Some of the best NFL Draft odds are long gone, such as Georgia’s Travon Walker to go first overall at plus-money. Walker is now a -300 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook.
At this point, the market reflects stronger information from teams and draft experts about where certain players will be selected starting Thursday on the Las Vegas Strip. But that doesn’t mean there are no good bets left.
After previously looking at the NFL Draft odds for quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive linemen, as well as some unusual options, Props.com looks at five value bets on the eve of the selections.
Kayvon Thibodeaux Over 4.5
Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux had been penciled in at the No. 2 overall spot for most of the months leading up to the draft, but his status is changing with Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker now poised to go No. 1.
If Walker goes first as expected, Michigan pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson is a virtual lock to go second, and Houston has been linked to a cornerback at No. 3. The New York Jets could grab Thibodeaux at No. 4, but they could also be tempted to take the first offensive lineman off the board to help protect quarterback Zach Wilson, last year’s No. 2 overall pick.
There have been reports that some teams have soured on Thibodeaux, and he fell all the way to No. 13 in longtime NFL insider Peter King’s final mock draft.
Maybe it’s all a smokescreen, but bettors can snag a nice +145 price at Caesars for Thibodeaux to go Over 4.5 — and to clarify, that means later than 4.5 — on his draft position prop.
Arnold Ebiketie Under 33.5
Arnold Ebiketie’s best friend could turn out to be fellow former Penn State standout Micah Parsons. The Dallas Cowboys linebacker was arguably the steal of the Draft last year at No. 12 overall, becoming an instant star and earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Ebiketie isn’t Parsons, but the Penn State link has been cited often in draft evaluations.
Many recent mock drafts have Ebiketie sliding into the first round, and Caesars is still offering him Under 33.5 (+100).
First Running Back Taken
There have been no indications that anyone other than Iowa State’s Breece Hall will be the first running back selected, with a few mock drafts even having him going to Buffalo in the first round.
His only competition appears to be Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III, who has a Draft position prop 10 spots worse than Hall’s (47.5 to 37.5 at DraftKings).
Hall is -300 at Caesars to be the first running back taken and -250 at DraftKings and FanDuel. But BetMGM is offering a value price of -190. Take that value and run.
Sam Howell Under 45.5
Everyone agrees: This year’s quarterback class is weak. Liberty’s Malik Willis and Pitt’s Kenny Pickett will almost surely go somewhere in the first round. Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder and Mississippi’s Matt Corral could also go in the first 32 picks.
North Carolina’s Sam Howell isn’t getting first-round buzz after a rough final college season, but he’s the kind of talent teams who passed on QBs initially will be happy to leap on early in the second round.
Take Howell Under 45.5 at +110 at DraftKings.
Trey McBride U51.5
Tight ends are dangerous weapons in the NFL. Colorado State’s Trey McBride isn’t considered a first-rounder, though King did slot him at No. 31 in his mock draft. But the top tight end prospect won’t have to wait that long for his name to be called.
Take McBride Under 51.5 (-125) at Caesars.
