The NFL Draft is this Thursday, and Cam Ward is the prohibitive favourite to go first overall.
The latest: Nobody is rushing to label any of the quarterbacks in this class as generational, but Ward has emerged as the Tennessee Titans’ man. Top talents like Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter are the logical non-QB pivots if there were to be a shock on April 24.
Here are the latest NFL draft odds as of April 21.
NFL draft odds: No. 1 pick
Check out the latest odds for the NFL No. 1 overall pick. Click linked odds to add selection to your betslip.
| Player | Odds (April 21) | Odds (March 30) |
| Cam Ward | -10,000 | -1,667 |
| Abdul Carter | +2,000 | +800 |
| Travis Hunter | +3,000 | +1,600 |
| Shedeur Sanders | +5,000 | +4,000 |
| Mason Graham | +8,000 | +8,000 |
| Armand Membou | +8,000 | +8,000 |
NFL draft odds as of 11:22 a.m. on 04/21/25
Best NFL draft odds
The favourite: Cam Ward (-10,000)
There was no clear first-overall pick entering the 2024 college football season.
But Ward’s play gave him as good a case as any to hear his name called at the top of the 2025 draft.
The Miami Hurricanes quarterback built on a solid junior campaign with a terrific showing as a senior. He completed 67.2% of his passes and led the ACC with:
- 39 passing TDs (also led FBS)
- 9.5 yards per attempt
- 172.2 passing efficiency rating
Ward also did a fantastic job taking care of the football, throwing only seven interceptions for the second consecutive campaign.
His stellar play resulted in team success for the Hurricanes, too, as he led his squad to a 9-0 start. Miami lost three of four games to close out the year, but it wasn’t because of Ward. The quarterback threw 10 touchdowns to one interception during that stretch.
The Titans need a quarterback, and all signs point to them going with Ward.
According to Adam Schefter on Monday, Tennessee turned down a trade package with the New York Giants, who were looking to acquire the top pick.
Other choices to go No. 1 overall
Abdul Carter (+2,000): If Tennessee holds onto the top pick and opts for a best-player-available strategy, Carter seems like the logical option.
The All-American edge rusher dominated opposing offensive lines in 2024. In 16 games, he finished with a whopping 12 sacks and an FBS-best 24 tackles for loss.
His strong results earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honours.
Carter recently learned that he has a stress reaction in his right foot, though he’s expected to avoid surgery and participate in Penn State’s pro day on March 28.
Travis Hunter (+3,000): Is Hunter a cornerback or a wide receiver? Coming out of the combine, there isn’t any clarity with that.
Hunter was officially listed as a defensive back during combine week, but his first meeting with a team came as a wide receiver. The Heisman Trophy winner, who didn’t participate in drills at the combine, believes he can be both at the NFL level.
If that turns out to be true, his best fit might be with a team that’s willing to give him a genuine two-way opportunity.
Would the Titans be willing to conduct that experiment? They could certainly use help in the defensive backfield, and head coach Brian Callahan said in late February that it’s “very realistic” for Hunter to play both ways as a pro.
In 2024, Hunter led the Big 12 in receptions (96) and touchdowns (15) while amassing 1,258 receiving yards. Defensively, he tallied four interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
With heightened buzz about Ward, though, Hunter’s odds to go No. 1 have doubled since the combine.
Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.