The 2022 NFL Draft is less than 48 hours away. For the second consecutive season, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be on the clock with the first overall selection. They will be followed by the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, New York Jets, and the New York Giants to round out the top five. Expected to be one of the most exciting first rounds in recent memory, many teams remain up in the air with the direction they will go with their choice. With a run-on defensive lineman expected to kick off the night, look for multiple offensive linemen to go off the board in the first 10 picks. Here are five prop bets to make you some money during the NFL Draft.
Chris Gallagher and Mike Fanelli contributed to this article.
Also, be sure to check out all of our NFL Draft Scouting Reports.
Over/Under 2.5 Quarterback in Round 1
Chris: Over
There is no clear star quarterback at the top of this year’s class. However, we could still see multiple signal-callers hear their names called early on. The Carolina Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers have done extensive work on the class. Along with this, the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, and Lions could all look to draft one. With multiple teams looking to trade out of the back half in order to acquire more draft capital, expect multiple teams to explore moving back up into the back into the end of night to receive the important fifth-year option on the respective players rookie contract.
Mike: Over
Quarterbacks get pushed up draft boards the closer we get to draft day every year. However, the quarterback class is so frowned upon this year we might not get one in the top-10 picks. Yet, the over is the correct call here. Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett are first-round locks. Then, either Desmond Ridder or Matt Corral will sneak into the late first round. It’s even possible both quarterbacks get drafted in the 24-32 range. Teams like the Falcons and Seahawks could trade back into the late first round to get the extremely valuable fifth-year option on the rookie deals.
Over/Under 7.5 Offensive Linemen in Round 1
Chris: Over
Multiple offensive linemen will hear their names called to open up the night. This includes Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu, Charles Cross, Tyler Linderbaum, Zion Johnson, and Trevor Penning. With a shortage of top-end quarterbacks in this year’s class, look for there to be a late run at this position to end the night. Multiple teams have needs up front as they look to sure up their protection. Names like Tyler Smith, Bernhard Raimann, and Kenyon Green could all find themselves picked late.
Mike: Over
There could be four offensive tackles drafted in the first 10 picks. Ekwonu, Neal, and Cross are all locks, while Penning could get drafted by the Seahawks with the ninth overall pick. Johnson is also a first-round lock, though his range is all over the road, depending on who you ask. After that, it’s likely at least three more offensive linemen get picked in the first round, especially given the talent this year. Three of Linderbaum, Smith, Green, and Raimann could easily get drafted in the late 20s, with the fourth going in the last three picks.
Over/Under 4.5 ACC Players in Round 1
Chris: Over
One of the locks of the night, the ACC is home to premier talent heading into the weekend. Kickstarting the party, both Ekwonu and Jermaine Johnson are premier prospects and should come off the board early. Furthermore, Johnson and Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth should sneak into the back half of the round with multiple teams needing help at the defensive back spot in the early 20s. Cashing the prop, with numerous teams interested in Pickett, look for the senior signal-caller to potentially be the first quarterback selected.
Mike: Over
Four ACC players are locks to get drafted in the first round: Ekwonu, Pickett, and the two Johnsons. After that, Booth is the likely fifth candidate. However, don’t be surprised if Sam Howell gets drafted late in the first round. The Lions have done an extensive amount of homework on Howell and got a week’s worth of hands-on experience with him down at the Senior Bowl. Over 4.5 is an easy bet to place, as we could see six ACC players go in the top 32 picks.
George Pickens Draft Position Over/Under 36.5
Chris: Under
A polarizing prospect, Pickens missed the entire 2021 regular season after suffering a torn ACL last March. He ultimately returned in the National Championship Game against Alabama. Helping the Bulldogs win their first National Championship since 1980, he hauled in one reception for 51 yards. Once thought of as a sure-fire first-round talent, multiple reports have surfaced regarding character concerns surrounding the 21-year-old after he did not interview well at the NFL Combine. However, with wide receivers becoming more critical than ever in the NFL, look for demand to out weight supply here pushing him higher than pick 37.
Mike: Over
Pickens is a hot name among the fans and people on Twitter. However, NFL teams are reportedly turned off to Pickens. He is coming off the torn ACL from last year, and some are worried about his ability to stay healthy. Furthermore, there have been reports about him having poor interview performances and character concerns. Meanwhile, this year’s NFL Draft class is loaded with talented wide receivers. With so many similarly graded wide receivers, expect teams to pass on Pickens for a receiver with less risk attached to his name. Don’t be surprised if Pickens slides to the end of the second round or further.
Over/Under 6.5 Wide Receivers in Round 1
Chris: Over
The 2022 wide receiver class is, once again, a deep group like in past seasons. 11 wide receivers have been picked in the first round over the last two drafts. Look for similar results on Thursday night, with a run at the position in the teens expected. Locks to hear their names called Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams, Chris Olave, Drake London, and Jahan Dotson are all seen as sure-fire talents. In addition to this, after a strong showing at the NFL Combine, North Dakota State’s Christian Watson has shot up the draft boards of teams across the league.
Mike: Over
This bet might be the safest one to make this year. The draft class is loaded with talented wide receivers. Furthermore, there are 12-14 potential landing spots for wide receivers in the first round. While all 12-14 teams won’t select a wide receiver, there will likely be six off the board in the top 25. Wilson, London, Williams, and Olave are all likely top-20 picks. After that, Dotson, Watson, Treylon Burks, and Skyy Moore could hear their name called Thursday night. The need for wide receivers has never been higher in the NFL, making the over is all but a guarantee to hit.
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