2022 NFL Draft Round 1 Betting Recap

The first round of the 2022 NFL Draft is now in the books. Six receivers were taken in the first 18 picks, but we saw only one quarterback taken on Thursday night. That led to a lot of money changing hands, so with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the big hits and misses from R1.

Updated on 12/22/2024

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BIG HITS

Kayvon Thibodeaux to be the No. 5 Pick +800

The chalk carried the day early as the first four picks in the NFL Draft were all the favorites to go in their spot. However, Kayvon Thibodeaux was considered an 8-1 longshot to go No. 5 to the New York Giants, as the oddsmakers pegged Big Blue to be looking at offensive tackles. Three offensive tackles were taken with the next four picks, but defensive players filled up the top five.

Drake London to be the First WR Drafted +250

Garrett Wilson and Jameson Williams were both favored to go ahead of Drake London on Thursday night, but the USC receiver ended up being the first wide-out taken in the NFL Draft. London was taken by the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8, as the Falcons continue to prioritize skill position players.

Pittsburgh to Draft Kenny Pickett +350

The Pittsburgh Steelers famously passed on Pitt product Dan Marino almost 40 years ago, but they decided to go with the home-grown quarterback in the first round this year. Kenny Pickett had a fantastic final season with the Pitt Panthers, leading the program to an ACC title and a trip to the Peach Bowl. Pittsburgh was reportedly higher on Malik Willis in the run-up to the draft, but the Steelers instead made the Yinzers happy by taking Pickett.

BIG MISSES

Jermaine Johnson II Under Pick 9.5

Every year there is one player that freefalls in the NFL Draft. That player was Jermaine Johnson II from Florida State this time. Johnson was pegged as a probable top ten pick, but the ACC Defensive Player of the Year fell all the way to the 26^th pick. The New York Jets traded back into the first round to add Johnson alongside Ahmad Gardner and Garrett Wilson.

Under 5.5 Wide Receivers in the First Round

This was a banner year for wide receivers. Although a receiver didn’t come off the board until the 8^th pick, there were six receivers taken in the span of 11 picks as teams furiously traded up to try and get talented, young wide outs at a discounted price. The A.J. Brown and Marquise Brown trades also highlighted this shift, as the market for receivers drastically changed this offseason.

Ahmad Gardner to be the First Cornerback Selected

Cincinnati’s Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner was as much as a -260 favorite to be the first cornerback taken a couple days ago.  Gardner was seen as the top defensive back in the draft, but the odds started to shift away from him as rumors swirled that Houston was interested in Derek Stingley Jr. Those rumors proved to be true and anyone left holding a Gardner ticket was disappointed.

Betting On The NFL Draft

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