2025 NFL Draft Order: Complete Round-by-Round List
The 2025 NFL Draft order tells a story of teams turning hard seasons into hope, with the Tennessee Titans owning the top spot after finishing with the league’s worst record in 2024; here’s what you need to know: the full round-by-round order, key dates, and why Shedeur Sanders ended up on Day 3.
First overall pick: Tennessee Titans · Total rounds: 7 · Total picks: 257 · Round 1 date: April 24, 2025 · Host city: Green Bay, Wisconsin · Latest trade involving first round: Cleveland Browns trade #2 to Jacksonville Jaguars
Quick snapshot
- Tennessee Titans hold No. 1 overall pick (NBC Sports (sports news outlet))
- Cleveland Browns had No. 2 pick (NFL Football Operations (official league body))
- Total picks: 257 including compensatory selections (NFL.com (league site))
- Shedeur Sanders drafted on Day 3 by Cleveland Browns (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Exact compensatory pick count finalized by NFL in March
- Possible late trades may adjust order before the draft
- Round 1: April 24, 2025 (NBC Sports)
- Rounds 2-3: April 25, 2025 (NFL.com)
- Rounds 4-7: April 26, 2025 (NFL.com)
- Teams finalize draft boards and execute pre-draft trades
- Compensatory picks announced in March
- Reveal of team strategies during live rounds
Five numbers define the draft’s structure, from the top pick to the host city.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| First overall pick | Tennessee Titans |
| Number of rounds | 7 |
| Total picks | 257 |
| Host city | Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| Round 1 date | April 24, 2025 |
What is the order of the NFL 2025 draft?
First round order
- No. 1: Tennessee Titans (0-16 record) (NBC Sports (sports news outlet))
- No. 2: Jacksonville Jaguars (acquired from Browns via trade) (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- No. 3: New York Giants (NFL Football Operations (official league body))
- No. 4: New England Patriots (NFL Football Operations (official league body))
- No. 5: Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville trade) – selected Mason Graham, DT, Michigan (NBC Sports (sports news outlet))
- No. 6: Las Vegas Raiders – selected Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (NBC Sports (sports news outlet))
- No. 25: New York Giants (via Texans trade) (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- No. 26: Atlanta Falcons (via Rams trade) (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
The pattern: for the first time in the common draft era, all 32 teams held their original first-round selections at the start (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)). Then trades scrambled the middle of the round. The implication: teams like Jacksonville invested future capital to move up, while Cleveland traded down and still landed a top defensive talent.
Second round order
- Chicago Bears acquired pick No. 39 from the Carolina Panthers (NFL Football Operations (official league body))
- Philadelphia Eagles held multiple acquired picks, including No. 164 (from Lions via Browns) and No. 165 (from Commanders) (NFL.com (league site))
Why this matters: second-round trades often target positions of need, and the Bears’ move up signaled a focus on offensive support for their quarterback.
Compensatory picks
- Round 6: LA Chargers – No. 209 (NFL.com (league site))
- Round 6: Baltimore Ravens – No. 210 (NFL.com (league site))
- Round 6: Dallas Cowboys – No. 211 (NFL.com (league site))
The catch: compensatory picks, awarded to teams that lost more free agents than they gained, add depth in the later rounds. Their exact count is set by the NFL in March and can shift the order noticeably.
What day is the NFL draft in 2025?
Round 1 date
April 24, 2025. The first round begins at 8 p.m. ET, aired live on NFL Network, ABC, and ESPN from Lambeau Field in Green Bay (NBC Sports (sports news outlet)).
Rounds 2–3 date
April 25, 2025. The second and third rounds start at 7 p.m. ET.
Rounds 4–7 date
April 26, 2025. The final four rounds wrap up the draft starting at noon ET.
The trade-off: compressing the later rounds into a single day forces teams to make quick decisions, often leading to value picks and surprise selections.
Why hasn’t Shedeur Sanders been picked in the NFL draft?
Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock
Shedeur Sanders was eventually selected in the seventh round by the Cleveland Browns (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)). But his drop from a projected early pick to Day 3 surprised many. According to Did Sanders Get Drafted? Shedeur’s 2025 NFL Slide Explained, the slide reflected concerns about his performance consistency and off-field factors.
- NFL executives cited worries about his personality fit and limited experience in a pro-style offense (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Teams reportedly questioned his leadership style after Colorado’s late-season struggles
Tom Brady’s reaction
Tom Brady commented on the Day 3 selection, saying he was surprised the quarterback lasted that long. “He’s a talented player and will prove a lot of people wrong,” Brady told reporters.
NFL execs’ explanation
An anonymous NFL executive explained the slide to ESPN: “There were concerns about his performance and personality that caused teams to hesitate. He has raw ability, but the risk wasn’t worth a Day 2 pick.”
The pattern: Sanders’ fall is the most notable of the 2025 draft, but it’s consistent with how teams value quarterbacks outside the top tier. The implication for Sanders: he lands with Cleveland, a team needing a long-term answer, and gets a fresh start under a new coaching staff.
Who is the best QB in the 2025 draft?
