2025 NFL Draft Props: Best Bet From New DraftKings Matchups

With the 2025 NFL Draft fast approaching, sportsbooks are ramping up their offerings. On Tuesday, DraftKings became the first major sportsbook to unveil a set of player matchup props, giving bettors the opportunity to wager on which prospect will be drafted first in head-to-head scenarios.

These "Draft Matchups" can now be found under the 2025 NFL Draft section on DraftKings and are already generating movement in the market.

🔁 Current DraftKings Player Matchups

• Donovan Ezeiruaku (-185) vs. Emeka Egbuka (+150)

• James Pearce Jr. (-225) vs. Jalen Milroe (+175)

• Grey Zabel (-165) vs. Jihaad Campbell (+135)

• Josh Simmons (-140) vs. Walter Nolen (+110)

• Mykel Williams (-235) vs. Matthew Golden (+180)

As buzz builds around certain prospects, expect these lines to move quickly. For now, one of the matchups offers a particularly strong betting opportunity.

✅ Best Bet: Donovan Ezeiruaku (-185) over Emeka Egbuka

When analyzing team needs for the 2025 draft, edge rusher stands out as a top priority for a large number of franchises picking outside the top 10. According to positional odds on DraftKings, 13 teams from picks 11–32 are favored to draft a defensive lineman or edge rusher first, including the Falcons, Bengals, and Lions—all at -150 or shorter to go DL/EDGE.

Emeka Egbuka, by contrast, plays a position that’s only favored for one team in that draft range: the Dallas Cowboys, who may already be locked in on Tetaiora McMillan or Matthew Golden at pick No. 12.

That context favors Donovan Ezeiruaku, a pass-rusher likely to appeal to teams such as the Bengals at 17 or the Lions at 28. Egbuka’s draft position line is 29.5, shaded to the under, suggesting a late first-round slot. Meanwhile, Ezeiruaku fits the draft strategy of several edge-hungry teams in the mid-to-late first.

🔎 Projection Insight: Given Ezeiruaku’s likely demand and favorable fit across the board, these odds should be closer to -200.
📈 Pick Confidence: High – Best value among current matchups.

 Lean: Jalen Milroe (+175) over James Pearce Jr.

James Pearce Jr. is seen by many as a potential top-10 talent, but questions about his maturity and character have impacted his draft outlook. His draft position line is currently 31.5, meaning it's essentially a coin flip as to whether he sneaks into the first round.

Meanwhile, Jalen Milroe, who’s met with both the Browns and Giants, has been linked to teams potentially targeting a Day 2 quarterback. With the QB market always volatile and Jaxson Dart projected as a first-rounder, it opens the door for Milroe to slide into an early second-round slot—or perhaps sneak into the first round himself.

💡 “If these odds were even, I’d pass,” says the analysis. “But at +175, Milroe offers value as a speculative play in a fluid QB market.”

Takeaways for NFL Draft Bettors

• Market momentum matters: News and rumors will drive rapid odds shifts. Timing your bet is key.

• Position scarcity rules: Edge rusher remains one of the highest-demand roles league-wide, making players like Ezeiruaku more appealing in betting markets.

• Don’t overlook upside value: Prospects like Milroe offer long-shot appeal when positional need and team fit align.

With draft season heating up and team needs crystalizing, player matchup props are offering new avenues for smart bets. Donovan Ezeiruaku over Emeka Egbuka stands out as a high-confidence play, while Jalen Milroe presents intriguing long-odds value.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for up-to-date NFL Draft coverage, betting insights, and player movement ahead of the 2025 first round.