DeVonta Smith was the marquee man in the 2020 college football season. Most important of all, Smith was the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner. Yet, Smith is not favored to be the first receiver taken in the upcoming NFL Draft. Instead, it is LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase that is favored with the NFL Draft lines. Chase opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. But his 2019 dominance for national champion LSU is not forgotten. Also factoring high is DeVonta Smith’s Crimson Tide teammate Jaylen Waddle.
2021 NFL Draft – First Receiver Taken Odds
When: Thursday, April 29, 2021
Where: Cleveland, Ohio
TV: ESPN
NFL Draft Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ja’Marr Chase -400
DeVonta Smith -500
Jaylen Waddle +500
Rashod Bateman +3000
Terrace Marshall Jr +4000
Rondale Moore +5000
Kadarius Toney +6600
2021 NFL Draft - First Receiver Taken Bookmaker Odds Analysis
At the receiver position, we have three main sportsbook choices. Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle are all going in round one. Chase is something of a mystery to many gamblers. Casual fans aren’t familiar with him because he didn’t play in the 2020 college football season. Naturally, Smith’s 2020 Heisman Trophy makes him understandable chalk.
Ja’Marr Chase – LSU Tigers -400
Accordingly, Ja’Marr Chase is ranked equally with DeVonta Smith. Many scouts have Chase ranked as the top NFL Draft Betting pick as a receiver. Wise Guys recall the way Chase dominated the 2019 campaign. That season Chase caught 84 passes for 1780 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2019 and averaged 21.2 yards per catch. He was the nation’s leading receiver and set numerous LSU program records.
As a result of his production, Chase was the 2019 Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation’s top receiver. In the national championship game, Chase took the game over against a strong Clemson Tigers defense. Chase caught nine passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Clemson. Specifically, some NFL scouts don’t like that Chase doesn’t always run precise routes. However, his Pro Bowl level talent overcomes that.
Further, his opting out of the 2020 season is a worry to some NFL teams. But that is often the case with scouts and coaches. They’ll nitpick to the point of being counterproductive.
DeVonta Smith – Alabama Crimson Tide -500
At the top of many NFL Draft betting odds charts is DeVonta Smith. Smith’s performance in the 2020 college football campaign was one of the greatest in history. He was the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner. Furthermore, he won such awards as the Maxwell, Walter Camp, Paul Horning, AP Player of the Year, and Sporting News Player of the Year. Smith caught an eye-popping 117 passes for 1856 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2020. His smaller and thinner build bothers some NFL scouts.
Jaylen Waddle – Alabama Crimson Tide +500
Another Alabama receiver, Jaylen Waddle, could surprise everyone for his 2021 NFL Draft betting position. As a matter of fact, some scouts have Waddle ranked higher than Smith. In the 2020 campaign, Waddle only played six games, but his 21.1 yards per catch caught attention. Overall, no other receiver brings Waddle’s ability to break games wide open. As an example, 11 of his 20 career touchdown passes were for over 50 yards. Waddle’s speed scares opposition defense. He ranks above all others when it comes to NFL Draft breakaway receiving threats.
2021 NFL Draft First Receiver Taken Bookmaker Free Pick
Chase, Smith, and Waddle are the only realistic NFL Draft betting odds choices. Due to his speed does Waddle rate the best wagering selection. Had he not missed games in 2020, he could well be the favorite to go first among receivers.
2021 NFL Draft First Receiver Taken Best Bet: Jaylen Waddle
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