The NFL Draft isn’t just a talent showcase, it’s a reset button on NFL props, player props, team futures, and rookie award odds. The 2025 class shook up multiple markets, especially with splashy offensive playmakers and one particularly unusual quarterback move from the Browns.
Below, we break down what bettors should know: where to find early value, which rookies might be overrated by the public, and how to capitalize on uncertainty before the books adjust.
Key Takeaways
- Cam Ward (#1 to Titans) will move the needle in NFL props, but don’t blindly bet his overs.
- RB Ashton Jeanty opens as OROY favorite (+270), but watch for volume signals before betting his over.
- Travis Hunter is the most bettable wild card in years with both because of his hybrid role and market popularity.
- WR Tetairoa McMillan is a sharp sleeper for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
- Rookie-driven player props will be soft early, ideal for bettors who’ve done their homework.
Quarterback Moves That Matter
Cam Ward: No. 1 Overall to Titans
Miami (FL) QB Cam Ward was the only quarterback taken in Round 1. Titans fans are hoping Ward brings greener pastures to Tennessee, but will his rookie campaign be enough to put things in motion?
Player prop betting angle: Books may price his passing yards high off hype, but before betting on Cam Ward's prop lines consider his supporting cast. Can Tyler Lockett & co. get in sync early? If the public floods his overs Week 1, consider fading.
Team futures betting angle: Monitor the Tennessee Titans' team win total. The Titans' 2025 win total line is currently at 5.5 (-145) on BetMGM. With a record of 3-14 last season, does Ward have what it takes to lead Tennessee to double their wins from last year?
Cleveland Goes QB x2: Shedeur Sanders & Dillon Gabriel
The Browns shocked everyone by drafting two QBs: Dillon Gabriel (Round 3) and Shedeur Sanders (Round 5). The first time this has happened in over a decade Shedeur’s fall was the talk of town, and the controversy around him being a "generational talent" and not even the first QB Cleveland selected will get talked about every day for the near future.
The amount of uncertainty and volatility in the Cleveland QB room can create some sneaky value for NFL futures. A fun line to look into here could be novelty props like “Who will start the most games for Cleveland in 2025?”
Futures angle: Rookie prop bets (like “most starts for CLE”) or longshot OROY bets on Sanders (+2500) might be worth a sprinkle if Watson struggles early.
Rookie RBs and Player Prop Landmines
Ashton Jeanty (Raiders)
Jeanty, a Boise State stud and Heisman runner-up, landed in Vegas and opened as the OROY betting favorite at +270.
Expect Jeanty to thrive is a systems where Head Coach Pete Carroll is known for establishing the run.
Sharp tip: Monitor the status of the Raiders offensive line going into preseason and throughout the first few games. Jeanty is seemingly the RB1 of Vegas' future and sportsbooks know that bettors will look to hammer his overs. If the line looks too inflated, consider passing of Jeanty props
Quinshon Judkins (Browns)
Cleveland took Judkins early, and analysts immediately called him a “Nick Chubb clone.” That tells you how high the expectations are.
Angle: Judkins has a clear path to RB1, with only Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr as the only other running backs on the Browns' roster. His weekly player props (TDs, rushing yards) could be great buys midseason.
Omarion Hampton (Chargers)
There's no doubt that Jim Harbaugh is going to establish the run next season. Run-heavy football is back. Hampton may split early with teammate Najee Harris, but if he wins the starting gig, he’s a live OROY candidate (+1400).
Wide Receivers to Watch for Winning NFL Prop Strategies
Travis Hunter (Jaguars)
Jacksonville traded up to draft two-way sensation Travis Hunter. He’ll primarily play WR, but don’t rule out defense too.
OROY odds: +750
Usage = volatility. He could bust out for 100+ yards… or play 25 snaps.
It'll be interesting to see how his usage progresses throughout the season. For bettors that think he may shift more on the defensive side of the ball, Hunter's offensive futures bets may not be something to consider.
Creative props: Some books may offer all-purpose yards or “first TD scorer” lines. That’s where sharp bettors will hunt.
Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers)
Carolina gave Bryce Young a true WR1. McMillan is 6’5”, fast, and reliable: a perfect security blanket and complement to Xavier Leggette.
OROY odds: +950
Prop watch: His weekly receiving yard line could be too low early (sub-50 yards).
Edge: Bet overs early if he builds chemistry fast. Panthers don’t have a clear #1 option otherwise.
Rookie Award Futures: Where the Value Sits
| Player | Team | Odds (OROY) |
|---|---|---|
| Ashton Jeanty | Raiders | +270 |
| Cam Ward | Titans | +380 |
| Travis Hunter | Jaguars | +750 |
| Tetairoa McMillan | Panthers | +950 |
| Omarion Hampton | Chargers | +1400 |
| Shedeur Sanders | Browns | +2500 |
WagerLens pick: McMillan is the sneaky value here. If he’s Bryce Young’s favorite target by midseason, +950 will look like a steal.
The Strategy: Post-Draft Clarity and Betting Smarter for upcoming NFL season
1. Rookie hype = mispriced props
Early in the season, player props for rookies can be soft. Books don’t have NFL tape on these guys yet. If you’ve been tracking them since college, you know more than the average bettor. Consider some of the following cases:
- Is that speedy wideout getting schemed touches in August? His yardage props might still be set assuming a minimal role.
- Did a hyped rookie look lost in preseason? You might hammer his unders until the books catch up
For example, if Carolina clearly designs plays for McMillan in exhibition games and he builds rapport with Young, Week 1 might present an over opportunity on McMillan’s receiving yards if books still list it around, say, 40-45 yards. On the flip side, if a player like Shedeur Sanders somehow wins the starting job late in the year, the public will go wild – but as a bettor you can lean on the historical fact that rookie QBs making their first starts often struggle. There could be value fading the hype in that single-game spread or total. Always anchor your bets to evidence and context, not just name value.
2. Don’t blindly follow “draft winners”
Jags, Raiders, and Titans will be trendy. That doesn’t mean their team win totals are good bets. Look at who’s actually NFL-ready — not just flashy.
Oftentimes, win totals remain largely unchanged by a single rookie’s presence (aside from quarterbacks). The Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 were an interesting case: they were priced modestly early, then the market corrected as people realized the roster was still elite. If you identified that early, you got value. Apply the same logic now – find teams that the public might be sleeping on or underrating because their draft wasn’t “sexy,” or conversely, teams overrated due to one splashy pick.
3. Monitor depth charts
If a rookie earns WR2 or RB1 status by August, hit those season-long props early. If they’re buried, let others make the mistake.
4. Follow role updates, not just highlight clips
Preseason highlight catches go viral. Smart bettors care about snap counts, routes, touches. That’s where the edge lives.
Final Word
The 2025 NFL Draft will shift the board, literally and figuratively, for sports bettors. From rookie props and futures to undervalued team totals, there’s plenty of sharp ground to cover.
Track prop lines, spot rookie value, and stay ahead of the market. WagerLens shows you how.