The 2022 NFL draft week has finally arrived and with it this year comes a massive betting move at the very top of the draft.
Aidan Hutchinson, who was a prohibitive favorite (-405) to go No. 1 to Jacksonville for months, has witnessed a seismic move in his wagering odds.
On April 18, I advised that respected money in Las Vegas was targeting Travon Walker (+300) to be the first player chosen by Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke. As of Tuesday morning, Walker has distanced himself from Hutchinson as the overwhelming betting favorite (-150) to be newest member of the Jaguars.
Let’s dive into a full mock draft strictly by the betting odds and review each pick made via the respected action from Vegas!
Check the Latest NFL Draft Odds at SI Sportsbook
Oddsmakers listed Hutchinson as the top betting choice for several months, but respected money in Vegas has come in hard backing that Baalke will draft Walker. The steam on Walker has been nothing short of extraordinary as some sportsbooks were offering the former Georgia standout as high as +2800 to go first overall in March.
2. Detroit Lions: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
Get ready for the second shocker of the opening night as the Lions also pass on Hutchinson in favor of the player who has ascended back to the top-end of the first round. Thibodeaux’s draft position odds were listed at 5.5 last week and following strong steam that he will be selected inside the top five, oddsmakers have been forced to slash that number to 4.5 with the under heavily juiced at odds of -165.
The AAC Defensive Player of the Year is the prototypical corner with the size that reminds many scouts of former San Francisco shutdown corner Richard Sherman. The Texans continue the Hutchison free fall and are thrilled to land the best cornerback in the 2022 class. Gardner’s overall betting position, which opened at 7.5 back in February, has been cut to 5.5 in recent days.
4. New York Jets: DE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
Hutchinson is favored to be selected by Detroit, but despite the odds we will follow the respected money and end the former Michigan standout’s slide at pick No. 4. The Jets’ fan base goes into a frenzy as the best lineman since the NY Sack Exchange days of Joe Klecko and Mark Gastineau lands in the Big Apple.
5. New York Giants: OT Ikem Ekwonu, N.C. State
The Giants have many holes on their roster, but strengthening the offensive line is always a priority and drafting Ekwonu is the first step in that direction. Back in early February, oddsmakers listed Ekwonu’s overall draft position at 5.5 but have since adjusted that projection to 4.5 as strong speculation has the explosive talent coming off the board first (-185) among all offensive lineman.
This is where we could see our first trade. Sam Darnold isn’t the answer at quarterback and since the club does not have any second- or third-round picks, this is a great opportunity to add draft capital. Keep an eye on Washington, Pittsburgh or New Orleans as trade partners if Carolina moves back. Cross is driving up draft boards with prohibitive odds of -350 to land inside the top ten within the last few days.
7. New York Giants: DE Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
After going a stud tackle with their first selection, the Giants land their coveted edge rusher in Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson. Johnson has witnessed his draft position number shrink from 10.5 to 9.5 over the last several days.
8. Atlanta Falcons: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
The Falcons are also a strong candidate to trade back but Wilson is likely their guy if they hold onto their pick. Atlanta is desperate for help at the wide receiver position after being forced to play next season without Calvin Ridley (suspension).
9. Seattle Seahawks: CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
Seattle has moved on from Russell Wilson and is in need of a new franchise quarterback, so Malik Willis could be in play here. However, recent word in Vegas has Seattle targeting Derek Stingley Jr. The former LSU standout silenced health concerns when he turned in a solid pro day workout. Stingley, who underwent surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury last September, impressed scouts running a sub 4.4 40-yard dash. Stingley’s opening betting position projection of 12.5 has been trimmed to 9.5.
10. New York Jets: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama
The Jets are rumored to be looking to move this pick to San Francisco for wideout Deebo Samuel after missing out on Tyreek Hill. Williams’ overall draft position projection opened at 17.5 in February, but following strong wise guy action his number has been slashed to 11.5 heading into draft week. Meet Zach Wilson’s newest weapon.
With the impending contract dispute with Terry McLaurin, USC’s Drake London falls into the Commanders’ lap. London will immediately become a red zone target for new Washington signal-caller Carson Wentz.
12. Minnesota Vikings: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington
The talented cover-corner helps the Vikings fill a glaring need in the secondary since he will step in and start next season. McDuffie’s overall betting projection opened at 18.5, but has been lowered to 17.5 and lands well inside the under.
13. Houston Texans: OT Evan Neal, Alabama
After landing Gardner with their first selection, the Texans now turn their attention to the offensive line with their second first-round pick. Houston is thrilled to see one of the best tackles from Alabama slip to pick No. 13.
