2022 NFL Draft Prospect Ikem Ekwonu Moves From 100-1 to 5-1 to Be No. 1 Overall Pick
Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images. Pictured: Ikem Ekwonu
No. 1 Pick in 2022 NFL Draft Odds
Odds via DraftKings
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Aidan Hutchinson | +135 |
| Kayvon Thibodeaux | +160 |
| Evan Neal | +275 |
| Ikem Ekwonu | +500 |
| Kenny Pickett | +3500 |
| Matt Corral | +5500 |
| Derek Stingley Jr | +5500 |
| DeMarvin Leal | +6500 |
| Charles Cross | +9000 |
| Kyle Hamilton | +9000 |
| Malik Willis | +10000 |
| Carson Strong | +10000 |
On Jan. 18, North Carolina State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu was a 100-1 longshot to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
In just 24 hours, that number dropped all the way to 5-1.
It's the latest move in what's been an up-and-down market at DraftKings for the 320-pound sophomore. He dropped from 100-1 to 55-1 between Jan. 2 and Jan. 6. That jumped back up to 100-1 between Jan. 12 and Jan. 18.
Now at 5-1, is he in serious consideration for the No. 1 pick?
Most mock drafts and big board rankings are heavy with offensive linemen and pass rushers at the top.
Ekwonu has been getting more and more buzz in early mock drafts. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the latest mock from The Athletic. He's the No. 5 overall prospect according to The Draft Network, ranking as the top offensive lineman on the board. However, he is not the top pick in their latest mock.
It doesn't take much for sportsbooks to move these more "informational" markets. A post on r/sportsbook suggested taking Ekwonu at 100-1 yesterday, and given the 262,000 members on that Subreddit, it's possible that contributed.
The Jaguars have the top pick in the draft and are set at quarterback for now with 2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence. It's not a particularly strong quarterback class either, in case Jacksonville did want to go another direction.
In his rookie season, Lawrence threw for 3,641 yards with just 12 touchdowns to 17 interceptions. His 33.5 QBR ranked 28th among qualified quarterbacks. However, after being sacked 32 times, protecting him is a high priority.
Michigan pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson is still the betting favorite at DraftKings at +135. That's slightly ahead of Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux, who entered the college football season as many pundits' top player.
Alabama tackle Evan Neal (+275) is the top offensive lineman on the oddsboard.
After the top four, there's a steep drop to the quarterbacks. Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett (+3500) tops Matt Corral (+5500) as the No. 1 option on the betting board.
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