2025 NFL draft

• 1. Host City Selection

  ›

  Green Bay, Wisconsin, was chosen over Washington, D.C. as the host city on the 22nd of May 2023. The decision placed the event at Lambeau Field and its adjacent Titletown District for the 24th of April 26, 2025. This location marked a shift from previous years where major metropolitan areas typically hosted the league's annual gathering. The choice highlighted the NFL's willingness to bring its showcase to smaller markets with deep football traditions.

  56

• 2. Historic First Round Format

  ›

  For the first time in the common draft era, all teams held their original selections before any trades occurred. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs traded picks within the first round after the process began. Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams also moved out of the first round later in the proceedings. This sequence created an unprecedented moment where no team had surrendered their initial slot prior to the start of the draft.

  29101314

• 3. Player Selections And Records

  ›

  Every player selection came from an NCAA Division I FBS or FCS program during this year's event. Barryn Sorrell flew to Green Bay with family and friends despite not being invited to attend. He stayed all three days until the Packers selected him in the fourth round. Roger Goodell announced his name and welcomed him on stage like a first-round pick. The staff did not know he was present when they submitted the selection.

  8491011

• 4. The Cam Ward Story

  ›

  Tennessee Titans held the first overall pick and selected Cam Ward from the Miami Hurricanes. Ward became the focal point of the opening night as the league's top prospect entered professional play. His transition from college quarterback to NFL starter drew immediate attention from fans and analysts alike. The choice set the tone for the rest of the draft weekend at Lambeau Field.

• 5. Resolution JC-2A Awards

  ›

  Three picks were awarded for the 2025 draft pursuant to Resolution JC-2A enacted by the NFL in November 2020. San Francisco, Denver, and Minnesota received compensatory selections for developing minority candidates for head coach or general manager roles. These awards appeared at the end of the third round after standard compensatory picks. If multiple teams qualified, they were distributed by draft order in the first round.

  183955

• 6. Prank Call Controversy

  ›

  Shedeur Sanders received an unauthorized call during day two of the draft from Jax Ulbrich pretending to be New Orleans Saints staff. Jax is the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Another person joined him in making the impersonation attempt. Afterward, Jax and the Falcons issued an apology to Sanders and his family. Other prospects including Abdul Carter, Tyler Warren, Mason Graham, Josh Conerly Jr., Kyle McCord, and Chase Lundt also received calls from unrelated pranksters.