2025 NFL Draft odds indicate that offensive players will play a significant role in the first round.
While historically, defense has been seen as the backbone of championship-winning teams, recent trends show NFL franchises prioritizing offensive talent just as much.
A striking example of this shift occurred in last year’s draft, where 23 offensive players were chosen among the 32 first-round selections.
Current odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, dated April 4, provide insight into expected offensive picks for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
Offensive players selected in first round
Over 15.5: +115 (bet $10 to win $21.50 total)
Under 15.5: -145 (bet $10 to win $16.90 total)
Offensive linemen selected in first round
Over 6.5: +225 (bet $10 to win $32.50 total)
Under 6.5: -300 (bet $10 to win $13.33 total)
Quarterbacks selected in first round
Over 2.5: -320 (bet $10 to win $13.13 total)
Under 2.5: +235 (bet $10 to win $33.50 total)
Running backs selected in first round
Over 2.5: +240 (bet $10 to win $34 total)
Under 2.5: -330 (bet $10 to win $13.03 total)
Wide receivers selected in first round
Over 2.5: -275 (bet $10 to win $13.64 total)
Under 2.5: +200 (bet $10 to win $30 total)
The 2024 NFL Draft presented unique circumstances.
A defensive player was not chosen until the 15th pick, when the Colts selected UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu, while six of the first 12 picks were quarterbacks, including the top three selections.
Previously, the record for offensive players selected in the first round stood at 19, but 2024 marked the first instance in NFL history where the first 10 picks were all offensive talents.
In 2023, 15 of 31 first-round picks were offensive players, and in 2022, that number was 16 out of 32.
FOX Sports betting analyst Geoff Schwartz, a former offensive lineman, recently shared his 2025 NFL mock draft, predicting that 16 or 17 offensive players will be selected in the first round, depending on whether Travis Hunter plays as a wide receiver or cornerback in the NFL.
The same expectation is echoed by another FOX Sports NFL Draft analyst, who also anticipates 16 or 17 offensive selections in Round 1, contingent on Hunter’s position.
In 2024, the six quarterbacks taken in the first round matched an NFL Draft record, marking several firsts: four quarterbacks in the top eight, five quarterbacks in the top 10, and six in the top 12.
Additionally, eight offensive linemen and seven wide receivers selected in the first round both tied NFL records.
