The 2024 NFL Draft is finally here and we’re looking forward to the next few days. All of our NFL Draft content can be found at our VSiN 2024 NFL Draft Hub. So, make sure you check out what some of my talented colleagues are doing ahead of this massive event. But keep reading for my three 2024 NFL Draft best bets for the first round.
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook (accurate as of 2:30 pm ET)
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Total Wide Receivers Selected In First Round?
I already wrote about this specific bet here, but this is one of my favorite plays of the draft. There are currently six wide receivers that look like locks to be taken within the first 32 picks, with Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Brian Thomas Jr., Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell all being first-round talents. But at +235 odds, I’m willing to bet on somebody else joining them.
Most mock drafts currently have seven or eight wideouts being picked in the first round, which isn’t surprising considering eight other guys — and potentially more — can make a case as the seventh-best wide receiver in this draft. So, all it will take is one team to fall in love with a player and take action. And the Carolina Panthers have already been linked to Xavier Legette with the first pick in the second round. So, if anybody wants him then they’ll need to move up.
I know that the depth at this position could work against me here, as GMs might think they can wait and get a wide receiver they like. But I’m trusting in the fact that these front offices tend to be a little impatient. And if there’s one they like more than another, they’ll take him before it’s too late.
Bet: Over 6.5 (+235)
JC Latham Draft Position
JC Latham is currently the betting favorite to be the fifth pick in the draft, as he has been linked to Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers. I’m not comfortable taking him to go in that spot, as I think there will be a lot of trades early in the draft. However, I am willing to bite the bullet with the juice and take Latham to be a top-10 pick. Joe Alt might still be selected earlier than Latham, but offensive linemen are so valuable in the NFL. It’s just hard to see only one of them being picked in the top 10. And if Los Angeles views Latham as the top lineman in the draft, it’s likely other teams feel the same way. Also, at least two tackles have gone in the first 10 picks in back-to-back years, and the same is true of three of the last four drafts.
Bet: Under 10.5 (-190)
Malik Nabers vs. Rome Odunze: Who Will Be Drafted First?
There’s a lot of love for Malik Nabers heading into the draft, but it’s entirely possible that Rome Odunze will jump him. While Nabers has the eye-popping speed and explosive burst on his side, Odunze is a big body that was highly productive in college. That’s not to say that Nabers wasn’t, but Odunze was something else. Also, Odunze had better success against man coverage, zone coverage and press coverage. So, teams might prefer the skill set that he brings. He’s just a little more polished than Nabers, and contested-catch receivers are always valuable in the NFL. That said, I’m taking a chance on this at +300 odds.
Bet: Odunze (+300 – 0.5 units)
