Last Updated Mar 11, 2022, 12:05 PM
Hutchinson Leaps Neal for NFL Draft Number 1 Pick Odds
Aidan Hutchinson Has Overtaken Evan Neal as the Favorite to be the No. 1 Pick In the 2022 NFL Draft
After a strong performance at the NFL Combine, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has surpassed Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal as the probable No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Hutchinson wowed scouts with incredible times in the three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, reestablishing himself as the top player in this draft class. Jacksonville has the No. 1 pick next month, and it looks like the only way the Jaguars don’t take Hutchinson is if they decide to trade the pick.
2022 NFL Draft No. 1 Pick Betting Odds at DraftKings
- Aidan Hutchinson -250
- Evan Neal +550
- Ikem Ekwonu +750
- Kayvon Thibodeaux +1500
- Travon Walker +2000
- Malik Willis +3500
- All Other Players are +6000 or More
The Michigan Wolverines finally beat Ohio State and won the Big Ten title this season. Aidan Hutchinson was a big part of that success with three sacks against the Buckeyes, and he finished the season with a school-record 14 sacks. Hutchinson was at his best in big games, and Jacksonville needs to rebuild its defense. The Jaguars drafted Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 pick last year and just franchise tagged left tackle Cam Robinson for the second straight season, so this franchise is unlikely to take an offensive player if it keeps the first selection.
Evan Neal was formerly the favorite to be the first player taken in the 2022 NFL Draft. Neal did not participate in any of the drills at the NFL Combine though, only showing up for official measurements and interviews. That could have hurt his draft stock slightly, but Neal is still likely to be the first offensive lineman taken on April 28 although Ikem Ekwonu’s stock is rising.
It seems unlikely for either Kayvon Thibodeaux or Travon Walker to be the top pick this year, but there is an outside chance that Malik Willis hears his name called. We are starting to see a consensus build around Willis as the best quarterback available in this year’s draft, so a team desperate for a quarterback might trade up to take him. A quarterback has been taken No. 1 overall in 10 of the last 13 NFL Drafts, so Willis is definitely worth a shot at 35-1.
