- NCAA. Deion Jr. destroys Shedeur Sanders' critics with just three words, ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft
- NCAA. Travis Hunter's frustration: Cam Ward rises in the Draft, leaving a Heisman star behind
Shedeur Sanders can kiss goodbye to being the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft-or so the bettors say. According to the latest odds from sportsbooks, the clear favorite to be this year's first pick is none other than Cam Ward.
Ward's draft stock has been on a meteoric rise since he declared for this year's draft. In January, the Miami Hurricanes standout was a +450 underdog to be the first pick, compared to the +300 odds offered for Shedeur Sanders, the son of legendary Deion Sanders.
However, constant controversy surrounding Shedeur and Ward's more low-key profile caused the odds to quickly reverse. By the end of January, Ward's odds had improved to -135, while the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback's odds had dropped to +100.
Ward's odds have since skyrocketed
With the draft just over two weeks away, Ward is now a prohibitive favorite at the sportsbooks. The latest BetMGM report places the former Hurricane at an astonishing -10000. To put this into perspective, betting $100 on Ward would yield just $1 in profit.
Meanwhile, Sanders is no longer even the second favorite to be the No. 1 pick. Currently, linebacker Abdul Carter trails Ward with odds of +2500, followed by cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter at +4000. Sanders is fourth at +6000, and quarterback Jaxson Dart rounds out the top five at +30000.
What the analysts say
Most analysts agree with the oddsmakers. The latest mock draft from Yahoo Sports experts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald predicts the Tennessee Titans will select Ward at No. 1, the Cleveland Browns will take Hunter at No. 2, and Sanders will fall to No. 21, landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However, nothing is set in stone. Ultimately, only the teams know who they will select when their turn comes, and last-minute trades can upend even the most meticulous analysis and well-planned parlay. For fans, the best course of action is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.