We are officially one week away from the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.
With that said, it's time to look at the week's biggest storylines and key betting markets ahead of one of the offseason's biggest days, including chatter on Alabama's Jalen Milroe, Michigan's Will Johnson, Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. and more.
Let's dive into our 2025 NFL Draft picks and narratives heading into the next week.
Top-10 Market
Evan Abrams: Here's the scoop on our offensive linemen in the draft discussion: We've got three of them hanging around in top-10 chatter in Will Campbell, Armand Membou and Kelvin Banks Jr.
The game plan here is to look at Banks, who's sitting at +200 odds to slip into the top 10.
Now, Campbell is a different story at -600 odds, and even if he somehow tumbles a bit, I still see him landing around the 10th pick with the Bears.
Here's my take: if Banks makes it into the top 10, there's a good chance all three linemen will find their way there as well. So, going with Banks for a top-10 pick at 2-1 odds might be your best bet to play it smart.
Chris Raybon: So, here’s the deal: Things are looking a bit unpredictable in the draft scene. We’re seeing some movement with players like Membou, whose odds have shifted from -270 to -350. What that suggests is there might be an early surge in teams going after tackles.
As for Jaxson Dart, his odds are tightening up, which means there could be some serious interest there as well.
Now, if you're thinking about how to strategize, especially with a team like Carolina, which might be open to making a trade at pick No. 8, it’s probably smart to play it safe and consider a dark-horse top 10 pick. This way, instead of banking on a precise draft slot, you have some wiggle room to maneuver, especially when the Saints are still a question mark at pick No. 9.
We’re not exactly sure how it’s all going to play out, but there’s definitely a chance for some shake-ups in the top 10.
Omarion Hampton’s odds also shifted, but honestly, that might just be a lot of noise coming from the general public’s expectations.
This draft is tricky, more so because of all these trade potentials and the understated buzz around quarterbacks and wide receivers. It’s definitely one of the tougher ones to predict.
What to Make of Jalen Milroe's NFL Draft Invite
Raybon: Milroe has a +135 chance of being a first-round pick. Why does this matter? Well, there's a big difference between just following mock drafts, which are more about reacting to the limited news we have, and what's actually happening with league personnel.
Recently, there have been pro days, invites, and all that jazz coming directly from the league itself.
Getting an invite doesn’t automatically mean Milroe is a shoo-in for a first-round pick. It's not that simple.
But it does catch my attention a bit because Milroe seems like one of those guys who, historically, might get picked earlier than expected in the draft. Teams tend to fall for his type of skill set, thinking they can develop him as a prospect.
On the flip side, it might mean that teams aren't as high on Shedeur Sanders as we thought. It could also indicate a lot of movement in the quarterback market, just maybe not in the early first round.
Maybe Milroe is grouped with guys like Sanders and Dart towards the end of the first round in some team’s minds. It could all be just a lot of hype, but it’s not coming from the usual mock draft crowd, which is why I’m keeping an eye on it.
Whether I completely agree with this buzz or not, I still think it’s worth paying attention to what's happening with Milroe. Personally, I was a bit surprised to see him being talked about along with Dart and Sanders.
Will Johnson to Vegas?
Abrams: Will Johnson has some potential, especially sitting in that sixth spot for Las Vegas. Now, if Ashton Jeanty moves up, Johnson's value spikes. His odds are +750 over at BetMGM, which is a solid price compared to others out there.
Another point worth mentioning — check out the Raiders. If you look at the position for their first draft pick, they're +333 to go for a cornerback. So, if you fancy trying your luck, throwing a dart at Johnson being selected in that slot brings you nearly +400 extra. Not too shabby for a gamble.
Raybon: There's been a lot of buzz about whether or not the Raiders will pick Jeanty. But honestly, it's not as clear-cut as it seems.
Picture this like a puzzle — everyone's trying to fit the pieces together.
You see a team that needs something, like an offensive lineman, and immediately think, "Oh, they're going for Campbell." And for the Raiders and Jeanty — given their usual draft style — it seems like a perfect match.
But with a new regime leading the way, the Raiders might switch things up from their usual playbook. Sure, their roster could use a cornerback, right? That's where Johnson comes into play. It makes perfect sense to consider him.
When you're betting on drafts or putting odds together, you weigh in factors like market trends and team needs. So, betting on a defensive addition to the Raiders sounds like a pretty solid move.
Looking back, the time to pick Jeanty has passed, and now his chances are shrinking. The odds aren't looking as good as they once did. So, it seems more realistic that the Raiders might go for a defensive option rather than sticking to past expectations.
