
2025 NFL Draft Recap Key Picks and Betting Implications
2025 NFL Draft Recap Key Picks and Betting Implications
By Jason Bolton May 13, 2025 10:30
The 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, concluded with a few notable outcomes. These will affect the teams in the years to come, and they can have an impact on fans and bettors as well. Teams focus mostly on building around young quarterbacks, which is a long-term trend that will continue for several seasons.
In this article, we'll go over some of the most important picks and their implications. According to the Stake review, the sports betting site is one of the gambling platforms at which players can get the best odds which are already updated to reflect the draft.
Cam Ward – QB, Tennessee Titans (1st Overall)
Cam Ward's journey is one for the history books. He started as a zero-star recruit and moved on from Incarnate Word to Washington State and then to Miami. It also signals a shift in the Titans’ approach to strategy. In the future, the team will focus on modern and high-power offense orchestrated by Cam Ward.
Odds and chances for upcoming matches will also be affected by this pick. All of the offensive projects for the Titans will see an increase – this includes points per game, passing yards, and team win totals.
Mason Graham – DT, Cleveland Browns (5th Overall)
The Cleveland Browns made a splash by picking Mason Graham, a dominant defensive tackle, who was the fifth top pick overall. Graham helped Michigan get to the national championship and received All-American honors and a Rose Bowl Defensive MVP award.
Graham will make the Cleveland Browns into a formidable team when it comes to defense, and that will affect the odds for many possible bets – for instance, the over/under bets on Browns games will tend toward the lower end, and there's much of a chance the team will make the playoffs.
Will Campbell – OT, New England Patriots (4th Overall)
The Patriots made a smart and long-term move by picking Will Campbell, who was a fourth pick overall. Campbell is known for his size and physical ability. He was praised as one of the best offensive linemen in his class, and the Patriots really needed to rebuild their offensive line.
Most predict that Campbell won't make the headlines right away and won't affect the betting market for a while. A better offensive line, however, will affect the team's performance overall. The first prop bets to look for are those on passing and rushing yards, as those will show the team is changing.
Colston Loveland – TE, Chicago Bears (10th Overall)
Loveland is a talented tight end coming from Michigan. The Bears decided to pair him with their quarterback, Caleb Williams, and thus, further improved. A good tight end is a perfect weapon in the arsenal of a quarterback, and with his size and athleticism, Loveland fits the profile.
Loveland's effect on the betting odds will be felt pretty quickly. The number of total touchdowns and receptions will definitely change when Loveland is on the field. The team's zone efficiency will also improve, and that, in turn, affects the over/under bets on the total score.
Tetairoa McMillan – WR, Carolina Panthers (8th Overall)
Tetairoa McMillan, known as T-Mac, is a big-play wide receiver from Arizona. He had an amazing junior season with over 1,400 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. For the Panthers, the pick will serve to provide Bruce Young with a weapon on the outside. McMillan also has the ability to line up outside and in the slot.
McMillan will affect the betting odds mostly when it comes to his effect on the offensive statistics. Bettors should especially pay attention to the bets on Young's passing yards and touchdowns since T-Mac will be able to increase those right away.
Shedeur Sanders – QB, Cleveland Browns (144th Overall)
One of the biggest surprises of the draft was that Shedeur Sanders slid to the fifth round even though he was one the players that caused the most buzz. Some have even seen him as the first pick instead of Ward. The hit came due to the concerns about his ability to operate under pressure and how his style of play would translate to the NFL.
This pick will also have little impact on the betting markets, at least right away. However, Sanders may have a chance to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, as there are still very good reasons he was considered for the top spot. It's a long-shot bet, but it may just pay off.
To Sum Up
The NFL draft mostly went as predicted, with a few surprise choices and a few players that weren't picked as expected. A few clear trends are informing this draft. The teams have emphasized quarterbacks and their ability to organize plays. They've also focused on younger quarterbacks with plans to organize offensive lines around them for seasons to come.
Some of the picks will take years to have an impact on bets and odds, while odds will show their qualities right away, and the odds already reflect that.