The coming and going of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine confirmed what was widely believed around the sports world, which is that University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward is the clear leader in NFL Draft first pick sports betting odds. Ward, who led the nation in passing during his senior season, was as high as -225 on Monday to be the first player to have his name called on April 24 in Green Bay, Wis. Those odds are up from the -145 he was at last week and translate to a 69.2 percent implied probability at BetMGM Sportsbook. Similar Ward odds are posted across the best sports betting apps Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter is the only other player in contention for the title of favorite in this market with +185 consensus odds as of Monday. Heisman winner Travis Hunter (+735) and quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders (+1200) and Jaxson Dart (+5500) round out the current consensus top five.     For more, check out The Lines' NFL DRAFT BETTING GUIDE Continuing a legacy Three Miami Hurricanes players earned the distinction of being the first pick in the Draft: wide receiver Eddie Brown in 1985, QB Vinny Testaverde in 1987 and defensive tackle Russell Maryland in 1991.  Ward, if chosen first, would end a long drought for one of college football’s most notable programs during the 21st century. Ward’s path was anything but ordinary, however.  A former zero-star recruit in high school, he played two years at the University of Incarnate Word, two at Washington State University, and one at Miami. In his lone season in South Beach, he racked up 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, seven interceptions and led the nation in total QBR (88.0). While the NFL combine is a haven for overlooked prospects who get to showcase their talents in front of scouts from all 32 teams, it did not do much for Ward, who chose not to participate in any on-field drills or physical tests.  Instead, Ward had his body measurements taken, his health status cleared and met individually with NFL teams. Nothing that happened was that out of the ordinary, although his 9 3/8-inch hands were smaller than what is considered ideal for a starting quarterback. The Tennessee Titans, owners of the rights to the first pick in the draft, scheduled visits with four players. Sanders was set to visit Monday, Carter on Thursday, Ward on Friday and Hunter at a later date. Trends and prognostications Betting markets have proven to be very accurate mediums of prediction. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t disagreements. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., a pioneer of the mock draft, wrote on Feb. 25 that he believed the Titans would take Carter (+190 market-best first pick odds) with their selection. Fellow ESPN colleague Field Yates wrote in his mock, published on Feb. 11, that he believed the Titans would take Hunter (+1100) before anyone else. Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema wrote on March 3 that he, like Kiper, foresees the Titans ending up with Carter.  All three of these analysts had Ward going to the Cleveland Browns with the second pick. Quarterbacks have been selected with six of the last seven first-overall picks in the NFL Draft. The only exception was defensive end Travon Walker, whom the Jacksonville Jaguars took first in the 2022 draft. There’s only been one non-quarterback or defensive end taken with the first pick since 2009. That player was offensive tackle Eric Fisher, who went to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. Finally, the last player who wasn’t a quarterback, defensive end or tackle to be taken No. 1 overall in the draft was wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson (to the New York Jets in 1996). Betting on the NFL Draft is permitted in all but seven states with legalized sports betting. Those states are Connecticut, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.