Tag: 2025 NFL Draft

Betting odds for Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel to be No. 1 pick in 2025 NFL Draft

Can Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel go No. 1 overall in 2025? Betting odds have been released for the occasion.

The 2024 NFL Draft just came to a close over the weekend, but that hasn’t stopped any college football fans from looking forward and projecting what the top of the 2025 draft may look like.

While there are a ton of mock drafts that have been released for next year that feature a number of Oregon Ducks who have the chance to extend the team’s first-round streak, it’s a different conversation when it comes to who might be the first overall pick.

In all likelihood, it will be a quarterback who is taken at No. 1 overall since that is the most important position in the sport. So what are the chances that Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel can be the first overall pick next year? That’s a betting line that FanDuel Sportsbook released this past weekend.

According to FanDuel, Gabriel has +12000 odds to be the first pick, which is the 34th highest in the nation. At the top of the list is Colorado Buffaloes QB Shedeur Sanders, followed by Georgia Bulldogs QB Carson Beck.

While Gabriel enters the 2024 season as one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy, it’s fair to question what his draft stock will be next year due to his size. Standing at just 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, Gabriel is smaller than your typical NFL quarterback, where a prototypical passer is around 6-foot-1 or taller. We have seen smaller QBs succeed at the next level— both Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson are under 5-foot-11 — but they need to be electric at the college level in order to be the No. 1 overall pick, and a Heisman Trophy victory is almost a prerequisite.

None of that is to say that Gabriel can’t be the No. 1 overall pick, but he would need a historic season in order to do so.

[gambcom-standard rankid=“3006″ ]

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Nic Anderson among Pro Football Network’s top wideouts for 2025 NFL draft

Nic Anderson is receiving early love for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Oklahoma did not have a single skill player drafted in this year’s NFL draft, but Pro Football Network expects that to change for 2025.

We’re not even a week removed from the end of the 2024 NFL draft, but Pro Football Network is already at work crafting its way-too-early rankings for each position for next year’s draft.

After this year’s historic and talent-laden wide receiver group, next year may look underwhelming overall, but there’s still plenty of talent to be had next April. Fortunately, the Sooners have a player that is already considered one of the best at his position a year ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. Nic Anderson.

Redshirt sophomore receiver Nic Anderson checks in at No. 5 in Pro Football Network’s WR rankings. Anderson will be draft-eligible after this season, and the pass catcher is a rising star in college football.

Last season Anderson reeled in 38 catches for 798 yards and ten touchdowns. He was a touchdown-scoring machine and a big play threat every time he took the field.

His excellent speed, long strides, and ability to make things happen after the catch make him an enticing prospect. Size-wise, he stands 6-foot-4 and clocks in at 210 pounds.

Anderskn will likely need to showcase improved route running and an enhanced focus on reeling in routine catches. Still, it’s impossible not to see the tools and why draft analysts may be salivating at what Anderson can become over the next year.

Jackson Arnold will play a pivotal role in how Anderson looks to scouts this upcoming year. The sophomore quarterback is set to enter his first season as the starting quarterback. It will be interesting to see what rapport Arnold builds with Anderson as the season kicks off. Early in 2023, the two seemed to work well together, connecting on a number of deep balls, including this touchdown against Tulsa. They also hooked up for a highlight reel touchdown in Arnold’s first start during the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on X @thatmanbryant.

Saints might get a compensatory draft pick in 2025 after all

The New Orleans Saints might get a compensatory draft pick in 2025 after all. But it’s far from a sure thing, and all things considered, it’s pretty low stakes:

Could the New Orleans Saints finally have a full assortment of picks in the 2025 NFL draft? They rejected temptation and didn’t trade away any of next year’s picks in the 2024 draft, only using a couple of current-year picks to move up in Round 2 for cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

It’s a good thing, too. The Saints already traded their pick in the seventh and final round of the 2025 draft along with defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson in 2022. That pick conveyed to the Philadelphia Eagles, who sent back a fifth-round pick in 2023 (which was traded to move up for offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri) as well as a sixth-round pick in 2024 (that became defensive tackle Khristian Boyd). So while the Saints own their picks in the first six rounds, that seventh rounder is going to Philadelphia.

