2025 NFL Draft Grades: Geoff Schwartz analyzes the first round

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone. 

With that, there is no time to waste. Let's dive into my first-round grades.

1. Titans : Cam Ward, QB
Grade: A

The Titans made the no-brainer pick. The Titans needed a game changer at QB, and they drafted the most talented player at the position.

2. Jaguars (via Cleveland Browns): Travis Hunter, WR/CB
Grade: A

There was steam over the last 24 hours that the Jaguars were going to make noise on draft night, and they sure did. Maybe the package of picks was too heavy, and we will only know this in a few years. What I know right now is the Jaguars drafted the most electric player in the draft. Hunter immediately helps quarterback Trevor Lawrence as a wide receiver and that was the goal of the draft: Get the QB more help.

3. Giants : Abdul Carter, Edge
Grade: A

The Giants take the best player available on the board and don’t think twice about it. Carter has a skill set that makes for a quick transition to the NFL, with his hand usage, his burst and his ability to finish at the quarterback.

4. Patriots : Will Campbell, OT
Grade: A

The Patriots had to leave the first round with an offensive tackle, so they drafted OT1 with the fourth pick. Campbell is a violent offensive lineman and became the Patriots' left tackle when his name was announced.

5. Browns : Mason Graham, DT
Grade: B+

The Browns traded back three spots while picking up a future first-round pick. I’m just not sure if the Browns needed to draft a defensive tackle in the first round. However, it seems clear that with them trading back and not drafting a QB with their first pick, they are punting a bit to next season. So they do add the top-graded defensive tackle for the future.

6. Raiders :