Quarterbacks as high picks became all the rage two seasons ago with Jared Goff and Carson Wentz going 1-2 - and with three quarterbacks taken in the first 12 picks in last year's draft, that trend continued in earnest. So don't be surprised to see up to four quarterbacks drafted within the top five or six picks.
Ah, NFL draft. You never disappoint.
Those looking to make the annual player selection party even more fun should consider wagering on any number of a multitude of draft-related props. Here's a look at some of the best values available as we enter the final week of mock drafts, rumors and rampant speculation:
(All odds courtesy Bet365; odds as of Thursday night)
PROP: Bradley Chubb draft position: 4.5
Over: -125
Under: -100
Pick: UNDER (-100)
Analysis: There is growing sentiment that the first three picks in the draft will be signal callers; the Cleveland Browns are expected to take either Josh Allen or Sam Darnold, the New York Giants will likely opt for whichever guy is still available, and the New York Jets could opt for Baker Mayfield or Josh Rosen. The Browns come back around at No. 4, and are a good bet to take Chubb if they remain in that draft slot. There's always the possibility that Cleveland trades out of that spot to appease a team that wants to take either Mayfield or Rosen at the four-hole, but the Browns need a skilled edge rusher - and there just aren't that many available. I like Chubb going as a top-four pick.
PROP: Linebackers taken in the first round: 4.5
Over: -350
Under: +250
Pick: UNDER (+250)
Analysis: This feels like one of the safer long-shot bets among Day 1 props, with the majority of mock drafts projecting just four linebackers going in the first round - Virginia Tech ILB Tremaine Edmunds, Georgia OLB Roquan Smith, Alabama OLB Rashaan Evans and Boise State ILB Leighton Vander Esch. Sure, a fifth guy could sneak in there - but given the rumors that several teams have opted to pass on Vander Esch due to medical concerns, there's a better chance he falls out of the first round altogether. I'm not banking on that happening - he's a perfect pick for either the Patriots or Eagles at the very end of Round 1 - but I also don't see any linebackers other than the four mentioned above getting picked in the first round.
PROP: Saquon Barkley draft position: 4.5
Over: +137
Under: -188
Pick: OVER (+137)
Analysis: To hear some people describe him, Barkley might just be the greatest running back prospect in years - even better than Ezekiel Elliott. And if the teams at the top end of the first round were different, he might wind up being a top-three pick. But with the Browns, Giants and Jets all expected to prioritize a quarterback, it's difficult to see Barkley going earlier than fourth. The Browns' need for a No. 1 running back could result in the under cashing, but I see them addressing their pass rush ahead of making Barkley the No. 4 pick - and if Cleveland deals the pick, it's likely that the receiving team is moving up to snag a passer. I feel less confident in this pick than the others, but I still believe Barkley goes fifth or later.
PROP: Tight ends taken in the first round: 0.5
Over: -163
Under: +120
Pick: OVER (-163)
Analysis: If you make only one prop bet based on this article, make it this one. It's a near-certainty that South Carolina standout Hayden Hurst is going in the first round - potentially as high as 16th overall to the Baltimore Ravens, who would love to a pass-catching TE. Even if they pass on Hurst, it's a good bet a team in the bottom half of the draft will recognize his talents and augment their offense by selecting him. South Dakota State tight end Dallas Godaert is on the first-round bubble, with the New Orleans Saints reportedly interested in adding him. Baltimore and New Orleans have both relied on TEs as offensive fixtures for years, so it should come as no surprise to see either or both select one in the opening round.
PROP: Quarterbacks taken in the first round: 5.5
Over: +175
Under: -250
PICK: UNDER (-250)
Analysis: Are there really six teams willing to take a quarterback in the first round? Perhaps - but I'm not buying it. It's a foregone conclusion that Allen, Darnold, Mayfield and Rosen will be taken in Round 1; after that, it gets murky. What do teams make of Lamar Jackson? Has Mason Rudolph done enough to warrant a look in the first round? We've seen QBs slip in years past - even great ones. And it's hard to imagine six QBs being taken in the first round of any draft, let alone one where there's clearly no consensus on which, if any, are destined to become stars. I feel confident enough in one of either Jackson or Rudolph dropping out of the first round to make an under recommendation here.
**video
Betting the 2018 NFL Draft: Five Favorite Prop Picks Vol. 2
