Social Media Winners of the 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft wasn’t just a showcase for future talent on the field, but also a battleground for digital dominance. Teams have increasingly used social media to connect with fans, build hype, and maximize their draft-day impact. By analyzing engagement metrics like impressions, social value, and content volume, we can better understand which teams came out on top in the social media game.

Let’s dive into the day-by-day breakdown to see which teams won the social media race during the 2025 NFL Draft.

Day 1: Giants Lead the Charge

On Day 1, the New York Giants dominated the digital space. With 145 posts, the Giants generated an astonishing 33.9 million impressions, translating to a social value of $1.25 million. Their social strategy revolved around high-engagement content that capitalized on key draft moments, like their pick announcement, fan reactions, and highlights from their war room.

Why the Giants Succeeded:

  • High-Impact Draft Picks: The excitement surrounding the Giants’ early picks helped fuel engagement, with fans reacting quickly and sharing posts related to key moments.
  • Fan Engagement: The team incorporated real-time reactions and fan shoutouts in their posts, increasing interaction and building community buzz
  • Visual Content: Behind-the-scenes footage and live reaction videos from the war room helped humanize the brand, making fans feel involved in the draft process.

Despite strong performances from other teams, the Giants’ well-rounded approach to content and engagement kept them ahead, making them the most successful team on Day 1.

Giants’ Most Valuable Day 1 Post:

Social Value: $40,502

Brand Value for Moody’s: $17,765

Notable Mentions:

  • The Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars had more targeted posts and effective content strategies. The Eagles, for instance, leveraged a lot of video content and fan reactions, while the Jaguars capitalized on high-quality graphics and their draft board.
  • The Dallas Cowboys also kept the buzz alive with a consistent flow of content, but they focused more on fan interaction and less on pure post volume.

Day 2: Jaguars Surge to the Top

Day 2 saw the Jacksonville Jaguars soar to the top of the social media leaderboard. Their focused approach on 131 posts led to 28.4 million impressions, generating a social value of $1.5 million. While not as aggressive in post volume as the Giants on Day 1, the Jaguars’ Day 2 content was highly impactful, leveraging key draft moments to create more personalized fan connections.

Why the Jaguars Excelled:

  • Tailored Content: The Jaguars featured a mix of personalized content, including player introductions, team reactions, and highlight clips that spoke directly to their fan base.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Content: They shared exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, giving fans a glimpse into the team’s draft strategy and the excitement of selecting new players. This gave the content an exclusive feel, which increased engagement.
  • Fan-Centered Posts: The Jaguars put a heavy emphasis on fan reactions and user-generated content, encouraging fans to share their thoughts and predictions throughout the day.

Jaguars’ Most Valuable Day 2 Post:

Social Value: $161,608

Notable Mentions:

  • The New York Giants and New England Patriots remained strong on Day 2 with more posts, but the Jaguars’ content resonated deeper with fans due to its mix of exclusivity and reliability.
  • The Miami Dolphins also saw notable success due to their timely engagement with local communities and fan groups, using influencer collaborations and regional fanbase interactions to build momentum.

Day 3: Browns and Steelers Close Strong

Day 3 saw the Cleveland Browns take the crown, thanks to 155 posts, 40.9 million impressions, and a social value of $1.86 million. Their strategy focused on building narratives around late-round picks, and they maximized fan involvement with a series of emotionally charged posts that celebrated the future of the franchise.

Why the Browns Dominated:

  • Emotional Storytelling: The Browns nailed the emotional appeal, focusing on late-round picks with inspiring backstories. This generated not just engagement, but also a sense of fan loyalty.
  • Post-Draft Reflections: They posted reflection videos and Q&A sessions, which made fans feel involved in the broader conversation about the team’s vision.
  • Video Content: A mix of highlight reels and player intro videos kept fans engaged, showcasing the team’s picks while also playing into the anticipation and excitement of the day.

Browns’ Most Valuable Day 3 Post:

Social Value: $100,324

Notable Mentions:

  • While slightly behind the Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a strong showing with 127 posts, leading to 25.3 million impressions and a social value of $1.28 million. The Steelers strategically used the day to amplify their draft picks through posts that balanced player highlights with community engagement.
  • The Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts also closed Day 3 with impressive content strategies, although their focus was more on fan engagement and community-oriented content rather than player-centric highlights.

Key Takeaways

Consistency Was Key:

  • Teams like the Giants, Patriots, and Cowboys demonstrated that a steady flow of high-quality content throughout the draft can maintain fan engagement and maximize social value. Their consistent posting kept the conversation alive across all three days.

Quality Over Quantity:

  • While some teams posted more frequently, Jacksonville and Cleveland proved that impactful, targeted content can generate immense social value. By focusing on personal narratives and fan-driven engagement, they were able to capture attention without flooding timelines.

Emotional Connection Drives Engagement:

  • Teams that leaned into emotional storytelling, such as the Browns and Steelers, found a way to resonate with fans beyond the game. This emotional depth in the content created a more engaged audience, which in turn contributed to higher social value.

Conclusion

The 2025 NFL Draft proved that social media strategy has become just as important as draft strategy for teams. While the focus is always on the players, the real-time buzz and connection created on digital platforms cannot be overlooked. As teams prepare for future drafts, the insights gained from the success of the Giants, Jaguars, Browns, and others will shape the way teams approach fan engagement and brand building. Social media dominance is no longer just about content volume; it’s about the stories you tell, the way you engage, and how you make your fans feel a part of the journey.