In the latest buzz from the world of NFL draft prospects, there’s been a seismic shift in the race for the coveted No. 1 overall pick for the 2025 NFL Draft. Miami’s standout quarterback Cam Ward is still leading the pack, but Penn State’s formidable edge rusher Abdul Carter is closing the gap in a major way.
Ward has been making waves throughout college football, capturing the ACC Player of the Year and earning a spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist. His record-breaking college career has been nothing short of spectacular, boasting the most career touchdown passes in history. In 2024 alone, Ward led the nation with 39 passing touchdowns and was second with 4,313 passing yards. With the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants each sitting in the top three picks and all in the market for a quarterback, Ward’s skills are certainly in the spotlight.
However, it seems Carter is making his presence unavoidable. The 6-foot-3, 252-pound dynamo had a stellar season with Penn State, leading them to a record 13 wins and a berth in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Named a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Carter racked up a jaw-dropping 24 tackles for loss (first nationally), 12 sacks, and showed his versatility with two forced fumbles and four pass breakups. His odds have shifted dramatically – from opening at +2,200 to currently sitting at a tantalizing +180.
This surge in Carter’s odds isn’t coming out of the blue. Major analysts, including those at ESPN and NFL Network, have been touting him as the top prospect overall. Adding more fuel to the fire, Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker hinted at a wider scope for their top pick strategy. “We’re going to look at all avenues as far as that No. 1 pick,” Brinker commented. “But we won’t pass on a generational talent with the first pick in the NFL draft.”
Of course, the journey to draft night is packed with twists and turns. The Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and Pro Days are still ahead, each promising to add layers of complexity and intrigue to the process. So while the odds offer a glimpse into what might unfold, it’s all part of the unpredictable magic that makes the NFL Draft a must-watch event. Packers fans and football enthusiasts had better mark those calendars for April 24-26, when the draft heads to the historic field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
