The first round of the 2022 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 28, at 8 p.m. ET in Las Vegas. For the second straight draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars will make the first overall pick. They selected their franchise quarterback last year in Trevor Lawrence. They will likely be taking a pass rusher this time.
The 2022 draft is deep at wide receiver and cornerback, and there are many good pass rushers. The quarterback class is not believed to be that great. However, every year there are surprises, which makes the draft interesting.
After looking at the NFL Draft odds and lines, here are our 3 best NFL Draft bets among SportsbookWire.com’s NFL picks and predictions.
2022 NFL Draft odds, prop bets, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, April 18 at 6:17 p.m. ET.
DE Travon Walker selected 2nd overall (+300)
The Jaguars are projected to make a pass rusher the first overall pick and that is expected to be Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson (+150).
The Detroit Lions, who pick second, also seem to be targeting a pass rusher. Walker, who has elite athleticism at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, played for a dominant Georgia defense and would give the Lions a fearsome edge presence immediately.
Why Walker over Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (+280)? Walker offers similar athleticism in a bigger, stronger frame and played in the tougher SEC.
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First drafted WR – Jameson Williams (+320)
At least five receivers are expected to be selected in the first round, including Williams. The Alabama product is considered the top prospect at the position by pretty much everyone. However, because he tore his ACL in the National Championship Game in January, his odds aren’t as short as they should be.
Two other receivers — Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson (+110) and USC’s Drake London (+140) — have shorter odds, but there is some belief building that Williams will be selected in the top 10. The Atlanta Falcons, who pick eighth, are the team to watch as they have a good history with Alabama receivers, having used first-round picks on Julio Jones (2011) and Calvin Ridley (2018) in the past.
Team to select QB Malik Willis – Carolina Panthers (+240)
This quarterback class is not exciting, but Willis is the most exciting player. He played at a small school at Liberty, so he did not have great competition, but he is electric with exceptional physical tools. He has a great arm, great ball placement and adds athleticism and playmaking ability with his legs as well.
The five teams selecting before the Panthers aren’t likely to pick a QB. The Jaguars are set at the position with Lawrence, while the Lions seem content with Jared Goff and want an impact player with their No. 1 pick.
The next three picks, before the Panthers, belong to the Houston Texans (No. 3), New York Jets (No. 4) and New York Giants (No. 5).
The Texans believe in QB Davis Mills, who started 11 games last season. The Jets have QB Zach Wilson and the New York Giants are committing to QB Daniel Jones.
Since the Panthers’ options at quarterback are now Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker, picking Willis here is a good bet.
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