2025 NFL Draft Early Odds: QBs Lead Best Bets
Linemen Also Among Top Choices
It is never too early to bet on anything, so less than a week after the 2024 NFL Draft was completed, we have the 2025 NFL Draft early odds for the possible No. 1 overall selection.
And much like this year’s draft, the top prospects for next year’s draft, at least in the early going, are also quarterbacks.
Of course, it’s very early, and much like a list of potential Heisman Trophy candidates, the players that have the ball in their hands the most are going to get the early hype.
The 2024 NFL Draft had three quarterbacks at the top of it and six signal-callers selected in the first 12 picks, and next year’s draft could have that same kind of run at the position.
A lot will change between now and this time next year, including the NFL draft order to be set based on the 2024 regular-season results.
But let’s take an early look at some of the early odds for who will be greeted by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell next April in Green Bay.
Quarterbacks Getting Good Odds
Possibly the easiest bet you could make right now on the 2025 NFL Draft would be the position of the No. 1 overall pick.
Looking at FanDuel, quarterback has odds of -195 for that bet, while any other position is listed at +150. That shows how many potential No. 1 picks play under center.
A trio of quarterbacks hold the best early odds to be the first pick, with Colorado’s Shadeur Sanders, Georgia’s Carson Beck and Texas’ Quinn Ewers each listed at +500.
Sanders will be an interesting player to watch, as the Buffaloes jumped out to a fast start last season, garnering national attention, only to finish 4-8. Colorado will also be playing in the Big 12 this NCAAF season, so picking up wins could be difficult.
Sanders also has the advantage of having a famous father in his coach, Deion Sanders, who will certainly get the attention of NFL scouts and teams looking for good storylines as well.
Beck played well in his first season as the starter for Georgia, but the Bulldogs came up short of the College Football Playoff, losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.
Beck finished with 3,941 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in 2023, and if the Bulldogs are on the national stage again in the CFP, he could build up his reputation that much more.
The case for Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers will depend on if he can hold onto his starting job. Arch Manning, the son of Cooper Manning and nephew of NFL greats Peyton and Eli Manning, had a lot of hype coming to the Longhorns, and if Ewers struggles, Manning could be inserted into the lineup.
Ewers did finish with 3,479 passing yards and 22 touchdowns in 2023, leading the Longhorns to their first-ever appearance in the CFP, but his draft stock will be contingent on performing well again this season.
Other quarterbacks near the top of the early list of possible No. 1 picks are Washington State’s Cameron Ward (+1700), Penn State’s Drew Allar (+2000) and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe (+2500).
The Other Side Of The Ball
Not every draft is like this one, when the need for quarterbacks aligns perfectly with the supply of top passers. If you think defense will be the focus of the top pick next season, there are a few possibilities for you among the best odds.
After the three quarterbacks with the top early odds, defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. is listed at +900 to be next year’s top selection. A good pass rusher can help NFL teams get better NFL point spreads, and Pearce should be one of the best in the country this season.
As a sophomore, he had 9.5 sacks, forced two fumbles and had one interception, which he returned 52 yards for a touchdown.
A couple of defensive linemen also garnering early odds for possibly being the top pick are Texas A&M’s Walter Nolen and Georgia’s Mykel Williams, both listed at +2500.
Intriguing Two-Way Pick
There haven’t been many two-way threats in college football, much less one that could be the No. 1 overall pick.
But Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter might be able to do just that according to some NFL predictions.
The junior was a standout on both sides of the ball for the Buffaloes last season, and if Colorado makes some noise nationally, he’ll definitely be a top draw this season as well.
Hunter had 31 tackles (23 solo), five passes defensed and three interceptions in 2023, making him a top prospect in the secondary.
Hunter also had 57 catches for 721 yards and five touchdowns. The problem there is the physical hits he takes, including one that lacerated his liver and caused him to miss almost a month last season.
NFL teams would likely want Hunter to play only one position at the next level, but his versatility could be something that draws teams to rank him among the best players in next year’s draft.
The 2025 NFL Draft early odds have him listed at +2000 to be the first overall selection. But like the storylines of all the players mentioned here and across the country, there is a lot of football to be played before the final draft order is set and the selections are made.
For NFL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
