What has been mocked all over the place for months turned official Thursday night time: The Tennessee Titans chosen quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 general choose within the 2025 NFL Draft.
Sure, draft day in Inexperienced Bay is lastly right here, and FOX Sports activities draft professional Rob Rang is analyzing and grading each first-round choice in actual time. Did your group make the precise transfer?
Rang: Ward’s enchancment as an NFL prospect over the course of his school profession is likely one of the most inspirational and unlikely I’ve seen in 25 years as an NFL Draft analyst. Early on at Washington State, I wasn’t positive he’d make it within the CFL. By the point he’d left Pullman for Miami, it was clear Ward was an NFL expertise, however a middle-round prospect at that. After which this previous season — towards the most effective competitors of his life — Ward unleashed a faster launch, stronger arm and better pocket consciousness for Miami than he’d ever proven at WSU (or Incarnate Word earlier than that), tantalizing scouts together with his still-untapped potential. Put merely, Ward would not have the identical flooring of most QB1s. He’s too cavalier with the soccer, excelling in additional of a yard fashion than I might choose. However he’s a born playmaker with the expertise and work ethic to spark a franchise. There are extra surefire NFL stars on this class, however not at quarterback, so give the Titans credit score, they’re attempting to compete for a Tremendous Bowl and never only a return to relevancy with this choice.
Grade: B
Rang: In 25 years of evaluating NFL prospects, I’ve by no means come throughout a participant as versatile and gifted as Hunter. He’s actually one in all one, incomes my prime grade as a receiver, as a cornerback and general prospect. I completely consider that he can play each roles within the NFL, theoretically justifying the Jaguars’ aggressive commerce up for him. Liam Coen was dropped at Jacksonville to assist Trevor Lawrence reside as much as his potential and get the Jaguars again into the playoffs. Including Hunter to an offense that already boasts one of many NFL’s greatest younger wideouts in Brian Thomas Jr. will do this. Including a cornerback to problem Thomas, as properly, helps make this daring commerce make sense. It had higher, as buying and selling their 2026 first-round choice to maneuver up three spots is borderline reckless.
Grade: B
Rang: Carter by no means ran for scouts previous to the draft, however he did not must, as his explosiveness off the ball and in pursuit is simply so apparent on tape. Whereas actually speedy off the ball, some have issues about his capacity to carry up in run help as Carter lacks ultimate girth in his decrease physique — which is why he started his school profession as an off-ball linebacker. In a league that prioritizes edge rushers greater than some other defensive function, nonetheless, Carter’s worth as an instantaneous 10-plus sack candidate justifies this choice. The proper “finisher” to cap a dominant Giants defensive entrance, Carter is an apparent Defensive Rookie of the 12 months candidate.
Grade: A-
Rang: Campbell has all the pieces NFL groups are on the lookout for on the sort out place besides ultimate arm size. However, some have made far an excessive amount of of his 33-inch arms, particularly given how agile the 6-foot-6, 319-pounder strikes. For a membership determined to guard the funding made a 12 months in the past of their rookie quarterback Drake Maye, this choose makes all the sense on the planet and is the right means for brand spanking new head coach Mike Vrabel to place his stamp on the group. It is not flashy, however neither is Vrabel. This choose is about New England returning to the blue-collar physicality that epitomized the “Patriot Approach.”
Grade: B+
Rang: As protected because the cracker that shares his identify, Graham is the blue-collar powerful man that matches what the Cleveland Browns are attempting to construct. He’s a disruptive presence whose recreation ought to solely take off with all the consideration opponents shall be dedicating to Myles Garrett. Graham is an efficient participant, however the fantastic thing about this choice is the truth that the Browns additionally obtained the 2026 first-round choose from Jacksonville as a part of the deal.
Grade: B
Rang: It’s onerous to explain Jeanty and never enterprise into hyperbole. The comparability that I and others see with him is LaDainian Tomlinson, and anytime you are evaluating a prospect to a Corridor of Famer, issues are already a little ridiculous. However make no mistake, so is Jeanty’s expertise. He’s so fast to and thru the opening, darting in both path, bouncing off of would-be tacklers after which exploding to sunlight. All of us noticed what Saquon Barkley dropped at the Philadelphia Eagles a 12 months in the past. Jeanty is an prompt star and an apparent front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the 12 months honors given how Pete Carroll will lean on him to hold the load.
Grade: A
Rang: In right now’s period of huge blockers on the line of scrimmage, Membou is definitely a bit shorter than scouts would favor — really showing extra like a guard than a standard sort out at 6-foot-4 and 332 kilos. However the 21-year-old Membou is simply so athletic for his “blocky” body, providing the next upside than some other sort out on this class due to his athleticism, youth and the nasty taking part in fashion that may rapidly make him a favourite of Justin Fields and Jets followers.
Grade: B+
Rang: The 6-4, 213-pound McMillan is a gliding gymnast of a receiver, gobbling up yardage together with his lengthy strides and utilizing his top, lengthy arms and uncommon physique management to soar over defensive backs. I am not fairly as excessive on him as others appear to be, as he is not as bodily after the catch or as a downfield blocker as his measurement suggests. I see shades of Tee Higgins in T-Mac’s recreation, which is to say that I consider he’ll be an excellent NFL receiver, however is perhaps extra of a complementary menace than a real No. 1. Nonetheless, Bryce Younger wanted a pass-catcher and McMillan’s measurement and manufacturing speaks for itself.
Grade: C+
Rang: Sorry for the phrase play, however the funding in Banks makes loads of sense (or is it cents?). Nonetheless simply 21 years previous, Banks is coming off three seasons as a fixture at left sort out for the pass-heavy Texas Longhorns. He is agile off the snap, mirroring the actions of pass-rushers with coordinated footwork and energetic fingers. He is perhaps requested to maneuver to proper sort out with final 12 months’s prime choose Taliese Fuaga simply settling in on the blindside. Or, maybe the Saints will transfer Fuaga again to proper sort out (the place he starred at Oregon State) and push Trevor Penning both inside to protect (or to the sideline). Both means, it is a robust funding within the offensive line to guard the injury-prone Derek Carr … or maybe construct the road early for Spencer Rattler, Arch Manning or whomever else the Saints is perhaps taking a look at as their quarterback of the longer term.
Grade: B+
Rob Rang is an NFL Draft analyst for FOX Sports activities. He has been masking the NFL Draft for greater than 20 years, with work at FOX, Sports activities Illustrated, CBSSports.com, USA At the moment, Yahoo, NFL.com and NFLDraftScout.com, amongst others. He additionally works as a scout with the BC Lions of the Canadian Soccer League. Observe him on X @RobRang.
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