2025 NFL Draft: Shedeur Sanders Shines and Struggles, Plus Tom Brady’s Surprising Impact on Winners and Losers!

The 2025 NFL Draft has wrapped up, and it was an eventful weekend filled with surprises. The draft kicked off with a noteworthy trade, with the Browns sending shockwaves through the league by moving up to the second pick to select Travis Hunter.

One player who had a long wait was Shedeur Sanders, Hunter’s teammate at Colorado. He wasn’t picked until the fifth round, landing with the Browns as the 144th overall choice. This outcome holds mixed feelings for Sanders—he’s going to a team in need of a young QB, but he also lost out on a significant payday by not going in the first round.

Draft Winners

Shedeur Sanders: Despite the wait, Sanders could end up in a favorable situation. The Browns’ quarterback room is shaky, with veterans like Joe Flacco and Deshaun Watson facing their own challenges. With some perseverance, Sanders might find a chance to shine sooner rather than later, which could benefit both him and the team.

Jacksonville Jaguars: General Manager James Gladstone made waves by orchestrating a trade to snag Travis Hunter. This decision addressed two critical needs: receiver and cornerback. Hunter is touted as a generational talent, and his acquisition is expected to elevate the team’s performance. The Jaguars received high marks for their draft performance, especially for their additional picks like CB Caleb Ransaw and OT Wyatt Milum.

Tennessee Titans: Choosing Cam Ward as the first pick, the Titans surrounded him with fresh talent by selecting multiple receivers and a tight end, breaking a 17-year drought of ambitions to draft multiple pass catchers in one round. This strategic move could significantly bolster their offensive firepower.

Ohio State Buckeyes: With 14 players selected in the draft, Ohio State proved to be a powerhouse. Emeka Egbuka kicked things off with a first-round pick, but a range of players followed, highlighting the strength of the program.

San Francisco 49ers: Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh had a strong draft, focusing heavily on defense by using their first five selections on defensive players—something rarely seen in franchise history. This strategy comes after the loss of key players, ensuring the team’s defense remains formidable.

Draft Losers

Shedeur Sanders (again): Despite his potential as a winner, his fall to the fifth round means a loss of around $13 million compared to a first-round contract. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially since the Browns took another QB before him.

Quinn Ewers: The former Texas quarterback faced a disappointing draft, going in the seventh round as the 13th QB chosen. After having the choice to stay in college another year, his drop raises questions about his future in a competitive Miami QB room.

Justin Tucker: The Ravens shook things up by drafting a kicker for the first time, putting Tucker’s long-standing position at risk. Coupled with recent controversies, this adds pressure on him to perform in the coming season.

Bengals, Chargers, Saints, and Eagles: These four teams ended up with the lowest grades in the draft from analysts. Several missing needs and questionable selections left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads about their draft strategies.

As the season approaches, the impacts of these draft choices will unfold, leading to excitement and potential changes in the teams’ trajectories.

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