NFL Draft: Round 1 Instant Reaction
If you couldn’t manage the 1am start time for the NFL Draft in the UK, then fear not, our own Rory-Joe Daniels took in all the action and brings you the major stories from an intriguing opening evening in Green Bay,
Ward goes 1, blockbuster trade follows
There were no surprises with the opening pick of the night. Cam Ward made his way to Tennessee and draws a line under the Will Levis experiment. Ward officially becomes the signal caller tied with the new regime of Mike Borgonzi and Brian Callahan. For Callahan, the dynamic gunslinger operates differently than the more buttoned-up QB he previously worked with as Bengals OC, Joe Burrow. Can Ward rein in his scatter gun tendencies to become a success in the NFL? We’ll soon find out.
The draft really got started at pick no.2 where the Jaguars decided to light fire to everyone’s mock draft 15 minutes in. In a trade package that included a first round pick next year, the Jags moved to pick no.2 and the Browns clearly showed they already have one eye on the QB class in 2026. For James Gladstone, Jags GM, it was a blockbuster move to help Jacksonville on both offense and defense. The next two picks were fairly predictable: the Giants grabbed Abdul Carter and the Pats found their left tackle of the future in Will Campbell. The Browns rounded out the top 5 with the selection of Mason Graham, adding him to Myles Garrett on the D-line, giving them pass rush juice on the inside and outside.
Trench picks buck the consensus
As predicted, after the Panthers selected receiver Tet McMillan, it became a case of pick your flavour for teams. This was highlighted by several picks where players were drafted higher than their positions on Arif Hasan’s Consensus Big Board. The Saints selected Kelvin Banks at 9 (15 on the consensus), the 49ers went for Mykel Williams at 11 (18 on consensus), the Cowboys at 12 took Tyler Booker (31 on consensus), and the Dolphins took nose tackle Kenneth Grant at 13 (23 on consensus).
What’s the common theme? These guys are all trench players, all 21 or under and all with clean character profiles. These selections were the epitome of fairway shots in a draft lacking blue-chip prospects. Teams strengthening the bones of the organisation with players who project to have long careers in the NFL, even if their ceiling may not be All-Pro level. Where analysts liked the upside of Walter Nolen, Mike Green and Jihaad Campbell, teams preferred to play it safe and avoid the red flags in the top 15.
Piecing together the quarterback puzzle
Every year, watching the quarterbacks stew, either in the green room or at home, is uncomfortable viewing. This year, it was the Sanders’ family draft party that slowly moved from light-hearted dancing and laughing when the Saints were on the clock to nervous, motivational whispers when the Steelers passed on Shedeur. When the Giants traded up to pick 25, it was clear the message had got through to show no weakness as Sanders beamed in full sight of the camera.
As predicted by many it was in fact Jaxson Dart whom Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll hitched their wagon to. It was a bold move and leaves Sanders waiting for his name to be called on Day 2. With the Browns appearing to be loading up for a run at the 2026 class and the Steelers not picking until the 3rd round, where Sanders lands is anyone’s guess.
Plenty of talent rolls over into Day 2
While Sanders will grab the headlines as Day 2 dawns, there is plenty of talent elsewhere left on the board. Character concerns seem to be holding Mike Green back. The Marshall edge rusher was uber-productive, but two separate sexual assault accusations have been difficult for NFL teams to reconcile. Cornerback Will Johnson is dropping due to a significant knee injury, but on play alone, he has top-10 talent despite concerns over his long speed.
Elsewhere, Luther Burden offers a dynamic threat at wide receiver; he had a down season in 2024 in a rough offense where his QB, Brady Cook, struggled. Nick Emmanwori blew the doors off his athletic testing, but perhaps teams struggle with how they will use him? He’s a big-bodied safety who may be better as a box safety or TE eraser. The final guy to keep an eye on is Donovan Ezeiruaku, the Boston College edge defender, who is undersized but knows how to get to the quarterback.
It all sets up for an intriguing 2nd and 3rd round tomorrow evening.
Rory-Joe Daniels
NFL & Cfb contributor
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.