Ricky Dimon
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NFL Draft talk has been dominating sports airwaves for several months, and now it is almost here. With the festivities rapidly approaching, it’s time to look at our best prop bets regarding first-round position totals. We know quarterbacks are going one through three, but after that things could get crazy. How many QBs in total will go in the first round? How many running backs? Wide receivers? Cornerbacks? Here are our best predictions.
First-round position totals
Running backs: Under 1.5 (-190) – There is a chance that zero running backs go in the first round. Sure it’s unlikely, but the mere possibility of zero means that there is definitely good value on Under 1.5. Najee Harris should go off the board at some point in the first 32 picks (probably late), but Travis Etienne and Javonte Williams are questionable at best to go in the first. I’m thinking early (possibly mid) second will be the landing spots for Etienne and Williams. Although -190 isn’t especially enticing juice, this one should hit.
Wide receivers: Under 4.5 (+250) – I know we have five wide receivers going in the first round of our mock draft, but +250 odds are just too good to pass up on an under play. The aforementioned mock has Elijah Moore being the last pick of the first round to Tampa Bay, while Kadarius Toney is going No. 28 overall to New Orleans. Neither is a lock for the first round. It would not be crazy to see only the three locks—Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith—being among the top 32 picks. With just three a possibility, four is entirely realistic. At +250, it’s worth a shot.
Offensive linemen: Under 6.5 (-118) – This is a big number, so I’m going with the under. Dillon Radunz is our sixth offensive linemen off the board, and he isn’t being taken until No. 31 (Baltimore, via trade with Kansas City) in our mock. In actuality, only Penei Sewell and Alijah Vera-Tucker are locks. With a run on linebackers and defensive ends figuring to take place in the middle of the first round and late, OTs and OGs could get snubbed.
Linebackers: Over 4.5 (+140) – On that note, I like five linebackers to be first-round selections—especially at +140 odds. Micah Parsons and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah may be the only slam dunks, but Azeez Ojulari, Zaven Collins, and Jamin Davis are all in the mix. Nick Bolton and Jabril Cox can’t be discounted, either.
Cornerbacks: Under 4.5 (+108) – Patrick Surtain II, Jaycee Horn, and Caleb Farley are virtually guarantees. Greg Newsome II looks like a safe bet, as well. But will four become five later in the first round? I’m not seeing it. Asante Samuel Jr. has a chance to crash the party, but the smart money is on round two for ASJ.
Be sure to check out Pickwise’s other 2021 NFL Draft content:
- Full first-round mock draft
- Who will the 49ers take third overall?
- Best 2021 NFL Draft player draft position prop bets
- Who will be the first non-quarterback drafted?
- Prize giveaway
- Odds, expert predictions, and best bets
Pickswise is the home of free expert NFL Picks and NFL Predictions. Check our season previews and NFL Futures Bets leading up to the NFL Season, including our favorite NFL Prop Bets for the 2021 season.
