NFL free agency will open on March 12th, throwing a wrench into anyone making a mock draft for the NFL Draft in late April. With the salary cap increasing, many team needs can be filled by throwing money at a savvy veteran player.
No better example of this is the Super Bowl champion, Philadelphia Eagles, who found a prize piece of their defense from free agency this time last year. All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun, who just re-signed this week to a three-year, $51 million contract, including $34 million guaranteed, may have been one of the best offseason pickup money can buy.
Baun’s journey to prominence is noteworthy. After being selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he primarily contributed on special teams over four seasons. In March 2024, the Eagles recognized his potential and signed him to a one-year deal, transitioning him to an off-ball linebacker role. This strategic move paid dividends, as Baun delivered an exceptional season with 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and an interception. His performance earned him first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection.
However, the Birds also got to the promise land by hitting on their 2024 NFL draft picks. Both Quinyon Mitchell (first round) and Cooper DeJean (second round) were home run hits by GM Howie Roseman. Making this offseason very interesting.
It’s a copycat league and it’ll be interesting to see who goes all in on free agency and who dedicates their offseason to finding gems through the NFL Draft.
Betiton NFL Draft Odds
It’s still early, but it’s hard to find NFL Draft odds right now. However, sports betting at Betiton has an interesting list of NFL Draft rookies and team odds.
NFL Draft 2025 – 1st Overall Pick
- Cam Ward +250
- Abdul Carter +190
- Travis Hunter +750
- Shedeur Sanders +1100
- Jaxson Dart +600
This changes if the Titans trade out of the first pick, but why would they do that? To me, this is easy money. Cam Ward is the best quarterback in this draft and he goes first overall.
NFL Draft 2025 – Team to Pick 1st
- Titans -105
- Giants -105
- Browns +550
- Jets +1400
- Raiders +250
- Cowboys +250
- Patriots +1800
The fact that there are odds for who will have the first pick makes me want to re-think my previous pick for the first overall player lol. I haven’t heard anything about the Titans moving out of the top spot, but maybe there are rumors about a team wanting to trade up. If I had to pick a team, I would guess it would be the New York Jets. They messed up badly with the Zach Wilson and then Aaron Rodgers. Third time is the charm right? Maybe they mortgage the farm and move up for Ward. QB is their biggest need… again.
NFL Draft 2025 – Team to Draft Player – Ashton Jeanty
- Bears +200
- Cowboys +250
- Raiders +250
- Saints +900
- Broncos +1400
- Chargers +1600
- Steelers +1600
- Patriots +1800
- Bengals +2800
Dynasty Football fans eagerly await where Jeanty goes in the NFL Draft. He is top 15 pick, but will a team pay up to get him? The “never draft RB early crowd” love to preach about the value lost by selecting a running back in the first round. but the cliche that a first round RB never wins a Super Bowl can no longer be used. Saquon Barkley leaped over that stat after signing with the Eagles this offseason. Barkley was drafted 2nd overall in 2018 by the New York Giants.
