The 2025 NFL Draft saw only two quarterbacks chosen in the first round - a record low since 2022 when Kenny Pickett was the only signal-caller drafted. Despite interest, Shedeur Sanders, heavily marketed by his father and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, did not join them among the first 32 picks. This was surprising as many anticipated a fall for Sanders but did not expect that Jaxson Dart, not Sanders, would be picked as the second quarterback.

Also noteworthy is Mike Green, an outstanding pass rusher whose off-field controversies affected his draft outlook. Despite his on-field numbers, he faced allegations during his college years that caused him to drop out of the first round. Expected to be selected early in round two, how teams view his character will dictate his future.

Will Johnson, a prominent cover corner from Michigan, encountered medical concerns that sidelined him during the pre-draft process.

Further down the list, Nick Emmanwori and Donovan Ezeiruaku presented their own cases as deserving first-round talent, yet their positions generally have less draft capital weight, which contributed to their absence from the initial selections. This trend reflects ongoing challenges within team evaluations as scouts consider both physical ability and potential growth.