The first round of the 2014 NFL Draft is set for tonight at Radio City Music Hall in New York, and while wagers on the event are not accepted in Las Vegas, we have it covered here at The Linemakers on Sporting News.
We’ve combed through mock drafts around the internet, the odds offered at sports books in faraway places and reports from various news sources to create a set of mock odds for what’s about to take place tonight.
Also, Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis has presented division-by-division breakdowns, explaining in his quantitative bent each team’s strengths and weaknesses, and which positions they should be targeting in the draft.
With two receivers projected in Sporting News’ latest mock draft to be among the top four picks, and six total wideouts projected to be picked in the first round, Sharp also writes about the folly of using a high draft pick on the position.
Jadeveon Clowney, of course, is a big favorite to be selected No. 1 overall, but may not be priced as prohibitively as one might guess.
Beyond Clowney and highly-regarded linebacker Khalil Mack, there’s another defensive player who’s generating plenty of buzz, albeit for very different reasons. Michael Sam, a defensive end from Missouri, is trying to become the first openly-gay NFL player. Sam’s draft prospects, though, appear to be dimming.
But of all storylines leading up to the 2014 NFL Draft, Johnny Manziel is probably the most alluring. The Texas A&M quarterback is all over the board on mock drafts around the Internet.
Here’s just a sampling of our mock odds.
Will Jadeveon Clowney be picked No. 1 overall?
Yes -600
No +450
Johnny Manziel’s draft position:
OVER 5.5 +150
UNDER 5.5 -170
How many receivers will be selected in the first round?
OVER 4.5 (-180)
UNDER 4.5 (+160)
Which player will be drafted ahead of the other?
Khalil Mack -180
Sammy Watkins +160
How many quarterbacks will be drafted in the first round?
OVER 3.5 +175
UNDER 3.5 -200
Will Michael Sam be selected in the 2014 NFL Draft?
Yes -110
No -110
Check out the following links for more:
Mock odds: QBs | Other positions
Sharp on AFC: East | North | South | West
Sharp on NFC: East | North | South | West