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ESPN's Peter Schrager Names 'Winner' Of 2025 NFL Draft's First Round

Originally posted on The Spun | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Apr 25, 2025 10:32 AM ET

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft concluded late on Thursday night when the Kansas City Chiefs selected Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons with the 32nd overall pick.

It capped off a fun but chaotic first round after there were some fireworks earlier in the evening. The Tennessee Titans made Cam Ward the first overall pick in the draft before the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to second overall and selected Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter.

Hunter was considered arguably the best prospect in the draft, and the Jaguars paid the Cleveland Browns quite a haul to move up and get him.

The New York Giants selected Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter with the third overall pick, getting an absolute stud for their defense. They didn't have another first-rounder after that pick, but that changed when they traded back into the first round to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at 25.

ESPN's Peter Schrager loved both picks and thinks the Giants had the best first round of any team.

"Feel good if you're a Giants fan. Not only did you get Abdul Carter, who is the first player in a lot of people's boards overall, you also manipulated the draft board in such a way where you didn't give up a bounty of picks to go get your quarterback," Schrager said. "If you look at the pick right after them, the Atlanta Falcons gave up a first-round pick to get to the Rams to take a defensive end. You guys gave up a third-round pick and the 34th to go and get Jaxson Dart. I love what Joe Schoen and Co. did. Take a day. I know we can be critical of the Giants front office, take a day to enjoy it because this was a heck of a night for them."

Did the Giants have the best first round of any team in the 2025 NFL draft? @PSchrags says it was a "heck of a night" for GM Joe Schoen after drafting Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter pic.twitter.com/dJVCS25KkB
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 25, 2025

The Giants will try to have another good night during the 2025 NFL Draft when the second round starts at 7 p.m. ET. The third round of the draft will take place right after the second round ends.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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