The 2025 NFL draft began Thursday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with the Tennessee Titans selecting Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick. All 32 teams were scheduled to make first-round picks on Thursday, but the New York Giants' move up to No. 25 to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart took the Houston Texans out of the first round. One pick later, the Atlanta Falcons made a deal with the Los Angeles Rams to move back into the first round and select Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr.

We will be tracking all 257 picks for Rounds 1-7, and you also can check out all the best available draft prospects.

The draft continues with Rounds 2-3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET) and concludes with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon ET).

ESPN's team of reporters submitted pros and cons below for each of the 32 players selected in Thursday's first round:

coverage:
Top prospects at every position
Kiper's position rankings

Round 1 picks / order

1. Tennessee Titans -- Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Why they picked him: Ward is the best quarterback in the draft class and fits the biggest need on the Titans' roster. Having played 38 games in college, Ward has the experience to play right away if called upon. Titans coach Brian Callahan utilizes similar passing concepts to what Ward was asked to execute at Miami. Callahan's immediate future depends upon the success he's able to achieve with Ward under center. The Titans like Ward's confidence and believe that will help him handle the pressure that comes with being the top pick.

Biggest question: Will Ward's playmaking ability be a gift or a curse? His arm strength and confidence will lead to some ill-advised throws that can result in turnovers. The Titans' success will depend on whether Callahan can balance Ward's desire to take risks with the potential for big plays. Callahan acknowledged there's a delicate balance when coaching a player with that tendency. Tennessee isn't built to overcome turnovers, but also needs to be more explosive on offense. -- Turron Davenport

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Cleveland) -- Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Colorado

Why they picked him: Hunter is an elite player on both sides of the ball and he instantly upgrades a Jaguars offense that has few playmakers. He'll draw attention from receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and is a massive boost for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has struggled with his consistency over the past two seasons. The Jaguars say they believe Hunter is the best player in the draft and in addition to his considerable talent he brings star power to a franchise that hasn't had much of that over the past decade.

Biggest question: How are the Jaguars going to use him? The key is to have a plan for him, and they're likely to start him on offense and give him a package on defense, which could expand as he grows more comfortable. The Jaguars gave up a lot for Hunter -- the No. 5 pick, No. 36 and No. 126 this year and their No. 1 pick in 2026 -- and there will be tremendous pressure to get him on the field as much as possible but they must make sure they avoid overworking him mentally early. -- Michael DiRocco

3. New York Giants -- Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State

Why they picked him: Carter is considered the kind of blue-chip or generational prospect that general manager Joe Schoen said "you don't pass on that type of player." He has explosive traits that have evaluators making comparisons to All-Pro Von Miller. It's also a clear indication that the Giants had a clear distinction between Carter and any of the other remaining quarterbacks (including Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders). Carter helps Schoen fulfill his desire to get the best players for 2025 with the pressure on to produce wins this season.

Biggest question: What do the Giants do now at quarterback? They passed on Sanders, Dart and Jalen Milroe, among others, at No. 3. Do they move back into the bottom of Round 1 to find their potential quarterback of the future? That probably depends on the cost. Or maybe they wait until Friday. The Giants obviously didn't like any of the quarterbacks enough to take them at the top of the draft over Carter. Still, Schoen and coach Brian Daboll have yet to draft and develop a quarterback entering Year 4. At some point it's going to be necessary, especially considering owner John Mara said earlier this year that finding a quarterback of the future is the team's top priority this offseason. -- Jordan Raanan

4. New England Patriots -- Will Campbell, T, LSU

Why they picked him: One of the top goals for the Patriots in this draft is building more infrastructure around quarterback Drake Maye. Consider that the Patriots ranked last in run block win rate (67%) and ahead of only the Bengals in pass block win rate last season (51%). Coach Mike Vrabel called Campbell a "foundational piece" and a "21-year-old who is mature beyond his years." Vrabel said Campbell made a "huge impact" on the Patriots through the pr-draft process and said, "This was a very, very easy pick for us."

Biggest question: Is Campbell built to play tackle into the future? Campbell's arm length (33 inches at LSU's pro day) had some teams viewing him more as a guard. But Vrabel said the Patriots plan to play him at tackle, where he started 38 games at LSU. -- Mike Reiss

5. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville) -- Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Why they picked him: After trading back with the Jaguars and getting a draft haul that includes a 2026 first-round pick, the Browns landed Graham, a consensus top-five prospect at a position the team values. Graham was a disruptive player on the interior of the defensive line and the Browns love to rotate pass rushers along the defensive front. He fits Cleveland's penetrating defense and could play a significant role as a rookie.

Biggest question: Can Graham become an elite pass rusher? In three seasons in college, Graham's career high for sacks in a season was 3.5. Last season, the Browns had nine sacks from players lined up at defensive tackle, tied for fourth fewest in the NFL. -- Daniel Oyefusi

6. Las Vegas Raiders -- Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Why they picked him: Pete Carroll wants to run the ball. And that's something Las Vegas struggled to do last season, averaging 79.8 rushing yards per game -- the fewest by any team over the past two seasons. Jeanty, a Heisman Trophy finalist, will provide an immediate boost in the backfield. In 2024, Jeanty totaled 2,601 rushing yards -- second most in a season in FBS history. With the addition of Jeanty, the Raiders can take some pressure off new quarterback Geno Smith.

Biggest question: What are realistic expectations for Jeanty? He is the first running back selected within the first six picks of a draft since 2018, when the Giants drafted Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 pick. Taking him that high in the draft is a clear sign he will be the Raiders' RB1 right away since his skill set gives him an edge over others in the running back rotation. Expect Jeanty to play a major role on offense as a rookie. Carroll wants to take the pressure off Smith and Jeanty is the kind of three-down running back who can help. -- Ryan McFadden

7. New York Jets -- Armand Membou, T, Missouri

Why they picked him: They wanted a plug-and-play tackle to play opposite last year's first-round pick, Olu Fashanu. In theory, the Jets could have their bookend tackles for the next decade. With Joe Tippmann at center, and Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson at guard, the Jets should have a formidable line. And young, too, with every starter under 29. Get ready for a smashmouth rushing attack, led by quarterback Justin Fields and running back Breece Hall. Membou was a three-year starter at right tackle, so he can slide easily into that starting role. He surrendered only one sack in 391 pass-blocking snaps last season, but his stock didn't soar until the scouting combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.91 seconds, only the fifth prospect 330 pounds or more since 2003 to crack the 5.0 mark. Big fella can move.

Biggest question: How much is too much? The Jets have used four first-round picks on offensive linemen since 2020 (Mekhi Becton, Vera-Tucker, Fashanu and Membou). They should have one of the better lines in the league, but they might have sacrificed a playmaker for Fields. Tight end Tyler Warren was on the board, and would've helped the passing game a lot. -- Rich Cimini

8. Carolina Panthers -- Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Why they picked him: As much as a defense ranked last in the NFL in 2024 needed help, McMillan's talent was too much to pass up. The player nicknamed T-Mac reportedly ran a 4.48 40, fast for a 6-foot-4, 219-pound player. He'll give quarterback Bryce Young speed and a much-needed possession receiver he didn't have in last year's first-round pick Xavier Legette.

Biggest question: Will the Panthers be able to fill big needs on defense after passing on edge rusher Jalon Walker at No. 8? McMillan was productive in college, but he still is somewhat of a project in terms of becoming a consistent deep threat and true No. 1 receiver. -- David Newton

9. New Orleans Saints -- Kelvin Banks Jr., T, Texas

Why they picked him: The Saints were linked to various quarterbacks for the ninth pick, but at the end of the day, they went with a safe choice, selecting a player who could help build up an offensive line that struggled with injuries last year. The Saints did not pick up right tackle Trevor Penning's option and also cycled through left guards in 2024. Banks started 42 games at left tackle for Texas, and if the Saints envisioned him at that spot, then they could move Taliese Fuaga back to the right side, where he played in college.

Biggest question: Where do the Saints ultimately envision Banks playing? The Saints also have a need at guard and some projections have Banks moving inside, but it's likely the Saints wouldn't be investing such a high pick unless they saw a tackle of the future. Which side he ends up on is also a question at the early stage. The Saints still need to add more offensive playmakers and figure out their quarterback situation with Derek Carr's status uncertain. -- Katherine Terrell

10. Chicago Bears -- Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Why they picked him: Ben Johnson's Detroit offense utilized 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 WR, 2 TE) on 32.2% of plays in 2024 (third-highest rate in NFL). The Bears drafting Loveland foreshadows heavy tight end usage continuing in Chicago with the prospect of Loveland being to the Bears' offense what Sam LaPorta (who had 10 touchdowns as a rookie) was to Detroit's. Loveland was targeted on 41% of his routes last season (the highest mark by any FBS tight end) and caught 56 passes with five touchdowns. The 21-year-old provides quarterback Caleb Williams with another option over the middle of the field (43% of Loveland routes were comebacks, outs or crosses in 2024).

Biggest question: What does Loveland's selection mean for Cole Kmet? The Bears maintain that Kmet will have a big role in Chicago's offense. The team views the veteran tight end, who had 474 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2024, and the rookie as having complementary skill sets but also giving Johnson the ability to mix and match their roles on the field. "Having two guys with size that can separate, that can roll the ball in their hands, I think it creates mismatches, it creates creativity for an offense in Ben's eyes," Chicago senior director of player personnel Jeff King said. -- Courtney Cronin

11. San Francisco 49ers -- Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Why they picked him: The 49ers' needs on the defensive line are no secret after releasing starting end Leonard Floyd and tackles Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins during the opening days of free agency. But this class is considered deep at tackle, and defensive end is still the more premium position. In Williams, the Niners get someone who they believe can immediately help their run defense (he had 14 tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage in 2024) while he continues to develop as a pass rusher.

Biggest question: Can the 49ers maximize Williams' pass-rush potential? Williams had only 14 sacks in three seasons for the Bulldogs while lining up all over the defensive line. In San Francisco, he will be expected to play end in the team's preferred wide-9 front, a spot where he spent little time in college. It's worth noting he dealt with an ankle injury for most of last season but this is still a young (20-year-old) player who will need defensive line coach Kris Kocurek to help him along to be the bookend for Nick Bosa the team has been seeking since 2019. -- Nick Wagoner

12. Dallas Cowboys -- Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

Why they picked him: The Cowboys saw Zack Martin retire in February after a Hall of Fame career and needed a replacement, despite having Brock Hoffman, who started seven games last year at right guard, and adding Robert Jones in free agency. He is a top run blocker. Booker is stout. The Cowboys play in a division with excellent interior linemen and he will help with that. Brian Schottenheimer said he wants the Cowboys to have a physical offense. Booker, who started 27 of 28 games in his career, will help with that too.

Biggest question: The question is not so much about Booker, although maybe there's some concern about his ability in space. It's more about how the Cowboys find help with playmakers for Dak Prescott as the draft continues. Tetairoa McMillan was one of their top targets, but he was picked at No. 8. The Cowboys need speed at receiver. They need a running back. They can answer those questions in Rounds 2 and 3. But let's remember Jerry Jones said the Cowboys have had "substantive" trade talks that could come to fruition during or after the draft. -- Todd Archer

13. Miami Dolphins -- Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Why they picked him: After losing Calais Campbell and Da'Shawn Hand in free agency, the Dolphins had an urgent need on their defensive line. Grant is a space eater at 6-foot-4, 331 pounds and should clear up rush lanes for Zach Sieler and Miami's plethora of pass rushers. The Dolphins still have massive needs at offensive guard and cornerback, but GM Chris Grier says he feels confident he'll be able to address those needs later in the draft.

Biggest question: Grier might be confident in his ability to address the team's other needs with one of his picks on Day 2, but will the Dolphins regret not taking one of this draft's elite cornerbacks in Will Johnson or Jahdae Barron? Grant is talented but will he continue to develop as a pass rusher (6.5 sacks in three seasons)? -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

14. Indianapolis Colts -- Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Why they picked him: The Colts were last in the NFL in tight end receptions last season and have since lost their top pass-catcher at the position (Kylen Granson) to free agency. The Colts have been frank about the need to upgrade the position, with general manager Chris Ballard saying earlier this month, "Do we need a game-changer? Absolutely." The Colts have amassed a productive group of receivers and have a star at running back in Jonathan Taylor. But tight end has been a long-running void on the roster and Warren's well-rounded game gives Indy a boost in the pass game and as a run blocker.

Biggest question: Can the Colts find ways to maximize Warren in their offense? Coach Shane Steichen has had success deploying tight ends in his previous stints as a playcaller with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. But thus far, he's not been able to get good production from the position in Indianapolis. -- Stephen Holder

15. Atlanta Falcons -- Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia

Why they picked him: The Falcons have many holes on defense and Walker has the versatility to fit multiple roles. He played mostly off-ball linebacker last season for Georgia but has experience on the edge, which is where Atlanta will need him the most. He has a ton of speed and ability to get to the quarterback, but also is effective against the run as well as in coverage. He's also a high-character guy, which the Falcons always put a premium on.

Biggest question: How will the Falcons maximize his ability? At 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds, Walker is a bit undersized as a straight-up edge rusher. From a standpoint of pure physical attributes, he projects more as an off-ball linebacker. But Atlanta will probably use him in both ways, teaming up with Kaden Elliss as inside linebackers, as well as coming off the edge. Walker even lined up 50 times at slot cornerback with the Bulldogs. So, he's capable of doing many things, which probably has new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich salivating. -- Marc Raimondi

16. Arizona Cardinals -- Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Why they picked him: The Cardinals have been on a mission to rebuild their defensive front and Nolen is another piece of that puzzle. He's big -- 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds -- and has a nose for the quarterback. His 6.5 sacks at Ole Miss last season led FBS among defensive tackles and while he had 12 tackles for loss, he also had 32 tackles within two yards of the line of scrimmage, a sign of his ability to get off blocks and make plays.

Biggest question: How does he fit into the Cardinals' defensive front? Nolen is likely a day one starter and will benefit from having a slew of veteran guys around him such as Calais Campbell, L.J. Collier and Justin Jones. Arizona can afford to bring the rookie along more slowly than if he didn't have the kind of support around him, but the Cardinals will have to balance growth and development with unleashing Nolen's talent, which is immense. -- Josh Weinfuss

17. Cincinnati Bengals -- Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

Why they picked him: The Bengals addressed a key need by selecting a defensive end. Not only does Stewart give the Bengals immediate depth, but he gives Cincinnati a viable long-term starter no matter what happens with the pending Trey Hendrickson matter. The Bengals like having a good rotation of edge rushers, and adding Stewart to a group with Myles Murphy, Cam Sample and Joseph Ossai could address a unit that needs to improve its pass rush.

Biggest question: Is production a concern? Stewart had only 4.5 sacks in three seasons at Texas A&M. This is notable considering that Murphy, whom the Bengals drafted in 2023, has three sacks in his career. Cincinnati needed more production from the players not named Hendrickson last season. "We anticipate getting a lot of production out of him," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said after the pick was made -- Ben Baby

18. Seattle Seahawks -- Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State

Why they picked him: It's no secret that the interior of the Seahawks' offensive line was starved for difference-makers. That group was overmatched last season, and Seattle did not add a single guard or center in free agency. But this pick goes beyond need. It's also about Zabel's upside and his fit in Klint Kubiak's outside zone running game, which will prioritize athletic lineman who can get off the ball and move in space. Zabel is that and more. He has a 36.5-inch vertical jump and 9-foot, 3-inch broad jump, which is some kind of explosiveness for someone who's 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds.

Biggest question: What position will Zabel play? He played both guard and both tackle spots in college. He doesn't have prototypical arm length for an NFL tackle, which is why he's widely projected to move inside. Zabel worked at center and guard at the Senior Bowl, where his strong performance showed he can handle the huge jump in competition from FCS to the NFL. The sense is that Seattle views him as a guard. The Seahawks have an opening on the left side with Laken Tomlinson's departure in free agency. -- Brady Henderson

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Why they picked him: Mike Evans will be 32 in August and is under contract for more one season, and Chris Godwin is coming off a severe ankle injury. Egbuka has had 1,920 receiving yards from the slot since 2022 -- seventh most in FBS. Look for him to contribute in the short passing game.

Biggest question: Should the Bucs have gone defense? Tampa passed on Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, who had 16.5 sacks last season and Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, who had nine interceptions over the past two seasons. Those felt like bigger needs, unless there are real concerns about Godwin's injured ankle. -- Jenna Laine

20. Denver Broncos -- Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Why they picked him: Over and over again Broncos general manager George Paton has said the NFL is now a "space and cover league,'' and the Broncos saw up close last season how quickly their defensive fortunes changed when cornerback Riley Moss suffered an injury early in the season. Barron provides spectacular value at No. 20 given he can play outside, in the slot and as a dime linebacker. He's a sure tackler with speed who gives the Broncos another coverage player to put alongside Pat Surtain II in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.

Biggest question: The question isn't value or Barron's abilities -- he's well worth the No. 20 pick -- it's a question of Broncos needs. The team has said it needs more pop on offense and with a bevy of wide receivers on the board as well as some running backs, the Broncos dove in to aid one of the league's best defenses. But coach Sean Payton had offered a preview last week that the Broncos might throw a curve ball when he said, "You don't pass on crystal because you need a blender.'' -- Jeff Legwold

21. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Why they picked him: The Steelers needed an infusion of youth on an aging and thin defensive line. With Cameron Heyward turning 36 next month, addressing the position was a priority. In Harmon, the Steelers have a running mate to pair with 2023 second-round pick Keeanu Benton, who is primed to be a future anchor of the position.

Biggest question: Does passing on Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart mean Aaron Rodgers' decision is imminent? The Steelers had their pick of quarterbacks -- outside of No. 1 selection Cam Ward -- and still opted to address the defensive line. That seemingly signals several things: The Steelers weren't in love with any first-round quarterbacks, they're really confident in Mason Rudolph, and they're confident Rodgers is heading their way -- eventually. -- Brooke Pryor

22. Los Angeles Chargers -- Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Why they picked him: The Chargers had needs almost everywhere on the roster, but perhaps none bigger than at pass catcher. They had been linked to receiver and tight end all offseason, but general manager Joe Hortiz has remained steadfast that the Chargers would not reach for a position viewed as a need. That proved true as the Chargers picked a running back despite signing running back Najee Harris in free agency. The Chargers probably selected Hampton because he was the best player on their board and for him to become the future of a rushing offense that has been the staple of successful Jim Harbaugh teams.

Biggest question: When will the Chargers address their pass-catching need? One of the most apparent issues with the Chargers in their embarrassing 32-12 playoff loss to the Houston Texans was the team's shortcomings in its passing offense. Ladd McConkey was the only Chargers receiver to give Houston any issue that day, as the rookie caught nine passes for 197 yards and a touchdown. All of the other Chargers receivers combined for two catches for 14 yards. -- Kris Rhim

23. Green Bay Packers -- Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Why they picked him: Well, they couldn't go forever without taking a receiver in the first round, right? It only seemed like forever since the Packers had last done that in 2002 when they picked Javon Walker. Golden gives the Packers a speed threat, which is much needed after deep-threat receiver Christian Watson tore his ACL in the regular-season finale against the Bears. Golden ran the fastest 40-yard dash -- at 4.29 seconds -- of any receiver at the combine and the second-fastest time of all players regardless of position (Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston ran a 4.28).

Biggest question: Is he a No. 1 receiver? Though the Packers spent all of last season saying they didn't need a No. 1 receiver because they had so many solid options in Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, perhaps this gives quarterback Jordan Love what Aaron Rodgers had in guys such as Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams. -- Rob Demovsky

24. Minnesota Vikings -- Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State

Why they picked him:Coach Kevin O'Connell was unusually blunt after the Vikings took nine sacks, and struggled to run the ball in their wild-card playoff loss to the Rams. He made clear that he wanted to improve the interior of the offensive line. Jackson's acquisition completes that process after the Vikings signed a new center (Ryan Kelly) and new right guard (Will Fries) in free agency. Jackson played left guard and left tackle at Ohio State, but the Vikings will be set at left tackle once Christian Darrisaw returns from a knee injury.

Biggest question: How quickly will Jackson be ready to play? The Vikings still have their 2024 left guard on the roster -- Blake Brandel -- and O'Connell said that the team would give him "grace" after his performance slipped in the second half of last season. Brandel's poor play roughly coincided with the injury to Darrisaw, who is one of the NFL's top left tackles. But the Vikings didn't draft Jackson to sit. He'll play as soon as he's ready. Brandel has been a valuable swing player for the Vikings over the years, and he could return to that role.. -- Kevin Seifert

25. New York Giants (from Houston) -- Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

Why they picked him: The Giants needed a quarterback of the future -- owner John Mara said it was the "No. 1 issue" for his team this offseason. After whiffing on Matthew Stafford and offering a package that included next year's first-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 1 pick in this draft, general manager Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll needed a new plan. So they drafted the QB they said graded out above Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. Dart is the first quarterback they've drafted since taking over in 2022. His accuracy, anticipation, ability to escape pressure and deep ball really seemed to stand out to the Giants.

Biggest question: Where does he fit in the quarterback mix? The Giants have Russell Wilson penciled in as the starter. They have veteran Jameis Winston as insurance. Dart, meanwhile, is the quarterback of the future, which means Tommy DeVito looks potentially like the odd man out. This could ultimately be like a redshirt year for Dart -- the Giants look at this as a "really good spot where he can sit and learn behind a couple of veterans," Schoen said. Dart seems to be embracing the situation. -- Jordan Raanan

26. Atlanta Falcons (from L.A. Rams) -- James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

Why they picked him: The Falcons have had one of the worst pass rushes in the league over the plast several seasons -- and Pearce was one of the top pass rushers in college football with 17 sacks across 2023 and 2024. Pearce brings speed -- he ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the combine -- and technique at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds. With the picks of Jalon Walker and Pearce, Atlanta has changed the complexion of what its defense will look like this season.

Biggest question: Strength. Pearce is a fantastic speed rusher, but it's unclear how he'll do against bigger, stronger offensive linemen in the NFL. Expect one of the priorities for him to be to add size and muscle. There have also been some questions about his hands, though his level of production speaks for itself. Look for him to be part of Atlanta's rotation on the edge right away. -- Marc Raimondi

27. Baltimore Ravens -- Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia

Why they picked him: The Ravens addressed their biggest hole in the starting lineup on defense. Starks will pair with Kyle Hamilton to give the Ravens one of their best safety combinations in team history and help fix Baltimore's biggest issue on defense. Last season, the Ravens gave up 63 completions on passes of 15 yards or longer, which tied for the second most in the NFL. Starks' speed is expected to reduce explosive plays. At the NFL combine, he recorded the fastest speed among safeties in five drills, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. The Ravens continue to invest in the secondary. Starks joins three other Baltimore first-round picks -- Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins -- in the defensive backfield.

Biggest question: Can Starks rebound from last season's decline? One of the reasons why Starks was available near the bottom of the first round was a drop in efficiency last season. In 2023, he gave up 5.6 yards per attempt in coverage and limited quarterbacks to a 27 QBR when targeting him, according to ESPN Research. Last season, Starks gave up 7.4 yards per attempt in coverage and a 61 QBR. Despite recording only one interception in 2024, Starks gave up only one touchdown pass in 468 coverage snaps. In an AFC North Division with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and DK Metcalf, Starks will get tested deep downfield. -- Jamison Hensley

28. Detroit Lions -- Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

Why they picked him: Detroit addressed one of its major team needs on the defensive line by adding Williams, who was a 2024 third-team All-Big Ten selection. The Lions were hit hard by injuries last season, including defensive tackle Alim McNeill who is working his way back from a knee injury. Williams definitely beefs up the line with 136 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks during his college career.

Biggest question: After a 15-win season, the Lions could've gone in a few different directions as they also needed help on the offensive line and potential depth at wide receiver, but edge rusher was one of their biggest team needs. Detroit's 37 sacks were tied for 23rd in the league, and many thought they might use their first-round pick to improve in that area, but with Aidan Hutchinson set to return from his season-ending leg injury, they could add another edge rusher later in the draft. -- Eric Woodyard

29. Washington Commanders -- Josh Conerly Jr., T, Oregon

Why they picked him: Washington wants to build a fortress in front of quarterback Jayden Daniels. It has revamped its offensive line this offseason by trading for Laremy Tunsil and by drafting Conerly, who can play either guard or tackle. In three of the last four regular-season games, Daniels' sack percentage was 10.4 or higher and the pressure percentage 37.5 or greater. Daniels can run, but he's a passer first and this should provide him more chances to hang in the pocket and throw the ball. Washington can now envision its starting five for the next several years with Tunsil, Conerly, guard Sam Cosmi, center Tyler Biadasz and Brandon Coleman.

Biggest question: Where will Conerly play? Tunsil will start at left tackle, of course. Washington can either move Conerly or last year's rookie left tackle Coleman to right tackle with the other one inside. Conerly started for the past two seasons at left tackle but some teams viewed him as a guard, according to a league source. He has the size and arm length to stay at tackle. Conerly won't be handed a starting job, but he should find a home along the front sooner than later.-- John Keim

30. Buffalo Bills -- Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Why they picked him: Cornerback was one of the Bills' biggest needs coming into the draft, and by selecting Hairston in the first round, the team addresses the long-term future at cornerback opposite Christian Benford. Hairston played a significant amount of zone in college, which fits the defense, and in his three seasons at Kentucky, Hairston had twice as many picks (six) as passing touchdowns allowed (three) in coverage. Hairston has speed -- running the fastest 40-yard dash (4.28) at the NFL combine.

Biggest question: Should Bills have concerns about Hairston's health (and tackling)? The corner sat out five games in 2024 because of a shoulder injury but general manager Brandon Beane said that "he's back" as far as the Bills know and should be ready to participate this spring. He was not as effective a tackler when he returned for the last three games of the season, missing five tackles in those games, as many as he had in his previous nine games combined. The Bills also brought back veterans with experience in coach Sean McDermott's defense in Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson this offseason, but Hairston should be in a competition for a starting role -- Alaina Getzenberg

31. Philadelphia Eagles (from Kansas City) -- Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Why they picked him: The Eagles have had plenty of success drafting from top programs like Alabama and Georgia in recent seasons and they went to the well again by moving up to select the Tide's Campbell. Philadelphia was the top-ranked defense last season but lost a number of players this offseason, including edge rushers Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and defensive tackle Milton Williams. Meanwhile, linebacker Nakobe Dean is recovering from a torn patellar tendon. Campbell, a first-team All-SEC selection last season, racked up 117 tackles in 2024 and has a chance to immediately contribute.

Biggest question: Where will he play? Campbell has experience as an off-ball linebacker but can also rush the passer. The Eagles could use some help on the edge to bolster a group headed by Nolan Smith Jr. and second-year player Jalyx Hunt. They also need a starter at off-ball linebacker opposite Zack Baun as Dean recovers from his injury. Campbell is dealing with an injury of his own, as he underwent left shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum after the combine. -- Tim McManus

32. Kansas City Chiefs (from Philadelphia) -- Josh Simmons, T, Ohio State

Why they picked him: The Chiefs have started six different players at left tackle over the past four seasons and were frustrated with their inability to solve the problem long-term. Simmons could be their starter for the next several seasons once he's healthy. He tore his patella tendon last year at Ohio State, ending his season prematurely.

Biggest question: When will Simmons break into the starting lineup? Coach Andy Reid said Simmons "will definitely be ready'' to participate when training camp begins in July so he could battle with Jaylon Moore, a free agent addition, for the starting spot at left tackle. -- Adam Teicher

DETROIT -- It would seem that there's no love lost between the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks, who are engaged in the East's most competitive first-round series by far.

In Thursday's highly physical Game 3 -- a down-to-the-wire contest that the Knicks survived to win 118-116 and take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series -- there were five technical fouls and one flagrant foul whistled.

But for all the angst, both clubs seemed miffed, if not downright frustrated, by a pair of odd plays that were or weren't whistled in the game's closing seconds.

The Pistons trailed 116-113 with five seconds left and were preparing to foul Knicks star Jalen Brunson as he caught an inbounds pass from teammate Mikal Bridges to try to run out the clock. But as Brunson caught the ball around midcourt, his body appeared to be in the frontcourt first before his momentum pulled him into the backcourt, where he dribbled until being fouled by Detroit's Ausar Thompson with 3.5 seconds to go.

Pistons fans, including ex-NBA star Jalen Rose, who was sitting courtside, immediately voiced their displeasure with the lack of a call on the Knicks, even more so when replays were shown on the Little Caesars Arena video screen. So did Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who was befuddled by it all.

"He catches the ball in the frontcourt, recognizes that he's getting ready to go into the backcourt, then drops the ball," Bickerstaff said of Brunson. "There are some things procedurally that I have questions about, and I'd be interested to hear some answers."

In a postgame pool report interview, crew chief Zach Zarba said Brunson hadn't truly established position in the frontcourt when he first caught the ball.

"Brunson and the trajectory of the pass were headed toward the backcourt. Brunson's momentum was taking him there when he touches the ball," Zarba said, citing Rule 4, Section 6G of the league's rulebook. "That's why that play is legal."

The other controversy happened within the game's final second, after Pistons forward Tobias Harris hit a triple to bring Detroit within a point at 117-116.

Detroit fouled Brunson with 0.5 seconds left, and he hit the first free throw to push the Knicks' advantage to 118-116. The guard then looked back to the bench, where coach Tom Thibodeau instructed him to purposely miss the second free throw, knowing it would be virtually impossible for a Pistons player to grab the rebound and fling a shot the length of the floor with less than a second remaining.

But then something strange happened: Brunson bricked the shot on purpose, but the clock started, and the buzzer sounded before anyone from either team touched the ball.

After reviewing it all, officials awarded the ball to the Pistons, saying they had imminent possession, and gave them the ball on the sideline with the half-second left and a chance to win the game, even though Detroit possessed no timeouts at that stage.

It ended up being moot: Pistons center Jalen Duren overthrew Cade Cunningham on the crosscourt inbounds pass in the backcourt, resulting in the ball going out of bounds to all but hand the Knicks the victory.

However, Thibodeau and the Knicks were annoyed that the Pistons had been given an improbable chance to win it in the first place.

"It doesn't seem right to me," Thibodeau said. "That should never happen, ever, in a playoff game."

Knicks wing Josh Hart took things a step further, saying the instance struck him as "home cooking."

"That's not a coincidence," he said. "When it's an inexcusable mistake like that, you should just let [the free throw shooter] go again. Because it was an intentional miss. ... I feel like they for sure heard Thibs [telling Brunson] to miss it. They were right next to him. You know what that is, bro."

Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns had a similar take.

"I ain't going to lie to you, man; shoutout to the [scorer's] table, man. Giving your team another chance like that is fire," said Towns, who finished with a game-high 31 points. "I got to give them a lot of respect for that. I've never seen that in 10 years of basketball."

Back in 2002, the NBA implemented a policy that put neutral clock operators at the scorer's tables during the playoffs to eliminate any perception of bias.

The oddities in the game's closing moments muddled what had been a chippy, highly physical game between the clubs -- and heated between the Knicks and the Pistons' rowdy fans, who profanely taunted Brunson and were taking in a home playoff game for the first time since 2019.

New York got out to a much better start than it had in the first two games of the series and played with more tempo early. It helped Towns find a rhythm after he weathered heavy criticism after Game 2 for logging just 10 points and six rebounds and going scoreless in the second half.

The Knicks had a balanced showing, featuring four starters with 20 points or more, while Hart -- the one starter who didn't hit that scoring mark -- had 11 rebounds and nine assists.

Detroit got blitzed in the second quarter, allowing a 23-6 run to fall behind by 13 at halftime. But the Pistons -- led by Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cunningham, who had 24 points each -- battled back throughout the second half, making inroads whenever the Knicks' offense grew stagnant.

The clubs will meet for Game 4 of the series in Detroit on Sunday afternoon.

We're just about at the one-month mark of the 2025 MLB season -- meaning, yes, it's still too early to give much credence to the standings, but there are quite a few surprises nonetheless.

Just 2.5 games separate four teams -- three of which have winning percentages above .600 -- in the NL West, as the National League is shaping up to be packed with many powerful playoff-contending squads. And in the NL East, the current basement dweller, in a division that includes the Marlins and Nationals ... is still the Braves?!

Meanwhile, in the American League, while the Yankees are playing as well as projected, a number of teams are hovering around .500, the Orioles are scuffling and the Twins have the second-worst record in the league.

What will the month of May bring for these clubs? Will they be able to carry -- or change -- their momentum?

Our expert panel has combined to rank every team based on a combination of what we've seen so far and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that is a full baseball season. We also asked ESPN MLB experts Jorge Castillo, Alden Gonzalez and Bradford Doolittle to weigh in with an observation for all 30 teams.

Week 3 | Preseason rankings

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Record: 16-9
Previous ranking: 2

The Dodgers spent the offseason loading up their roster in hopes that they would become almost immune to the attrition that plagues teams throughout the season. Their pitching depth has been compromised nonetheless. Tony Gonsolin (back), Blake Snell (shoulder), Blake Treinen (forearm) and Michael Kopech (forearm) were added to the injured list before the end of the season's first full month. And though none of their aforementioned injuries are considered serious -- for now, at least -- they offer yet another reminder of how delicate pitching depth can be. The Dodgers, meanwhile, have won in spite of that. Not at the rate many expected them to, perhaps, but enough to keep them among the sport's elite. -- Gonzalez

2. San Diego Padres

Record: 17-8
Previous ranking: 1

Any thought that the Padres' deflating NL Division Series loss and the underwhelming offseason that followed it would weaken their resolve in 2025 has been grossly misplaced. They've stormed out of the gate with the second-best record in baseball, winning each of their first seven games and claiming five of their first six series. Nick Pivetta has been a revelation. Fernando Tatis Jr. is displaying a newfound patience that has made him look like the best player in the sport. The bullpen has been dominant. But what has stood out most is the energy of the Padres' home environment and how their players continue to feed off it. They are 12-1 at Petco Park this season, a place that has seen their pitching staff post a 1.30 ERA. -- Gonzalez

3. New York Mets

Record: 18-7
Previous ranking: 3

Don't look now but the Mets are on fire -- and the fans at Citi Field are getting very excited. The raucous atmosphere at the ballpark during the Mets' extra-inning game against the Phillies on Wednesday came through even on the broadcast. That's not surprising for a team that entered the season with high expectations and, so far, has more than met them. A starting rotation that seemed to lack star power when the season began has been one of the best units in the majors. The rotation's average game score (56) ranks just behind MLB-leading Texas and its ERA (a sparkling 2.29) is easily the best in the majors. -- Doolittle

4. New York Yankees

Record: 15-10
Previous ranking: 7

If it wasn't obvious last year, Aaron Judge is still proving he's the best hitter on the planet -- and it's not particularly close. The two-time AL MVP has been Bondsian (should it just be Judgian at this point?) again to start the season. He leads the majors in batting average (.415), OBP (.513), slugging (.734) and OPS (1.247), and is tied for second in RBIs (26), to name a few categories.

Remember: Last season, he slashed .322/.458/.701 with 58 home runs -- and won MVP -- after a middling start through the beginning of May. In 150 games since May 3 last year, he's batting .367 with 59 home runs, 152 RBIs and a 1.273 OPS. It has been an unreal stretch -- going back, really, to his 62-homer season in 2022 -- that we haven't seen since Barry Bonds was splashing balls into McCovey Cove. -- Castillo

5. San Francisco Giants

Record: 16-9
Previous ranking: 4

When franchise icon Buster Posey assumed the role of president of baseball operations, he set out to build the Giants into a team that would win on the strength of pitching and defense. That, Posey said he believed, was key to thriving at a place like Oracle Park, which traditionally saps offense. But while that develops, the Giants have enjoyed a much-needed spark of offense from Jung Hoo Lee, who's slashing .333/.388/.581 with 10 doubles. Lee's rookie season of 2024 was plagued by a torn labrum. The Giants couldn't truly catch a glimpse for how his elite bat-to-ball skills would translate within Oracle Park's spacious outfield. They have now. -- Gonzalez

6. Arizona Diamondbacks

Record: 14-10
Previous ranking: 8

When it comes to Arizona's lineup, Corbin Carroll is the spark plug, Josh Naylor was brought in to provide punch in the middle of it and Geraldo Perdomo is one of its most crucial -- yet unheralded -- contributors. Their production was to be expected. But Pavin Smith's has been a welcomed sight. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter put together a really solid 60-game sample last season and has taken that to a new level in the first month, batting almost .400 while boasting the second-highest slugging percentage among those with at least 70 plate appearances. The D-backs never really replaced Joc Pederson's production at designated hitter with any outside acquisitions. Smith has shown they didn't need to. -- Gonzalez

7. Chicago Cubs

Record: 16-10
Previous ranking: 6

On two occasions in five days, both teams scored at least 10 runs in a game at Wrigley Field. On Friday, the Cubs beat the D-backs 13-11 by scoring five runs in the seventh inning and six runs in the eighth. On Tuesday, they trailed the Dodgers by three runs heading into the bottom of the eighth and wound up beating them 11-10 in the 10th. It spoke to the early identity of this Cubs team. With Justin Steele out for the season and their bullpen a mess, the Cubs might have to slug their way to the top of the NL Central. And with the likes of Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch and Carson Kelly off to strong starts, they just might. -- Gonzalez

8. Philadelphia Phillies

Record: 13-12
Previous ranking: 5

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has been able to cobble together contention-worthy bullpens for the most part during his time with the Phillies, but his wizardry in that area has been tested early. The Phillies have gotten solid enough work from the trio of Jose Alvarado, Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks, but pretty much every other reliever has struggled. Of particular concern is veteran right-hander Jordan Romano, who inked a one-year, $8.5 million free agent deal with Philadelphia over the winter. Romano's early-season ERA is an unsightly 13.50 and he has given up two or more runs in four of his 10 outings. -- Doolittle

9. Detroit Tigers

Record: 15-10
Previous ranking: 9

It took longer than projected, but right-hander Casey Mize and first baseman Spencer Torkelson are finally realizing their potential together as former No. 1 overall picks in consecutive years. The 28-year-old Mize, the top pick in 2017, has been the best starter in a rotation featuring Tarik Skubal with a 2.22 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in four starts despite just a 18.9% strikeout rate after posting a 4.49 ERA last season. Torkelson, meanwhile, is slashing .264/.373/.571 with seven home runs in 25 games. The 2018 No. 1 pick has already accumulated 1.1 fWAR (his career high is 1.5, which he set in 2023 when he slugged a career-high 31 homers). -- Castillo

10. Texas Rangers

Record: 14-10
Previous ranking: 10

The Rangers' solid early pitching has helped them establish an early lead in the AL West despite a negative run differential. They will be hard-pressed to remain on that perch if their aggressive offense doesn't start producing when it's not hitting home runs. Texas is in the bottom five of the majors in swinging at first pitches, walks and scoring runs, and only four teams have relied more on homers to score. The ambush approach has worked for their attack in the past, but so far this year, it has not. -- Doolittle

11. Boston Red Sox

Record: 14-12
Previous ranking: 9

The Rafael Devers predicament is no longer an issue. The third baseman-turned-DH reverted to his usual self since that historically dreadful start (0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts), batting .253 with 13 RBIs and seven doubles since April 2. And yet, strangely, the Red Sox have struggled to consistently produce high-scoring outputs. Boston has scored four or fewer runs in 13 of 21 games this month. It's baffling for a lineup with that much firepower -- especially considering four regulars have an OPS of at least .820. -- Castillo

12. Cleveland Guardians

Record: 14-10
Previous ranking: 11

It's shaping up to be another year of the so-called experts (Who, me?) overlooking the Guardians and another year of the Guardians stomping on low expectations. At least so far. They're 14-10 despite a minus-five run differential and closer Emmanuel Clase's 7.84 ERA. Steven Kwan is batting .337. Kyle Manzardo has seven home runs. Jose Ramirez has an .824 OPS with five homers and four steals. Logan Allen has a 2.11 ERA through four starts. Clase's struggles after a historically great season are alarming, but Hunter Gaddis (no runs over 9 innings), Cade Smith (1.38 ERA), Jakob Junis (1.64 ERA), Joey Cantillo (1.35 ERA) and Tim Herrin (2.00 ERA) have sparkled out of the bullpen. The Guardians just keep humming along in a very winnable AL Central. -- Castillo

13. Milwaukee Brewers

Record: 13-12
Previous ranking: 19

Things looked quite bleak for the Brewers early. They lost their first four games, during which their staff gave up a combined 47 runs. It looked like the start of a long year in Milwaukee. Then the Brewers did what they're best known for -- win, regardless of who's gone or who's hurt. Since the first day of April, they have won 13 of 21 games to keep pace with the Cubs in the NL Central. During that stretch, their rotation has put together a 2.34 ERA, second only to the Mets for the major league lead -- even though seven starting pitchers currently make up Milwaukee's IL. -- Gonzalez

14. Houston Astros

Record: 13-11
Previous ranking: 21

The Astros appear to have a new ace in Hunter Brown, who has been one of baseball's best pitchers during the opening month. Brown has strung together three straight scoreless outings, lowering his season ERA to 1.16. The early-season star of Brown's arsenal has been a four-seamer that has picked up 1.3 mph in average velocity over last season, per Statcast. Opponents are 2-for-35 against Brown's heater in 2025 and the assigned run value of the four-seamer (plus-7) puts it in a tie with the slider of Miami's Max Meyer as the most valuable pitch in all of baseball so far. -- Doolittle

15. Atlanta Braves

Record: 10-14
Previous ranking: 18

The Braves have more or less bounced back from their winless season-opening trip, a skid that dropped them from ESPN's preseason No. 2 team to the middle of the pack. Yet all is not well in Cobb County. Good news: Spencer Strider made a triumphant return to the majors last week. Bad news: He made a frustrating return to the IL not long after. Luckily, his hamstring strain was classified as Grade 1 and if all goes well, his IL stint won't be a long one. Still, his one-start return is apropos for an elite team that has struggled to build momentum. -- Doolittle

16. Seattle Mariners

Record: 13-11
Previous ranking: 15

The disconnect between the home and road versions of Seattle's offense is reaching absurd levels. At T-Mobile Park, the Mariners remain punchless, hitting .226 as a team while scoring at a rate (3.6 runs) better than only three other teams in their respective home venues. On the road, they are the punchers, hitting .267 with a top five road scoring average in baseball.

An avatar in that is third baseman Dylan Moore, fresh off winning AL Player of the Week honors, boosted by the fact that the M's are on a road trip. For the season, Moore is hitting .200/.333/.350 in Seattle with one homer. On the road, he's at .311/.340/.600 with four homers. Maybe the Mariners' hitters could petition to play all their games on the road? -- Doolittle

17. Toronto Blue Jays

Record: 12-13
Previous ranking: 13

The Blue Jays have enjoyed a solid first month, which registers as a success after last year's last-place debacle. But the first month of the season will be remembered for their decision to give Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a $500-million contract. Whether that investment pans out will make or break the franchise's future. Stringing together a few solid months to remain within striking distance at the trade deadline would be a good start. -- Castillo

18. Cincinnati Reds

Record: 12-13
Previous ranking: 17

The Reds' offense has mostly underperformed -- minus a 24-run onslaught against the Orioles on Easter Sunday -- but their pitching has been mostly solid. And the most encouraging signs have come from their two young frontline starters, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, who have clearly taken big steps forward. The two have combined for a 2.56 ERA through their first 10 starts. Greene, whose fastball is averaging 99 mph, has struck out 35 batters and issued only six walks in 30 innings. Andrew Abbott, meanwhile, was activated off the IL around mid-April and has given up only two runs in 11 innings. -- Gonzalez

19. Tampa Bay Rays

Record: 10-14
Previous ranking: 12

For all the work done to make Steinbrenner Field feel like home, the fact is that the Rays are still without one. That was obvious over the weekend when the Yankees traveled to Tampa to take three of four games as the visiting team in their spring training ballpark. The Rays have played all but five games at their temporary residence, going 9-10 after having their schedule changed to frontload home games to avoid the summer heat and rain. They'll need to be better than that to make noise in the AL East. -- Castillo

20. Baltimore Orioles

Record: 9-14
Previous ranking: 20

The Orioles' chief concern entering the season was their starting pitching, and it's proved to be a very real problem -- one without an obvious solution. They have the highest starters' ERA in baseball by nearly a half-run. Charlie Morton, their $15 million free agent addition, has a league-worst 10.89 ERA in 20 innings through five starts. Dean Kremer has a 6.84 ERA after yielding eight extra-base hits to the Nationals on Tuesday. Cade Povich has a 6.38 ERA. Zach Eflin, their Opening Day starter, was put on the IL because of a lat strain after three starts. Grayson Rodriguez and Albert Suarez began the season on the IL because of shoulder injuries and their returns aren't imminent. This is a weakness that could bury Baltimore in the standings before long. -- Castillo

21. Kansas City Royals

Record: 10-14
Previous ranking: 16

Kansas City ranks last in baseball in runs scored per game, averaging fewer than three. Bobby Witt Jr. is raking again and Maikel Garcia has been a pleasant surprise, but other than that, it has been ugly. Vinnie Pasquantino has a .186/.260/.314 slash line. Salvador Perez also has struggled with a .185 batting average and .528 OPS. This has all amplified the fan base's cries for the club to call up top prospect Jac Caglianone as soon as possible.

Caglianone was the team's first-round pick at No. 6 last year. He possesses perhaps the best raw power across the minors, but the first baseman has played only 16 games above Double-A. As an elite two-way player in college, he could be capable of playing the outfield, but he has played only first base as a pro, so there isn't an obvious positional fit. But his bat could force its way to Kansas City soon enough. -- Castillo

22. St. Louis Cardinals

Record: 10-15
Previous ranking: 23

The Cardinals turned some heads with a season-opening sweep of the Twins, but now they're right about where we expected -- five games below .500 in the wake of a brutal 1-6 trip and battling the typical inconsistency of a mediocre-to-bad team. Brendan Donovan has been red hot; the likes of Nolan Arenado, Lars Nootbaar and Victor Scott II have provided encouraging signs; and key members of their staff, most notably Sonny Gray and Steven Matz, have pitched well. But there has been at least as much bad to counteract the good.

Case in point: Miles Mikolas took the mound with a 7.64 ERA on Wednesday afternoon and proceeded to throw six scoreless innings against the Braves. The Cardinals lost anyway. They scored only once. -- Gonzalez

23. Los Angeles Angels

Record: 11-12
Previous ranking: 22

After a hot -- and surprising -- start, the Angels have started to level off, dropping back to .500 with a run differential well below break even. The bullpen has been a problem area despite a near-perfect start to the season from veteran closer Kenley Jansen. One glimmer of hope from that group is 27-year-old right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn, who, despite logging only 6 innings this season, ranks fourth on the Halos with 14 strikeouts. He's whiffing batters at a rate of 18.9 per nine innings -- or more than two per frame. He also has given up a couple of homers, but the raw talent certainly seems to be there for Zeferjahn to work a high-leverage role. -- Doolittle

24. Athletics

Record: 11-13
Previous ranking: 26

For all the early talk about Sutter Health Park being a new hitter's paradise in MLB, the Athletics' immediate problem is that their opponents have done a much better job of playing to its conditions. The A's lost eight of their first 10 home games in Sacramento, and while the ugly home/road splits of the pitching staff might be expected, the much bigger surprise is that their hitters have also been better on the road. The difference has primarily been homers: 13 long balls in 11 games at home; 22 in 13 games on the road. -- Doolittle

25. Miami Marlins

Record: 11-13
Previous ranking: 25

The Marlins have held their own in the win column over the first month, though they hold one of the NL's worst run differentials. Still, as long as Miami is hovering around .500, it's probably not fair to turn the focus to what so many see as the inevitability of a Sandy Alcantara trade. Nevertheless, whether you're tracking Alcantara for trade value purposes or you're holding out hope that the Marlins can be a surprise contender, the better he pitches, the better off you'll be. Alas, Alcantara is not yet back to his pre-injury, Cy Young form. A quality start against Cincinnati on Wednesday lowered his ERA to 6.56 but his K/9 (6.56, matching the ERA) and BB/9 (4.63) are both well off his presurgery standard. -- Doolittle

26. Minnesota Twins

Record: 9-15
Previous ranking: 24

The Twins couldn't overcome injuries in 2024, collapsing down the stretch to fall out of postseason contention, and it looks as if they won't be able to overcome injuries in 2025 either. Royce Lewis, the talented but oft-injured infielder, sustained a hamstring injury during spring training and hasn't played in a game yet. Right-hander Pablo Lopez, the club's Opening Day starter, landed on the IL because of his own hamstring injury after three starts. An oblique strain has kept utilityman Willi Castro, an All-Star last season, off the field since April 16. The Twins, meanwhile, have sunk to fourth place in the competitive AL Central, ahead of only the White Sox. -- Castillo

27. Washington Nationals

Record: 11-13
Previous ranking: 27

Is it too soon to be on record watch? Probably, but the Nationals have lots of reasons to be excited about MacKenzie Gore, who is on pace to make a run at 300 strikeouts this season. He already has produced a pair of 13-strikeout starts and was leading the NL in whiffs after his last start against Colorado. The Nationals' single-season mark is 300 on the nose, established by Max Scherzer in 2018. The champ from the Expos portion of the franchise's history is Pedro Martinez, who struck out 305 in 1997. It's heady company for Gore, long touted as an elite prospect who is on the verge of establishing himself as an elite big league pitcher. -- Doolittle

28. Pittsburgh Pirates

Record: 10-15
Previous ranking: 28

The Pirates' first month has been marked by controversy. The opening homestand was tainted by the removal of Roberto Clemente signage in the right-field portion of PNC Park. Then there were the personalized fan bricks that were extracted from outside the ballpark without an initial explanation. Then came this past Saturday -- a day when fans lined the Clemente Bridge to receive a Paul Skenes bobblehead, then crammed into the ballpark and filled the air with "sell the team" chants for Pirates' frugal owner Bob Nutting. Skenes, who will start at Dodger Stadium on Friday, continues to look dominant, posting a 2.87 ERA through his first five starts. But everything around him continues to be a mess. -- Gonzalez

29. Chicago White Sox

Record: 5-19
Previous ranking: 29

The White Sox are losing far more than they're winning. That's expected and won't alter their long-term plans. But Luis Robert Jr. not being good could have a significant impact. Ideally, the veteran center fielder would have dashed to a fast start and had contenders throwing trade offers with top-end prospects at the White Sox to sort through before the trade deadline. But Robert is slashing .145/.267/.250 with 27 strikeouts in 22 games. That won't attract the kind of haul the White Sox seek as they continue their painfully thorough rebuild. -- Castillo

30. Colorado Rockies

Record: 4-18
Previous ranking: 30

It was a mere three weeks into the season when the Rockies determined that a drastic change was necessary. On the afternoon of April 17, they announced the firing of hitting coach Hensley Meulens and replaced him with longtime manager Clint Hurdle, who had taken on an advisory role with the organization. The Rockies were in the midst of a six-game losing streak then, during which they had accumulated only 12 runs -- seven of which had come the night before. Things have not gotten much better since. Hurdle, of course, is no wizard. The Rockies hold the third-lowest OPS in the majors and its worst record, all while playing in the sport's most difficult division. It will be another long season in Colorado. -- Gonzalez

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov left their Game 2 win over Tampa Bay after a third-period hit by Lightning forward Brandon Hagel, which earned him a major penalty.

The Panthers won, 2-0, to take a 2-0 series lead over their arch rivals in a physical, grinding road game on Thursday night.

"The rivalry is growing and growing. We just hate them more and more every time we play them," Florida center Sam Bennett said after the game.

Around midway through the third period, Tampa Bay was on the power play trailing 1-0. Barkov pressured defenseman Ryan McDonagh deep in the Lightning zone. With the puck clearly past Barkov, Hagel lined him up for a huge hit that sent the Panthers captain down to the ice and thumping off the end boards. A penalty was immediately whistled and the officials conferred before calling a "five-minute penalty." After review, Hagel was given a 5-minute major for interference.

Barkov left the game with 10:09 remaining in regulation and did not return. Florida coach Paul Maurice didn't offer an update on Barkov after the game. Barkov has three assists against the Lightning, including a helper on defenseman Nate Schmidt's third goal of the series in Game 2.

The Lightning killed off the five-minute major, but it ate up nearly half the time left in regulation for a team trailing in the game. Bennett iced the game with an empty net goal.

"He's an irreplicable player," said Panthers defenseman Seth Jones of Barkov. "One of the best centermen in the league. He's super important to our team."

Lightning coach Jon Cooper didn't expect Hagel to receive a major penalty for the hit. "Refs make the call. I was a little surprised it was a five, but it was," he said. "They made that call so now we have to dig in, and I thought the boys did a great job digging in."

The Panthers go back to Sunrise with a 2-0 series lead thanks to a tremendous defensive effort. They blanked the Lightning power play on five opportunities and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 19 shots he faced.

"We defended very well. We didn't give too much to them. We were pretty aggressive. And then we had Bob," said center Anton Lundell.

The Panthers and Lightning meet again on Saturday afternoon in Game 3.

"Everyone's going to be probably going to be talking that we're done. But we believe in this locker room we can come back," said Lightning winger Jake Guentzel.

OTTAWA, Ontario -- Simon Benoit scored on a slap shot from the point at 1:19 of overtime to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators and a 3-0 lead in the first-round series.

Auston Matthews won a faceoff back to Benoit at the left point, and the defenseman fired a low shot through traffic that beat goalie Linus Ullmark to far post.

Toronto also won 3-2 in overtime -- on Max Domi's early goal- - at home Tuesday night. Game 4 is Saturday night in Ottawa.

Matthews and Matthew Knies also scored for Toronto, and Anthony Stolarz made 18 saves.

Brady Tkachuk and Claude Giroux scored for Ottawa. Ullmark stopped 17 shots.

Tkachuk tied it at 2 for Ottawa with 8:38 left in regulation. On a rush, he beat Stolarz with a low wrist shot from the high slot.

Matthews gave Toronto a 2-1 lead 32 seconds into the third, scoring from close range off Mitch Marner's pass from behind the goal.

The teams traded power-play goals in the second period. Giroux opened the scoring for Ottawa at 1:38, and Knies tied it at 8:31.

PITTSBURGH -- Despite quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart still being available, the Pittsburgh Steelers eschewed the position all together and selected Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with the No. 21 overall pick Thursday night at the NFL draft.

Steelers general manager Omar Khan said the organization wasn't tempted to draft a signal caller with the pick.

"We were on the clock," he said Thursday night. "We got the player that we wanted."

Harmon was one of a handful of players the Steelers identified as one they wouldn't trade away from if he was available. Khan said the Steelers fielded several trade offers, but they held on firmly to the pick.

"He has Steeler DNA for us," coach Mike Tomlin said. "It starts inside and upfront, and this is a guy that's capable of dominating that space versus the run and the pass, and so we're really excited about having him. ... We weren't interested in considering trading away from him and really excited about getting him in here and getting started."

The Steelers entered the first round of the draft determined not to let Aaron Rodgers' impending -- yet prolonged -- decision about his future affect their draft strategy.

And in selecting Harmon with only two quarterbacks under contract, the Steelers seemingly signaled their continued confidence that Rodgers will eventually land in Pittsburgh.

Earlier this week, Tomlin acknowledged the outcome of the draft could affect their pursuit of outside quarterbacks, including Rodgers.

"What you do in the draft oftentimes affects maybe some talent acquisition that happens after," he said in Tuesday's pre-draft news conference. "We'll see how the acquisition goes this weekend."

Harmon, who spent his first three seasons at Michigan State, is an immediate youth infusion to an aging Steelers defensive line anchored by longtime captain Cameron Heyward. Heyward, who turns 36 next month, advocated for his team to pick Harmon on an Instagram Live feed before the selection. And the appreciation is mutual. Harmon said he models his game after Heyward.

"That was my first thought process when I got the call, was I'm going to be able to pick Cam's brain, be under his wing," Harmon said. "That could be my vet now, and I can really learn from him. He's been doing this forever, since I was a baby, so it wouldn't be no other way I'd want it, really."

