As the football offseason continues, fans continue to find whatever ways they can to help the time pass until the 2021 NFL season begins. That includes participating in various betting markets, including one that takes a look at who has the best odds of being taken first overall at the 2022 NFL Draft.
According to BetOnline, Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler is favored to be the No. 1 selection at +225 odds. After three brief appearances in 2019, Rattler became the Sooners starting QB in the 2020 NCAA season. He didn’t look out of place at all throwing for 3,031 passing yards and 28 touchdowns to 7 interceptions in 11 games, which resulted in him being named first-team All-Big 12. He also led Oklahoma to a Big 12 Championship and was even named the most valuable player of the game. Considering how Spencer’s only 20 years old, it’s not unfathomable to imagine him boosting those stats higher and stacking up even more accolades.
Game-changing quarterbacks are hard to come by and any team who lands next year’s first overall pick will likely consider Rattler. He’ll need another strong season to prove that the last campaign’s performance wasn’t a one-off. While he’ll likely be a first-round selection regardless, only time will tell if he’ll be taken first overall at the 2022 NFL Draft.
2022 NFL Draft Odds: First Overall Pick
Odds via BetOnline as of Monday, July 26
- Spencer Rattler (+225)
- Sam Howell (+250)
- Kayvon Thibodeaux (+350)
- Malik Willis (+750)
- Kedon Slovis (+1400)
- Tyler Shough (+1400)
- JT Daniels (+1800)
- Derek Stingley Jr. (+3300)
- Desmond Ridder (+3300)
- Sevyn Banks (+3300)
Howell, Thibodeaux Seek First Overall Status
At +250 odds, North Carolina Tar Heels QB Sam Howell has the second-best odds at being drafted first overall next season. A two-time All-ACC player, Howell has looked impressive through his first two collegiate campaigns. He’s already thrown for 7,227 yards and 68 touchdowns to 14 interceptions over 25 games during that span, meaning he’ll likely put up the same numbers he does every season. Howell’s also only a touchdown pass away from having the most in Tar Heels history, so look for him to give teams that reason and even more to select him first overall at the 2022 NFL Draft.
Breaking up the quarterback streak, Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux has +350 odds when it comes to being the No. 1 pick at the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s spent each of the previous two seasons with the Ducks, racking up 77 total tackles (23.5 for a loss), 12.0 sacks, 6 passes defended and a forced fumble. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 in 2020 and also won that year’s Morris Trophy, which is given to the best defensive lineman in the conference as voted on by his peers. Considering how Pro Football Focus has ranked him as the sixth-best player in all of college football next season, there’s a good chance that a team drafting for defense or, simply, the best player available could take Thibodeaux first overall at the 2022 NFL Draft.
2022 NFL Draft Odds: Can Willis Climb the Rankings?
Liberty Flames QB Malik Willis (+750) had a rocky start to his college football career. He began playing with the Auburn Tigers in 2017, however, he was a backup up that season and the next one. While he did have plenty of rushing attempts, playing there didn’t give him a chance to thrive. Willis transferred to Liberty in 2019, however, transfer rules forced him to sit out of the season despite him requesting a waiver to play.
Nevertheless, Willis made his Flames debut in 2020 and his performance proved to be worth the wait. He ended the season with 2,250 passing yards and 20 TDs to 6 INTs. He was also extremely dangerous on the ground, rushing for 944 yards and another 14 scores. If he can replicate those results or better, there’s no reason why he can’t continue climbing the draft rankings and go first overall next year.
