moguls his junior college, Collier took his talents to TCU for five years and proved his worth as a first round draft choice of the Seattle Seahawks in is currently under contract with the Arizona Cardinals, preparing for his seventh season as a pro this doesn't forget where he came from. Knox County means a lot to him and he loves giving back to his small town.'The kids are awesome,' Collier said. 'They come out, they really buy into it every year. Anybody that will come up, whether you're from Stamford, Haskell, anywhere in the surrounding area, we will welcome you. I appreciate everybody that came out today. The coaches, the sponsors, all you guys that came out today and helped us out. Man, it was really a big turnout and I really enjoyed myself today.'Collier reports to Cardinals mandatory minicamp on June 7th. Arizona's training camp is set for mid-late week nine of the regular season, Collier and the Cardinals visit the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. on November 3, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
5-star Michigan football target sets commitment date
The post 5-star Michigan football target sets commitment date appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Michigan football team is hoping to land a commitment from one its top offensive targets, and it won't be long before we hear a decision. Five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell is down to eight schools, and he will announce his commitment on July 5th. Advertisement 'BREAKING: Elite 2026 WR Calvin Russell will announce his Commitment July 5th between these 8 Schools, he tells me for @On3Recruits,' Hayes Fawcett said in a post. 'The 6'5 195 WR from Opa Locka, FL is ranked as the No. 4 WR in the '26 Class (per On3 Industry).' Calvin Russell will choose between Michigan, Miami, Oregon, Florida State, Florida, LSU, North Carolina and Syracuse. Russell is a five-star recruit, according to 247Sports. He is the #21 player in the 2026 class, the #3 WR and the #2 player in the state of Florida. Russell currently attends Northwestern High School in Miami, FL. The Hurricanes will be a tough team for Michigan to beat here. 'Hulking wide receiver with above-the-rim athleticism that makes him a uniquely dangerous target, especially down in the red zone,' Russell's scouting report reads. 'Owns more of a slender build, but has measured over 6-foot-5 multiple times and is blessed with a near 6-foot-10 wingspan. Isn't exactly the most polished route runner at this stage, but creates separation with unexpected suddenness for such a longer strider. Superb body control tends to create even more of a disadvantage for defensive backs as he wins 50-50 battles with timing and positioning.' Advertisement If Michigan does land a commitment from Russell, there is a chance that he plays basketball for the Wolverines as well. 'Not going to outrun every tackle, but is quick to hit the gas and can make some dynamic cuts in traffic,' the scouting report continues. 'Spent much of freshman and sophomore seasons repping as a run first-quarterback out of necessity before settling in as a must-look option in Year 3 for a storied Miami Northwestern program that captured a 3A championship. Will need to add some body armour to a rather wiry frame in hopes of improving play strength and buy into the process at the school of his choice, but should be viewed as a potential impact pass catcher for a College Football Playoff contender that can be positioned all around the field in hopes of creating mismatches. One of those good-at-everything athletes that could legitimately play two spots in college as he's also being recruited by basketball high majors.' Calvin Russell is one of the best WRs in the 2026 class, and the Michigan football team needs WRs. This would be a massive get.
