The race to be the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is heating up with some intriguing developments over the past week. Miami’s standout quarterback Cam Ward, along with Colorado’s dynamic duo of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the versatile Travis Hunter, have all been vying for the prestigious No. 1 draft spot.
Ward, celebrated as the ACC Player of the Year and a Heisman Trophy finalist, has been leading the pack. Known for his record-breaking prowess, Ward smashed the college football record for career touchdown passes. This past season, he dazzled with 39 touchdown passes, leading the nation, and threw for 4,313 yards, placing second in the country.
Three teams currently holding the top picks—Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants—are each in the market for a promising new quarterback. But as of Tuesday, the betting odds have become a lot more interesting, according to BET MGM’s John Ewing. Ward, once comfortably at the top, now sees his odds trickling down to +105.
Enter Penn State’s defensive juggernaut, Abdul Carter. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 252 pounds, Carter has emerged as a formidable contender for the top draft spot. He’s coming off a phenomenal season with the Nittany Lions, who clinched an impressive record with 13 wins, marching into the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Carter has been nothing short of sensational. Earning unanimous All-American honors and being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, he posted jaw-dropping numbers: 24 tackles for loss (the best in the nation), 12 sacks, along with two forced fumbles and four pass breakups. Initially tagged with +2,200 odds for the No. 1 pick, Carter’s odds skyrocketed to +600 last week, and as of Tuesday, they sit at a tantalizing +180.
For those keeping close tabs on draft prospects, this surge might not come as a surprise. Both ESPN and NFL Network have highlighted Carter as the draft’s top overall prospect. Adding an extra twist to the unfolding drama, Titans’ president of football operations Chad Brinker hinted that the franchise isn’t locked on drafting a quarterback first.
“We’re going to look at all avenues as far as that No. 1 pick,” Brinker stated during the introduction of general manager Mike Borgonzi. “But we won’t pass on a generational talent with the first pick in the NFL draft.”
While these betting odds and expert evaluations offer a snapshot of what might unfold on draft night, there’s still a ways to go with several pivotal events lined up. The Senior Bowl, NFL combine, and various Pro Days will play significant roles in shaping the final decision. The combine is set for February 27 to March 2, preceding the much-anticipated NFL Draft, which will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 24-26.
