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Andy does a re-do of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Read his updated version of the 2025 draft. Read the top rookie breakouts including Tyler Shough, Jaxson Dart, Cam Ward, more
With the 2025 regular season in the books, it's time to revisit the opening round of the NFL Draft. While some teams made the right calls, some are likely regretting the selection they made last April.
In this piece, we will "re-do" the entire opening round of the 2025 NFL Draft and determine which teams got their picks right, and which ones are still regretting their decisions.
Let's revisit the draft and redo the opening round. Let's dive in!
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Pick 1: Tennessee Titans
Original Pick - Cam Ward, QB
Jaxson Dart, QB
While the Titans will still use their first pick to select a QB, they will instead pivot to the Ole Miss product. As a rookie, Dart flashed immense upside with the Giants, finishing his season with 26 total TDs across 14 games. He totaled 2,272 yards through the air and added 487 yards with his legs. He threw only five interceptions.
Pick 2: Cleveland Browns
Original Pick - Travis Hunter, WR/CB
Tyler Shough, QB
With the Jaguars not moving up to this slot in the blockbuster trade that gave them Travis Hunter, the Browns will stay put and instead draft their franchise QB, Tyler Shough. Shough did not see the field until the halfway point of the season in New Orleans, but did not disappoint when he took the starting job.
Over his final seven games, Shough would average 256.9 passing yards with 250 rushing yards per game. During this stint, Shogh would score 10 TDs and throw only four interceptions.
TYLER SHOUGH 54-YARD TOUCHDOWN
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/dRKHzpR2R9— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2025
Pick 3: New York Giants
Original Pick - Abdul Carter, Edge
Cam Ward, QB
With both Ward and Shouh off the board, the Giants will select Cam Ward to round out the top-3 of the re-do draft. Ward was initially taken as the first layer off the board, but his stock has since taken a slight hit.
During his first season in the NFL, Ward did not have the best offensive interactions but had significant growing pains. Ward totaled just 195.5 passing yards with eight TDs over his first 12 games. However, over his last four (excluding Week 18), Ward posted an impressive 8:1 TD: INT with 191.5 yards per game.
Pick 4: New England Patriots
Original Pick - Will Campbell, OL
Will Campbell, OL
The Patriots selected Will Campbell and will do so again in the re-do. Campbell missed four games but was a leader on this offensive line and helped spark Drake Maye's breakout season. According to PFF, the LSU standout was graded 23rd in Pass Block Grade and finished the regular season with an overall 72.6 Grade.
Pick 5 - Jacksonville Jaguars
Original Pick - Mason Graham, DT
Travis Hunter, WR/CB
The Jaguars will not look to trade up to this version but will still select the player they had their eye on, Travis Hunter. Hunter did not have the most impressive stat sheet prior to his season-ending injury, but he began to show flashes that keep him within the top-5.
The former Heisman Trophy winner capped off his rookie season with an eight-catch 101-yard and a touchdown effort against the Rams.
Pick 6: Las Vegas Raiders
Original Pick -Ashton Jeanty, RB
The Raiders will still look to select a skill-position player with their first pick, but will instead add a top WR1 to the offense. With Carolina, Tetairoa McMillan establishes himself as a legit favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year as he threw 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven scores. HE caught 17 passes for greater than 20 yards and three for greater than 40 yards.
Pick 7: New York Jets
Original Pick - Armand Membou, OL
Kelvin Banks Jr., OL
With the top-3 QBs off the board, the Jets will instead look to strengthen their offensive line. While Armand Membou was not a bad pick, in the re-do, they will select Kelvin Banks Jr. According to PFF, Banks was one of the most dominant rushing blockers at the tackle position.
As a rookie, Banks was given a strong 76.2 Rushing Block Grade, placing him 16th at the entire position. Banks started every single game in New Orleans and would be a franchise cornerstone in New York.
Pick 8: Carolina Panthers
Original Pick -Tetairoa McMillan, WR
Colston Loveland, TE
The Panthers were still able to add a top pass catcher for Bryce Young in Colston Loveland. The Michigan product had a slow start to his rookie season, but was one of the best tight ends in the entire league down the stretch. Over his last 10 games, Loveland averaged 59.7 yards per game with 4.7 receptions per game.
