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Five best first-round picks of 2025 NFL Draft: Bold Jags move wins the day
The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay is in the books.
Here are the five picks we loved the most from Day 1.
Jaguars cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter
If fortune favors the bold, the Jaguars are in for a fortuitous future. Jacksonville shook up the first round by trading with the Browns for the No. 2 overall pick, which it used to select Hunter, sending Cleveland the No. 5 overall pick, a second-round pick (No. 36 overall), a fourth-round pick (No. 126 overall) and a 2026 first-round pick.
The shocking trade could be a home run for the Jaguars, who needed to improve their depth at wide receiver and add playmakers to their secondary.
Per Sports Info Solutions data, among 10 receivers with at least 120 targets in 2024, Hunter ranked first in expected points added (EPA) per target (0.514)
NFL Next Gen Stats states, "Hunter is just the second CB to earn a 99 production score since 2021," joining 2024 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II.
RD 1 | PK 2 - Jaguars: Travis Hunter WR/CB, Colorado
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 25, 2025
The @Jaguars move up from #5 to #2 to select Hunter, the 3rd-highest rated player by NGS overall score in this year's class (92). Hunter is just the second CB to earn a 99 production score since 2021 (the other was Patrick… pic.twitter.com/znctN1rrQ5
The Jaguars added the draft's most dynamic and unique player on Thursday. The future just got a lot more exciting for Jacksonville.
Colts tight end Tyler Warren (No. 14 overall)
The Colts benefited from the Bears selecting tight end Colston Loveland four spots ahead of him at No. 10, landing arguably the best player at the position in the draft.
Per NFL NGS, Colts tight ends produced "a league-low 232 yards after the catch in 2024."
RD 1 | PK 14 - Colts: Tyler Warren TE, Colts
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 25, 2025
With the 14th overall pick, the @Colts select the 2nd-highest rated prospect from this year's class by the NGS overall score (92). His 98 production score is the 3rd-highest mark by a tight end over the last five years.
Warren will… pic.twitter.com/iGLGarmmlA
Warren is a tantalizing playmaker who will help out whoever is the team's starting quarterback, either Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson. Paired with wide receiver Michael Pittman and running back Jonathan Taylor, the Colts have built a strong offensive foundation. Quarterback remains an issue, but the rest of the Indianapolis offense is taking shape.
Falcons edge-rusher Jalon Walker (No. 15 overall)
Atlanta's long nightmare might soon be over. For years, the Falcons pass rush has been nonexistent. However, that could soon change after the front office snapped a streak of selecting four consecutive offensive players in the first round by landing Walker, one of the top defensive prospects in this year's class.
In 2024, Walker had 60 total tackles (11 for loss), 6.5 sacks, two pass deflections and two fumble recoveries. Getting him at No. 15 was a massive steal; Walker was a top-10 prospect on big boards from The Athletic (No. 5), ESPN (No. 4) and Sports Info Solutions (No. 10). At long last, the Falcons finally addressed their inability to pressure quarterbacks. Based on Walker's talent, it could be worth the wait.
Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (No. 22 overall)
Widely viewed as a potential pick by the Broncos at No. 20, Hampton will instead try to make Denver rue its draft decision for years after being chosen by the division-rival Chargers two picks later.
Over the past two seasons at North Carolina, Hampton rushed for 3,164 yards and scored 33 total touchdowns.
He joins a revamped Chargers backfield after the team moved on from J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards during the offseason and signed former Steelers running back Najee Harris, which should only make quarterback Justin Herbert's life easier.
NFL NGS noted Chargers running backs gained 319 yards after the catch, the league's fewest, while Hampton averaged 11.7 yards after the catch per reception, via Pro Football Focus.
RD 1 | PK 22 - Chargers: Omarion Hampton RB, North Carolina
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 25, 2025
With the 22nd pick, the Chargers select Hampton to pair with offseason acquisition Najee Harris.
The Chargers continue to invest in improving a backfield that recorded a league-low 319 yards after the catch and gained… pic.twitter.com/D8GgjkGJSZ
Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (No. 23 overall)
Green Bay finally did it. For the first time since 2002 and just the seventh time in franchise history, it selected a wide receiver in the NFL Draft's first round.
And not just any wide receiver. Golden was the fastest wideout in this year's class, running a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Golden joins a young receiving core that includes Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed, giving quarterback Jordan Love an impressive collection of pass-catchers to go along with star running back Josh Jacobs. The Packers have built an intriguing foundation, and their 2025 first-round pick could be the Golden ticket they need to move back atop the NFC North.
More must-reads:
- Fans react to Jaguars trading with Browns to select Travis Hunter at NFL Draft
- Trading out of No. 2 spot for huge haul is rare win for Browns
- The 'NFL single-season reception leaders' quiz
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Bruins' top prospect makes decision on college that will shake up the scene
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Chicago Cubs’ Craig Counsell responds to Brewers’ surge
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Bears O-line coach calls one player's preseason performance 'not acceptable'
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