The NFL Draft week is drawing near.
You are never alone if it takes you by surprise.
There is significantly less draft excitement this year compared to previous years (more details to come).
However, it’s worth noting that this is a live NFL event taking place in April. What’s more, Colorado’s online sportsbooks offer an increasing number of draft betting options for bettors to explore.
So, let’s try to avoid complaining excessively.
The first round commences on Thursday at 6 p.m. (MT).
Amidst the dazzling allure of Fabulous Las Vegas, the finest selections proudly don their brand-new team caps.
On Friday, the second and third sessions are scheduled for 5 p.m. The game’s final four rounds (4-7) will commence at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Television coverage for each pick is provided by ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
Trade, lack of marquee QB prospects, and Broncos & dim draft
There are several reasons behind the relatively calm review buildup this year.
The Denver Broncos do not have a first-round pick in terms of geography. Additionally, they are scheduled to have their highest selection in the second round at No. 40.
In March, quarterback Russell Wilson was acquired by shipping those picks to the Pacific Northwest.
The Broncos have chosen their first pick, currently scheduled to be number one. The final pick of Friday’s second round will be 64 overall.
Last week, general manager George Paton jokingly mentioned that Broncos executives will be keeping a close eye on Russell Wilson highlights during Thursday night’s opening round.
When it comes to quarterbacks and the first round, this year’s draft has experienced a decline in regional excitement due to the limited number of standout quarterback prospects.
During a dual mock draft on April 19, Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay from ESPN predicted that Liberty’s Malik Willis would be the first quarterback chosen at the sixth overall pick by the Carolina Panthers. Their projections only included two quarterbacks being selected within the top 20 picks.
The projected top five picks by Kiper and McShay consisted of three defensive ends, with No. 1 leading the pack. Aidan Hutchinson was chosen as the first overall pick, followed by a cornerback and a not-so-pleasantly named player.
Not particularly beautiful.
On the other hand, the NFL drafts from 2000 and 2013 were the only ones in the last 24 years where no quarterbacks were selected among the top five picks.
The ESPN duo’s mock top 20 for 2022 consisted of only six skill-position picks: four wide receivers and two quarterbacks.
As of Tuesday afternoon, BetMGM Colorado Sportsbook offered an over/under of 3.5 players selected in the first round.
The bottom is undeniably a popular choice with odds of -250. The top is open for betting at +185.
Decisions are being made by NFL bettors in Colorado.
McBride is anticipated to be the top tight end drafted by CSU & .
Given the expected lack of activity surrounding the Broncos and the draft, Trey McBride, an impressive player from Colorado State University, has a strong chance of grabbing the spotlight in local headlines.
The Fort Morgan product is a top-rated tight end in the draft.
He earned the distinction of being a part of the Rams team with an exceptional performance during his freshman season, where he made 90 catches for 1,121 yards. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 250 pounds, he proved himself as a force to be reckoned with. His outstanding achievements led him to be unanimously selected as a first-team All-American and also granted him the prestigious John Mackey Award, recognizing him as the best tight end in the nation.
DraftKings Colorado Sportsbook predicts McBride to be the clear frontrunner as the first tight end chosen this weekend.
He is currently leading the board with odds of -450, while Greg Dulcich of UCLA trails behind as a distant second with odds of +350.
It is expected that McBride will be selected in the next square.
In the aforementioned Kiper / McShay dual mock, the Minnesota Vikings selected him as the 46th overall pick.
On Tuesday, DraftKings set McBride & Co.’s draft position at 50.5, with an even-money + 100 for the under option and a favorite status of -130 for the over option (pick 51 or later).
Caesars Colorado Sportsbook had set McBride’s over/under at 52.5 in the meantime.
On Tuesday, the in had a slight advantage of -125. The cost for the above was -105.
Broncos scheduled for 9 choice yet without a second baseman.
There are a total of nine picks that have been officially granted to the Broncos in the remaining six rounds.
In the upcoming sessions, specifically the fifth and sixth ones, each participant will have a single choice. Additionally, there will be two sessions scheduled for the third, fifth, and sixth rounds.
Unless there is an unforeseen trade, Denver will not possess a first-round pick in this upcoming draft. This will mark the first time since 2012 and only the second time since 1995.
However, Broncos Country is not just complaining. This is because they have endured six seasons of aimlessly wandering through a wasteland of quarterbacks.
What position are the Broncos likely to target with their second-round pick?
ESPN mocked Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska security, as they secured the top spot with a score of 64.
In Ryan O’Halloran’s last mock draft for the Denver Post, he predicted that the Denver Broncos would select Troy Andersen, an inside linebacker from Montana State, in the second round.
As of Tuesday, the favored positions for the Broncos’ first pick at BetMGM are either a defensive lineman or a linebacker. Both positions share common odds of +275.
The odds for Denver’s first positional pick at BetMGM are as follows:
- 350 offensive lineman / defensive back
- 800 plus wide receiver or tight end.
- Backwards + 1000
- The act of kicking, whether it be by a skilled player or a professional kicker, is worth 10,000 units.
During the subsequent round, a few draft researchers also mocked the Broncos for selecting McBride.
However, Paton will likely need to make a speedy deal, similar to when he swiftly moved up five spots to select North Carolina RB Javonte Williams at No. 35 overall.
