NFL Draft Betting Odds: Who Is Going 1st Overall?

We are just two weeks away from one of the most exciting parts of the offseason, the 2022 NFL Draft. Each year, teams across the league bet their futures on the income rookie class. The draft offers hope for fan bases and sports bettors alike.

From a fan’s perspective, new talent can be just what your team needs to turn things around. For sports bettors, the 2022 NFL draft can offer a chance to win real money betting on the NFL. The former relies on a team’s front office making the right pick. For the latter, we turn to our recommended online sportsbooks with the best NFL draft betting odds.

There are plenty of different ways to wager on the 2022 NFL Draft. From betting on which player is picked first, to wagering on how many QBs will be drafted on night one. Knowing what the best NFL Draft bets are can be hard. To help, let’s look at NFL Draft betting odds from one of our top NFL sportsbooks BetOnline.

Best NFL Draft Bets: First Overall Pick Betting Odds

• Aidan Hutchinson (-250)
• Travon Walker (+225)
• Ikem Ekwonu (+1200)
• Evan Neal (+1400)
• Kayvon Thibodeaux (+2500)
• Malik Willis (+2800)
• Kenny Pickett (+6600)

One of the most exciting parts of the NFL Draft is seeing who is picked first. Wagering on the first overall pick only adds to the excitement. This year, the Jacksonville Jaguars once again have the first overall pick. According to BetOnline, Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson (-250) has the best NFL betting odds to be the first pick.

The Jaguars had the first overall pick last season and used it to take QB Trevor Lawrence. This year, many mock drafts have the Jaguars targeting either a pass rusher or an O-lineman. However, Jacksonville spent plenty of money in free agency to address their offensive line issues. As a result, Hutchinson (-250) is at the top of many mock draft boards.

Hutchinson is the clear favorite, but there are plenty of pass rushers in this year’s draft. One name that has surged up draft boards lately has been Georgia’s Trayvon Walker (+225). Walker had an impressive performance at the combine last month, and now has the second-best odds to go first overall. The former Bulldog has quickly become a popular dark horse pick to be the top pick.

This year’s draft also has plenty of talent along the offensive line. If Jacksonville does decide to add to its O-line, Ikem Ekwonu (+1200) and Evan Neal (+1400) are the likely prospects. Both OT prospects could anchor the Jags’ line for a decade or more. Ekwonu and Neal each have the potential to play at either the tackle or guard position.

In recent years, we have seen teams trade back in the draft to get more draft picks. After finishing with the worst record in the league once again, the Jags certainly have plenty of holes to fill. If Jacksonville does move back, that could open the door for a QB to go number one. According to BetOnline, Malik Willis (+2800) has the best NFL betting odds of any QB to be picked first.

NFL Draft Betting Odds: 1st QB Selected

• Malik Willis (-165)
• Kenny Pickett (+130)
• Desmond Ridder (+1200)
• Matt Corral (+1800)
• Sam Howell (+4000)

QBs are not likely to go first overall. However, you can still win real money betting on which prospect gets drafted first. BetOnline has Liberty’s Malik Willis (-165) with the best NFL Draft betting odds to be the first QB drafted.

Willis certainly benefitted from an impressive outing at the 2022 NFL Combine. At his Pro Day, Willis wowed teams with 70-yard dimes. He also showed off his running skills last season, but he has declined to run a 40-yard dash thus far. Willis may not be a first-round pick in other years, but the 2022 Draft is light on QB talent.

The Liberty QB has the highest ceiling of any prospect. Still, just a few months ago, it was another QB at the top of the position rankings. Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett (+130) has the second-best NFL Draft betting odds to be the first QB picked.

Pickett is a more developed passer than Willis. As a result, teams that want to win now could favor Pickett over Willis. One such team would be Carolina with the 6th pick.

Outside of Willis and Pickett, the NFL betting odds fade significantly. Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder (+1200) has the third-highest odds to be the first QB selected. Ridder has had visits with the Panthers and Seahawks recently. Both Carolina and Seattle are picking in the top-10.

Matt Corral (+1800) and Sam Howell (+4000) round the top-5 shortest NFL betting odds to be the first QB picked. Corral has also visited with a number of QB-needy teams in the past couple of weeks. The Ole Miss QB generated nearly 8,000 scrimmage yards in his last 23 starts for the Rebels.

Howell (+4000) on the other hand fell down many draft boards after a subpar performance last season. Still, many draft pundits believe Howell’s best football is ahead of him. Even if that is true, it is hard to imagine a team taking Howell first with other, better-rated prospects available.

