2025 NFL Draft: First overall pick set to earn $43M; how much will the last pick make?

The wait is finally over. The 2025 NFL Draft has arrived. While the teams won’t be battling on the field just yet, Thursday night marks a different kind of showdown: franchises will compete for the top college talent in hopes of building a brighter future. Although the names on the jerseys aren’t set in stone, one thing is certain, the salary range between the first and last picks is massive.

Several elite prospects are in contention for that coveted No. 1 overall selection. According to Scouts Inc., Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter has emerged as a leading candidate, topping draft boards across multiple front offices heading into Round 1.

One thing already locked in is the draft order. The Tennessee Titans will have the first overall pick after missing the playoffs last season. With a chance to reshape their roster, the Titans are expected to select a player who can make an immediate impact.

And that top pick comes with a serious payday. As reported by Spotrac, the No. 1 overall selection is projected to sign a four-year deal worth around $43 million in a life-changing contract that could set the tone for a breakout rookie campaign.

How much will the last pick of the 2025 NFL Draft earn?

While the spotlight shines on the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft this Thursday, the final selection, famously dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant”, won’t be announced until Saturday, during Round 7 of the event.

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Even though there’s little buzz around who will be chosen last, we already know what kind of contract that player will receive. The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off their latest Super Bowl win, hold the final pick and are set to sign the player to a standard four-year rookie deal worth approximately $4.2 million.

In addition to joining the defending champions, the final pick will have the rare opportunity to train alongside MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, or at least be part of the same organization. While teams sometimes trade late-round picks post-draft, as of now, the Chiefs are expected to keep theirs.

2025 NFL Draft: The order of the first 10 picks

Much of the draft-day anticipation surrounds the top 10 selections. With the Titans holding the No. 1 pick, several franchises are preparing to make franchise-altering decisions during the first round.

Here are the teams holding the first 10 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for Thursday’s opening round:

1. Tennessee Titans
2. Cleveland Browns
3. New York Giants
4. New England Patriots
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Las Vegas Raiders
7. New York Jets
8. Carolina Panthers
9. New Orleans Saints
10. Chicago Bears