Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Garrett Wilson should go early. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

NFL Draft bets: First wide receiver selected

We've almost made it to the NFL Draft, with Round 1 set for April 28.
The market has been fluctuating for weeks now, but it feels like the movement has settled on much of the board.

Today the focus turns to the first wide receiver selected, which is available for you to bet on with sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel.

First WR Selected Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of DraftKings.

  1. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State (-115)
  2. Drake London, USC (+125)
  3. Jameson Williams, Alabama (+330)
  4. Chris Olave, Ohio State (+1500)
  5. Treylon Burks, Arkansas (+2000)

Garrett Wilson tops the board, ever so slightly, over Drake London. What makes betting this market feel a bit more comfortable than say the second or third overall picks is the small group we have to choose from.

All five of the above feel like locks for the first round. DraftKings has the over/under of WRs selected in the first round at 5.5, though the odds are -240, suggesting six to seven are more likely.

Teams Likely to Target a Receiver Early

When you look at the top of the draft board, there's likely four teams you can reasonably expect to draft a receiver inside the top 15.

I would say the Jets (No. 4 and No.10), Atlanta (No. 8), Washington (No. 11),and Philadelphia (No. 15) are all in play to take to receivers at the top end of this draft.

I wouldn't expect New York to take a receiver at fourth overall, which makes the first possible receiver spot (barring trades) Atlanta.

When reading mock drafts, Atlanta seems to be a popular team to project a receiver. I don't really buy it.

Atlanta has so many holes throughout the team and is trotting out Marcus Mariota at quarterback. The Falcons are nowhere close to competing in the NFC and should be looking to bolster more important positions, like their trenches.

Atlanta also took Kyle Pitts last year, who statistically is not a tight end — he's a receiver. I don't think the need is as pressing as many think, and there's value to be had in Rounds 2 and 3 for the Falcons' needs there.

That leaves the Jets as the most likely first spot for a receiver.

Projecting What the New York Jets Do

I think it's the Jets that will draft the first receiver next week. It was widely publicized how much New York wanted Tyreek Hill, so it's clear the team knows it needs another pass-catcher for second-year man Zach Wilson.

I'll say it right now: I don't like what I've read or seen from Drake London. London has the second-best odds to be the first receiver selected, but I'm not touching it.

I just see London as a tall-ish guy who isn't that fast and has to make contested catches because he can't get space from the corner. That's not a guy you spend a top-10 pick on, and he doesn't feel like he would ever be a top receiver for an offense.

The value I'll turn to lies in Garrett Wilson and Jameson Williams. Williams is a speedster who was dominating the SEC before tearing his ACL toward the end of the season. While the Jets will have to be patient with Williams, New York can afford it.

Wilson projects as a smooth route-runner who can create separation and give Wilson an easy target.

Either would be a good pick and are my two preferred options in this market.

Best options:

  • Wilson (-115)
  • Williams (+330)

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pacers ride historic shooting performance to Game 7 blowout of Knicks
Timberwolves mount incredible second-half comeback to stun Nuggets in Game 7
Xander Schauffele proves doubters wrong with historic win at 2024 PGA Championship
Four things we learned from Joey Logano's All-Star Race win at North Wilkesboro
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Watch: Aaron Judge blasts 13th home run in Yankees' seventh straight win
Canucks won't have linchpin forward for Game 7 vs. Oilers
Jags reportedly mulling extension for Trevor Lawrence, but is that the right choice?
Gordon Hayward calls role with Thunder 'frustrating'
Mets reliever Edwin Diaz showing short shelf life of closers
Three offseason moves the 49ers must make
Watch: NASCAR drivers exchange punches after crash in All-Star Race
Knicks star offers passionate defense of HC Tom Thibodeau after Game 7 loss
Knicks' Jalen Brunson suffers serious injury in Game 7 vs. Pacers
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness