The 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wis., wrapped up on Saturday. The drama was delivered with quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ high-profile fall from potential first-round pick to the 144th selection to the Cleveland Browns.
But there was no shortage of memorable moments outside of Sanders’ slide, as a new class of college hopefuls turned into NFL rookies. It all started with Commissioner Roger Goodell and Lil Wayne riding around the draft stage on bikes (despite some unsteady turns, nobody fell). Here are some of the 2025 draft’s most memorable moments.
All the feels
Getting drafted is a dream come true for many prospects. Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison had one of the more emotional reactions of the weekend as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him in the second round, 53rd overall.
Morrison’s father, Darryl, played four NFL seasons as a safety for Washington.
But one of the most sentimental stories of the weekend is that of the Bech family. TCU WR Jack Bech was selected 58th by the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday. Bech’s brother, Martin “Tiger” Bech, was one of the 14 people killed in a terrorist attack in the early hours of New Year’s Day on Bourbon Street in New Orleans earlier this year.
Jack has repeatedly honored Tiger, who was an All-Ivy League return specialist at Princeton, throughout the draft process. He has referred to his late brother as his other half and wore Tiger’s No. 7 jersey in February’s Senior Bowl, which he played in exactly one month after Tiger’s death.
“Man, it’s simple: my brother had some wings on me. He gave it to me. And he let that all take place,” Jack Bech told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero after scoring the winning touchdown that day.
Watching Bech celebrate his selection alongside his family on Friday was a great moment.
Don’t miss your call
Draft weekend is a long one; it’s nearly impossible to watch every pick without interruption.
When the Cleveland Browns called Quinshon Judkins to tell the Ohio State RB they would be selecting him with the 36th pick, Judkins’ mom had to answer the phone. His watch party started celebrating, which lured Judkins back to the room to learn his fate with the Browns.
At least it didn’t go to voicemail.
The interview MVP
Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston brought all the good vibes to the green room on Thursday. Before being selected with the 30th pick by the Buffalo Bills, Hairston was shown celebrating with the other green room attendees picked before him, from Travis Hunter to Ashton Jeanty to Shemar Stewart.
“I just stayed positive. Stayed happy. Congratulated all of my brothers who got their name called before me and I was just so excited for them,” Hairston told reporters after. “And the fact that I got to hear my name as well. I don’t care how late it is. It could be 3 a.m. I’ll wait to hear my name, and I’m just ecstatic to be a Buffalo Bill.”
Hairston’s excitement came through in his post-pick interview with NFL Network’s Jamie Erdahl.
“Man, I can’t believe this is going on right now. I’m so thankful. I’m so blessed, man. To hear my name called, it’s truly a dream come true. I give all thanks to God,” Hairston said as he showed the inside of his jacket, which was covered with pictures of his family.
“Let’s get to work, Buffalo!”
Hairston got a great photo with Bills Mafia, too (Josh Allen fat head included).
Celebration companions
Tyler Shough was the first quarterback off the board on Day 2 when the New Orleans Saints picked him with the 40th selection. Shough’s dog, Murphy, couldn’t have been more excited about the pick. He was even repping a Saints bandana during Shough’s TV interview.
Videoing into players’ draft day watch parties can always bring some unexpected programming. Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. was selected with the ninth pick by the New Orleans Saints and amid cheers and hugs of celebration, Kelvin’s infant son Khalil spit up.
Excitement? Nerves? Eh, draft weekend can be a little nauseating for us all.
A rare Day 3 commissioner hug
Coverage of the draft’s green room was limited after the first round, and commissioner Roger Goodell takes a break from announcing picks after Day 1.
But Goodell took the stage for a special announcement on Day 3, as the hometown Green Bay Packers selected Texas edge Barryn Sorrell with the 124th pick. Sorrell reportedly arrived in green room on Friday night and returned on Saturday to hear his name called. Worth the wait.
Family ties
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Washington LB Carson Bruener in the seventh round, 226th overall. Bruener is the son of former Steelers tight end and current scout Mark Bruener, who was a first-round pick in 1995.
Carson took his draft call from his family cabin in Washington, sitting in the same exact seat where his dad was drafted by the Steelers 30 years earlier.
Milestone moments
Plenty of prospects won’t ever forget the day they were drafted. But for new Lions edge Ahmed Hassanein, April 26 is important in more ways than one.
Detroit selected the Boise State product in the sixth round, 196th overall. With the pick, Hassanein became the first-ever Egyptian player drafted to the NFL.
But his day didn’t end there.
Later in the afternoon, Hassenein reshared a photo of himself and his new fiancée. He was wearing the same suit he was shown taking his draft call in.
(Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
