This year’s NFL Draft takes place from Thursday to Saturday and will be held in Las Vegas, the new home of the Raiders. The start time is 8pm Eastern in the US, which is 1am in the UK and we will see the First Round of 32 picks selected on the opening night.
Then on Friday, teams will pick rounds 2 and 3 of the draft, before finishing off with rounds 4 to 7 across the weekend.
Currently, it is the Jacksonville Jaguars who are on the clock as they own the first pick in the draft once again. Last year, the Jags selected quarterback Trevor Lawrence from Clemson with the first pick of the draft but this year they are expected to try and improve their defense.
Fans have been keeping a close tab on how the college season panned out over the past year and which standout college stars would be hot picks in this crucial first round of the draft and as such, betting on some of the markets on the draft which are available at bet365 Sports right now, is expected to peak over the next couple of days.
But before we take a look at some of the most popular bets for the 2022 NFL Draft, let’s take a broader view of how the draft is shaping up compared to other recent drafts and indeed, what next year’s draft may look like in comparison.
How Does The 2022 NFL Draft Shape Up?
Over the last few years, there has usually been at least one, if not more, standout players who always looked likely to be the first pick. Last year, that was Trevor Lawrence and duly, the Jags drafted him with the first pick of the draft.
However, the 2022 draft is somewhat different. Due to a lack of generational talent at quarterback in this draft, the peculiarities of this draft mean that it is on the two lines, offensive and defensive, where the very top talent is in this draft.
That’s not to say there is no talent in other positions, there are plenty of high calibre players that are going to be picked in the first round who can come into a team from Day One and make an impact. There’s good quality available at cornerback, wide receiver, safety and linebacker too.
However, it is fair to say that this year is a draft for the big guys on the two lines in an NFL team, more so than quarterbacks and as such, the first round of the draft may look a little different than it has in the past few years.
Since 2001, a quarterback has been taken first in the draft in 16 of the 21 drafts since then. The last defensive end to go at number one was Myles Garrett in 2017. We may see the next one this year.
2022 NFL Draft – Best Betting Markets & Tips – Top 3 Picks
- Number 1 Overall Pick
Leading Odds – Travon Walker 5/8, Aidan Hutchison 8/5, Ikem Ekwonu 5/1, Evan Neal 20/1, Kayvon Thibodeaux 22/1
The Jacksonville Jaguars own the first pick of the draft for a second year in a row. Last year, they made a big move in the first round to upgrade their offense, taking Trevor Lawrence at quarterback with the first pick and then Travis Etienne, a running back, with their second pick later in the first round.
This year, the Jaguars will likely look to strengthen their defensive line, notably with an Edge Rusher which is why Travon Walker and Aidan Hutchison are the two big favourites to be taken with the first pick of the draft on Thursday.
Earlier on this off-season, Walker wasn’t really a contender for that top pick. However, an outstanding combine from the Georgia lineman where he posted some eye-opening stats, has seen him rise steadily through the rankings since.
Hutchison is viewed by many as the probable number one pick and the Michigan edge rusher is a more finished product than Walker, but he hasn’t quite got the same physical tools as the Georgia man, although scouts seem to feel Hutchison is more NFL ready.
Whoever, the Jags opt for here, they won’t swing and miss as both are exceptional talents, but I think the fact that Hutchison is probably closer to the finished article will sway the Jags to bank on him being a Day One starter.
My Pick – Hutchison to be selected first at 8/5,
- Number 2 Overall Pick
Leading Odds –Aidan Hutchison 5/6, Kayvon Thibodeaux 2/1, Travon Walker 5/1, Malik Willis 11/1, Ahmad Gardner 16/1, Evan Neal 28/1, Derek Stingley Jr. 28/1.
After the Jaguars have picked, next up on the clock is the Detroit Lions and like the Jags, the Lions have plenty of positions they need to improve on. Any of the players listed above would be a significant upgrade for Detroit, so you can make a convincing case for them all.
The Lions are said to be keen on Thibodeaux, but I think with Hutchison or Walker likely to be available after the Jags have picked, then the Lions would be smart to take the player that remains available here.
If my tip for the first pick is right that would be Travon Walker, an outstanding prospect with some genuinely unique physical attributes who, with the right training could develop into an outstanding pass rusher at the next level.
My Pick – Travon Walker to go to the Lions at number 2 at 5/1.
- Number 3 Overall Pick
Leading Odds –Ahmad Gardner 7/2, Ikem Ekwonu 15/4, Travon Walker 15/4, Evan Neal 5/1, Derek Stingley Jr 6/1, Kayvon Thibodeaux 8/1, Aidan Hutchison 10/1, Malik Willis 25/1.
The Houston Texans pick third in the draft and like the teams that pick before them, they have plenty of holes to fill on the roster.
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner at cornerback has been a popular choice amongst Texans followers and it is clear that the Houston management like what they see, but the Texans also need help on their offensive line and defensive line too, which is why the likes of Walker, Ekwonu, Neal, Hutchison and Thibodeaux are all in the picture too.
If the Texans are happy to go with Davis Mills at QB next season, then he needs better protection and this perhaps may be the thinking here if the Texans are not going to go defense with this pick.
As such, I think Ikem Ekwonu or Evan Neal are really in contention here and despite me feeling Neal is the better player, I think the Texans may well go with Ekwonu here.
My Pick – Houston to select Ikem Ekwonu with the 3rd pick in the draft at 15/4.
Remember, the draft starts at 1am on Thursday night/Friday morning UK time for those fans keen to see who their team picks in the draft.
Tags: bet365 Sport NFL Draft
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