The 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone, and it was not without notable storylines. Cam Ward went No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to select two-way Heisman winner Travis Hunter, and Shedeur Sanders slipped into the fifth round before being taken by the Cleveland Browns. And that is just the beginning.
Before we could blink, DraftKings released its offensive and defensive rookie of the year betting market. Let’s take a look at some notable odds and potential best bets.
Offensive ROY
Ashton Jeanty (+250) and Cam Ward (+350) are the early runaway favorites, representing the only two players with odds below +1000. Since 2010, a quarterback has secured the award eight times, with Jayden Daniels and C.J. Stroud being the most recent winners. That said, the upcoming season may not offer the volume of quarterbacks with enough snaps to warrant the award, as only four were taken in the first four rounds. It is early, but Ward and Tyler Shough (+1000) feel like the only signal-callers with a likely opportunity to start Week 1. Sanders (+2000), Will Howard (+2500), Jaxson Dart (+3500), and Dillon Gabriel (+3500) are much farther down the list.
That opens the door for skill players to steal the award back. Behind Jeanty, Omarion Hampton (+1000) and Travis Hunter (+1000) lead the way. However, there are several attractive names and numbers farther down the board. It is hard to predict May usage for running backs and wide receivers come fall, but this incoming class is loaded with talent and premium draft position. We know Hunter will make an immediate impact in Jacksonville, but we do not yet know on which side of the ball. Tetairoa McMillian (+1500) and TreVeyon Henderson (+1800) are poised to become key parts of their teams’ offenses right away, and that early involvement could be crucial to winning the award. Tight end Colston Loveland (+3000) is getting oddsmakers’ attention as well, even though the position has never won the award.
Best Bet: Ashton Jeanty (+250)
It may not be the flashiest pick, but the Boise State product has the keys to own the running back room and potentially the entire Raider offense this fall. Ranked last in rushing in 2024, Las Vegas averaged just 79.8 rushing yards per game and will happily welcome Jeanty’s services. Jakobi Meyers is also the top receiving option, so it is hard to believe the passing game, led by 34-year-old Geno Smith, will be dominant. Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards in 2024 with Boise State, leading the country by a wide margin. The talent and projected role make it his award to lose.
Undervalued: Quinshon Judkins (+1800)
The former Ole Miss and Ohio State standout was selected with pick No. 36 by the Cleveland Browns. He enters a backfield that has been in flux for a few years and with carries up for grabs. Judkins thrived in a committee backfield in Columbus, so there is real value in betting on him to do the same at the next level. Jeanty may bring more raw talent, but Cleveland is getting a player who succeeded in both the SEC and Big Ten with eye-opening lower-body explosiveness. He is also in a system that suits his strengths well.
Long Shot: Tre Harris (+10000)
Another collegiate transfer who spent time at Ole Miss, Harris is headed to Los Angeles to team up with Justin Herbert. Every year we wonder who Herbert and the Charger offense will prioritize, and Harris could make a strong case alongside Ladd McConkey. Quinten Johnston and Mike Williams struggled with consistency in the passing game, yet Herbert still ranked in the top ten in yards. There is receiving volume up for grabs, and Harris’s deep-ball ability makes him an intriguing bet in an offense that is looking for a true WR2.
Defensive ROY
No surprise here, Abdul Carter (+250) leads the pack. The former Nittany Lion and No. 3 overall pick will slot in nicely with the New York Giants as they look to rebuild their defense. Carter is followed by Jalon Walker (+1000), Travis Hunter (+1200), and Mike Green (+1200). No. 5 overall pick Mason Graham comes in at +1400, but the star defensive tackle may be at a disadvantage, as the position has not won the award since Aaron Donald in 2014. In recent history, linebacker, edge rusher, and cornerback dominate the award. Jared Verse took home the trophy for the Rams in 2024.
Sixteen players have odds between +1000 and +3000, showing both the depth of the defensive class and the uncertainty of rookie roles. College standouts Jahdae Barron (+1800) and Will Johnson (+2800) should have no problem seeing the field for their new squads, making them intriguing options at the defensive back position. Former national champion and current Pittsburgh Steeler Jack Sawyer comes in at +6000.
Best Bet: Travis Hunter (+1200)
The aggressiveness Jacksonville showed in drafting the Heisman winner implies their plans to make him a focal point. As mentioned earlier, we are still waiting to find out which side of the ball Hunter will play, but he has always been viewed as a true corner. Betting on his generational talent showing up in year one feels like a worthwhile gamble. Carter gained plenty of attention from his College Football Playoff run, but his spot as the odds leader might be inflated. I will take the bet on the player many consider the most talented in the draft, especially on the side of the ball where he thrives.
Undervalued: James Pearce Jr. (+1600)
Once projected as an early first-rounder, Pearce fell to the Atlanta Falcons at pick No. 26. A strong pass rusher at Tennessee, he tallied 19.5 sacks over three seasons and was often impactful even when it did not show in the stat sheet. Atlanta also drafted linebacker Jalon Walker, so Pearce might be overlooked, but if attention shifts elsewhere in the Falcons’ pass rush, Pearce could make a lot of noise in his rookie year.
Long Shot: David Walker (+10000)
After three seasons at Central Arkansas, Walker racked up 63 tackles for loss and 31 sacks. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round and has already impressed the coaching staff in early reports. At 6-foot-1 and 263 pounds, he is quick, physical, and plays with an edge. There is a path for him to earn early reps, which makes him a trendy value pick.
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1 Comment
by Sarah Guzik
Love this
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