The 2025 NFL Draft has arrived and finished a long three days with all 32 teams leagues and months of scouting. Draft classes will have immediate results (see the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles), but it takes years to see if the other classes are good or bad.
Even with the draft completed, there were still plenty of notable takeaways from the three days of the annual selection meeting. The Jacksonville Jaguars gave up the Kings ransom to select Travis Hunter, and the Cleveland Browns stacked up draft capital to acquire two quarterbacks (including Chedure Sanders). This summer, the Browns’ quarterback room will be a spectacular sight.
The Pittsburgh Steelers got a quarterback in this draft (Wil Howard), but the New York Giants have selected the undoubtedly the best player in the draft Abdul Carter, as well as adding a player they believe to be the franchise quarterback (Jackson Dirt).
How these draft classes unfold is determined over time, as a result of the pandemic five years ago, this will essentially result in drafting having six years of seniors and community years. That doesn’t mean there’s no immediate overreaction to a particular pick and how you play with a team.
What overreactions from the 2025 NFL Draft stick? Which of the following is actually overreacting? Time to jump into the biggest storyline of the draft.
Howard will be the Steelers’ starting QB in week 1
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
The Steelers chose Howard in the sixth round and eventually found a quarterback in this draft after passing some in the early rounds (including Sanders, Dirt and Millrow). Given the current situation with the Steelers quarterback, Howard is undoubtedly the best quarterback on the roster.
Mason Rudolph is a starter, but Howard managed to beat him in a strong preseason. It’s not surprising howard starts in week one with this current quarterback group.
The draft introduced the Steelers to take over the reins of QB1, hoping that Aaron Rodgers will be in the building soon. It gives Pittsburgh time to develop Howard.
Chedur Sanders responds to being selected by the Browns: “Thank you for giving me the chance.”
Jeff Kerr
Shedale Sanders won’t make a roster for the Browns
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
The Browns quarterback situation is enough to give anyone a headache. Think about the four moves Cleveland has created to revamp the quarterback room. Kenny Pickett’s deal, sign Joe Flaco and use Dillon Gabriel’s third round pick and Sanders’ fifth pick. These movements are not exactly attractive.
Pickett should be the front runner to win Flacco’s starting job as a veteran competition. Who knows how Gabriel and Sanders unfold? If any of these players struggle and Sanders is having a strong summer, there’s a good bet to start the game in 2025 once he makes a roster. Please note that the Browns have not cut Flacco or Pickett. Gabriel was his third pick. How bad does that look?
The Browns will likely keep four quarterbacks (they also deal with injured Desshaun Watson – and Sanders will be part of that quarterback room. This quarterback roulette will last for at least a year.
The Browns made a mistake taking two QBs
Overreaction or reality: reality
Who knows exactly what the Browns were doing in this draft? Even if Cleveland meant passing on one of the few “blue chip” players in this draft of Hunter, it was wise to trade down from second to fifth overall. With every pick the Browns received, Cleveland had a great opportunity to accelerate their rebuild.
After the Browns took Gabriel in round three, it looked like a rookie quarterback developing behind Pickett and Flacoco. After all, Cleveland traded up to choose Sanders in round 5 and added another quarterback to the mix.
The Browns are the first team since 1971 to select two straight quarterbacks to be taken to the same team in their first five rounds (Houston Oilers with Dampastorini and Lindickey). Both players had solid careers, but it probably wasn’t the wisest move since Dicky found a foothold with another organization.
Cleveland could waste the pick here if Gabriel or Sanders pans out or both struggles. It appears that the Browns have caused unnecessary problems.
The Eagles hadn’t traded the Dallas Gaedart.
Overreaction or reality: reality
The Eagles always seemed stupid when they traded Gaedart because of the third-day draft pick, which was perceived as the weaker class of the draft class. A lot of tight ends fell off the board early. This also hurt the Eagles could potentially score a second-day pick for Goedert, who is in the final year of their contract.
Goedert is a great player and asset for a team that appears to be repeated as Super Bowl champions. The Eagles didn’t need much this offseason on offensive lines and wide receiver depths. Philadelphia’s tight end group was the deepest in years, and Goedert was a massive asset in the passing game.
It makes too much sense to allow Goedert to deploy his contract. The Eagles need to make sure he is in 2025.
The Giants made a big mistake, taking only one offensive lineman with them.
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
The Giants had one of their better drafts. They definitely drafted the best player in the draft of pass rusher Abdul Carter third overall and didn’t have to give up much to get up eight spots and take the darts flyer at 25th. Defensive tackle Rudarius Alexander and running back Camsquattebo were also good picks.
The Giants have a defensive front and a good running back room. Unfortunately for New York, the offensive line has the same problems as last year. In a draft filled with excellent offensive linemen, the Giants didn’t take one until the fifth round (Marcus Mbow of Purdue). The offensive line issue has hurt the Giants over the past decade and will likely be a problem in 2025.
Anyway, the Giants need better coaching and development ahead of time if the offensive line is successful. They chose to make the other areas of the roster better without having to heavy offensive lines this year. New York has been chasing offensive linemen in the draft for years and is burned with its strategy.
The Giants are better, but there is still a way to go.