2022 NFL Draft: Eight prop bets for the first round

We've made it to draft day! Here at Yardbarker, we've been digging into the NFL Draft betting market for weeks, and our day finally comes to see what we've found.

Sportsbooks like DraftKings offer a plethora of prop bets for the draft, but you need to be in one of these states to wager on the action.

Based on rumors, mock drafts and gut feelings, I've compiled my favorite props for the night. These are meant to be fun, with the hope they are profitable. I'll be placing a fraction of a unit on all of these wagers, looking to have no more than two units on the night's slate.

Here's what sticks out to me.

No. 3 Overall Pick: Derek Stingley (+150 DK)

There has been a ton of buzz around Derek Stingley heading to the Texans here at No. 3. The best indicator to me is looking at fellow corner Ahmad Gardner's odds to be selected as the first corner.

For weeks, Gardner was around -450 to be the first corner off the board, and as of this writing, he's -140. The Texans have needs throughout the lineup, and if they believe Stingley can get back to his 2019 self, then they clearly feel he's worth the pick here at the top of the draft.

I wonder if visions of how successful Ja'Marr Chase was after taking a year off will put to rest concerns about Stingley harnessing the version of himself from that LSU championship.

No. 4 Overall Pick: Two choices

To me, the New York Jets are the X-factor of this entire draft. Unless a Deebo Samuel trade occurs between now and Thursday night, New York is set to have four picks inside the top-38.

General manager Joe Douglas was cited saying this "could be really special" and in that report, there appears to be a strong indication the Jets will go one of two players with their first pick of the night.

Ikem Ekwonu (+350)

With news of Mekhi Becton potentially on the block, the need for tackle has grown in the Jets organization. My feeling is they prefer the run-mauler in Ikem Ekwonu.

Ahmad Gardner (+300)

If they prefer to go on the defensive side of the football, I have to think Gardner would be the choice over an edge rusher. Certainly someone on the Jets will think back to what a lockdown corner in Darrelle Revis did for their team, and Gardner, to me, seems to be the most complete corner in the draft. Day one starter at a position of impact.

Top-5 Pick: Evan Neal (+175)

In some ways, including this bet is a hedge on some of the prior outcomes I've highlighted. Neal was considered the favorite to go No.1 for some time, and has since faded from the public eye.

A swing tackle from one of the best teams in the nation is a valuable commodity, and teams 3-5 all have needs at the position. 

The Giants select fifth, and their need for a tackle is one of many. If we can nail Ekwonu at No. 4, I think the Giants would be more inclined to go Neal at No. 5, considering they also have the seventh pick and may miss out if Carolina goes OT.

Fellow tackle Charles Cross is the betting favorite to go fifth (+175), but I think Neal is the better player and safer pick.

First WR Selected: Jameson Williams (+175)

As an Eagles fan, I secretly hope this bet loses, but I've been infatuated with Jameson Williams for some time. Just last week I wrote about why I liked Williams to be the first receiver taken, and his odds last week were +330.

I missed the boat on the best odds, but I think his movement shows you that others are beginning to believe in the possibility.

Williams is the fastest receiver in this class and was having a dominant season for Alabama before tearing his ACL.

The ACL tear is the only concern, but that injury does not mean what it used to, and reports suggest Williams could be ready by training camp.

To me, this is the receiver with the biggest potential. I know my Eagles are infatuated with the receiver and the idea of pairing him with former teammate DeVonta Smith. Their pockets are loaded, so maybe they make a trade up to secure him.

Teams like the Falcons and Jets are in the market for a receiver at picks No. 8 and No. 10, and both teams could be patient with Williams, given that neither will be competing for the playoffs this season.

Under 6.5 Wide Receivers Drafted in the First Round (-120)

This is my favorite bet of the night, and I'd urge you to take a look at this article I wrote on Monday that broke down this prop.

I don't see us getting to seven wide receivers in Round 1, it's a deep class where the beginning of Round 2 makes more sense to me.

Skyy Moore draft position under 35.5 (-115)

This is kind of a hedge against the above but one I see value in. Skyy Moore is a smaller, yet powerfully explosive slot receiver from Western Michigan.

I've only read raving reviews about the guy, and seems to have a home on an offense in the NFL as a Day One contributor.

Teams with quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, who both have two firsts and a need at receiver, feel like a good landing spot for him.

He's going to make catches and make something happen, I think he goes before this slotted draft position. We may need to wait until Day 2 to know for sure, but as I said, I think there will be a run on receivers to start Round 2.

Teams like the Lions and Jets at the top of the next round would likely be willing to move back given their volume of high picks.

Second Safety Selected: Lewis Cine (+175)

This is a bet on the idea that teams become so infatuated with the Georgia defense that someone wants a piece. There's likely going to be four to six players from the National Championship defense that get drafted Thursday night.

The second safety market seems to be between Dax Hill and Lewis Cine. Sites like PFF have been higher on Cine, and I think this has some legs at these odds.

It was +200 just Wednesday, so money is starting to come in on Cine.

Let me stress again, don't go overboard here! These bets are built on rumors and conjecture. They are educated guesses to give us a rooting interest Thursday night. I certainly want to win more than I lose, but bet within your means and let's enjoy the NFL Draft by cashing some bets!