John Middlekauff told bettors to smash the ‘Top 10 Pick’ market on Ashton Jeanty and even sprinkle the +800 Raider‑at‑6 exacta. He believes Jeanty capitalizes on a thin overall board the same way Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey and Bijan Robinson leveraged elite traits into early selections. Middlekauff called Jeanty one of only three non‑quarterbacks with blue‑chip tape in this class—grouping him with Olu Fashanu and Travis Hunter—and said that makes it easy for GMs to talk themselves into a running back despite the position’s devaluation. The former Eagles scout acknowledged the 5‑8 frame raises durability flags but countered with Jeanty’s explosive Boise State film, spotless character grades and multi‑year production that scouts have "loved for two years." With organizations such as Las Vegas (pick 6) and Seattle (pick 7) craving offensive firepower and the draft lacking surefire defensive stars, Middlekauff sees a clear path for Jeanty to crash the top 10 and thinks any number longer than +150 is stealing.

John Middlekauff advised taking the over on Shedeur Sanders’ draft‑slot prop (currently 8.5 at most books) and sprinkling on any market that prices him as the second quarterback selected. Middlekauff argued the 2025 class lacks a consensus ‘can’t‑miss’ passer, so front‑office grades will be wildly scattered—exactly the landscape that produced Aaron Rodgers’ and Johnny Manziel’s infamous green‑room slides. He noted that while Sanders’ brand power is enormous—Deion’s son, Heisman buzz, massive TV numbers—the actual scouting feedback paints him as one of several tier‑two options behind a thin top shelf. Middlekauff’s league contacts say at least three clubs prefer the Louisville transfer and Jackson Dart in head‑to‑head evaluations, and several picking inside the top 10 simply do not need a quarterback. With New Orleans’ pick at No. 9 the first realistic landing spot, Middlekauff sees more downside than upside at the current plus‑125 favorite price and expects a realistic fall into the teens or even the back half of Round 1.

John Middlekauff said he is hammering Tennessee’s season‑win total over 5.5 now that Cam Ward is a near‑certain No. 1 overall pick. Middlekauff believes Ward’s big‑arm, off‑script skill set is a massive upgrade from the Will Levis–Ryan Tannehill carousel that produced the NFL’s 31st‑ranked offense. He pointed to Brian Callahan’s pass‑friendly scheme and a quietly solid Titans defense that finished 12th in DVOA against the run as reasons six or seven wins are realistic in an AFC South he called “pretty crappy.” With Ward’s mobility masking a shaky offensive line and Tennessee likely to add another receiver on Day 2, Middlekauff views the 5.5 line as a full win too low.