The NFL Draft is back with all eyes on the future of the league when it begins on Thursday April 27th at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Carolina Panthers are the ones with the first pick and a quarterback is certain to go first, but there are a number of other top talents that will go during the draft in other positions and to different teams.
We’ll take a look at those choices across the field and provide you with our best free NFL picks to see if we can earn you some extra cash from the big decisions that need to be made.
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| NFL Draft 2023: First WR Taken |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | -285 | -350 | -350 |
| Zay Flowers | +400 | +500 | +400 |
| Jordan Addison | +475 | +600 | +750 |
| Quentin Johnston | +800 | +800 | +1100 |
Despite only playing 3 games in 2022 due to a hamstring injury, Smith-Njigba is still the consensus No. 1 receiver on the board in this draft, and with good reason too.
After an incredible Rose Bowl the previous season as a sophomore with 15 catches for 3 TDs and an FBS bowl record-347 receiving yards against Utah, it became the go-to belief that Smith-Njigba would be the first-pick wide receiver even if he never featured at college level again.
The 20-year-old picked up a niggling injury early in the season and decided that rather than risk that spot he would sit out for much of the season and get his body up to speed for the NFL — including skipping Ohio State’s national semifinal game.
It may seem like quite a selfish thing to do from the outside, but with so much money at stake it’s starting to become the norm that these youngsters put themselves first and ensure they’re at 100% for the big leagues.
It’s expected that he will go somewhere in the Top 15 picks of the draft overall, and that high up the list makes him a great bet to go as the first wide receiver too.
Jordan Addison is a pro-ready prospect with the ability to win both on the perimeter and in the slot, and if anyone is going to pip Smith-Njigba to being the first wide receiver picked it’s him.
He can generate yards after the catch while also creating separation through polished route-running, and mix that with a super productive college career at both Pittsburgh and USC, including a 1,593-yard season as a sophomore with the Panthers, it’s easy to see why he’s expected to go early.
At 6ft tall and 175-pounds, Addison is not the biggest of wide-receivers but his high-floor profile and ability to make an immediate impact make him a great value bet.
At one point you could get him at much shorter odds, so the likelihood is that the bookies know something we don’t. But don’t be shocked to see a team that loves his his polished profile and make him the first wideout off the board in a surprise move.
Check out our review for Bovada sports betting here.
Michael Mayer started the process as the favorite for this spot, before falling behind Dalton Kincaid. However recently Mayer has gone back to the favorite spot, and it’s deserved.
While Kincaid is the superior pass-catcher, we could see a team fall in love with Mayer, who is more of a complete package. The former Notre Dame star is an excellent blocker, which complements his receiving skills.
The odds have dropped to -160 and at this stage, the bookies are rarely wrong. It’s good value for someone who has been favored from the beginning, although you’ll be kicking yourself if you didn’t catch the better odds a few weeks ago.
Check out our review for BetUS sports betting here.
The favorite is usually a spot at this stage of Draft week that is nailed on, and it seems to be spot on here again with the offensive linesman pick.
Paris Johnson Jr. was once considered firmly behind Peter Skoronski in the pecking order of offensive-line prospects, but the Ohio State standout is quickly moving up draft boards and now stands as the -200 favorite.
There’s a chance that some teams prefer to use Skoronski at guard, which would have a negative impact on his value since tackles are more valuable, and Johnson Jr is coming off a great spell in his college career to earn this spot.
It’s probably the safer bet too, but Johnson Jr seems like the right pick to be the first OL selected.
Most people seem to believe that this market is between Tyree Wilson and Will Anderson, and we’re in the same boat.
We already saw Wilson surpass Jalen Carter, who was once in consideration to be the first defensive player selected and there’s a slim chance that the Houston Texans avoid one of the top quarterbacks and go with one of the edge rushers.
The odds have moved to make Wilson the favorite in recent days, and we’re leaning that way too. So take the favorite with the odds close to plus money.
About the Author
Daniel is a football writer who has a great thirst for the Premier League and other major European leagues. A lover of the beautiful game and a firm believer that the eye test is better than statistics. Also an avid MMA fan.
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