The 2021 NFL Draft is just a few days away and sports bettors are looking at all the ways in which they can participate in the event. One of the ways that sports betting can add excitement is through prop bets.
Prop bets are unique bets that could deal with random scenarios that don’t always reflect the final outcome of an event. An example of an available prop bet for the 2021 NFL Draft is predicting which prospect will be the first at their position to be drafted. While it’s pretty much a guarantee that Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence will be the first quarterback off the board, the rest of the draft isn’t as clear. After all, some teams will be drafting for positional needs while others may take the best player available.
Keeping that in mind, here’s a look at BetOnline’s odds when it comes to who will be the first player at each position to be selected at the 2021 NFL draft.
Surtain Favored to Be First Cornerback Selected at 2021 NFL Draft
Odds via BetOnline as of Tuesday, April 20
- Patrick Surtain II (-400)
- Jaycee Horn (+250)
- Caleb Farley (+1400)
At -400 odds, Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II is projected to be the first cornerback taken in the 2021 NFL Draft. Surtain was amazing last season, holding opposing quarterback’s to a 67.4 passer rating when targeting someone he was covering. He also added an interception and an 89.9 PFF grade, making him one of the top corners in the country.
South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn (+250) could also be the first cornerback taken at the 2021 NFL Draft. He had two interceptions in seven games last season, while holding opposing QBs to a 54.9 passer rating. Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley rounds out the top-3 odds. He remains the least likely (+1400) of the three to be taken first, which could be because of his injury history.
Odds for First Defensive Lineman Selected at the Draft
Odds via BetOnline as of Tuesday, April 20
- Kwity Paye (-190)
- Jaelan Phillips (+200)
- Christian Barmore (+500)
- Gregory Rousseau (+1200)
- Jayson Oweh (+1200)
2021 NFL Draft Odds: Sewell Likely to Be First Offensive Lineman Taken
Odds via BetOnline as of Tuesday, April 20
- Penei Sewell (-500)
- Rashawn Slater (+300)
There is a lot of offensive line talent expected to be taken in Round 1 of the draft, but none are more talented than Oregon’s Penei Sewell (-500). While he opted out of the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sewell showed the NFL world what he could do in 2019. In 14 games, he didn’t give up a single sack and allowed just 2 quarterback hits and 5 hurries. Sewell had an overall PFF grade of 95.8 that season, making him the highest-rated lineman in the country.
On the other hand, Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater could be the first offensive linemen to go at +300 odds. He also missed the 2020 season but showed how impressive he could be in previous years. In 2019, Slater allowed one QB hit and zero tackles in 11 games with Northwestern. He’s got the quick feet that scouts love, so maybe there’s a slim shot he goes before Sewell in the 2021 NFL Draft.
First Safety Selected in the 2021 Draft
Odds via BetOnline as of Tuesday, April 20
- Trevon Moehrig-Woodard (-500)
- Jevon Holland (+425)
- Richie Grant (+650)
Who Will Be the First Wide Receiver Taken?
- Ja'Marr Chase (-750)
- DeVonta Smith (+600)
- Jaylen Waddle (+650)
At -750 odds, LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase is favored to be the first receiver taken in this year’s draft class. Chase spent two seasons at LSU, catching 107 passes for 2,093 yards and 23 touchdowns. DeVonta Smith (+600) is coming off four successful seasons at Alabama, finishing with 235 receptions for 3,965 yards and a monstrous 46 touchdowns. Smith’s teammate at Alabama, Jaylen Waddle (+650), could also be the first wide receiver taken after putting up 1,999 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in three seasons with the Crimson Tide.
