The 2024 NFL Draft concluded on Saturday, with fans of each team optimistic that their incoming draft class will transform their team. But who could potentially lead the way as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft next year?
USC standout Caleb Williams was overwhelming atop most teams’ draft boards for quite some time before the Chicago Bears indeed selected him with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Most draft experts saw this year’s quarterback class as a very good one with supreme talents at the top of the class like Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye.
NFL teams seemingly agreed, valuing the position heavily at the top of the draft with six quarterbacks quickly flying off the board in the first 12 picks of the draft.
That could be because teams thought that the quarterbacks in the 2024 class are supremely talented. But it could also be because the quarterbacks in the 2025 class are not quite as talented on paper…
The likes of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, and Georgia quarterback Carson Beck all will likely hear their name called early in the 2025 NFL Draft. But of these quarterbacks, it is Shedeur who has the early edge to potentially go at No. 1 overall.
Sanders currently sits at even money (+100) on DraftKings Sportsbook to go at first overall in next year’s class, which is currently the lowest odds of any player in college football.
Carson Beck and Quinn Ewers both sit at +300, with the likes of Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (+850), Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (+950), Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart (+1200), and Miami quarterback Cameron Ward (+1500) all trailing closely behind.
The best odds on a non-quarterback to go at No. 1 currently goes to Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams, who is at +1500 to go with the first pick.
Individually, Shedeur Sanders certainly stood out this past season as a player to watch moving forward, throwing for 3,230 yards with 27 touchdowns and three interceptions. But on a team level, Colorado struggled down the stretch, losing the last six games of the season after starting 3-0 en route to a 4-8 overall record.
You would think that Colorado would need to play far better as a team if Sanders is going to have any hope of going No. 1 overall. It’s very rare to see anyone go with the first overall pick in the draft if their team was not at least somewhat successful, especially as a quarterback.
Colorado could certainly exceed expectations next year. But moving to the Big 12 should certainly make things a bit more challenging for them on paper.