As the current NFL offseason progresses, football fans are trying to do what they can to distract themselves until the new season begins. One of the ways that they’re doing that is by looking ahead to the 2022 NFL Draft.
It’s always exciting to try and predict who will be the first overall back in the next draft. Sometimes early predictions turn out to be correct, while others change over the duration of the season. Either way, people will continue to do it. Especially as long as Bovada is putting out future odds on the next NFL draft.
As of May 13, Bovada is favoring that Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler will be selected first at the 2022 NFL Draft at -110 odds. Football experts are already talking about how Rattler had one of the most impressive rookie campaigns last season. The Oklahoma signal-caller threw for 3,031 yards in 2020, turning that into 28 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. He also showed that he could be effective on the ground when needed, scoring 6 rushing TDs on 81 attempts.
Rattler was also first-team All-Big 12 in his rookie season, leading the Sooners to a conference championship where he took home MVP honors. It’s safe to say that if he can improve on this performance in 2021, Rattler could be a home run to be the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
NFL Odds: First Overall Pick at 2022 Draft
Odds via Bovada as of Thursday, May 13
- Spencer Rattler (-110)
- Kayvon Thibodeaux (+325)
- Sam Howell (+325)
- Tyler Shough (+1200)
- J.T. Daniels (+1200)
- Malik Willis (+1200)
- Kedon Slovis (+1200)
Thibodeaux Chasing First Overall Status
While it seems likely that Rattler will be the first player off the board at next year’s draft, it’s not a guarantee. Things can change, including the possibility that Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (+325) could be taken first overall at the NFL draft. At 6-foot-5 and over 250 pounds, the third-year DE has shown a lot of promise with the Ducks. Through 20 games across two seasons, Thibodeaux recorded 77 total tackles (23.5 were for a loss), 12 sacks, 3 passes defended and a single forced fumble.
Thibodeaux also won the 2020 Morris Trophy for best defensive lineman out of all Pac-12 players. When Oregon won the Pac-12 Championship back in December, Thibodeaux was named the game’s MVP. He recorded 5 tackles, a pass defended and a sack in a 31-24 for the Ducks over the USC Trojans. With another year to improve his NFL draft stock, watch for Thibodeaux to have another monster season.
2022 NFL Draft Odds: Will Howell Be Taken at No. 1?
Another promising player who has the same odds as Thibodeaux of being taken first overall next year is North Carolina Tar Heels QB Sam Howell. The 20-year-old signal-caller has played in 25 games over two seasons with the Tar Heels, recording 7,227 passing yards and 68 touchdowns to 14 interceptions in that span. He’s made All-ACC teams in both seasons and was ProFootballFocus’ top-ranked quarterback in his college conference last season.
If Howell can put up similar numbers to what he’s been doing over the last two seasons, his 2022 NFL Draft odds could potentially improve. It really depends on what he can do and what Rattler does in his sophomore season. Either way, any NFL teams looking for a quarterback in next year’s draft should be exciting knowing that there should be at least two talented prospects available in the top-3.
