The 2025 NFL Draft is set to be a landmark event, featuring 257 selections across seven rounds. But for the first time since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger, every franchise retains its own original first-round pick.
The Tennessee Titans hold the No. 1 overall selection, while the Kansas City Chiefs will wrap up the draft at No. 257. The city of Green Bay, Wisc., and Lambeau Field will host the draft from April 24-26.
2025 NFL Draft: A Historic First as Every Team Retains Its First-Round Pick
The 2025 NFL Draft will make history. For the first time since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger, every team held onto its first-round pick on March 13, the start of the new league year.
This unprecedented scenario marks a stark contrast to previous years when at least one team had already traded away its selection before the league year began.
This is the first time in the common Draft era that every team owns their first-round pick to start the new league year. 👀 pic.twitter.com/l3Se9OgvSR
— NFL (@NFL) March 17, 2025
For over five decades, first-round picks frequently changed hands through blockbuster trades, often involving teams looking to secure elite talent. In recent years, the No. 1 pick itself was not originally held by the selecting team.
In 2023, the Carolina Panthers traded up with the Chicago Bears to draft QB Bryce Young first overall. The following year, Chicago capitalized on that deal, using the Panthers’ pick to select QB Caleb Williams at No. 1 in 2024.
This year, the draft order remains entirely based on 2024 season standings, with no pre-draft trades altering the landscape.
While teams have historically valued their first-rounders, some past moves have not panned out. The San Francisco 49ers’ aggressive trade for Trey Lance in 2021, which cost multiple first-round selections, serves as a cautionary tale.
Despite the lack of early trades, speculation surrounds the Tennessee Titans, who own the top pick. Some believe they could move down, but any trade would now occur after the new league year, much later than usual. With Tennessee in need of a quarterback, Cam Ward—viewed as the top passer in this draft—could be their selection at No. 1.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Las Vegas Raiders Hit Jackpot With Ashton Jeanty, Abdul Carter Swaps Penn State for the Patriots
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns are expected to bolster their defense by drafting Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter. Top prospects like Colorado teammates QB Shedeur Sanders and CB/WR Travis Hunter are also likely to be early selections.
Other top talents include Michigan DT Mason Graham, a dominant defensive tackle with significant impact potential.
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