- To nobody’s shock, Tennessee took Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the primary general decide within the NFL Draft.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars took a big swing, buying and selling as much as second to select Heisman-winning two-way participant Travis Hunter of Colorado.
- Hunter’s teammate, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, wasn’t picked within the first spherical, however sportsbooks have him favored to go early in Spherical 2.
The primary spherical of the NFL Draft on Thursday evening yielded a few huge surprises, though the #1 decide was by no means doubtful. There have been solely two quarterbacks taken within the first spherical, however a type of signal-callers went first.
Ward Goes First to Tennessee
The Tennessee Titans didn’t fiddle with the primary decide, taking Miami quarterback Cam Ward. The Titans had hinted they had been taking Ward with their transfer early Thursday morning, when they signed Tyler Lockett to a one-year contract.
The veteran receiver is one other weapon to assist Ward get acclimated to the NFL, and there are excessive hopes for the quarterback. Ward had an enormous season in main Miami to a 10-3 report, finishing 67.2% of his passes for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. It’ll be an adjustment for him, however Ward has the instruments to achieve success within the NFL.
Jaguars Make Huge Transfer to Decide Hunter Second
Ward had barely reached the stage to simply accept his choice earlier than a substantial bombshell was dropped on the NFL Draft. Jacksonville was choosing fifth, however they moved that decide, together with their 2025 second and fourth-round picks, and their 2026 first-round decide to Cleveland, who had the #2 draft choice.
The Jaguars used that pick to take Colorado’s Travis Hunter. The Heisman-winning receiver/cornerback was unbelievable in 2024, catching 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. However he is perhaps a greater shutdown cornerback, as Hunter had 4 interceptions and 11 passes defended as groups tried to not throw his approach.
Hunter reiterated that he needed to proceed to play each methods within the NFL. It’ll be fascinating to see how the Jaguars use him. Will the rookie be one other weapon for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, an addition to a protection that was the worst within the league in opposition to the go, or each?
Sanders Favored to Go Early in Spherical 2 After First-Spherical Freefall
One of many greatest tales of the evening was the autumn of Shedeur Sanders. The Colorado quarterback was slated in lots of NFL mock drafts to go as excessive as third, however most had him going within the first spherical. Nonetheless, an nameless assistant coach claimed Sanders was the worst interview he’d ever had, elevating questions in regards to the pivot.
Sanders wasn’t picked within the first spherical, which suggests he’s nonetheless on the board when the NFL Draft resumes on Friday, April 25, at 6:00 PM ET. Some NFL betting sites favor Sanders to return off the board instantly when Cleveland picks 33rd.
Many figured that after Sanders fell out of the highest 10, he can be picked 21st by Pittsburgh, who went with Oregon defensive deal with Derrick Harmon. The New York Giants additionally had an opportunity to take Sanders with their second first-round decide, however they took Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart because the second quarterback of the primary spherical.
The place Sanders goes is now the most important story for the remainder of the draft, however the odds are that he’s chosen earlier relatively than later.
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