2025 NFL Draft Recap: Storylines, Surprises, and how the Dolphins Stack up

by Noah Santiago

The 2025 NFL Draft has officially concluded, and, as always, it delivered its fair share of trades, surprises, and steals. Teams across the league scrambled to make the correct moves to reshape their franchise's future potentially.

The Biggest Storylines

Shedeur Sanders

One of the biggest storylines of this year's draft was the fall of Shedeur Sanders. Shedeur, son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, was the number 2 QB prospect and a possible top-five draft pick. That was, until he fell all the way down to pick 144 in the fifth round. He was eventually picked by the Cleveland Browns, who had previously selected Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel in the third round. This surprising fall was supposedly due to concerns raised during his interviews with teams, where some coaches questioned his misdemeanor. Eventually, the Browns came around, and Shedeur now has a chance to play on the big field.

The New York Giants

The New York Giants arguably had the most successful draft out of anyone. They had seven picks and made sure all of them counted. They acquired edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third overall pick. Abdul Carter was the highest-rated defensive prospect in the draft. They also acquired Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart in the late first round. This move is monumental for the Giants, as they have been in need of a QB. Jaxson Dart will also be able to develop well behind Russell Wilson. Aside from that, they picked Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo. Skattebo was highly praised for his performance in the College Football Playoff against Texas, and he finished fifth in Heisman voting. The Giants hope to improve in the new NFL season.

Surprises of the Draft

Jaguars trade for Travis Hunter

The Jacksonville Jaguars made headlines when they made the bold move to trade up for Travis Hunter with the second overall pick. Travis Hunter was the Heisman winner and is a unique prospect in the way that he plays both offense and defense. In exchange for the second pick, the Jags gave up the fifth pick, a second rounder, a fourth rounder, and a sixth rounder.

Vikings trade for Sam Howell

The Minnesota Vikings also splashed in the trade frenzy by trading for Seahawks QB Sam Howell. The Vikings have uncertainty at the QB position as their starter, JJ McCarthy, has yet to play an NFL snap after tearing his meniscus in preseason last year. The Vikings also traded their 172nd pick in exchange for the 142nd pick from the Seahawks.

How did the Dolphins stack up?

The Dolphins came into the draft hoping to boost their offensive and defensive lines, areas that they struggled with last year. With injuries to numerous players like Terron Armstead (who just retired) and Jaelan Phillips, who has dealt with numerous injuries.

With their first pick, they drafted Kenneth Grant, a defensive tackle from Michigan. This comes as a much-needed boost for the Dolphins' defense. They then picked offensive guard Jonah Savaiinaea. This comes to improve their O-line, which was plagued by injuries throughout the past few years. Their next notable pick was their last, drafting Quinn Ewers in the seventh round.

Quinn Ewers was projected to go in the third or fourth round, but ended up falling to Miami in the seventh. This is a good pick for Miami as they now have a reliable backup QB for the injury-prone Tua.

Overall, Miami's draft was pretty successful. They accomplished their goal in improving the offensive and defensive line while also acquiring new young talent to develop.