Draft Details: Dates, Times, and Location
- Dates: Thursday, April 24 – Saturday, April 26, 2025
- Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Schedule:
- Round 1: Thursday at 8:00 PM ET
- Rounds 2–3: Friday at 7:00 PM ET
- Rounds 4–7: Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
- Round 1: Thursday at 8:00 PM ET
The Tennessee Titans are on the clock with the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, followed by the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. In a rare turn for the modern NFL, every team currently retains its original first-round selection, setting the stage for a draft night filled with intrigue and potential surprises.
Throughout the weekend, the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers will be looking to control the draft boards as they boast the most draft capital, entering the weekend with 11 picks each. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves at the other end of the spectrum, holding just four total selections—the fewest of any team this year. They’re already looking like candidates to move out of their first round, 24th overall pick to accumulate more draft picks to help support rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy as he looks to make an impact in 2025 after missing the entire 2024 season.
Top Storylines Entering the Draft
1. Quarterbacks in Flux, but Demand Remains High
In 2024, the NFL Draft saw a rare occurrence with quarterbacks making up the top three picks, and six in total selected with the top twelve picks. However, the landscape and upside for the 2025 quarterback class is far murkier.
Cam Ward, who was initially set to declare for the 2024 draft, made the decision to return to school after receiving feedback that he was viewed as a Day 3 pick. That proved to be a wise move, as Ward is now nearly locked in to be the No. 1 overall pick, with the Tennessee Titans poised to take him first overall.
After Ward however, the quarterback landscape becomes less certain. Shedeur Sanders, initially pegged as the second-best quarterback in the class, has seen his stock fluctuate throughout the draft process. Despite a strong college season that resulted in a pair of jersey retirements at Colorado for he and Travis Hunter, concerns about his ability to lead an NFL offence, combined with the inevitable baggage that comes with drafting the son of Deion “Prime Time” Sanders, have led to doubts about his place in the first round – or even as the second quarterback off the board.
Meanwhile, a surge of excitement has surrounded Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, whose explosive running ability has caught the attention of scouts, making him a potential top-tier option. Milroe would need time to develop as a passer, but could be one of the best runners from the quarterback position as a rookie. Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart is also generating buzz, with his strong arm and potential as a dual-threat quarterback, though his deep ball accuracy and pocket discipline need refinement.
In a bit of a surprise, NFL insider Adam Schefter recently reported that two teams have Tyler Shough, the 25-year-old quarterback from Louisville, ranked as their second-best QB prospect. And he isn’t the only one hearing this about Shough.
Shough stands out with elite arm strength and size, but his career has been marred by injuries, which raises questions about his durability at the next level.
When it comes to the teams likely to draft quarterbacks, the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants occupy the top three spots, all of which are in need of a new quarterback. Other teams, such as the New York Jets (7th pick), New Orleans Saints (9th pick), and Pittsburgh Steelers (21st pick), are also looking for a QB to either start in 2025 or groom for the future. Teams like the Los Angeles Rams could also be looking to prepare for life after their current veteran signal callers.
Despite the relative lack of top-tier talent in this year’s class, the quarterback position remains one of the most coveted in the NFL, and teams are unlikely to hesitate in making their selections. Given the overvaluation of the position, it wouldn’t be surprising to see as many as 4-5 quarterbacks come off the board within the top 50 picks, even if the talent doesn’t necessarily warrant it.
2. Versatility of Travis Hunter
Throughout the college season, Colorado’s Travis Hunter emerged as one of the most intriguing prospects, with both his draft status and on field position being a topic of significant discussion.
Hunter, a dynamic two-way player who excelled as both a wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffaloes, has garnered attention for his exceptional athleticism and versatility. He’s made it very clear that he expects to play on both offence and defence, but there hasn’t been an NFL team that has come out and said that they would be willing to put that much pressure on the 6’1” 185 pound rookie.
Several NFL teams are reportedly interested in Hunter’s unique skill set. The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, holding the second and third overall picks respectively, have been mentioned as potential suitors, though they’re also considering other top prospects, mainly Abdul Carter. Additionally, the Las Vegas Raiders are amongst the teams that could target Hunter, especially if he begins to slip past the top three picks.
