
I’m approaching this mock as a blend of what I think teams will do, colored with my opinions of the players selected. Accordingly, I am going to add a twist to this particular mock draft by folding the current odds from PointsBet into each pick (where available). That way you, the reader, can get my opinions on the current profit potential of each selection.
Here is the PointsBet board as it currently stands:
https://in.pointsbet.com/sports/american-football/NFL-Futures/232597
1) Jacksonville Jaguars – Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
PointsBet Odds = -185 Hutchinson/+185 Walker
Odds of first pick being: DL -1,000/OL +330
Much ink has been spilled chronicling GM Trent Balke’s previous selection of Aldon Smith over J.J. Watt with the 49ers as an example of why the Jaguars will select Georgia Edge Travon Walker, and his jaw-dropping 9.99 RAS athletic profile, over Michigan Edge, Aidan Hutchinson. The thing is, Hutchinson is a freak athlete as well, sporting a similarly impressive 9.88 RAS. Except he posted the nation’s third-leading pressure rate (11.8%) while Walker accrued the nation’s 142nd ranked pressure rate of 5.1%, tied with household names like Zach VanValkenburg and YaYa Diaby.
After owner Sadiq Kahn suffered through the Urban Myer debacle last season, the last thing the Jags need is to take a Boom/Bust selection at #1 overall. They’re taking the logical pick, Hutchinson (-185) just like last year with Trevor Lawrence, and moving on to the rest of their draft. FWIW – Walker was +2,000 to go #1 at the end of March…yet here he is at +185.
2) Detroit Lions – Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
Thibodeaux + 150/Hutchinson +170/Walker +400
Odds of first pick being: DL -280/QB +500/DB +600
GM Brad Holmes had previously mentioned having talks about moving down from the number one pick but tamped down that…
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