By Larry Rupp
All the preparations are in place for the 2022 NFL Draft. The combine has been completed and pro days across the country are finishing up on the daily. The only thing left to do is wait for the Jacksonville Jaguars to be on the clock on Thursday, April 28. Well, there are odds to bet on, too.
One of the more exciting prop bets to place a wager on has to be which quarterback will be taken off the board first. It’s a market that can be impacted with just one trade or change of heart by a front office. Let’s dive into those atop the list, with all odds according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
We asked which QB will get drafted first. @malikwillis and @kennypickett10 had the right answer 💯@Pitt_FB | @LibertyFootball pic.twitter.com/HHPYSk2O9t
— NFL (@NFL) March 20, 2022
Malik Willis, Liberty (-200)
Malik Willis wasn’t even seen as the odds-on favorite until his performance at the NFL combine in early March. The Liberty standout dazzled scouts with his pinpoint accuracy and controlled footwork. He has since become heavily favored and for good reason. Willis passed for 2,857 yards and rushed for 878 yards during his junior season with the Flames. The dual-threat capabilities he possesses have led to comparisons to both Cam Newton and Tim Tebow.
Not only is Willis a playmaker in the backfield, but he thrives at guiding those around him to play at their highest level. The 22-year-old is a natural-born leader and has the highest upside out of any signal-caller in this class. QB-needy teams like the Carolina Panthers (No. 6) or Seattle Seahawks (No. 9) line up as the most likely landing spots. You never know what is going to happen, though, which may understandably cause bettors to shy away from the juiced odds.
It’s impossible to root against Malik Willis 🚀
— PFF (@PFF) March 22, 2022
pic.twitter.com/2EoSZKeMmL
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (+220)
The only other quarterback within striking distance of Willis is Pittsburgh’s, Kenny Pickett. The third-place Heisman finisher capped off a prolific college career by throwing for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns during his senior season. He also tossed just 7 interceptions and sported an impressive 67.2% completion percentage. Pickett’s rise up the draft boards was definitely warranted, yet his performance at the combine left a number of scouts wanting more.
No matter what, the idea of cashing a ticket for over twice your investment has to be enticing here. Rumors continue to circulate about which teams are interested in drafting the 23-year-old. That includes both Atlanta Falcons (No. 8) and Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 20). A trade up into the top 10 by Mike Tomlin’s squad is not out of the question. Pickett has the arm strength and tough-minded mentality to start from day one. All it takes is one team to shake up the draft by taking him over Willis.
Kenny Pickett's 2021 season:
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 21, 2022
🥇 92.1 Passing Grade (best by an ACC QB since 2014)
🥇 42 passing TDs (1st)
🥇 78.8% Adjusted Completion % (1st)pic.twitter.com/CKD2SdK7c3
Rest of the Pack
There is a huge gap after the duo of Willis and Pickett, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be had. All it takes is one amazing interview or visit for Matt Corral to suddenly jump into the conversation at +1600 odds. After all, the Ole Miss quarterback passed for over 3,300 yards in each of his final two college seasons and accounted for 64 total touchdowns during that span.
Meanwhile, bettors looking for a long shot can decide to back either Sam Howell (+2000) or Carson Strong (+2500). While they haven’t received nearly as much national attention, it’s possible an NFL team or two is keeping things under wraps in order to avoid getting sniped.
Picture Credit: Wikimedia
