It was never in doubt that USC quarterback Caleb Williams was going to be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams became the favorite the moment he experienced a breakout Heisman-winning campaign in 2022, throwing for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns. Williams maintained that momentum throughout the 2023 season and was always the written-in-pen top overall pick.
The 2025 NFL Draft is approximately a calendar year away, but unlike its 2024 iteration, it currently does not feature an overwhelming favorite to be the first player drafted. DraftKings recently responded by updating their betting odds. Several exciting contenders are listed throughout. The options are as follows:
Shedeur Sanders (+300)
Carson Beck (+500)
Quinn Ewers (+600)
James Pearce Jr. (+800)
Mykel Williams (+1000)
Will Campbell (+2000)
Travis Hunter (+2000)
Mason Graham (+2000)
Jalen Milroe (+2000)
Cameron Ward (+2200)
THE FAVORITE: SHEDEUR SANDERS, QB, COLORADO
Shedeur Sanders proved he could play on college football's biggest stages after transferring from Jackson State to Colorado for the 2023 campaign. In his first season playing Power Five ball, Sanders completed 69.3% of his passing attempts for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns. A quarterback with dual-threat ability, Jackson added four rushing touchdowns to his offensive totals.
Sanders is an accurate thrower who displays high-level ball placement. It's going to be worth monitoring Sanders' physical and professional development throughout the upcoming campaign. His style of play and leadership won't be for everybody. If Sanders takes the desired step forward in all facets of his game, he'll garner serious consideration for No. 1 overall.
THE NO. 1 CONTENDER: CARSON BECK, QB, GEORGIA
Carson Beck played sporadically for the Georgia Bulldogs from 2020 to 2022, impressing in short spurts. Beck finally received his opportunity to step into the starting gig this past season. The Jacksonville, Florida native did not disappoint, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 24 touchdowns. With a year of high-level experience under his belt, Beck is expected to take another step forward in 2024.
Beck placed in the top five among all FBS quarterbacks in adjusted completion rate and average time to throw, per Pro Football Focus. Beck is a rhythm-and-timing thrower with pinpoint accuracy. I'm not convinced a quarterback will be the first player drafted in 2025, but if that's how things shake out, Beck is my personal favorite.
MY PICK: JAMES PEARCE JR., EDGE, TENNESSEE
It's early, but the current crop of quarterback prospects doesn't inspire a ton of confidence in me. That leads me to believe that another premium position, say an offensive tackle or edge defender, could be the first player drafted. Color me intrigued by Tennessee Volunteers defensive end James Pearce Jr.
Pearce Jr. is a long and explosive threat who came screaming off the edge to record 8.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss this season. He was the SEC's highest-graded defensive end by PFF, earning an elite 86.7 grade. Pearce Jr.'s 92.4 pass-rush grade was the second-highest in all of Power Five football, trailing just UCLA's Laiatu Latu, who was the first defensive player drafted in 2024.