Harmon was one of nine defensive linemen hosted by the Steelers during their top-30 pre-draft visits. Though rumors of a shoulder issue swirled before the draft, Harmon was evaluated by the Steelers' medical staff on his visit. Khan and Tomlin said they were "extremely comfortable" with Harmon's health.

"I'm fully up, ready to go," Harmon said of his shoulder. "I don't have [any] concerns. I'm ready to get to work."

Harmon recorded five sacks in his lone season with the Ducks and exploded for 11 tackles for loss. He also led the FBS in 2024 with 34 quarterback pressures when lined up as a defensive tackle, and his 10.7% pressure rate as a defensive tackle was second-best in FBS.

"Extreme urgency," Tomlin said, describing the level of urgency in addressing the defensive line. "To be quite honest with you, there's no substitute for young talent. You don't have a chance to fill a quality defense unless you stout inside and up front. This is a young guy, man, that has an opportunity to learn from the likes of Cam Heyward, and put his hand in that pile and be a significant contributor for us for years to come."

The Jaguars traded up to acquire the No. 2 pick Thursday and selected wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter, a player Jacksonville believes will change the direction of the franchise and potentially the sport.

The Browns moved down three spots with the trade. Cleveland received the No. 5 pick, a second-round pick (No. 36), a fourth-round selection (No. 126) and a 2026 first-round pick from the Jaguars, who received the No. 2 pick, a fourth-round choice (No. 104) and a sixth-round selection (No. 200), sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

With the No. 5 selection, the Browns selected Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham.

Moving up three spots in his first draft with the team is a bold move for first-time general manager James Gladstone. He said earlier in April that his first draft pick with the franchise would set the tone for his tenure. Gladstone believes moving up to acquire Hunter could potentially change the direction of a franchise that hasn't made back-to-back playoff appearances since 1996 to 1999.

"There are players that you can target and acquire who alter the trajectory of a game. There are players that you can target and acquire that alter the trajectory of a football team," Gladstone said on the team's draft show on YouTube moments after making the pick. "There are very few, and it's rare to be able to target and prioritize a player who can alter the sport itself. And Travis is somebody that we view has the potential to do that.

"Obviously, there's a lot for him to learn as he steps into the NFL, but we view him through the lens of unique and it's exciting for us to be able to add someone to this organization who by being nothing more than who he is, elevates the space around him. And I am excited about the opportunity to be able to put those words now to action and have our fan base and supporters see what I meant by those lines of thought."

Altering the sport is high praise, but Hunter seemed unfazed by that comment.

"There's no pressure for me," Hunter said. "I just have to go out there and do my job, be Travis Hunter. They did everything they could to come get me. Now, I've got to do everything I could to help win and help the organization."

Hunter added that he spoke for a few moments with Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile shortly after he was selected.

"I was excited to hear both of them on the phone, so I know they believe in me, and they believed that I can do it [play both ways]," Hunter said.

Hunter, who played 1,481 snaps and averaged 113.9 yards per game in 2024, said he's eager to have the same kind of workload with the Jaguars. Gladstone said the plan is to start Hunter on offense and work him in on defense as he grows more comfortable.

Discussions between the Browns and Jaguars about a potential trade began two weeks ago and a framework of an agreement was in place shortly after.

"We had a pretty good idea for probably the last couple of weeks that this was going to likely come to fruition," Gladstone said. "Obviously, you never know until it actually does in fact take place, but we're certainly happy that it did."

Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the opportunity to add a first-round pick in 2026 was a key part of the deal.

"We just felt like it was a fantastic opportunity for our organization to move down three spots, still getting a top-notch prospect in the trenches, adding a pick in what we view is really the sweet spot for this year's draft class and then adding a first-round pick in a class that quite frankly we think will be a bit stronger in the first 30 picks," Berry said. "So, we just felt like both in the short term and over a multiyear time horizon, it was a fit for what we wanted to do with the roster."

This past season, Hunter became the second full-time defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy and the fifth wide receiver to win the award. Hunter's 15 touchdown catches were tied for second most in the FBS, and his four interceptions were tied for third most in the Big 12. His 1,481 snaps in 2024 were nearly 300 more than any player in the FBS.

A three-year player in college, Hunter began his career at FCS Jackson State in the 2022 season before following coach Deion Sanders to Colorado, where he played the past two seasons.

In Cleveland, Graham joins a defensive front that is headlined by 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Cleveland this offseason released starting defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson but signed Maliek Collins. Mike Hall, a 2024 second-round pick, is rehabbing a significant knee injury that is expected to sideline him until training camp.

ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi contributed to this report.

The New York Giants landed a player Thursday night who they hope will be their next great pass rusher.

A few hours later, they also took a swing for their potential franchise quarterback.

After selecting Penn State star Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft, the Giants traded back into the first round later Thursday to pick Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25.

The Giants traded the No. 34 overall pick, the No. 99 pick and a third-round selection in 2026 to the Houston Texans to move up nine spots for Dart, who will join a quarterback room that already includes Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.

Carter, meanwhile, joins a defensive front that includes Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Bobby Okereke.

Moments after selecting Carter, Giants general manager Joe Schoen announced that New York was going to exercise defensive end Thibodeaux's fifth-year option, ending speculation that the former first-round pick could be on the move via a trade.

Schoen, after the Carter pick, also hinted that the Giants could make another move later in Thursday's first round. Schoen followed through by choosing Dart instead of Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, who also was available.

The Giants spent months scouting Sanders, made multiple trips to Boulder, Colorado, met with him extensively at the Shrine Bowl, and even made him run through a private workout last week for, among others, coach Brian Daboll.

But they opted instead for Dart, who passed for 4,279 yards and 29 touchdowns last season while leading Ole Miss to a 10-3 record. The Giants entered the offseason looking for their quarterback of the future, with owner John Mara declaring it their "No. 1 issue." Now, they think they found one.

The Giants had the option to take Dart or Sanders earlier Thursday at No. 3 but couldn't pass on Carter, who was rated by some teams as the top player in the draft. Carter fits the bill as the kind of blue-chip or generational prospect that Schoen recently said "you don't pass on."

With Carter, the strength of New York's roster became even stronger. The Giants traded for Burns last offseason and selected Thibodeaux at No. 5 in the 2022 draft. Both edge rushers have a double-digit sack season on their résumés.

Carter had 12 sacks last season in his first year playing off the edge at Penn State. He played the previous two seasons at off-ball linebacker and could be deployed in a way similar to how the Dallas Cowboys use star pass rusher Micah Parsons.

The selection sets up the Giants to more closely resemble the glory years teams of the past. All four of their Super Bowl winners were built around defense, specifically a ferocious and deep pass rush.

Jayson Tatum remains listed as doubtful for the Boston Celtics, meaning the reigning NBA champions do not expect him to play Friday when they visit the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of an Eastern Conference first-round series.

Tatum is dealing with a bone bruise in his right wrist, an injury suffered on a hard fall after getting fouled in Game 1 of the series. Tatum did not play in Game 2, when the Celtics prevailed for a 2-0 series lead.

"He's dealing with a severe bone bruise," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said in an interview on Boston radio station 98.5 The Sports Hub. "He's day to day. He's progressively gotten a little bit better each day. [Wednesday] he went through all the protocols and did everything he could possibly do up until the last moment to try to play."

Wednesday's game was the first playoff contest Tatum has missed in his career. He appeared in 114 consecutive postseason games for Boston since joining the franchise in 2017 as the No. 3 pick in the draft.

Tatum is a six-time All-Star, is likely to make an All-NBA team for the fifth time this year and has two Olympic gold medals in addition to being part of the team that won the title for Boston a year ago.

"At the end of the day I know he'll do whatever it takes to put himself in position to play and put our team in position to win," Mazzulla said. "It's kind of who he is and we trust in that."

Mazzulla said he wasn't certain if the injury was the sort that could lead to an extended absence.

"I trust his process, I trust his mindset, I trust the people around him that help put him in position," Mazzulla said in the radio interview. "That's all we can do."

Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists during the regular season, leading the 61-win Celtics in all three categories.

Game 4 is Sunday in Orlando. Game 5, if necessary, would be Tuesday in Boston.