The 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone, ending a protracted three days for the league and months of scouting for all 32 groups. Some draft courses will present instant outcomes (have a look at the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles) whereas others will take years to see if their class is sweet or dangerous.
Even with the draft full, there have been nonetheless loads of notable takeaways from the three days of the annual choice assembly. The Jacksonville Jaguars gave up a kings ransom to pick out Travis Hunter, whereas the Cleveland Browns stacked their draft capital to take two quarterbacks (together with Shedeur Sanders). The Browns quarterback room this summer time might be a sight to behold.
The Pittsburgh Steelers even took a quarterback later on this draft (Will Howard), whereas the New York Giants added a participant they imagine is their franchise quarterback (Jaxson Dart) together with deciding on arguably one of the best participant within the draft in Abdul Carter.
How these draft courses play out might be decided over time, as that is basically the final 12 months the draft could have the six-year seniors and the COVID years on account of the pandemic from 5 years in the past. That doesn’t imply there isn’t any instant overreactions to sure picks and the way they play out on groups.
Which overreactions from the 2025 NFL Draft will stick? Which are literally overreactions and that are actuality? Time to take a dive into the most important storylines of the draft.
Will Howard would be the Steelers’ beginning QB in Week 1
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
The Steelers chosen Howard within the sixth spherical, lastly discovering a quarterback on this draft after passing on a number of within the early rounds (together with Sanders, Dart and Milroe). Given the Steelers’ present quarterback state of affairs, Howard is arguably one of the best quarterback on the roster.
Mason Rudolph is the starter, however Howard may beat him out with a powerful preseason. It wouldn’t be stunning in any respect if Howard began in Week 1 with this present quarterback group.
This draft showcased the Steelers count on Aaron Rodgers to be within the constructing quickly, and take over the reins of QB1. That offers Pittsburgh time to develop Howard.
Shedeur Sanders reacts to getting picked by Browns: ‘Thank you for giving me a chance’
Jeff Kerr
Shedeur Sanders won’t make Browns roster
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
The Browns quarterback state of affairs is sufficient to give anybody a headache. Take into consideration the 4 strikes Cleveland made to revamp the quarterback room: Buying and selling for Kenny Pickett, signing Joe Flacco, utilizing a third-round decide on Dillon Gabriel, and a fifth-round decide on Sanders. These strikes aren’t precisely engaging.
Pickett ought to be the front-runner to win the beginning job with Flacco as veteran competitors. Who is aware of how Gabriel and Sanders play out however there’s a case to be made Sanders has essentially the most expertise and athleticism of the 4. If any of those gamers wrestle and Sanders has a powerful summer time, there’s a superb wager he’ll begin a recreation in 2025 if he makes the roster. Bear in mind the Browns aren’t reducing Flacco or Pickett, and Gabriel was a third-round decide. How dangerous would that look?
The Browns will probably maintain 4 quarterbacks — additionally they have injured Deshaun Watson to take care of — and Sanders might be part of that quarterback room. This quarterback roulette will final for at the very least a 12 months.
Browns made a mistake taking two QBs
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
Who is aware of precisely what the Browns have been doing on this draft? Cleveland was sensible to commerce down from No. 2 to No. 5 general, even when that meant passing on one of many few “blue chip” gamers on this draft in Hunter. With all of the picks the Browns acquired, Cleveland had a superb alternative to speed up their rebuild.
As soon as the Browns took Gabriel in Spherical 3, that gave the impression to be the rookie quarterback they’d develop behind Pickett and Flacco. Seems, Cleveland traded up in Spherical 5 to pick out Sanders and added one other quarterback to the combination.
The Browns are the primary workforce since 1971 to pick out two straight quarterbacks who have been taken by the identical workforce within the first 5 rounds (Houston Oilers with Dan Pastorini and Lynn Dickey). Each gamers had strong careers nevertheless it probably wasn’t the wisest transfer since Dickey discovered his footing with one other group.
Cleveland is probably going going to waste a decide right here whether or not Gabriel or Sanders pan out, or two picks if each wrestle. Looks as if the Browns created an pointless drawback.
Eagles have been sensible not buying and selling Dallas Goedert
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
At all times appeared foolish the Eagles would commerce Goedert for a Day 3 draft decide in what was perceived to be a weak draft class. Loads of tight ends went off the board early, which additionally harm the Eagles doubtlessly getting a Day 2 decide for Goedert — who’s on the ultimate 12 months of his contract.
Goedert is an efficient participant and an asset for a workforce that appears to repeat as Tremendous Bowl champions. The Eagles didn’t want a lot on offense this offseason, outdoors of offensive line and vast receiver depth. The tight finish group in Philadelphia is the deepest in years, and Goedert has been a large asset within the passing recreation.
Made an excessive amount of sense to permit Goedert to play out his contract. Eagles ought to ensure he’s round in 2025.
Giants made huge mistake solely taking one offensive lineman
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
The Giants did have one in all their higher drafts. They drafted arguably one of the best participant within the draft in move rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3 general and didn’t have to surrender a lot to maneuver up eight spots and take a flyer on Dart at No. 25. Defensive sort out Darius Alexander and operating again Cam Skattebo have been additionally good picks.
The Giants have a fantastic defensive entrance and a superb operating again room. Sadly for New York, the offensive line nonetheless has the identical points because it did final 12 months. In a draft stuffed with good offensive linemen, the Giants didn’t take one till the fifth spherical (Purdue’s Marcus Mbow). The offensive line points have harm the Giants over the previous decade and can probably be an issue in 2025.
Regardless, the Giants want higher teaching and growth up entrance if the offensive line can succeed. They didn’t have to go offensive line heavy this 12 months, selecting to make different areas of the roster higher. New York chased offensive linemen within the draft for years and acquired burnt by that technique.
The Giants are higher however nonetheless have a methods to go.