But New Orleans just might get another seventh-round selection to make up for it. Over The Cap’s Nick Korte forecasts the Saints to receive a seventh-round compensatory draft pick in 2025 for losing either cornerback Isaac Yiadom or linebacker Zack Baun in free agency this spring. The deadline for comp pick considerations passed on Monday, April 30, so they’re one step closer.

Of course it isn’t that simple. Depending on which player factors into the comp picks formula, how often Yiadom or Baun is on the field (for the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively) will impact the valuations. Baun was previously ranked higher in Korte’s calculations, but now it’s Yiadom slotting in as the qualifier.

It also depends on other players around the league outplaying the Saints’ qualifiers and bumping them down the ranking. Either way, this is pretty low stakes. The comp pick in question would be the second-to-last pick in the 2025 draft. This year, that was No. 256 overall, just nearly Mr. Irrelevant himself. It would be nice for the Saints to get another comp pick in 2025, replacing the selection traded to the Eagles, but no one should lose sleep over the second-to-last pick.

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Texas QB Quinn Ewers linked to Saints in way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft

Could the Saints select a quarterback once more in 2025? Texas passer Quinn Ewers was cast as a possibility in this way-too-early mock draft:

The New Orleans Saints have been in something of a state of limbo at the quarterback position since the retirement of Drew Brees. From Taysom Hill to Jameis Winston to Derek Carr, things have not worked out to a point of true satisfaction in the quest to replace an NFL legend — or even have someone consistently competent under center.

Now the Saints have drafted a quarterback for two consecutive seasons, taking Fresno State product Jake Haener last year and South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler in 2024. While Haener has shown promise at times and Rattler provides reason for optimism after the way he turned things around at South Carolina — despite poor pass-protection and a supporting cast that was nothing to write home about — neither of them should keep the Saints from drafting a quarterback high if they’re picking near the top of 2025’s first round.

Until any of these prospects fully prove themselves as the Saints’ signal-caller of the future, the jury is still out. So much so that Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy has the Saints picking Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers at No. 11 overall in his way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft.

If the Saints are picking this highly next year, it’s safe to assume things didn’t pan out with Carr at quarterback in 2024, in addition to multiple other areas. Ewers has shown some upside, coming up just short of leading his team to a national title game appearance in December.

Ewers earned praise for his overall accuracy and ball placement, though some scouts have questioned his ability to maintain his mechanics on the run and perform under pressure. How he addresses these things, where his stock ultimately stands on draft day, and if he indeed is a Saint by this time next year will all be things to watch moving forward. There’s a possibility he ends up being a match for New Orleans in 2025.

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UGA’s Mykel Williams, Carson Beck first-two overall picks in 2025 NFL mock draft

NFL analyst projects Mykel Williams and Carson Beck to come off the board first in 2025 NFL draft…

Georgia football sent eight players through the 2024 NFL draft over the weekend, the lowest number of Bulldogs taken since 2021 (9).

Considering the returning talent UGA possesses on its 2024 roster, the 2025 NFL draft is shaping up to possibly contend with Georgia’s own draft record of 15 selections in 2022. More than 20 players will have the opportunity to declare, including underclassmen headed into their third season of eligibility.

Although its very early, one of the most intriguing 2025 NFL mock drafts comes from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. He has Georgia edge defender Mykel Williams as the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers, followed by Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck at No. 2 overall to the Tennessee Titans.

Brugler writes of Williams:

“At this time last year, it was easy to put together the top of my mock, with stars like Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. But the 2025 draft class doesn’t have that type of established star power, leaving the No. 1 pick wide-open.

A toolsy prospect, Williams’ 2023 tape doesn’t show consistency, but there are high highs, including what he did in the bowl game against Florida State.”

Brugler writes of Beck:

“If the Titans are drafting this high next April, the organization might be re-examining its quarterback situation.

In his first year as a starter, Beck got consistently better with each performance and put some beautiful throws on tape. He enters the season as the quarterback scouts like the most.”