During this 10-game stretch, Loveland found the back of the end zone six times.
Pick 9: New Orleans Saints
Original Pick - Kelvin Banks Jr., OL
Armand Membou, OT
With Banks off the board, the Saints will still look to strengthen their offensive line with Armand Membou. Membou enjoyed a solid debut season with the Jets, despite playing one of the most iconic offensive units. According ot PFF, the 21-year-old was given an overall 72.7 Grade, placing him 31st among offensive tackles.
Pick 10: Chicago Bears
Original Pick - Colston Loveland, TE
Adbul Carter, DE
The former third overall pick had a slow start to his rookie season but began to find his footing down the stretch. Over the last four games (excluding Week 18), Carter tallied 16 tackles (10 solo) with 3.5 sacks. During his first 12 contests, Carter tallied just 0.5 sacks with 15 solo tackles.
Carter finished his debut season with 66 pressures, the 11th most at his position according to PFF.
Pick 11: San Francisco 49ers
Original Pick - Mykel Williams, Edge
James Pearce Jr., DE
The 49ers will take a massive upgrade on the defense line with James Pearce Jr. Pearce was one of the most productive edge rushers in the league despite the slow start in the first half. Over the first eight games, the Tennessee product tallied just 0.5 sacks with eight tackles.
However, over the last nine games, Pearce racked up an eye-catching 10 sacks with five pass deflections and one forced fumble.
Pick 12: Dallas Cowboys
Original Pick - Tyler Booker, OL
Tyler Booker, OL
The Cowboys will draft Tyler Booker out of Alabama once again with the 12th overall pick. Booker played a key role on the Dallas line, logging 84% of the snaps at the guard position.
According to PFF, Booker was an elite blocker. He placed seventh among all guards in terms of Run Block Grade and 16th overall Grade at the position.
Pick 13: Miami Dolphins
Original Pick - Kenneth Grant, DL
Tyler Warren, TE
While a wideout like Emeka Egbuka was in consideration here, Tyler Warren would provide this team with a massive upgrade at the tight end position. Warren had a strong rookie season with the Colts, catching 76 passes for 817 yards and four touchdowns. He also took six carries and punched in another score with his legs.
While Darren Waller showed flashes at times, she battled numerous injuries. Warren would give this offense a stable option in the middle of the field and the red zone.
Pick 14: Indianapolis Colts
Original Pick - Tyler Warren, TE
Carson Schwesinger, LB
Initially a second-round pick, the UCLA product will get bumped up to the middle of the first round in this do-over. Schwesinger finished his rookie campaign with an eye-catching 156 tackles, serving as an every-down player for the Cleveland Browns. According to PFF, he finished with the eighth-most tackles at the LB position and an overall 64.4 Grade, placing him 21st among linebackers.
He also forced two interceptions and 2.5 sacks.
Pick 15: Atlanta Falcons
Original Pick - Jalon Walker, Edge
Mason Graham, DT
Mason Graham was initially taken in the top-5 but had a somewhat underwhelming season relative to his draft position and will take a bit of a hit in this draft. Graham began the season, tallying just 17 tackles over his first eight games. However, over his last nine, he would begin to showcase his true positional, logging 32 tackles (20 solo) with two deflections.
The former Michigan standout would be a much-needed addition to an Atlanta defense that allowed 126.2 rushing yards per game.
Pick 16: Arizona Cardinals
Original Pick - Walter Nolen, DL
Ashton Jeanty, RB
With James Conner suffering a season-ending injury and Trey Benson's inability to stay on the field, the Cardinals will find their RB of the future in Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty was a top-6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft but failed to meet expectations in an inconsistent Vegas offense.
The Boise State product finished his rookie season with 975 rushing yards on 266 carries. He punched in 10 scores (five rushing) and the fifth-most missed tackles (61) according to PFF.
Ashton Jeanty is in for his 1st career TD!
