2021 NFL Draft Odds: Could Anyone Make A Burrow-Esque Leap Over Trevor Lawrence?

The 2020 NFL Draft is in the books, which means it’s already time to look ahead to this same time next year. DraftKings Sportsbook released its early odds for the 2021 NFL Draft, which is loaded with some serious talent. Let’s take a look at what next year’s draft has to offer.

2021 NFL Draft betting markets

Another big favorite for No. 1 overall

Clemson’s superstar quarterback Trevor Lawrence (pictured) is the favorite to be the first overall pick, which is surprising to few. Lawrence (-305) has been hailed as the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck and is seen as a surefire franchise-changer. However, as history will show, the early favorite doesn’t always turn out to be the first pick. Just this past year, Tua Tagovailoa held the best odds (-200) to be the first overall pick, and the slogan “Tank for Tua” was a favorite for many teams. After an incredible year from 2020 first overall pick Joe Burrow, Tua fell to the Dolphins at the fifth pick. Burrow wasn’t even listed on lists for the first pick at this time. Ohio State’s Justin Fields (+300) falls behind Lawrence, followed by Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell (+400). The debate between Fields and Lawrence could very well come down to a championship (and possibly a matchup between the two signal callers). Fields has shown his ability to make NFL throws and make them look easy. Depending on who secures the first overall pick, Sewell could wind up as the top pick after he dominated college football at just 18 years old. Another player that could make the jump from farther down the list include Alabama’s Alex Leatherwood (+3300), who made a surprising return to school after being graded a top-10 talent. Miami defensive end Gregory Rousseau (+3300) could also make a run if he has a standout season.

The next Burrow out there?

While Lawrence and Fields look like likely candidates to be the first quarterbacks selected, DraftKings also listed D’Eriq King (+1000), Jamie Newman (+1200), Sam Ehlinger (+1800), and Kellen Mond (+2000) as potential candidates. King is a walking highlight reel who brings his talents from Houston to Miami, but has not shown the chops to be an NFL quarterback so far. The last time a Texas quarterback was drafted in the first round was Vince Young in 2006, but Ehlinger runs an NFL-adaptable system in Austin.

Clemson, Alabama lead the skill positions

Clemson’s Travis Etienne (-125) leads all running backs in odds to be drafted first, but as shown in the 2020 NFL Draft, teams focus more on fit than talent with running backs. Najee Harris (+150), Chubba Hubbard (+300), and Kylin Hill (+450) round out the listed candidates. All four were suspected to declare for the draft this past season, but all chose to return to their respective schools for one more year. Alabama, yet again, has two top receivers expected to be in the draft pool, with DeVonta Smith (+400) and Jaylen Waddle (+400) looking very similar to the Jerry Jeudy-Henry Ruggs III duo that went 15th and 12th in this year’s draft, respectively. LSU’s young superstar Ja’Marr Chase (+100) leads all receivers in odds to be the first taken and the excitement surrounding him is already very evident. Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman (+700), Oklahoma State’s Tylan Wallace (+700), Purdue’s Rondale Moore (+800), and Clemson’s Justyn Ross (+1200) round out the rest of the crop. Moore has shown the ability to be a game-changer and could head up this list in a hurry coming off a season in which he sustained an injury.

Sewell the top hog molly

Penei Sewell (-400) is the favorite by far to be the first lineman drafted in 2021, and for good reason. In his first two seasons at Oregon, he was voted a unanimous All American (just the third player in Oregon history to be unanimously selected), was awarded Pro Football Focus’ highest-ever grade for an offensive lineman, and gave up just one sack in over 1,300 snaps. Alex Leatherwood was a projected top-10 pick for the 2020 draft before heading back to Alabama for one more year. Leatherwood might not be the first lineman off the board, but he’ll be a surefire top-10 pick barring a total collapse this season. Stanford’s Walker Little (+700), Texas’ Samuel Cosmi (+1200), and Michigan’s Jaylen Mayfield (+1400) were also listed as candidates. While these lists seem comprehensive, this past year showed that a single great season from someone who is currently not in contention could shoot up draft boards across the league.