GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The recent NFL draft saw a remarkable transformation for Cam Ward, who went from being a zero-star recruit to the coveted No. 1 pick. The Tennessee Titans made Ward their first overall selection, while the Jacksonville Jaguars executed a significant trade to move up from the fifth pick to secure Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner, at No. 2. Hunter, a versatile playmaker who has excelled as both a wide receiver and cornerback at Colorado, aspires to be the first full-time two-way player in the NFL since Chuck Bednarik, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles over 60 years ago.
Following the blockbuster deal, Hunter expressed his excitement about joining the Jaguars, stating, “I’m super excited to go home,” as he hails from Boynton Beach, Florida. He appreciated the significant investment made by the Jaguars to acquire him: “It means a lot that they gave up so much. It means they believe in me.”
Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders from Colorado, a player many draft analysts had rated higher than Ward, was overlooked by teams seeking a potential franchise quarterback. His chances of being selected in the first round diminished when the Pittsburgh Steelers chose Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon at No. 21. Sanders may require trades from teams like the Browns, Giants, Jets, Saints, or Steelers to regain a chance at a first-round selection.
The New York Giants bolstered their pass rush by selecting Abdul Carter, an edge rusher from Penn State, with the No. 3 pick. Carter led the nation last season with an impressive 23 1/2 tackles for loss and recorded 12 sacks. The New England Patriots followed by selecting LSU left tackle Will Campbell at No. 4, ensuring quarterback Drake Maye receives the protection he needs. Campbell, overwhelmed with emotion, declared, “I’m gonna fight and die to protect him.”
The first round continued with Mason Graham, a defensive tackle from Michigan, going to the Cleveland Browns at No. 5. The Las Vegas Raiders selected Ashton Jeanty, a running back from Boise State, at No. 6, while the New York Jets secured Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou with the seventh pick. The Carolina Panthers picked Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8, and the New Orleans Saints chose Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. at No. 9. The Chicago Bears made Colston Loveland the first tight end selected in the draft at No. 10.
As the Titans contemplated their options with the first overall pick, it became apparent weeks prior that Ward would be their choice. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Ward's name at the draft, which took place for the first time next to the iconic Lambeau Field. The event drew thousands of fans from across the country, marking a significant moment for the NFL's smallest market.
Goodell's arrival on stage was met with the usual fanfare, including a chorus of boos from the crowd. In contrast, Titans fans erupted in cheers upon hearing Ward's name. An overlooked high school player from Texas, Ward began his college career at Incarnate Word, an FCS school in San Antonio. He later transferred to Washington State and made history at Miami, where he broke school records and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Ward's stats were impressive, leading the nation with 39 touchdown passes, amassing 4,313 passing yards, and maintaining a 67.2% completion rate, while throwing only seven interceptions.
The Titans, coming off a challenging three-win season and missing the playoffs for three consecutive years, see Ward as the solution to their quarterback woes. He becomes the fourth quarterback the Titans have drafted in the first round in the last two decades, joining Marcus Mariota, Jake Locker, and Vince Young. Notably, Mariota remains the only Tennessee quarterback from that stretch to lead the team to a playoff victory.
In a strategic move, the Browns traded their first-round pick (No. 5), along with picks Nos. 36 and 126, and a future first-rounder in 2026, to the Jaguars. This trade allowed Jacksonville the opportunity to select Hunter. The Jaguars also acquired additional fourth- and sixth-round picks in this draft. Hunter, adorned in a neon pink blazer, beamed with joy after being selected by Jacksonville, despite not having prior communication with the team since the scouting combine.
During his standout season at Colorado, Hunter recorded 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns, alongside 35 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and four interceptions. As the draft progressed, the San Francisco 49ers picked Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams at No. 11, while the Dallas Cowboys selected Alabama guard Tyler Booker at No. 12. Other notable picks included Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant at No. 13 for the Miami Dolphins and Penn State tight end Brenton Strange at No. 14 for the Indianapolis Colts.
As the draft unfolded, teams continued to make strategic choices, including the Atlanta Falcons, who picked Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker at No. 15, and the Arizona Cardinals, selecting Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen at No. 16. The Cincinnati Bengals followed suit by taking Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart at No. 17, while the Seattle Seahawks selected North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel at No. 18. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka at No. 19, and the Denver Broncos wrapped up the first round by selecting Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron at No. 20.
