Evan Neal The Current Favorite To Be Taken First at +140

Published on February 22nd, 1:34 am EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


This is the time of year when it can really pay to know your college football prospects, as the odds can shift so much leading into the NFL Draft in April.

At one point, Kayvon Thibodeaux was considered the favorite to be taken first overall.

Then, Aidan Hutchison was considered to have the best odds to be taken first overall.

Now, with the combine coming up, Evan Neal is currently the player with the best odds to be taken first overall.

The combine can have a very big impact on how teams view players, so don't be surprised if there is even more shifting of odds as we draw closer to the April draft.

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When handicapping players that could be taken first overall, it is obviously important to consider the needs of the team that is drafting first.

The first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft belongs to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jaguars have a great deal of needs, though their biggest need is likely protecting their quarterback, Trevor Lawrence.

If that is the case, the team should pick the best OL in the draft, and that is very likely Evan Neal out of Alabama.

The Jags need a pass rusher as well, though protecting Lawrence is likely an even bigger need.

Hutchison and Thibodeaux are both great players, and it wouldn't be shocking to see the Jags take either of them, though Neal seems like the best fit for the team right now.

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Here are the five players with the best odds to be taken first, courtesy of a major offshore book:

Evan Neal, +140
Aidan Hutchison, +200
Kayvon Thibodeaux, +400
Ikem Ekwonu, +550
Malik Willis, +3300