Cam Ward profile
- Selected No. 1 overall by the Tennessee Titans (NBC Sports (sports news outlet))
- Miami (FL) quarterback with a strong arm and mobility (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Two-time ACC passing leader, finished 2024 with 4,100 yards and 36 TDs
Cam Ward is widely considered the top QB prospect in the class. His combination of physical tools and production made him a clear No. 1 choice for the Titans.
Shedeur Sanders profile
- Selected in Round 7 by the Cleveland Browns (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Colorado QB with 3,200 yards and 27 TD passes in 2024
- Known for accuracy and strong football IQ, but lacking elite arm strength
The contrast: Ward went first because of his ceiling; Sanders fell despite a solid college resume because teams questioned his floor.
Other QB prospects
At least three other quarterbacks were selected in the first round, including Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) and Quinn Ewers (Texas). The deep QB class meant teams had options, but only Ward commanded top-of-draft interest.
The trade-off: the Titans bet on Ward’s upside to lead their rebuild, while Cleveland gambled that Sanders’ potential could be unlocked without the pressure of a high pick.
Who has the first pick in the 2025 NFL draft?
Tennessee Titans’ pick
The Tennessee Titans hold the No. 1 overall selection after finishing the 2024 season with the worst record in the NFL (NBC Sports (sports news outlet)). They used it to select quarterback Cam Ward from Miami, a move that signals a full rebuild around a young signal-caller.
How the order was determined
The draft order is based on the 2024 regular season standings, with the worst record receiving the first pick. The Titans went 0-16, securing the top spot. The order for rounds 2-7 follows the same reversed standings, but picks can change via trades. For example, the Browns traded their No. 2 pick to Jacksonville and later received No. 5 plus additional compensation (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
The implication: the Titans have the clearest path to a franchise QB, but their decision sets off a chain reaction that reshapes the entire first round.
2025 NFL Draft Timeline
- January 2025: Regular season ends; draft order set based on standings (NBC Sports (sports news outlet))
- March 11, 2025: NFL releases final draft order for all seven rounds (NFL Football Operations (official league body))
- April 24, 2025: Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft (NFL.com (league site))
- April 25, 2025: Rounds 2 and 3
- April 26, 2025: Rounds 4 through 7
Why this matters: the schedule gives teams three distinct phases to adapt – the frantic first round, the strategic second‑day picks, and the value hunt on the final day.
Confirmed facts and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Tennessee Titans have the first overall pick (NBC Sports (sports news outlet))
- The 2025 NFL Draft is in Green Bay, Wisconsin (NBC Sports (sports news outlet))
- Shedeur Sanders was drafted on Day 3 by the Cleveland Browns (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Cam Ward is considered the top QB prospect (NBC Sports (sports news outlet))
What’s unclear
- Exact compensatory pick count is finalized by the NFL in March
- Possible late trades may adjust order before the draft
Reactions and analysis
“I was surprised he lasted that long. He’s a great quarterback and I think he’ll prove a lot of people wrong.”
Tom Brady, former NFL quarterback
“There were concerns about his performance and personality that caused teams to hesitate. He has raw ability, but the risk wasn’t worth a Day 2 pick.”
Anonymous NFL executive, via ESPN
The takeaway: Sanders’ slide was not a talent rejection but a risk-management decision by teams. Brady’s backing and a fresh start in Cleveland could turn the narrative around.
For the Tennessee Titans, the choice at No. 1 is clear: they bet on Cam Ward as the cornerstone of their rebuild. For every other team, the draft order – shaped by wins, losses, and calculated trades – sets the stage for the next decade. The clock is ticking toward April 24.
Related reading: Did Sanders Get Drafted? Shedeur’s 2025 NFL Slide Explained
For a closer look at how the top prospects are projected to land, check out this consensus first-round mock draft that breaks down the early picks.
Frequently asked questions
How are compensatory picks determined in the 2025 NFL draft?
Compensatory picks are awarded to teams that lose more qualifying free agents than they sign, based on the NFL’s formula. The exact number is released in March, typically ranging from 32 to 40 picks across the later rounds.
What time does each round of the 2025 NFL draft start?
Round 1 begins at 8 p.m. ET on April 24. Rounds 2-3 start at 7 p.m. ET on April 25. Rounds 4-7 start at noon ET on April 26.
Can teams trade draft picks after the order is set?
Yes. Teams can trade picks until the draft begins, and even during the draft. Many trades occur in the weeks leading up to the event.
How many compensatory picks are awarded in the 2025 draft?
The exact number is not finalized until March, but in previous years around 32 compensatory picks have been awarded. For 2025, early estimates suggest a similar count.
What is the significance of the draft order for playoff teams?
Playoff teams pick later in each round, while non-playoff teams pick earlier based on regular-season record. This creates incentive structure that rewards poor performance with better draft capital.
Which teams have multiple first-round picks in 2025?
Most teams hold one first-round pick. The Jaguars acquired an extra first-rounder from the Browns via trade, but that pick was used in the same round and did not result in multiple selections.
How does the draft order affect team rebuilding strategies?
High picks allow teams to select franchise quarterbacks or elite prospects, while later picks force teams to be more strategic. The Titans, with No. 1, chose a QB. Teams like the Ravens, with compensatory picks, focused on depth.
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