Who will be the No. 1 pick in 2025? Breaking down the initial betting odds
With the 2024 NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror, it’s a good time to take an early look at what the 2025 NFL Draft could look like.
On Sunday morning, DraftKings posted odds for numerous college players to be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft. The list is quarterback-heavy, which makes sense — a quarterback has been taken with the 1st pick in the draft in 6 of the last 7 NFL Drafts.
However, there are also some defensive lineman who could force their way into the conversation over the next year. Here’s a breakdown of where the race to be the No. 1 pick in 2025 currently stands:
Quarterbacks
First, here’s a look at the 5 quarterbacks with the best current odds to go No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft:
QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado (+100)
As of now, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is the clear favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders had no issues transitioning to the Pac-12 last season as he threw for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. He also completed over 69% of his passes on the season.
However, there are some serious concerns about how Sanders’ game could scale up. He frequently held onto the ball for too long last season and doesn’t provide much as a runner. Perhaps Colorado’s offensive line will be better in 2024, which may help with Sanders’ propensity to take sacks (Colorado took a Pac-12 worst 56 sacks in 2023).
QB Carson Beck, Georgia (+300)
The Georgia quarterback may have a better case to go No. 1 overall. Beck was also excellent last year in his first season as a starter, completing 72.4% of his passes for 3,941 yards. He averaged an impressive 9.5 yards per attempt as well.
Beck stands at 6-foot-4 and is probably the highest-floor quarterback prospect in this class. Given that teams usually shoot for upside in the first round, that makes him far from a guarantee to be the top pick in the 2025 draft.
States: NY, NJ, PA, CT, AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NH, OH, OR, TN, VA, WV, WY
QB Quinn Ewers, Texas (+300)
Quinn Ewers has been a top quarterback prospect for years now, and he certainly could end up being the No. 1 QB prospect in this upcoming class. Last season, Ewers threw for 3,479 and 22 touchdowns in 12 games.
He’ll now return to UT for his 3rd season as a starter in Austin. At 6-foot-3, Ewers has a big arm and has proven to be very accurate during his time with the Longhorns. If he takes another big step forward in 2024, he could easily be the top quarterback off the board in the 2025 draft.
QB Drew Allar, Penn State (+850)
The Penn State signal caller had an up-and-down season for the Nittany Lions in 2023. Allar is a long-shot to be the top quarterback taken next year, and may ultimately not even end up in this draft class. Allar averaged just 6.5 yards per attempt last season and isn’t a threat as a runner, so he’d need to take a massive step forward in order to get into this conversation.
Allar should benefit from Penn State hiring new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki this offseason and he will have another year of experience under his belt. At 6-foot-6, Allar also has great size for a first-round quarterback.
QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama (+950)
Jalen Milroe is an elite athlete who will need to take steps forward as a passer in order to be in consideration for the top pick next spring. Fortunately for Milroe, there may not be a better spot in the country for him to show off his improvements than in Kalen DeBoer’s system in Tuscaloosa.
Even if Milroe isn’t the best pure passer of this group in 2024, his athleticism and running ability give him a safe floor. He rushed for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. If Milroe can improve his downfield accuracy, it’s not too much of a stretch that some teams may prefer his skillset at the top of next year’s draft.
Other notables: Jaxson Dart (+1200), Cameron Ward (+1500), Conner Weigman (+2000) and Garrett Nussmeier (+4000).
States: NY, NJ, PA, CT, AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NH, OH, OR, TN, VA, WV, WY
Non-quarterbacks
Here are the 3 non-quarterbacks with the best current odds to go No. 1 overall:
DL Mykel Williams, Georgia (+1500)
Mykel Williams has the best odds of any non-quarterback to be taken at No. 1 next spring. Williams has elite prospect pedigree as a former 5-star recruit. In a class that lacks an elite quarterback prospect, Williams could prove to be an attractive option at No. 1 — especially if a team that has recently invested in a QB prospect ends up with the top spot.
Last year, Williams recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks while proving himself as one of the most disruptive defensive players in the conference. He’s currently listed at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds.
DL Patrick Payton, Florida State (+1800)
Patrick Payton was a big part of why Florida State was able to start 13-0 last season. He finished the year with 7 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, making him one of the most productive defensive linemen in the country in 2023.
Payton likely did benefit from being on the same defensive line as Jared Verse over the past two seasons. It will be worth watching to see what happens to his production with Verse now in the NFL. If Payton can handle the added attention from opposing offensive lines, it will put him in good position to be a top pick in the 2025 draft.
DL JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State (+2000)
JT Tuimoloau is also on the shortlist amongst defensive players to be the top pick in 2025. A former 5-star prospect, Tuimoloau is entering his 4th season with the Buckeyes. At his best, Tuimoloau is a game-wrecker. He has 22 tackles for loss and 12 sacks during his Ohio State career.
Other notables: James Pearce Jr. (+2000), Harold Perkins Jr. (+2000) and Travis Hunter (+2200).
States: NY, NJ, PA, CT, AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NH, OH, OR, TN, VA, WV, WY
Want to bet on college football during the offseason? Win totals and national championship futures have been posted by numerous top online sports books! Here’s all the info you need on betting apps for real money and how you can earn a first-deposit bonus by signing up today!
“As of now, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is the clear favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.”
I’ll put $500 on that to NOT be the case.
Gotta be Carson Beck if kept healthy.
Also, Heisman Award winner.
There is no way to determine who will win the Heisman. So many variables to deal with. Beck is a very good QB no doubt.
It’d be a little hard to win the Heisman with only 4 wins.
Ron…Agreed. Yes Shadeur can provide “Flash Moments” of grandeur.
But as an NFL GM I want a Quarterback that is consistently good, which draws me to Carson Beck(who has excelled in the SEC). Beck’s the type of QB who will not lose games for a team. He’s got my vote.
Frankly I have not seen Ewers play enough to comment.
You can bet everything you own it won’t be Mertz.
Vols?
A VOLS QB ? You jest I’m sure. Nico’s upside is immense talent but unproven in the SEC. Played very little in 2023 so very little game experience. But the Vol fans believe(just as they did on Milton) that
one(1) Bowl Game crowns him a Superstar.