As happens every year, the 2025 NFL Draft was full of drama, emotion, triumphs, and tribulations for the league's 32 football teams. As also happens every year, the draft gave millions of viewers around the world a chance to peek into the personal stories of would-be players.
But unlike drafts in previous years, one of the sport’s royal families took center stage in what turned out to be a TV reality show with life lessons learned.
Key Takeaways
- Shedeur Sanders biggest liability to win Offensive Rookie of the Year at BetMGM.
- The over on Cleveland Browns' regular-season wins a popular bet.
While Shedeur Sanders, the star of the show, generated a lot of buzz and media hype, he ended up being picked late in the draft. But bettors are still putting their money behind the rookie and his new team.
Bettors back Sanders amidst unclear quarterback situation
At 10-1 to make the playoffs, sportsbooks are giving the Cleveland Browns the longest preseason odds since 2016. Part of it is the unclear situation in the team’s overcrowded QB room. Sanders will join fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett, for whom Cleveland will be his third team in four years. Odds are already out on who will be the Browns' opening-week starter.
Bettors are also interested in Sanders, with BetMGM reporting last week an influx of bets on the fifth-round pick in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds market at 30-1. Sanders is drawing about 46% of the bets on this award. ESPN BET puts Sanders at 15-1 to win the award, tied with the fifth-shortest odds currently offered in the market.
"We expect Shedeur Sanders to be among the most bet on players to win Offensive Rookie of the Year due to his name recognition and odds. The Browns quarterback is the biggest liability to win the award," said Christian Cipollini, trading manager for BetMGM.
Odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year at @BetMGM
— John Ewing (@johnewing) May 1, 2025
Ashton Jeanty +250
Cam Ward +250
Travis Hunter +550
Tetairoa McMillan +1300
Omarion Hampton +1500
Tyler Shough +2000
Quinshon Judkins +2000
Shedeur Sanders +2500
46% of money is on Sanders to win award 👀 pic.twitter.com/D7UgBhwX2l
Browns are taking top spots with bettors
Since the draft, sportsbooks have reported increased interest in the Browns. In ESPN BET's most popular betting category, regular-season wins, Cleveland is the fifth-most bet on team, according to ESPN. The Browns are getting over 93% of the money wagered on over 4.5 wins.
At BetMGM, the Browns nearly made it to No. 6 in the list of teams that were bet on to win the Super Bowl at odds of 200-1. Also at BetMGM, Cleveland generated more bets than any AFC North rival to win the division.
