The Super Bowl has come and went, and the dust from the free agency craze has appeared to settle. Now, there is only one last major domino to fall in the 2021 NFL offseason: the draft. On April 29th, the first round will begin, and each team will have a chance to find the league’s next great superstar.
Predicting the NFL is always a tricky task, but as all bettors know, it is one we persist at. The NFL is the most commonly betted on league in North America, but it can be a confusing task. Many team’s fortunes will change due to the upcoming draft, so it’s important to stay informed on the betting implications if you want to win big. While for this article we’ll focus on who will be picked in the draft, if you’re looking for guides to help you with NFL betting, including the implications of the draft, we’ve got you with helpful sources.
In terms of who will be picked, this looks to be a quarterback-heavy top of the draft. While anything can happen, and certainty never pays off, the first two picks very much appear to be locked in. With the first overall pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars are poised to select Clemson Quarterback and elite prospect Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence has been talked about as a future NFL star since high school and is as well-rounded of a prospect as you can find.
With the second pick, many have pegged BYU Quarterback Zach Wilson to the New York Jets. Wilson came out of nowhere this year to rise up draft boards, impressing scouts with his ability to make difficult throws and his impressive athleticism.
The third pick is where the draft gets interesting. The San Francisco 49ers traded up to the 3rd overall pick, and once again, Quarterback appears to be the target. The question is, which one? Ohio State’s Justin Fields is an option. He’s a phenomenal athlete, a proven winner, and an accurate passer who has thrived on big stages.
There’s been talk about Alabama’s Mac Jones in this spot, who is coming off an unbelievable season where he broke the record for completion percentage with an insane 77% and won a national championship. Detractors talk about some of the advantages Jones had, including a collection of insane receiving talent.
North Dakota State’s Trey Lance could surprise as the third Quarterback taken as well. Although he played in the FCS, he had a season for the books in 2019, although he’s unproven considering his team didn’t play last year due to COVID. Still, he has a monster arm, an ideal frame, and the type of athleticism coaches dream of.
Beyond Quarterbacks, there’s much in this draft to like, including yet another year of impressive pass catchers. Arguably the leader among pass-catchers is Florida Tight End, Kyle Pitts. Pitts had a monster season last year and can do anything on the field with insane athleticism and a polished skillset.
Other notable weapons are Wide Receivers Ja’Marr Chase from LSU, Heisman winner Devonta Smith from Alabama, and his teammate Jaylen Waddle. Chase is a big, physical catcher who is also an elite route runner. Smith had an unbelievable senior season despite his slight frame. Waddle is a game-breaking speedster who was held back by injury. Any of these players can elevate a team.
In the trenches, the two top offensive lineman prospects are Oregon’s Penei Sewell and Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater. Both are offensive tackles with ideal frames, technique, and mentalities, and both are likely to be off the board before the first ten picks are through.
Lastly, there’s the defensive talent. While this draft might lack the blue-chip sure-things on the defensive side of the ball, many players have high upside. Penn State Linebacker Micah Parsons is a do-it-all weapon who is extremely athletic and has a nose for the ball. Alabama Cornerback Patrick Surtain has lockdown potential and a father who was a Pro Bowler, meaning success is in his blood. South Carolina Cornerback Jaycee Horn faced down SEC competition and locked down some of the game’s best.
The 2021 draft is stacked, particularly with top-end offensive talent. The defensive side of the ball also has many intriguing options, but if your team is looking for a Quarterback or Wide Receiver, this draft could be the one that turns things around. Every year new stars enter the league from the draft, and this year has a group that has elite potential.