It’s not crazy to think that Williams and Beck will hear their names called early next spring. However, it would be surprising for Georgia to produce the first two picks of the seven-round event.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker is the last No. 1 overall pick to come out of Athens (2022). The Dawgs have never had the first two overall picks.

Additionally, Brugler has Georgia safety Malaki Starks going No. 12 to the Indianapolis Colts and offensive tackle Earnest Greene II taken by the Cleveland Browns at pick No. 16.

Georgia produced five first-round picks in 2022. We could see a similar mark in the 2025 NFL draft.

Jalen Milroe appears in way-too-early 2025 NFL mock draft

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is already drawing first-round grades for the 2025 NFL draft.

Alabama Crimson Tide football quarterback Jalen Milroe worked his way from a Week 3 benching to receiving Heisman Trophy votes in the 2023 season. In the upcoming season, he will face many challenges and will be watched closely by NFL scouts and coaches.

Though the 2024 NFL draft recently came to a close, fans and analysts are already looking ahead to the 2025 class. One mock draft features Milroe as the quarterback of the future for a recent Super Bowl winner.

According the a 2025 NFL mock draft done by Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News, Milroe is projected to be selected No. 19 overall to the Los Angeles Rams.

“Milroe can be the latest Crimson Tide QB to develop first-round stock, and he could help Sean McVay change gears a bit from pocket maestro Matthew Stafford to a strong-armed dual threat who can keep improving his overall accuracy,” writes Iyer.

While there may be a few things Milroe can work on over the course of the upcoming 2024 college football season, there are a lot of parts of his game that would draw significant interest from NFL teams. With improved short-ball accuracy and quicker decision-making, Milroe could quickly rise up draft boards.

In this mock, Milroe would be a fresh face for a franchise that traded for Matthew Stafford and quickly won a Super Bowl just a few years ago. As things stand, this wouldn’t be a bad place for him to start his professional career.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football and players that could draw interest for the distant 2025 NFL draft.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Saints pick Colorado superstar Travis Hunter in way-too-soon 2025 mock draft

Way-too-early mock drafts work better as a college football watch list than real predictions for the 2025 NFL draft. But the Saints made hay in this projection:

Way-too-early mock drafts are more useful as a college football watch list than real predictions, and with the 2024 NFL draft behind us a lot of attention is already turning to the 2025 NFL draft — premature as that may seem.

So who is being linked to the New Orleans Saints? We don’t even know where they’ll be picking, but using the latest Super Bowl odds for draft order has them at No. 9 overall. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler shared his one-year-away forecast, which has the Saints picking Colorado two-way superstar Travis Hunter:

Cornerback or wide receiver? Hunter is at his most dangerous with the ball in his hands, so there is a good chance we see him drafted for offense. He routinely turns short catches into long gains.

Hunter is one of the standouts for Deion Sanders’ program along with his son Shedeur Sanders, the team’s starting quarterback (who Brugler has being picked later in the first round next year). There aren’t many players like him who can play both wideout and corner at such a high level. Last year, Sanders recorded 592 snaps on defense and intercepted 3 passes, breaking up 5 more. He also logged 452 snaps on offense and caught 57 passes for 721 yards, scoring 5 touchdowns.

He would be a good get for the Saints no matter where he ultimately lines up, but they do have a greater need at receiver after investing so many resources in the secondary. Hunter is listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds which is comparable to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, but his playmaking ability overrules any concerns about redundancy with comparable body types.

At the same time… if the Saints are picking high enough to get him next year, there’s a good chance it’s because Derek Carr wasn’t a good fit in Klint Kubiak’s offense, and the team’s season went in the tank because of it. Another talented receiver or corner would be great to have, but if the Saints are picking this high they should look to get a quarterback who can get them back to the playoffs.

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The Athletic’s early 2025 mock sends CB to Jaguars in first round

The Athletic’s early 2025 mock sends a cornerback to the Jaguars in the first round

While the Jaguars selected two cornerbacks throughout the 2024 NFL draft, addressing one of their biggest positional needs by bringing in a duo of defensive backs with varying skill sets in Jarrian Jones and Deantre Prince, the question of whether Jacksonville invested enough into the spot this offseason persists.

