2022 NFL Draft odds and betting tips for the top 5 picks

We won't know who is selected first in the NFL Draft until the night of Apr. 28th. However, we do know the 21 players who will be there in Las Vegas.

Those draftees-in-waiting include Quarterbacks Matt Corral (Ole Miss) and Malik Willis (Liberty), Wide Receivers Drake London (USC), Chris Olave (Ohio St.), Jameson Williams (Alabama) and Garrett Wilson (Ohio St.), Offensive Linemen Charles Cross (Mississippi St.), Ikem Ekwonu (North Carolina St.), Zion Johnson (Boston College) and Evan Neal (Alabama), Edges Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan), Jermaine Johnson (Florida St.), George Karlaftis (Purdue) and Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon), Defensive Tackles Jordan Davis (Georgia) and Devonte Wyatt (Georgia), Linebackers Nakobe Dean (Georgia) and Devin Lloyd (Utah), Cornerbacks Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (Cincinnati) and Kyler Gordon (Washington), Safety Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)

The absence of Pittsburgh Quarterback Kenny Pickett is noticeable. Instead of going to Las Vegas, he's with his family in New Jersey.

Some other highly rated players who won't be in attendance, even though they project to be top-20 and even top-10 picks, includes Georgia Edge Travon Walker, LSU Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., and Northern Iowa Offensive Tackle Trevor Penning.

Regardless, don't be stunned to see plenty of moving parts before, during and after the selections, according to NFL Draft odds. 

First-Choice Odds *

Player                    (Current Odds/April 21st odds)
Aidan Hutchinson      (+400/-180)
Travon Walker          (-400/+175)
Ikem Ekwonu           (+700/+1200)
Evan Neal                (+2500/+1200)
Kayvon Thibodeaux   (+2500)

Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson was the first-selection favorite, currently in the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but has been replaced at the top  online sportsbooks by Travon Walker. The Jags have reportedly been shopping the pick, but are having a hard time finding a partner.

The history of a defensive lineman going first overall has been mixed. Myles Garrett, the top pick in 2017, has been phenomenal for the Browns, while Jadeveon Clowney, the top pick in 2014, has never quite met his expectations.

Second-Choice Odds

Player                (Current Odds/April 21st odds)
Hutchinson         (-125/+125)
Walker               (+1100/+275)
Thibodeaux        (+130/+200)
Malik Willis         (+4000/+550)
Ahmad Gardner (+3400/+1400)

The second pick belongs to the Detroit Lions, and if Hutchinson doesn't go with the first pick, there is no chance that he's getting past (or passed) here. He's local, a stud and would instantly make the hometown Lions' defense better. The same can be said (minus the local angle) about Walker, so if Hutchinson goes first, Walker is the bet to land in Detroit. However, Thibodeaux is right there, at least on some draft boards.

Third-Choice Odds

Player        (Current Odds/April 21st odds)
Ekwonu      (+500/+175)
Neal           (+600/+250)
Walker        (+800/+475)
Gardner      (+400/+500)
Thibodeaux (+600/+800)

With the third pick in the draft, the Houston Texans are expected to draft an offensive tackle, and Ekwonu from N.C. State is the favorite. Neal is also a great choice here. The Texans also have the 13th pick and that may affect the pick here at #3.


Fourth-Choice Odds

Player              (Current Odds/April 21st odds)
Thibodeaux       (+400/+275)
Gardner            (+300/+400)
Jermaine Johnson II (+380/+400)
Travon Walker   (+1500/+500)
Ikem Ekwonu    (+350/+850)

If Thibodeaux remains available the time the Jets pick fourth, he's the likely choice. He would become the best true edge rusher for the Jets in more than 15 years. 

Fifth-Choice Odds

Player         (Current Odds/April 21st odds)
Charles  Cross (xx/+175)
Neal           (+370/+250)
Ekwonu      (+400/+325)
Gardner      (+350/+375)
Thibodeaux (+700/+400)

The Giants need a tackle, and Ekwonu would be their preference. In recent weeks Mississippi State's Charles Cross has taken a lot of action at BetUS. However, Neal is still worthy of going this high, so if Ekwonu isn’t there, and the Cross money is wrong, it's likely to be Neal.

First Quarterback Chosen

Player            (Current Odds/April 1 odds)
Maik Willis       (-200/-165)
Kenny Pickett  (+200/+130)
Desmond Ridder (+950/+1000)
Matt Corral    (+1400/+1000)

At the end of the top-10, we get some quarterback-needy teams, such as the Falcons at No. 8 and Seahawks at No. 9. So, Willis is expected to be the first one off the board, with Pickett going next. It's also possible the Saints march in to grab one of those, while the Panthers are also a possibility to hunt for a QB in the first round.

First-Round Position Totals

Quarterbacks (2½)
Running Backs (½) 
Wide Receivers (5½)
Offensive Linemen (7½)
Cornerbacks (4½)
Safeties (1½) 

Much was made about the 2022 wide-receiver class, and if "over" hits on wide receivers, it would be the first time six at the position were drafted that high since 2015. If "under" hits on quarterbacks, it will be the fewest number of first-round QBs since 2015, when Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were the only ones selected in the opening round of the draft.

Do not forget that both Jimmy Garoppolo and Baker Mayfield figure to have new addresses, with any potential trades involving any number of draft choices this season. For the latest news, refer often to NFL Draft odds.

*NFL Draft Odds provided by top-rated online sportsbook, BetUS.