One notable oddity entering the 2025 NFL Draft was all 32 teams possessing their native first-round pick for the first time in the common era. That definitely won’t be the case in 2026 after a couple of a high-profile draft day trades back in April, and the all-time monumental Micah Parsons deal.
For three teams in the 2025 regular season, it’s #DraftPickWatch season. We don’t have to go too far back in the history books to recall the Seattle Seahawks memorably netting the Denver Broncos’ 2023 No. 5 pick (used on Devon Witherspoon) following the Russell Wilson trade, or the Houston Texans turning the Cleveland Browns’ No. 12 pick from the Deshaun Watson trade into a move up to No. 3 for Will Anderson Jr in the same draft.
Here’s a look at how we got here.
How did they get their first-round pick? The Michael Micah Parsons trade to the Green Bay Packers means the Cowboys are currently the only team with an extra 2027 first-rounder, so they could potentially be focused on Green Bay for a little while longer. Think of the run-stuffing defensive tackles they could get two years from now!
What are the 2025 expectations for the Packers? There’s no doubt the Packers felt comfortable taking a big swing and giving up valuable draft capital because, well, it’s been a minute since their first-rounders were extremely high value. They’ve made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and haven’t picked in the top 10 of any NFL Draft since 2009. Jordan Love and company have visions of a Super Bowl run, not just making the playoffs, and they’re well positioned to be among the NFC’s top contenders.
Do the Cowboys and Packers play each other in the regular season? Damn right they do. In Week 4, Dallas will host Parsons and the Packers in one of the marquee games of the entire regular season on Sunday Night Football.
How did they get their first-round pick? The Rams traded on draft night with the Atlanta Falcons, who moved up from the second round to select Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce at No. 26 overall. Why yes, the team famous for the “F—k them picks” stretch in which they had no first-rounders from 2017-2023 could have a pair of first-rounders in 2026. While the whole “draft eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse in the first round” experience might have been fun in 2024, but Rams general manager Les Snead restored order this year.
By the way, the last time the Rams held two first-round picks was 2014, when they took noted draft bust Greg Robinson at No. 2 overall and some guy named Aaron Donald at No. 14.
What are the 2025 expectations for the Falcons? The Falcons are tied for the NFL’s second-longest active playoff drought, having last made the postseason in 2017. Exciting second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr is set to make his first full season as Atlanta’s starter, with Kirk Cousins serving as a very expensive backup. Atlanta is expected to compete for the NFC South title again, although the Falcons are always in a perilous situation given Penix’s extensive injury history, the loss of right tackle Kaleb McGary to a torn ACL, a defense that still has many question marks despite their pass rush additions, and merely being the Atlanta Falcons.
Do the Rams and Falcons play each other in the regular season? Yes. The Rams travel to Atlanta for Monday Night Football in Week 17, so there may be a double incentive at play when they meet in late December.
How did they get their first-round pick? The Jacksonville Jaguars traded up from No. 5 to No. 2 on draft night to take Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, giving up next year’s first-rounder in the process. It’s a welcome sight for Browns faces to see their team is the one receiving first-round picks and not sending a billion of them elsewhere.
What are the 2025 expectations for the Jaguars? Barring another blockbuster trade, 2026 would be the first time in their 30-year franchise history that the Jaguars will not have a first-round pick. Any excitement over the long-term direction of Jacksonville’s future following a surprise 2022 playoff berth was quickly undone over the ensuing two years, and it cost Doug Pederson and Trent Baalke their jobs. New head coach Liam Coen is tasked with getting Trevor Lawrence to come close to reaching the hype he garnered coming out of Clemson as a generational quarterback. In a division as bad as the AFC South, the Jags might have a shot at winning the division even with a mediocre record, but another 4-13 stinker looks unlikely. Their FanDuel win total of 7.5 seems perfectly reasonable.
Do the Browns and Jaguars play each other in the regular season? No. Unlike the Rams and Cowboys, the Browns don’t get to directly influence their extra first-round pick, as the Jags are not on the regular season schedule. Given the low expectations for Cleveland this season, rooting for the downfall of the Jaguars may be one of the most exciting things Browns fans have to look forward to.