NFL Draft Betting Odds: Total QBs Selected in Round 1

• Over 3.5 QBs selected (+175)
• Under 3.5 QBs selected (-260)

This is one of the more challenging bets of the 2022 NFL Draft. On one hand, all season draft experts hammered on the fact that the QB talent pool is shallow. However, there are also plenty of teams that could use a new QB. Some of those potential teams also have the draft capital to move and get their new signal-caller.

BetOnline has the over/under on first-round QBs set at 3.5. For me, this bet comes down to three teams: Detroit, New Orleans, and Seattle. I think the Steelers and the Panthers are both targeting QBs, so we would only need two more teams to pull the trigger for this bet to hit.

The Lions have the 2nd and 32nd picks in the first round. If Detroit does pick a QB, I think it comes at the end of the round. If not, I could easily see them trading out of the 32nd pick and another team taking a QB there. In recent years, the Ravens and Vikings have both traded back into the first round for QBs.

New Orleans is perhaps the most puzzling of any team in this year’s draft. They trade with the Eagles, essentially moving their 2023 first-round pick to this year. All signs point to the Saints using their two picks to move up to an early selection. However, they also re-signed Jameis Winston and picked up free-agent QB Andy Dalton.

Seattle traded away franchise QB Russell Wilson and now has the 9th overall pick. They could easily use that pick to draft Wilson’s replacement. However, they could also use the 2022 draft to restock a heavily depleted roster. With two first-rounders next year, the Seahawks will have the ammunition to move up for a QB in 2023. Next year’s QB class is already being touted as better than the 2022 prospects.

NFL Draft Betting Odds: 1st WR Selected

• Garrett Wilson (+150)
• Drake London (+150)
• Jameson Williams (+200)
• Treylon Burks (+1100)
• Chris Olave (+2000)

College football programs across the country have become adept at pumping out top-notch WRs. This year’s draft class is no exception. One of the only questions about this year’s WR class is who will be drafted first.

According to BetOnline, two WR prospects are tied for the best NFL betting odds. Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson and USC’s Drake London are both listed at +150 for this NFL Draft prop bet. Wilson emerged this year playing alongside fellow WR prospect Chris Olave. On the other hand, London is 6’5” and was the best WR at USC in the last two seasons.

Garrett Wilson (+150) put up impressive numbers at OSU the last two seasons. In 2021, Wilson racked up double-digit TDs and over 1,000 yards. At the combine, his 4.38 40-yard dash was the 7th fastest among WRs.

Drake London (+150) on the other hand also put up over 1,000 receiving yards. However, London’s 2021 season was over before Halloween due to a broken ankle. He has also had to push his Pro Day back due to a hamstring. Both injuries could cause concerns for teams in the first round.

The other WR that BetOnline has in the running to be the first off the board is Alabama’s Jameson Williams. If not for a torn ACL in the National Championship game, Williams would probably be favored here.

Arkansas’ Treylon Burks (+1100) and OSU’s Chris Olave (+2000) are longshots for this prop bet. Burks put up 1,104 yards and 11 TDs last season for the Razorbacks. Olave would probably be higher if not for the emergence of Wilson last season. Despite not having a thousand season in four years at The Ohio State, Olave has great NFL potential.

NFL Draft Betting Odds: Total WRs Selected in Round 1

• Over 5.5 WRs picked (-200)
• Under 5.5 WRs picked (+150)

In recent years, we have seen a slew of first-year WRs explode onto the scene. Going into the 2022 draft, there are plenty of teams that could use help at the wideout position. The Packers and Chiefs are two of the best teams in the NFL. They also both need WR help and have multiple first-round picks.

Despite recent reports, there are two factors that concern me with this NFL Draft bet. First and foremost, the wealth of WR talent could make teams prioritize other needs. In recent years, DK Metcalf, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Deebo Samuel were all picked in the second round. As the WRs become more like RBs in terms of value, the draft value of the position will fall.

My other concern would be how late in the first round WRs start to be drafted. Drake London and Garrett Wilson are tied for the shortest odds to be the first WR selected. They are also both listed with a draft position over/under of 10.5 picks.

If that prediction is accurate, we would need a mid-round run on WRs similar to what we saw in 2020. Henry Ruggs III was the first WR off the board at 12th overall, but 6 WRs still went in the first round.

The 2020 Draft was full of highly touted WRs such as Justin Jefferson, Jerry Jeudy, and CeeDee Lamb. This year’s draft has plenty of talent, but not quite the level that we saw a couple of years ago.

NFL Draft Betting Odds: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner

• 1st CB Selected (-260)
• Draft Position Over (+145)/Under (-190) 7.5 picks

One of the most intriguing players in this year’s NFL draft is Cincinnati’s CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. A tall, lanky corner, Gardner has been one of the best at his position over the last 3 seasons. “Sauce” was a big part of the Bearcats’ success over the last couple of years.

