NFL Rookie QBs: Win Totals, Stats & Prop Projections
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, bettors are turning their attention to rookie quarterbacks who could become hidden diamonds in betting markets—whether for team win totals, individual prop lines, or long-term upside.
1. Cam Ward (Titans, drafted 1st overall)
Selected first overall by Tennessee, Cam Ward is expected to start Week 1 and carry franchise expectations. ESPN projects he’ll throw for 3,392 yards and 20 touchdowns as an immediate starter.
Prop angle: Consider betting on over 3,000 passing yards or over 175 rushing yards, since Ward’s mobility and role lean toward chunk plays.
2. Jaxson Dart (Giants, 1st round pick #25)
Dart brings USC/Ole Miss production and a gunslinger mentality ideal for a timing-based offense. ESPN’s projections estimate 1,968 passing yards and 10 TDs in about 9 starts.
Prop picks: He may hit over 9.5 passing touchdowns, especially if he surpasses expectations in efficiency. Also, consider win totals props tied to his starts if Giants trade Wilson early.
3. Tyler Shough (Saints, 2nd/3rd round)
Shough looks like a plug‑and‑play starter in New Orleans following Derek Carr’s retirement; ESPN ranks him second in passing yards among rookies at 3,020 yards and 13 TDs. Analysts flagged him as an ideal fit schematically.
Prop bets: Over 3,000 passing yards is reasonable if he secures the job early. His interception prop might also be favorable under a ball‑control playbook.
4. Dillon Gabriel (Browns, 3rd round)
Gabriel projects as a backup initially, but ESPN’s stat model still gives him 1,205 passing yards and 5 touchdowns in limited action. With competition from Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, he’s a high‑variance option with upside if he overtakes the depth chart.
Prop consideration: A bench bet on his season passing yardage over 1,000 could pay if injuries or performance shifts open starting reps.
5. Shedeur Sanders (Browns, Day 2 pick)
Despite being less polished, Sanders brings accuracy and leadership traits from Colorado. Experts see him as a developmental project but recognize scheme limitations.
He may not start, but if he sees mid-season targets, he could swing over/under rushing yard props or limited passing yard props tied strictly to relief play time.
