With the Super Bowl in the rear-view mirror, aside from free agency, the 2021 NFL Draft is the next big event on every football fan’s calendar.
The upcoming draft is slated to take place from Thursday, April 29 to Saturday, May 1. It’s unknown whether or not the draft will be fully virtual like last year’s edition. However, it’s already been announced that the 2021 NFL Draft Combine will be entirely virtual.
The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the first overall pick in the draft and are expected to use it to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
However, anything can happen at the NFL Draft, which is why BetOnline has released odds for the top three picks.
Who will go No. 1 in the 2021 NFL Draft?
Odds via BetOnline as of Wednesday, February 17
- Trevor Lawrence -5000
- Justin Fields +1200
- Penei Sewell +1800
To no one’s surprise, oddsmakers are picking Lawrence to go to Jacksonville at the draft in April. Ever since Lawrence began making waves at Clemson, experts pegged him to go to whichever team held the first overall pick unless they didn’t need a quarterback.
In this case, the Jaguars desperate need one as they haven’t had a franchise quarterback in a long time, if ever. Unless they trade the pick for a prove star like Russell Wilson, the Jaguars using this pick on Lawrence is as safe as things can get.
Lawrence threw for 10,098 yards, 90 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 40 games with Clemson.
Will the Jets take Wilson Second Overall?
Odds via BetOnline as of Wednesday, February 17
- Zach Wilson +120
- Penei Sewell +175
- Justin Fields +225
- Trey Lance +500
The Jets have several options with the No. 2 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, but who will they use it on?
Oddsmakers are pointing to Brigham Young University quarterback Zach Wilson. In the 2020 season, Wilson threw for 33 touchdowns in just 12 games. With the Jets rumored to be shopping around Sam Darnold, drafting Wilson may be the clear choice.
However, they could also opt to draft offensive tackle Penei Sewell if they want to give Darnold another chance. The Jets were in the top-10 for sacks allowed last season (43 total), so they may choose to build on their offensive line to help rejuvenate Darnold’s career.
Dolphins to Draft Another Top-5 Quarterback
Odds via BetOnline as of Wednesday, February 17
- Justin Fields +200
- Penei Sewell +225
- DeVonta Smith +350
- Ja'Maar Chase +350
- Rasahwn Slater +500
- Zach Wilson +500
- Trey Lance +1200
The third overall pick may be the trickiest one to predict in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Justin Fields is one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s class. He had 63 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in 22 games at Ohio State. However, the Dolphins, who have the third overall selection, don’t necessarily need a quarterback.
They drafted Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick last year and he looked like a serviceable quarterback in his first season.
If the Dolphins don’t think that Fields would be an improvement over Tagovailoa, they could always draft Sewell if he’s on the board. Although they play different positions, guard Quenton Nelson was drafted sixth overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 and has been First-team All-Pro each year since then.
That goes to show the importance of building a strong offensive line.
A final option is that the Dolphins could end up trading down in the 2021 NFL Draft if they’re happy with Tagovailoa. A quarterback-hungry team may desperately want whoever is left over out of Lawrence, Wilson and Fields.
Regardless, Miami’s current situation and abundance of options make the third overall pick the most unpredictable in the top-3.
