The 2018 NFL Draft is right around the corner. As the anticipation continues to build, fans and media continue to try to predict how the drat order will play out at the top of the first round. In particularly, everybody wants to know who will go first overall. Here is a look at the betting odds for which player will be selected first overall in this year’s NFL Draft.
Favorites
QB: Sam Darnold, USC -250
The Cleveland Browns are on the board with the first-overall pick and the consensus is that they will take the best quarterback available according to their draft board. Darnold is likely the pick following a strong final season at USC and quality performances at the combine and his pro day. Darnold still needs time to refine his mechanics but he might have the highest ceiling of the top passers available. At -250 odds to go first overall, Darnold is the obvious sports betting favorite to go at No. 1 to the Browns.
QB: Josh Allen, Wyoming +175
Allen is clearly the alternate option should the Browns decide to go with a quarterback other than Darnold at No. 1. Allen has the talent to become an elite franchise quarterback so while Darnold is the betting favorite to go first overall it wouldn’t be a major shock if Cleveland turned to Allen. Considering he is available at +175 odds as a legitimate potential No. 1 pick, it might be worth it to sprinkle some money on Allen to be drafted by the Browns with the top pick.
Next In Line
RB: Saquon Barkley, Penn State +500
While UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen is likely to be taken ahead of Barkley at the draft, Barkley is the more likely first-overall pick since Cleveland would be expected to take Darnold or Allen if they select a passer at No. 1. Barkley is an elite workhorse running back that is the consensus top non-quarterback pick on the board. The ideal situation for the Browns is that they take their quarterback at No. 1 and Barkley is still available at No. 4 when they pick again. However, if Cleveland decides to wait until No. 4 to take a passer then Barkley could be the most likely surprise No. 1 pick.
QB: Josh Rosen, UCLA +1000
The New York Jets traded up to No. 3 to select a franchise quarterback. The most likely target will be Rosen, who is expected to slide to them at No. 3. However, the UCLA standout has all of the tools to excel at the NFL level and if the Browns can look past any potential character issues that have been raised throughout the draft process then they could surprise by taking Rosen at No. 1. It’s a long shot, but it’s not completely ridiculous to think that Rosen could go first overall in this year’s NFL Draft.
QB: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma +2000
Mayfield has the talent and determination to be the best quarterback in this draft when it’s all said and done. However, there are several factors keeping him from going first overall including character issues. The more likely scenario is that Mayfield is either the third or fourth quarterback off the board with the Denver Broncos looking for a passer at No. 6. The upside is certainly there for the team that drafts them. However, from a sports betting perspective it makes sense to pass on him in terms of placing money on him to be drafted first overall.
Sleeper Pick?
Field +3300
In some sports betting situations, it makes sense to put some money down on a sleeper pick that presents solid value. This isn’t one of them. Cleveland will undoubtedly take one of the names listed above. That said, if for whatever reason you thought they wouldn’t take one of the names listed above you could bet on the field and take literally every other name in the draft to go first overall at +3300 odds. The Browns need a quarterback and Darnold is the consensus No. 1 pick. The smart money is still on the USC passer, but it wouldn’t be a major shock if they end up taking Allen first overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