In addition to spending third and fifth-round picks on cornerbacks, Jacksonville signed veteran Ronald Darby to a two-year contract in free agency.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler believes the Jaguars need more long-term help on the boundary. In his first “early” 2025 NFL mock draft, Brugler slotted Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke to Jacksonville with the No. 15 overall selection.

The draft order was generated based on current Super Bowl LIX odds from an undisclosed oddsmaker.

“Burke turned down a likely spot in the top 50 of the 2024 class for one more year in Columbus. He can read and drive in the quick game or turn and stay attached to receivers vertically.” — Dane Brugler, The Athletic

The 6-foot-1, 193-pound Burke has recorded 95 tackles with six for loss, two interceptions, 27 passes defended and one forced fumble over 35 appearances with Ohio State, all of which he’s started, dating back to Week 1 of his freshman campaign.

According to Pro Football Focus, Burke has allowed 78 receptions over 151 career targets in coverage, generating a 51.7% catch rate.

Brugler’s long-term assessment of Jacksonville’s cornerback room is valid as Darby and fellow starting corner, Tyson Campbell, are not currently set to be under contract with the Jaguars beyond the 2024 campaign.

Campbell, Jacksonville’s second-round pick in 2021, became eligible for a contract extension this offseason. He’s produced 203 tackles with six for loss, six interceptions, 30 passes defended and two forced fumbles in 43 games, including 42 starts.

Darby, who signed with Jacksonville in March after nine seasons with five different teams, has tallied 401 tackles with nine for loss, eight interceptions, 97 pass breakups and one forced fumble over 105 career games and 95 starts.

Find the Jaguars’ 2024 draft class in full below.

Editor’s note; This story has been updated as cornerback Ronald Darby signed a two-year contract with Jacksonville in March, not one year as originally written. Jaguars Wire regrets this error. 

Four Bulldogs players selected in USA TODAY 2025 mock draft

Multiple Georgia Bulldogs players are expected to come off the board in 2025 a way-too-early NFL mock draft

As NFL draft season has reached its conclusion, various outlets have begun publishing way to early mock drafts for next year. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY recently published an early model of what next year could look like, including four Georgia players going in round one.

First off the board for the Dawgs was quarterback Carson Beck, projected to go first overall to the New York Giants. Beck had a great season for the Dawgs a year ago and seems poised to take the next step this year en route to possibly placing himself atop a class that should also feature Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Texas‘ Quinn Ewers.

Next off the board are back to back picks from UGA in safety Malaki Starks at No. 14 to the Colts and edge rusher Mykel Williams at No. 15 to the Jaguars. Starks is widely seen as the best safety in the country heading into this season while Williams is seeking to have a breakout season as he transitions fully to the edge rusher role for Georgia.

The final Bulldog off the board is left tackle Earnest Greene, projected to go 25th overall to the Cleveland Browns. Greene is in his second year as a full-time starter and seeking to follow in the footsteps of Andrew Thomas and Amarius Mims in being selected in the opening round.

Bleacher Report thinks this former Duke quarterback could be a top-10 pick in 2025 NFL Draft

Former Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard was mocked to go No. 10 overall in Bleacher Report’s way-too-early 2025 NFL Mock Draft. 

Bleacher Report released a way-too-early 2025 NFL Mock Draft on Monday, and their scouting department thinks former Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard could go early.

Leonard went 10th overall to the New Orleans Saints in the projection.

The quarterback played three seasons at Duke before he transferred to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this offseason.

Leonard only appeared in seven games in 2023 after he suffered an ankle injury against the Fighting Irish during the fifth game of the season. He tried to come back against Florida State three weeks later, but he had to leave the game after aggravating the injury. He threw 39 passes over the final seven regular-season games.

He finished the season with 1,102 passing yards, three touchdown passes, and three interceptions. He also had a 58% completion percentage.

When Leonard was last fully healthy, as a sophomore in 2022, he threw for 2,967 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just six picks across 13 games. He completed 64% of his passes that year and averaged 7.6 yards per attempt.

This past March, he underwent a second surgery on his ankle after his transfer to Notre Dame. Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said he would miss the next few weeks but could participate in some spring ball in some capacity.