This looks like the most open NFL Draft in many years with a lack of high end talent, particularly at the quarterback position. Nonetheless, there look some excellent bets to be had.
The NFL draft begins Friday at 10am (AEST) and will be broadcast on ESPN.
Pick 2 – Aidan Hutchinson ($1.80)
With the drums beating loudly that Trevon Walker is headed to Jacksonville with the first pick, Hutchinson looks like a lock to go to the Lions with the second selection. Detroit is desperate to add talent to its defensive line and the Michigan product is everything that head coach Dan Campbell wants in a football player.
Pick 3 – Ikem Ekwonu ($4.25)
The market has cornerback Sauce Gardner favourite to go to the Texans here but he isn’t necessarily a need for Lovie Smith’s defensive scheme. The offensive line has been a perennial issue for Houston even with Laremy Tunsil holding down the left tackle position, Ekwonu has the ability to play either side and looks like the best tackle in the draft.
Team to draft Kenny Pickett – Pittsburgh Steelers ($4.75)
It just makes too much sense. Pickett is a Pitt product and with the Steelers currently having Mitchell Trubisky at the top of their depth chart, they look primed to take a quarterback in this year’s draft. Carolina at six is favourite to take Pickett but that position is a little rich for him and with no day two picks, the Panthers will likely be desperate to trade back and possibly acquire a player like Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield after the draft.
Team to draft position – Buffalo Bills, safety ($11)
Buffalo’s roster is loaded but their safety pairing of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer isn’t getting any younger. The Bills view safety as a premium position in Sean McDermott’s scheme and with a couple of good options likely to be available around their first pick, it makes a lot of sense. Don’t rule out a trade up for Kyle Hamilton if he begins to slip either.
Team to draft position – Tennessee Titans, quarterback ($6.50)
For a successful franchise the Titans’ first round picks have been an absolute dumpster fire in recent years. The roster is mostly in decent shape but the team might feel that quarterback Ryan Tannehill is holding them back after some poor play in the playoff game against Cincinatti. Drafting a player like Malik Willis who could sit for a year behind Tannehill is an intriguing option for the Titans.
