2014 NFL Draft: Final Betting Odds Released

The NFL Draft has become such a massive event in recent years. Aside from pivotal late season games and, of course, the playoffs, nothing else beats the months of discussion and debate leading up to the draft. What used to be a weekend event is now a three-day spectacle.

The first round is a primetime affair, which will take place on Thursday, May 8. The second and third rounds then follow on Friday night, with rounds 4-7 concluding on Saturday. Naturally, Las Vegas oddsmakers aren’t going to ignore one of the biggest football events of the year.

This week final odds were released for a few players and positions:

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, University of South Carolina

Will Jadeveon Clowney be drafted No. 1 overall?

Yes: -500 (1/5)

No: +300 (3/1)

Although there’s been constant speculation about the draft stock of South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney, but for all the talk about his work ethic, he’s still the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 overall.

Oddsmakers give Clowney just over an 83 percent chance to claim the top spot, whether by the Texans or another team trading up to select him.

Taylor Lewan, OT, University of Michigan

How many offensive players will be drafted in the first round?

Over/Under: 15

This one is obviously a complete crapshoot. With one of the deepest and most unpredictable drafts in years, it could be right on the money or off by as many as five—one way or the other.

Aaron Donald, DT, University of Pittsburgh

How many defensive players will be drafted in the first round?

Over/Under: 17

See above.

Blake Bortles, UCF, Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, Derek Carr, Fresno State

How many quarterbacks will be drafted in the first round?

Over/Under: 3

There’s a lot of quarterback depth this year, but none of the prospects are considered a “can’t miss” pick like Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III in 2012. There are at least five QBs that could potentially go in the first round, but three sounds just about right, given the miss rate at the position.

Tre Mason, RB, Auburn University

How many running backs will be drafted in the first round?

Over: ½ (+1000, 10/1)

Under: ½  (-2000, 1/20)

This is not the year of the running back—no surprise, given the decrease in emphasis on the position in recent years. Oddsmakers put the chances of an RB going in the first round at just a shade over nine percent.

Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

How many wide receivers and tight ends will be drafted in the first round?

Over: 6½ (-300, 1/3)

Under: 6½ (+200, 2/1)

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M & Blake Bortles, QB, University Central Florida

Who will be drafted first?

Johnny Manziel: -150 (2/3)

Blake Bortles: +110 (11/10)

Although UCF’s Blake Bortles impressed last season and possesses the ideal physical stature for the position, there’s just something about Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel. Given the success of Drew Brees and, more recently, Russell Wilson, Manziel’s height (listed by ESPN as 6’1, but is absolutely under 6’) isn’t nearly as big a concern as it would’ve been just a few years ago.

When it comes to Manziel, his “it factor” more than makes up for the six inches Bortles has on him. He may be considered “high risk, high reward,” but he also has a 60 percent chance of being take first. Bortles, on the other hand, odds put him at 48 percent.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson & Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

Who will be drafted first?

Khalil Mack: -200 (1/2)

Sammy Watkins: +150 (3/2)

Obviously I’m not an expert in odds making, but if there is anything here that seems a little off, it’s definitely this one. Buffalo’s Khalil Mack has come out of nowhere this year, with many “experts” predicting he could upset Jadeveon Clowney as the surprise No. 1 pick.

There’s no question that Mack has proven himself a formidable force on the football field, but the fact that he went to Buffalo has to be taken into account. Clemson’s Sammy Watkins is a can’t miss wide receiver with a proven track record against big time college opposition.

If the Rams do the right thing and decide to get Sam Bradford the help he so desperately needs, Watkins could very easily be the surprise No. 2 pick.

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

Draft Position: Johnny Manziel

Over: 5½ (-140, 5/7)

Under: 5½ (EVEN, 1/1)

Johnny Football will not fall out of the first round, but it’s even money as to whether he’ll go in the top five or fall somewhere below that.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Draft Position: Sammy Watkins

Over: 4½ (+125, 5/4)

Under: 4½  (-160, 5/8)

Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins has just under a 45 percent chance of being selected in the top four, but like I said, if anyone is going to surprise in this draft, it’s him.

Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

Draft Position: Khalil Mack

Over: 3½ (+150, 3/2)

Under: 3½  (-200, 1/2)

Buffalo’s Khalil Mack is a very sexy top three pick in 2014, but I think his rise has more to do with a misguided backlash against South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney. Although oddsmakers give him a 67 percent chance of being selected in the top three, that sounds more plausible (to me) within the top five.

Michael Sam, DL, University of Missouri

Draft Position: Michael Sam

Over: 25½  (-250, 2/5)

Under: 125½ (+175, 7/4)

Mizzou’s Michael Sam made history in 2014, coming out as the first openly gay (potential) NFL player in history. There was plenty of talk regarding the potential impact on his draft stock, but his underwhelming performance at the combine is what really hurt him.

Prior to Sam’s announcement he was considered a solid third round pick, at best. Since the combine, his odds of being chosen in the third round or earlier have dropped dramatically. Going into the draft Sam has just a 36 percent chance of being selected 125 overall or sooner.