Mel Kiper Jr. Questions Cowboys and Giants, Wowed by Jags After 2025 NFL Draft Day 1

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. is impressed by the Jacksonville Jaguars' decision to trade up for the No. 2 pick and the right to draft two-way star Travis Hunter.

He's less thrilled by the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants' decisions in Day 1 of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday.

Kiper called the Cowboys' selection of Alabama guard Tyler Booker at No. 12 "a reach for a need" after the retirement of longtime Dallas right guard Zack Martin.

He also questioned the Giants' choice to target Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart rather than Colorado's Shedeur Sanders after moving up to No. 25.

Dart was ranked as the No. 57 overall prospect and No. 3 quarterback available on the final B/R 2025 NFL Draft Big Board ahead of the draft.

Sanders, B/R's No. 23 overall prospect and No. 2 quarterback, was still on the board when the Giants drafted Dart.

Kiper described Dart as a quarterback with "the arm to drive the ball in the New York weather" and the ability to "make plays with his legs."

He still ultimately questioned the Giants' decision because Sanders was still available, and because general manager Joe Schoen gave up three draft picks (the 2025 No. 34 and No. 99 selections as well as a 2026 third-rounder) in order to select Dart.

Booker was meanwhile ranked by B/R as the No. 32 overall prospect and No. 2 interior offensive lineman. Kiper called his value at No. 12 "really iffy."

"He barely clipped my final top 25 and he plays a non-premium position on the interior offensive line," Kiper wrote.

Kiper argued that the Cowboys should have instead looked to add wide receiver or running back depth by targeting a player like UNC's Omarion Hampton (selected by the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 22) or Texas' Matthew Golden (drafted by the Green Bay Packers at No. 23.)

One draft day trade Kiper had no problems with was the Jaguars' decision to trade a package including the No. 5 and No. 36 picks, as well as a 2026 first-rounder, for the chance to draft Hunter.

"Yes, it's a rich package. But Hunter is going to bring some much-needed juice to this team... His ball skills, feel for the game and quickness are outstanding," Kiper wrote. "I could see Hunter making big plays on offense and defense for the Jags."

Kiper expects Hunter to "play primarily on offense" for Liam Coen and the Jaguars, but writes that he will likely play defense "especially late in games."

Hunter was rated as B/R's top overall prospect. By trading out of the No. 2 pick, the Cleveland Browns got a major draft haul, but also passed on a player who could potentially succeed at both cornerback and wide receiver in the NFL.