The 2025 NFL Draft delivered surprises, early steals, and major letdowns. IDP Plus hosts Degen Doc and Professor Locke offered their NFL Draft reactions to all the key moves. After analyzing two days of action, they identified major winners, losers, and early futures bets for the upcoming season. Let’s dive into the highlights from an exciting start to the draft.
(This is an AI-generated article from a recently published IDP+ Betting Podcast transcript.)
2025 NFL Draft: Instant Reactions, Winners, Losers, and Future Bets
Early Team Spotlights
One of the strongest NFL Draft reactions centered on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their top pick, Derrick Harmon, strengthens a defensive line that badly needed help. Harmon is expected to learn from veteran Cam Heyward, who is nearing retirement. The Steelers also drafted running back Caleb Johnson, a perfect fit for Arthur Smith’s offense. Skipping on quarterbacks hints that Aaron Rodgers could still join Pittsburgh.
The New York Giants also earned praise in early NFL Draft reactions. They selected linebacker Abdul Carter at No. 3, adding a true defensive playmaker. Later, they traded up to draft quarterback Jackson Dart without sacrificing major assets. Defensive tackle Alexander from Toledo rounds out a nasty defensive line. The Giants seem committed to rebuilding their winning identity around dominance in the trenches.
The Biggest Draft Surprise: Shedeur Sanders’ Fall
Among all the NFL Draft reactions, none was bigger than Shedeur Sanders’ slide. Projected as a top-10 pick, Sanders was still available after Round 3. Teams passed on him in favor of less-touted quarterbacks like Tyler Shough and Dylan Gabriel.
Concerns over locker room culture and Sanders’ attitude during the draft process likely played a role. His family background — being Deion Sanders‘ son — also brings extra attention. The Steelers are rumored to still have interest. If Sanders continues to fall, someone may land a huge bargain.
Draft Winners
The New England Patriots received strong NFL Draft reactions for helping rookie quarterback Drake Maye. They strengthened the offensive line with Will Campbell and Jared Wilson. Running back TreVeyon Henderson adds explosive speed to their backfield.
The Arizona Cardinals also earned positive NFL Draft reactions after investing heavily on defense. They added Walter Nolen, Will Johnson, and Jordan Burch — three top defensive talents. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns traded back smartly and still landed Mason Graham, Quinshon Judkins, and extra future picks.
Kansas City also impressed. They fixed their left tackle issue by drafting Josh Simmons and improved their secondary with Noel Williams. Las Vegas added running back Ashton Jeanty and improved depth across the board. Lastly, the Jets built an offense around Justin Fields, focusing on protection and tight end help.
Draft Losers
The Jacksonville Jaguars drew critical NFL Draft reactions for trading heavy draft capital for Travis Hunter. Despite the splash, they ignored other pressing roster needs. Cincinnati also received negative marks after drafting injury-risk Shamar Stewart and reaching for linebacker Demetrius Knight.
The Los Angeles Rams made confusing choices. They traded out of Round 1 and didn’t address quarterback succession behind aging Matthew Stafford. Green Bay confused analysts by loading up on wide receivers despite greater needs in the secondary and trenches.
Minnesota ignored its secondary problems, a surprising move given its limited draft capital. Finally, Seattle failed to properly rebuild the offensive line for Sam Darnold, setting him up for major struggles.
Final Future Bets
Closing out their NFL Draft reactions, Degen Doc and Professor Locke offered several futures bets. Professor Locke recommends taking Jacksonville under 7.5 wins (+100) and the New York Giants over 5.5 wins (+115).
Degen Doc suggests taking Minnesota under 8.5 wins (+120), citing defensive weakness and rookie quarterback risk. Each bet aligns with roster concerns revealed during the first two days of the draft. As teams prepare for training camp, these early reads may provide sharp value in the futures market.
Thank you for reading this article by @IDP_Plus. This article was created using IDP+ AI and edited by Justin Mark. Be sure to check out the video above by The Degen Doc and Professor Locke, which this video is based on, talking about fantasy football dynasty running backs’ landing spots. Follow them @TheDegenDoc and @Prof_Lock2 on X!