On top of his physical skills, the nearly 6’3” CB plays smart. He is quick to diagnose the offensive and react. “Sauce” also has a natural feel for the game that leads to plenty of INTs when offenses dare to test him. His 4.41 speed allows him to make up for any mistakes he does make in coverage.

Whether Gardner will be able to transition his dominant play in the NFL is yet to be seen. However, “Sauce” can help you win real money on draft day. BetOnline has Garner favored in two NFL Draft bets.

With most positions, BetOnline will allow you to wager on which player will be selected first. At the CB position, Gardner (-260) has the best odds to go first. Some mock drafts have “Sauce” going as high as the second overall pick. I doubt he will go that high, but he is still a good bet to be the first CB off the board. LSU’s Derek Stingley, Jr. (+225) has the second-best odds in that category.

“Sauce” has been connected to a number of dreams picking in the top-5. Gardner’s play certainly warrants consideration at the top of the draft. I think getting the over/under here at 7.5 picks is a steal. Personally, I would be shocked if he fell past the Jets at number 4.

NFL Draft Betting Odds: Total CBs Selected in Round 1

• Over 4.5 CBs selected (+115)
• Under 4.5 CBs selected (-155)

Gardner is seemingly a lock to go in the first round barring some unforeseen events. “Sauce” is great, but he is not the only CB that could hear his name called on night one. BetOnline has the over/under for the total number of first-round CBs at 4.5 selections.

Joining Gardner as a likely first-round pick is LSU’s Derek Stingley, JR. In 2019, Stingley was one of the best CBs in college football as a true freshman. Unfortunately, he has struggled to regain his form from the Tigers’ championship season. Stingley also had foot surgery last year.

The over/under for Stingley’s draft position is set at 10.5 picks. Even if both Garner and Stingley go in the top-10, I doubt the over hits on this bet. Several teams would have to reach for CB prospects to get the total number above 4.5.

Trent McDuffie from the University of Washington is widely regarded as the third-best CB in the draft. McDuffie could go in the mid to late first round. However, after McDuffie, there is a significant drop-off in talent.

There are plenty of other good CB prospects, but none that carry a first-round grade. Fellow Washington Huskies’ CB Kyler Gordon and Florida’s Kaiir Elam would be the most likely to go sneak into round one. Clemson’s Andrew Booth could also have a shot if teams can look past his injury history.

If this bet included all DBs, then I would lean toward taking the over. Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton is like going in the top half of the first round. Unfortunately, he is listed as a safety and not a CB.

NFL Draft Betting Odds: Total Off. and Def. Players Selected in Round 1

• Over (+100)/ Under (-140) 16.5 Offensive players drafted in the 1st round
• Over (-140)/ Under (+100) 15.5 Defensive players drafted in the 1st round

The last set of NFL betting odds we are going to look at concerns the total number of players drafted. BetOnline has these listed as separate wagers, but they play off one another. Based on the betting odds, oddsmakers are favoring offensive players in the first round.

A major factor contributing to the number of picks on the offensive side is the wealth of O-line talent. BetOnline has the over/under set at 7.5 offensive linemen being picked in the first round. Picking a lineman may not be the most exciting pick, but it is necessary for building a championship team.

Even if 8 linemen get drafted in the first round, it would be hard to get the other 9 players. Unlike last year, there are no TEs with first-round grades. It is unlikely that we will see any RBs drafted in round one. As a result, it will be up to WRs and QBs to pick up the slack. I do not see that happening, so would take the under on the offensive side.

With that in mind, I am leaning toward taking the over on defensive players by default. Three of the first four picks could easily be used on defensive players.

The 2022 NFL draft is full of talent on the defensive side of the ball. As a result, players like Georgia LB Nakobe Dean are likely to fall to the end of the first round. He would likely be a top-16 pick in most years.

Dean is not the only former Bulldog that is likely to go in the first round. DT Jordan Davis, DE Travon Walker, and DT Devonte Wyatt all have top-20 talent. It would not be the first time a school dominated the first round after winning the National Championship. Georgia’s defense led the way in January, and they could do the same again this month.

Conclusion

The 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas should have plenty of excitement. As teams gamble on their future success, you can make real money, too. Jacksonville once again has the task of picking first overall. However, there are also eight teams with multiple first-round picks.

With two weeks to go before draft day, there is still plenty of time for more offseason trades. Even after the draft starts, plenty of teams will have the draft capital to trade up. Tune in to the NFL Draft starting at 8 pm eastern on Thursday, April 28th. Let us know what you thought of our NFL draft predictions in the comments below.