LVvsNE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/3I1Un9GRb7
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
Pick 17: Cincinnati Bengals
Original Pick - Shemar Stewart, Edge
Malaki Starks, S
The Bengals will add a much-needed pass to their secondary with Malaki Starks out of Georgia. Starks turned in an impressive rookie season with the Ravens and finished with an overall 68.9 Grade per PFF. Starks recorded 84 total tackles and added two interceptions and two pass deflections.
He will be a much-needed addition to a defense that surrendered 28.9 points per game.
Pick 18: Seattle Seahawks
Original Pick - Grey Zabel, OL
Emeka Egbuka, WR
While Grey Zabel was a solid choice for the top seed in the NFC, adding another playmaker to this offense could have made this team even more formidable. The Seahawks lacked a true No. 2 opposition of Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the entire campaign, and rookie Emeka Egbuka would have filled that role nicely.
While he had a quiet second half, Egbuka flashed immense potential in his first nine games; the Ohio State product averaged 75.2 yards per game with six total TDs.
Pick 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Original Pick - Emeka Egbuka, WR
Jihaad Campbell, LB
The 21-year-old could have been the value of the real draft (in the first round), being selected 32nd overall by the Eagles. However, in this version, Campbell will join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 19th pick. Campbell immediately carved out a key role in this Philadelphia defense, finishing his season with 80 total tackles.
PFF gave Campbell an impressive 76.2 Overall Grade, placing him 13th at the position.
Pick 20: Denver Broncos
Original Pick - Jahdae Barron, CB
Jalon Walker, LB
Jalon Walker is one of the top defenders available on the board and would further strengthen an already elite unit. Walker, like many rookies this year, had a slow start but found his footing down the stretch. From Weeks 9 through 18, Walker would tally 4.5 sacks with 22 tackles (16 solo) with one deflection.
Over his first five, he would add only eight solo tackles with one sack. PFF gave him a 71.6 Overall Grade for his debut campaign.
Pick 21: Pittsburgh Steelers
Original Pick - Derrick Harmon, DL
Cam Skattebo, RB
The Steelers selected a running back later in this draft, with Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa. However, in the redo, they will look to target that position with their first selection and acquire the bruising back, Cam Skattebo.
Skattebo was enjoying a break before suffering his season-ending ankle injury in Week 8. From Weeks 2 through 7, Skattebo was the engine of the New York offense, totaling 66.8 rushing yards per game with 3.5 receptions per game and six total TDs.
Pick 22: Los Angeles Chargers
Original Pick - Omarion Hampton, RB
Quinshon Judkins, RB
The Chargers will instead pivot to another top running back, Quinshon Judikins, rather than Omarion Hampton, the running back they initially drafted with their 22nd overall pick. Judkins wasted little time taking over the Cleveland backfield since making his debut in Week 2. From Weeks 2 through 16, Judkins logged 16.4 attempts per game and averaged 3.6 YPC.
While his upside was hindered by his weak offensive environment, Judkins never fumbled on his 230 carries and forced the 18th-most missed tackles, according to PFF.
Pick 23: Green Bay Packers
Original Pick - Matthew Golden, WR
Grey Zabel, OG
Grey Zabel was selected by the Seahawks a few picks earlier in the real draft and will fall to the Packers in the re-do. Zabel has served as a full-time option on the Seattle line all season. Through the regular season, the North Dakota State product was given a 57.3 Overall Grade on PFF but showed more upside as a pass blocker, compared to a run blocker.
Pick 24: Minnesota Vikings
Original Pick - Donovan Jackson, OL
While Aaron Jones was still productive in 2205, the veteran missed time with an injury and is nearing the end of his lengthy career. Even with Jordan Mason on the roster, adding an elite prospect in TreVeyon Henderson would provide this depth chart with a true long-term answer.
Henderson had the breakthrough in New England with Rhamondre Stevenson, but still flashed elite upside down the stretch. From Weeks 9 through 18, the Ohio State Buckeyes totaled just under 90.0 scrimmage yards per game and posted an impressive 5.4 YPC.
TreVeyon Henderson takes off for 55 yards and a touchdown!
NEvsTB on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/xZtvUZTvId
— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025
Pick 25: Houston Texans
Original Pick - Jaxson Dart, QB
Omarion Hampton, RB
The Texans will follow suit and address their RB position in the opening round. While they wound up securing Woody Marks later in the real draft, with Omarion Hampton still on the board, they will take a top prospect at the position. Hampton had an injury-riddled but flashed high upside when on the field.
