We’ve finally reached Week 13 of the 2021 NCAA college football season, which means we’re one step closer to the 2022 NFL Draft next spring. Football’s top prospects have all been proving why they deserve to be picked first overall, however, those honors can only go to one man.
As it stands, Bovada is still favoring Oregon Ducks defense end Thibodeaux to be selected overall in next year’s draft at +100 odds. That’s a slight improvement over the +170 he was listed at just over a month ago.
Thibodeaux continues to prove to be a special player for Oregon. The 20-year-old has 41 total tackles — one away from his career-high — and 6.0 sacks in eight games this season. He’s also recorded two forced fumbles and was just named a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given to the top defensive player in all of college football. Judging by how he’s played this season, it’d be hard not to hand him the award already.
At the end of the day, it’s just too hard to deny Thibodeaux’s talent. He has a 90.8 pass-rush grade on ProFootballFocus in 2021, which would be attractive to the Detroit Lions if they end up with the first overall pick at the 2022 NFL Draft. At 0-8-1, it doesn’t look like the Lions’ situation will be improving any time soon and their pass rush has left a lot to be desired yesterday. If they hold the No. 1 selection next year, it’s hard not imagining them handing a jersey to Thibodeaux at the podium.
Updated 2022 NFL Draft First Overall Pick Odds
Odds via Bovada as of Wednesday, November 24
- Kayvon Thibodeaux (+100)
- Matt Corral (+350)
- Malik Willis (+550)
- Carson Strong (+600)
- Evan Neal (+800)
- Sam Howell (+1200)
- DeMarvin Leal (+1500)
- Aidan Hutchinson (+2000)
- Kenny Pickett (+2000)
- Derek Stingley Jr. (+2000)
The complete odds list is available at Bovada.lv.
Corral Moves Up Draft Odds List
A month ago, Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Matt Corral had the sixth-best odds to be selected first overall at the 2022 NFL Draft. Well, that’s changed because he now has the second-best odds (+350) to have those honors next year.
Compared to his sophomore season, Corral has taken a small step back this year. His 3,099 passing yards and 19 touchdowns are both fewer than he had last season (3,337 and 29, respectively) despite playing one more game in 2021. However, he’s also shown maturity and better decision-making in the sense that he’s only thrown three interceptions this year compared to the 14 he had last season.
Corral has also taken it upon himself to handle the ball more this season. He’s rushed the football a career-high 133 times this season, recording 552 rushing yards and another 10 touchdowns. Dual threats like him are hard to come by, which is why he’s considered by many to be the top quarterback in the draft. If the Lions don’t think that Jared Goff should be their quarterback going forward, they could always opt for Corral over Thibodeaux.
Malik Willis 2022 NFL Draft Odds
Much like he was last month, Liberty Flames QB Malik Willis holds the third-best odds (+550) to be next year’s No. 1 pick at the NFL Draft. He’s led Liberty to a 7-4 record this season, which ranks fourth among the FBS independent schools.
Overall, Willis has been such an electrifying player to watch this season. He has over 2,300 passing yards and 23 touchdowns on the season despite throwing five more interceptions (11) than he did last year (6) in just one more game.
Like Corral, Willis has also been an absolute force on the ground. While his final totals weren’t as high as they were last year, he still recorded 173 carries for 793 rushing yards and 10 TDs. If he can find a way to translate that into NFL success, there’s no questioning that Willis is more than worthy of first overall status at the 2022 NFL Draft.
