2022 NFL Draft: The Best Betting Odds & Predictions From MaximBet

Make Draft Day a payday with the best bets on the first overall pick and much more at MaximBet.

Adam Greene

Apr 18, 2022

Former Iowa State University running back Breece Hall
(Getty Images)

As we narrow our focus on the 2022 NFL Draft (April 28-30), it’s important to understand one thing — nobody knows anything.

It’s especially true this season as a historically poor crop of quarterbacks has every mock draft reeling. Last year, Trevor Lawrence was going No. 1 overall and we knew that was happening after the 2020 NFL Draft concluded. This year? It’s anybody’s guess.

But we know that uncertainty offers an opportunity to make some bank. And if you rolled with me through the NFL season, the playoffs and the NFL Combine, then you should have plenty of disposable income to spend… whatever you didn’t use to bid on some Russian oligarch’s impounded yacht.

If you want to add some more cash to your bank account, look no further than the MaximBet odds on the draft’s No. 1 overall pick.

Who Will Be The 1^st Overall Pick in the 2022 NFL Draft?

Aiden Hutchinson (-250)
Travon Walker (+350)
Evan Neal (+1200)
Ickey Ekwonu (+1200)
Jayvon Thibodeaux (+2500)

I’m only listing the top five options because there’s no reason to go any further. Our first rounder is there and, regardless of what the odds say, I think he’ll deliver a massive payout.

When the Jacksonville Jaguars (the team holding the No. 1 overall pick) hired Doug Pederson, they did it with one goal in mind — to save Trevor Lawrence’s career. Pederson’s handing of Carson Wentz for four seasons is why Wentz remains in the league instead of running the lumber section at a Bismarck Home Depot.

Lawrence was the “best QB prospect to enter the NFL since Andrew Luck” and to keep him from exiting the NFL like Andrew Luck, you need to protect him. So I say the first pick in April’s draft will be Evan Neal (+1200), a guy who’s delivered against future NFL pass rushers in the SEC.

Who Will Be the 2^nd Overall Pick in the 2022 NFL Draft?

Aiden Hutchinson (+225)
Travon Walker (+250)
Kayvon Thibidoeaux (+400)
Malik Willis (+550)
Kyle Hamilton (+1600)

With the Jags going with Neal, Detroit runs up the card with Aiden Hutchinson’s (+225) name on it so fast their intern tears an ACL on the stairs.

Who Will be the First Quarterback Drafted?

Malik Willis (-175)
Kenny Pickett (+125)
Matt Corrall (+2200)
Sam Howell (+2500)
Desmond Ridder (+2500)

Here’s the thing. None of these quarterbacks should be drafted in the first round. This is the weakest group of quarterbacks to enter the NFL since 2013, a draft that produced such illustrious signal callers as Geno Smith and E.J. Manuel.

I don’t think this one is that bad. In fact, I think there’s a chance Matt Corrall and Desmond Ridder could turn into NFL starters. The other guys? Lifelong back ups and busts, depending on when they’re taken.

As far as who will pull the trigger on one of these guys, I think the Steelers might and that guy will be Kenny Picket (+125). I don’t see anyone taking Willis in the first unless it’s Detroit at No. 32 or some team that trades for that pick.

Total Quarterbacks Drafted in Round 1

Over 2.5 (-286)
Under 2.5 (+200)

This is a license to steal money. There’s no way three of these scrub QBs go in round 1. Take the under.

First Running Back Drafted

Breece Hall (-250)
Kenneth Walker III (+220)
Isaiah Spiller (+700)
Kyren Williams (+2500)
Dameon Pierce (+2800)

Here’s a lesson I’ve learned in the modern, running back devalued, NFL. The guy that should go first, might not go first. In 2020, Jonathan Taylor was unquestionably the best running back coming out in the draft. In the NFL, he’s been the best RB in that class by far. He was the third RB taken behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire and D’Andre Swift. Last year, Najee Harris went first and should have.

Breece Hall (-250) should be the first running back picked. But I’d steer clear of this one. There’s always a general manager ready to outsmart himself, especially in the second round.

First Wide Receiver Drafted

Garrett Wilson (+125)
Drake London (+150)
Jameson Williams (+600)
Treylon Burks (+1200)
Chris Olave (+1400)

With the Las Vegas Raiders out of the first round this year, there’s no team to mess this up. Garrett Wilson (+125) is your safest bet.

Total Defensive Players Drafted In Round 1

Over 15.5 (-125)
Under 15.5 (-105)

I see 18 defensive players going in round 1, so take the Over (-125).

Total Offensive Players Drafted in Round 1

Under 16.5 (-125)
Over 16.5 (-105)

If I think 18 defensive players are getting selected in round 1, that just leaves 14 offensive players. So take the Under (-125).

Total Wide Receivers Drafted In Round 1

Over 5.5 (-172)
Under 5.5 (+140)

I see six guys going, maybe even seven, so take the Over (-172).

First Cornerback Drafted

Ahmad Gardner (-357)
Derek Stingley Jr. (+300)
Trent McDuffie (+1200)
Andrew Booth Jr. (+5000)
Jalen Pitre (+8000

Here’s another chance to make some real money. Gardner had a great collegiate career, but he just doesn’t have the film against future NFL talent. Stingley does. I think Derek Stingley Jr. (+300) is the first CB off the board because of that. He’s a sure thing.

First Offensive Lineman Drafted

Ikem Ekwonu (-182)
Evan Neal (+150)
Charles Cross (+1100)
Trevor Penning (+2200)
Tyler Linderbaum (+2800)

We already know my answer to this one. Take Evan Neal (+150) and increase that bid on that Russian bastard’s confiscated yacht.

Adam Greene is @TheFirstMan on Twitter.

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