I know, I know, the 2020 NFL Draft just concluded, but we’re always looking ahead. Especially since it’s the only true sporting event that’s taken place live, right before our very eyes in over a month.
This year’s overall No. 1 pick belonged to former Ohio State quarterback Joe Burrow, followed by two Buckeyes in Chase Young and Jeff Okudah. And now, the odds are already out on who is the betting favorite to be the overall No. 1 pick for the 2021 NFL Draft according to BetMGM.
There are some familiar names as you would expect up at the top, including Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. He’s not the odds on favorite though, that belongs to Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence at -250. Fields is right behind though with the second-best odds at +350.
Behind the two favorites that have been linked ever since they came out of high school are Oregon’s Penei Sewell, D’eriq King of Miami, Penn State’s Micah Parsons, Georgia’s Jamie Newman, Alex Leatherwood of Alabama, Miami’s Gregory Rousseau, and running back Travis Etienne of Clemson.
Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
Ryan Day said that when Justin Fields chose to transfer to Ohio State, winning a Heisman Trophy and being a first-round NFL draft pick was part of the conversation. Does he expect Fields to go to the NFL next year? Day said those conversations will wait until after this season.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) April 26, 2020
Whether or not Fields can reel in Lawrence for the top overall pick really depends on what kind of college football season we have, and how well each produces on the field.
If, however, Fields is somewhere in the top three, that likely means the Buckeyes had another fantastic season. Look for him to take a jump in his development as he gets another full year under his belt, and the rest will take care of itself.
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