As the 2018 college football season approaches, scouts and draft experts are already evaluating who will be the top prize from this year’s crop of players. BetDSI Sportsbook has revealed the odds to be the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and the favorite might surprise you:
No. 1 overall pick in 2019 NFL Draft
Drew Lock +300
Jarrett Stidham +420
Ed Oliver +550
Justin Herbert +550
Nick Bosa +850
Greg Little +1000
Dexter Lawrence +1200
Will Grier +2500
Shea Patterson +2500
Clelin Ferrell +2500
Raekwon Davis +2500
Christian Wilkins +5000
David Edwards +5000
Field (Any other player) +150
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock is viewed as the top 2019 NFL Draft asset right now, with the 2018 season just about to get underway. Of course, quarterbacks are usually the first players off the board. Remember, Baker Mayfield was drafted first overall by the Cleveland Browns this year. Jared Goff, Jameis Winston, Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, Sam Bradford and Matt Stafford were also drafted first overall recently. Since 2009, a quarterback has been taken first every year, with three exceptions: Eric Fisher in 2013, Jadeveon Clowney in 2014 and Myles Garrett in 2017.
Missouri is coming off a 7-6 season but enters the 2018 campaign with promise. Lock threw for 3,964 yards and 44 touchdowns last season while breaking the school’s mark for passing efficiency (165.67). Derek Dooley is the new offensive coordinator and that should help matters, but Missouri isn’t viewed as a threat in the SEC. A decent bowl game is likely where they top out.
That somewhat opens the door for someone else to rise to the top of the 2019 NFL Draft class. If Auburn has a great season, Jarrett Stidham – also a highly-rated quarterback – could slot ahead of Lock. The same can be said for Will Grier at West Virginia or Justin Herbert at Oregon – both of whom orchestrate high-flying offenses. A lot of scouts love Herbert’s accuracy and athleticism.
On the flip side, defense could be the flavor of the month next April and there are some good options to choose from on that side of the ball. Ed Oliver is a stud defensive lineman out of Houston. He’s the top-rated defensive player. Nick Bosa, who is a star at Ohio State and is the younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Bosa, could also be an attractive choice.
