The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, and it’s still anyone’s guess about how the first round will unfold. Here is a look at 10 prospects who have been given a draft projection slot, with a prediction on whether they are taken before or after said spot.
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
Projected draft slot: 4.5
Odds via BetMGM: Under -190; Over +140
Thibodeaux’s stock has gone up and down, at least publicly, in the past few months, but as the draft nears, the expectation is that he will go early, potentially No. 2 to the Lions. The ‘under’ is the favorite here and deservedly so. The Texans at 3 and the Jets at 4 could also take a close look at Thibodeaux. He should go top-4 when all is said and done.
Prediction: Thibodeaux under 4.5 draft slot
T Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State
Projected draft slot: 4.5
Odds: Over -125; Under -105
It’s unlikely Ekwonu ends up going first or second overall, so in order for the under to hit, he would need to land with the Texans at 3 or the Jets at 4. Ekwonu is the favorite to go No. 3 in the draft, but only at +250 odds. It seems more likely Houston goes defense with that pick, which would result in Ekwonu sliding. It’s not a given he is the first tackle taken, as Evan Neal is also in that mix.
Prediction: Ekwonu over 4.5 draft slot
CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
Projected draft slot: 5.5
Odds: Under -130; Over +100
Gardner is the favorite to be the first cornerback selected, but how high will he go? The Texans at 3 and the Jets at 4 have been common landing spots in mock drafts. Is there a chance he drops? Yes, but cornerbacks are coveted in the draft and Gardner should be snapped up quickly.
Prediction: Gardner under 5.5 draft slot
T Evan Neal, Alabama
Projected draft slot: 5.5
Odds: Under -115; Over -115
Our first prop on the board with even juice. Neal would make sense for the Giants at 5, and could also be in the mix for the Texans and the Jets. However, there are just too many other good prospects to take the under on this pick. If Ekwonu is the first offensive lineman drafted, it doesn’t allow much wiggle room for Neal to be taken in the top-5.
Prediction: Neal over 5.5 draft slot
T Charles Cross, Mississippi State
Projected draft slot: 7.5
Odds: Over -115; Under -115
The Carolina Panthers are expected to be in the tackle market at No. 6 overall, and Cross has been commonly linked to them there. However, if Neal or Ekwonu are still available, the Panthers could choose one of those protectors, or they could also go quarterback. The Giants have the No. 7 pick and could also be in the market for a tackle, but there are also a lot of other intriguing prospects worthy of early consideration.
Prediction: Cross over 7.5 draft slot
Edge Jermaine Johnson, Florida State
Projected draft slot: 9.5
Odds: Over -115; Under -115
There are some draft analysts that believe Johnson is the best edge rusher in the draft, even though he’s rarely mentioned alongside the Big Three of Aidan Hutchinson, Travon Walker and Thibodeaux. Others don’t see the upside and would wait until late in the first round to draft him. The Seahawks have the No. 9 overall pick, and it could come down to their decision there. It seems more likely than not Johnson ends up outside the top-10.
Prediction: Johnson over 9.5 draft slot
S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
Projected draft slot: 11.5
Odds: Over -120; Under -110
There was early buzz about Hamilton going as high as No. 2 to the Lions. That doesn’t seem like it will happen, and now the oddsmakers are wondering if he ends up going within the first 11 picks. The Jets and Commanders have the two picks before 12, and each could be landing spots for Hamilton. While he didn’t have a great combine, Hamilton is still an elite prospect that should get gobbled up by New York or Washington.
Prediction: Hamilton under 11.5 draft slot
QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Projected Draft Slot: 12.5
Odds: Over -145; Under +110
Pickett is projected to be the second quarterback taken in the draft behind Malik Willis, but it’s really hard to peg where he ends up. Carolina, Seattle, Atlanta and Washington could all consider a quarterback in the top-12, and then there is the possibility that a team trades up for Pickett. However, there is a serious lack of buzz about this quarterback class and Pickett may not be good enough to warrant going this high. In the end, the +110 juice is too hard to ignore, because only one team needs to fall in love with Pickett and make a move.
Prediction: Pickett under 12.5 draft slot
WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas
Projected Draft Slot: 23.5
Odds: Over -110; Under -120
Burks has garnered Deebo Samuel comparisons, which is quite the compliment, but that might be a bit of a reach. While a physical specimen, Burks is still pretty raw as a receiver and could take awhile to become a fully operational piece within an NFL offense. The Packers at 22 and the Cardinals at 23 need wide receivers and would take a close look if he remains available. However, Burks is a boom-or-bust-type prospect, and that may scare teams away.
Prediction: Burks over 23.5 draft slot
C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
Projected Draft Slot: 27.5
Odds: Over -120; Under -110
Linderbaum was once expected to go in the middle of the first round, but now there are questions about whether he ends up being selected at all on Day 1. Linderbaum is an excellent player, but at 6-foot-2 and 296 pounds with shorter arms than usual for a center, there are questions about potential physical limitations. This projection dovetails with those concerns, as it puts Linderbaum near the end of the first round. The Bills, Titans and Buccaneers have the three picks before 28.
Prediction: Linderbaum over 27.5 draft slot