Travis Hunter’s draft position remains fluid, influenced by team evaluations and how they see his fit in the NFL. His ability to contribute on both offence and defence makes him a valuable asset, and teams will likely weigh his versatility heavily in their decision-making. As the draft unfolds, Hunter’s selection will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
3. Running Backs and Tight Ends in Focus
Running back and tight end are often viewed as secondary positions in the modern NFL, with teams typically reluctant to allocate premium draft capital to these spots. However, 2025 could prove to be an exception to that rule. With top-tier talent at both positions, investing high draft picks on running backs and tight ends this year may be more justifiable than in previous drafts.
Ashton Jeanty, the top running back prospect in this class, is expected to go high in the draft, possibly even within the top five. Known for his explosive speed, elite vision, and ability to impact the game as both a rusher and a receiver, Jeanty stands out as a true three-down back. His contact balance is among the best scouts have seen in recent years, and in 2024, Jeanty’ yards after contact alone were more than the second most total rushing yards in college football.
At tight end, Tyler Warren, a standout from Penn State, has the size and versatility that NFL teams covet. Standing at 6’5″ and 256 pounds, Warren is a traditional receiving tight end with the added ability to act as an offensive weapon, even stepping in as the team’s wildcat quarterback. In 2024, he rushed for 218 yards on 26 carries, scoring four touchdowns, showcasing his dynamic athleticism. Warren’s unique skill set and leadership in the Penn State offence have him positioned as a player capable of becoming an immediate focal point in an NFL offence, and his ideal size and work ethic leads many to believe that he can develop the in-line blocking skills that he didn’t get a chance to showcase in 2024.
While Jeanty and Warren are the premier players at their respective positions, the depth in both the running back and tight end classes is nothing short of impressive.
At running back, players like Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State), and Cam Skattebo (Arizona State) are all poised to be drafted in the first two rounds. These backs offer a variety of styles, from power runners to dynamic, change-of-pace players, and all have the potential to make an immediate impact in the NFL. Additionally, there are 8-12 more backs who could be drafted by the end of day two and will contribute right away to an NFL roster.
At tight end, the class is equally strong, with Colston Loveland (Michigan) also making a case to be a first-round pick. Other tight ends like Mason Taylor (LSU), Elijah Arroyo (Miami), and Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green) are expected to be selected by the end of day two. With such a deep group, teams looking for a reliable tight end who can contribute early will have plenty of options, whether in the first or second round.
The 2025 draft features exceptional depth at both running back and tight end, making it one of the more compelling years for these positions. With talents like Jeanty and Warren at the top, along with a wealth of quality prospects throughout the draft, the value of these positions may be elevated. Teams could find themselves taking running backs and tight ends much earlier than usual, recognizing that premium talent and depth at these positions can be crucial in building a dynamic and balanced offence.
Top Canadian Prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft
Taylor Elgersma – Quarterback, Wilfrid Laurier University
Taylor Elgersma, a standout quarterback from Wilfrid Laurier University, has garnered attention after a stellar 2024 season where he completed 73.8% of his passes for 4,252 yards and 35 touchdowns. His performance earned him the Hec Crighton Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding player in U Sports football. Elgersma also became only the second U Sports player invited to the Senior Bowl, showcasing his skills to NFL scouts. While he possesses ideal size at 6’5″, 227 lbs, and demonstrates strong decision-making, scouts note areas for development, including mobility and pocket awareness.
Elic Ayomanor – Wide Receiver, Stanford University
Elic Ayomanor, hailing from Medicine Hat, Alberta, declared for the draft after two impressive seasons at Stanford. In 2023, he recorded 62 receptions for 1,013 yards and six touchdowns, including a remarkable 294-yard, three-touchdown game against future Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Ayomanor’s performance earned him the Jon Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian player in the NCAA. Despite a slight statistical dip in 2024, he remained a Cornish Trophy finalist and was named second-team All-ACC. Projected as a Day 2 pick, Ayomanor’s size (6’2″, 210 lbs) and playmaking ability make him a promising prospect.
Kurtis Rourke – Quarterback, Indiana University
Oakville, Ontario’s Kurtis Rourke led Indiana University to an 11-2 record in 2024, throwing for 3,042 yards and 29 touchdowns. His efforts earned him the Jon Cornish Trophy and a ninth-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting. Notably, Rourke achieved these feats while playing the season on a torn ACL. Although he couldn’t participate in on-field drills at the NFL Combine due to surgery, he engaged in team interviews and is projected as a late-round pick.
These athletes exemplify the growing presence of Canadian talent in the NFL. As the draft unfolds from April 24 to 26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, keep an eye on these prospects as they take the next step in their football careers.
-Devon Gallant
Twitter: @DevGallant
Photo: Jar-Lar. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.