14. Baltimore Ravens: S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
Several months ago, bettors were able to find Hamilton’s betting projection listed at 5.5. Since that time, the former Notre Dame standout has witnessed his stock plummet. Despite adding Marcus Williams in free agency, Baltimore is happy to land the best player on the board and end his fall at the 14th overall selection.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
The talented wideout helps the Eagles fill a glaring need and will step in and give Jalen Hurts another weapon in the passing game. Olave’s overall betting projection opened at 22.5, but has been lowered to 16.5 and lands just inside the under.
New Orleans has been in dire need of a franchise quarterback since Drew Brees retired. The strong-armed Willis will be afforded the opportunity to sit a season and learn from Jameis Winston or Andy Dalton. There are strong rumors that several teams in front of the Saints (Carolina, Seattle, Washington) as well as Pittsburgh could target Willis.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: OL Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
The Chargers continue to beef up the protection in front of franchise quarterback Justin Herbert and land one of the biggest risers heading into draft week. Penning is rising up draft boards around the league and could easily go higher than this pick.
18. Philadelphia Eagles: DT Jordan Davis, Georgia
The Eagles will love pairing Davis with Fletcher Cox in the middle of their defensive line. Davis is a 6-foot-6, 341-pound disruptive athlete who ran the 40-yard dash at an eye-popping 4.78 seconds. Simply incredible for a man that size.
19. New Orleans Saints: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah
After landing Willis, the Saints improve their front seven by grabbing Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd. He thrives in both rushing the passer as well as dropping into coverage and lands just on top of his overall draft position projection with New Orleans.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
The Steelers land their successor to Big Ben and keep Pickett in Pennsylvania. Pickett is considered the most “game-ready” of the prospects to step in and start right away.
Karlaftis is completely a Patriots’ “kind of player”. A hard-working, tough defensive end with a high motor who will fit right in with a Bill Belichick defense.
22. Green Bay Packers: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas
Green Bay (if it does not trade up) lands Aaron Rogers his newest help after trading Davante Adams to Las Vegas. Burks is a big target who will thrive running routes for A-Rod.
23. Arizona Cardinals: OL Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Arizona lands added protection in front of Kyler Murray in arguably one of the best guard prospects. Green, who is a true ‘mauler’ in the trenches, has seen his projection of 28.5 shaved a bit down to 27.5 with corresponding juice to the under.
24. Dallas Cowboys: OL Zion Johnson, Boston College
Jerry and the Cowboys find an immediate replacement for La’el Collins, who left via free agency to join Cincinnati. Dak and Zeke will be happy to see one of the best interior lineman playing in Big D next season. Johnson’s overall draft position number opened at 26.5 and bettors are still slip just inside his adjusted protection of 24.5.
25. Buffalo Bills: DL Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
Wyatt has taken one of the biggest tumbles of any player in his betting odds. The former Georgia standout opened with a draft position number of 14.5, but following significant steam he now stands just barely inside the opening round at 29.5.
Linderbaum will easily be one of the biggest targets for teams looking to trade acquire the best center prospect. The former Hawkeye, who many scouts feel compares favorably to former New York Jets star center Nick Mangold, will anchor an NFL offense line for many years to come.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Daxton Hill, Michigan
The Bucs have lost several players in the secondary to free agency and Hill is a great addition to help alleviate those departures. Hill’s opening draft position number of 32.5 has dropped to 28.5 as respected money strongly believes the former Wolverine standout will hear his name called in the first round.
28. Green Bay Packers: OL Tyler Smith, Tulsa
Green Bay needs to make sure its 38 year-old quarterback is protected as much as possible and that begins with adding some beef up front. The Packers hosted an official pre-draft visit with the former Tulsa standout, who is right on the borderline of being selected in the first 32 picks.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State
A fast, strong, solid route-running wide-receiver for Patrick Mahomes. Sound familiar? Dotson has hovered around the back end of the first round since the start and it makes total sense withHill now in South Florida playing for Miami for the Chiefs to target a wideout in the first round.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: DE Boye Mafe, Minnesota
The former Minnesota edge rusher will immediately improve a Kansas City pass rush that ranked 29th in total sacks (31). Mafe is explosive with a tremendous first step and those attributes have led to him being assigned a draft position just inside the end of the first round.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Andrew Booth, Clemson
The Bengals’ defense gave up big plays in the Super Bowl, including allowing Cooper Kupp to break open for several big plays on the final drive. The club opts to shore up the secondary with the addition of one of the top cornerback prospects.
32. Detroit Lions: QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
Honestly, I could see Matt Corral, Sam Howell or Ridder at this spot here for the Lions. The added allure of acquiring a fifth contract year makes the Lions drafting a quarterback of the future behind Jared Goff an absolute lock.