From Weeks 1 through 5 before suffering his ankle injury, the North Carolina product posted a strong 4.8 YPC. He was involved in all aspects of the game, totaling 62.8 rushing yards and 27.2 receiving yards per game.
Pick 26: Los Angeles Rams
Original Pick - James Pearce Jr., Edge
Xavier Watts, S
The Rams will add a top safety prospect in Xavier Watts. Watts was initially the 96th overall pick in the real draft but was given a massive boost in the redo, given his impressive debut campaign. With the Falcons, Watts was a leader in the secondary, totaling 96 tackles with five interceptions.
PFF gave him an impressive 72.4 Overall Grade at the conclusion of his season, placing him 19th among safeties.
Pick 27: Baltimore Ravens
Original Pick - Malaki Starks, S
The Ravens have locked a true No. 2 option alongside Zay Flowers. Rashod Bateman filled that role in 2024 but did not meet expectations in 2025. Burden had a slow start in Chicago, unable to see the field given the deep WR room, but enjoyed a massive late-season breakout.
From Weeks 12 through 18, Burden drew 6.2 targets per game and posted an elite 14.4 YPC. In Week 17, he caught eight passes for 128 yards and a score. He finished the regular season with 11 catches of 20 yards or more and two of 40 yards or more.
Pick 28: Detroit Lions
Original Pick - Tyleik Williams, DL
Nick Emmanwori, S
The Lions' defense allowed a high 24.3 PPG, and adding Nick Emmanwori to the secondary would provide some much-needed depth. As a rookie, the 21-year-old took on an older role in Settle and finished the regular season with 81 tackles (56 solo), 11 deflections, and one interception. He also forced 2.5 sacks.
According to PFF, Emmanwori graded 21st (71.6) at the position and tallied 30 stops (eighth-most among safeties).
Pick 29: Washington Commanders
Original Pick - Josh Conerly Jr., OL
While Zach Ertz was on track to turn in another productive season before suffering a season-ending knee injury, adding an elite prospect in Harold Fannin Jr. would provide Jayden Daniels with another top pass catcher alongside Terry McLaurin. With the Browns, Fannin established himself as one of the top young TEs in the sport, catching 72 passes for 731 yards and six scores.
From Weeks 13 through 17, Fannin tallied 53.8 yards per game on 4.8 receptions per game with four total TDs.
Pick 30: Buffalo Bills
Original Pick - Maxwell Hairston, CB
Jayden Higgins, WR
The Bills brought in Joshua Palmer this offseason in hopes of filling the WR2 role in the offense. However, Palmer was unable to find his footing, and Keon Coleman fell short of expectations once again as a sophomore. Adding Jayden Higgins would provide Josh Allen with a legit No. 2 WR and raise his ceiling even higher.
Despite playing in a limited role in Houston, Higgins brought in 41 passes for 525 yards and six scores. Pairing a true deep threat with Khalil Shakir could bring this offense to a new level.
Pick 31: Kansas City Chiefs
Original Pick - Jihaad Campbell, LB
Josh Simmons, OT
The Chiefs selected Simmons with the 32nd pick in the "real" draft as the Eagles opted to trade up to the 31st to select Jihaad Campbell. Simmons saw his season cut short on Thanksgiving due to a dislocated wrist, but he was beginning to find his footing.
Through eight games, Simmons showed high upside as a pass catcher, earning a 75.5 Pass Blocking Grade on PFF, placing him 25th at the position.
Pick 32: Philadelphia Eagles
Original Pick - Josh Simmons, OL
Nohl Williams, DB
Round out this draft, the Eagles will bolster their defense even further by selecting Nohl Williams out of California. Williams was a third-round pick by the Chiefs in April's draft. With the Chiefs, Williams tallied 48 tackles while serving as the No. 3 DB on most weeks.
However, over his last five, Williams would take on a near every-down role, tallying 23 of his total tackles and adding one sack with four deflections. PFF graded the rookie with an impressive 74.5 Overall Grade.
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