The NFL Combine tends to impact the betting futures market in a big way. This year’s event certainly led to a noticeable shift in the NFL betting favorite to be the first wide receiver drafted.
Before the combine, USC wide receiver Drake London was the favorite to be the first taken at his position at -130. But he could not work out at the combine as he recovers from a broken foot he suffered at the tail end of his 2021 college season.
London was leap-frogged by Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson, and London’s odds to be the first receiver drafted are now +175 (odds from DraftKings as of Monday morning).
Odds to Be First WR Selected in 2022 NFL Draft
| Receiver, School | Pre-Combine Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Garrett Wilson, Ohio State | +135 | +100 |
| Drake London, USC | -130 | +175 |
| Jameson Williams, Alabama | +1000 | +750 |
| Treylon Burks, Arkansas | +600 | +800 |
| Chris Olave, Ohio State | +1200 | +1200 |
Is London’s Loss Buffalo’s Gain?
The Buffalo Bills remain one of the AFC’s top teams and will need to continue adding firepower to both sides of the football to maintain that spot in what has become a loaded conference.
There’s an argument that Buffalo’s biggest need is at wide receiver.
Stefon Diggs is an elite talent and Gabriel Davis finished the season strong, but Emmanuel Sanders is a free agent and Buffalo released Cole Beasley on Thursday.
To continue unlocking quarterback Josh Allen’s potential, the Bills could use more weapons in the passing game, and that is where New York sports betting odds on receivers becomes an interesting topic.
If London continues to fall on teams’ draft boards because of his foot injury and lack of measurable workout numbers, Buffalo could be in a position to capitalize.
The Bills, among the favorites in Super Bowl betting for the 2022 season, are set to pick 25th in the first round of April’s draft and will be considering a wide receiver with their first selection.
If London starts to slip in the draft, Buffalo could trade up into the late teens to grab a potential difference-maker in the draft.
Allen is currently the betting favorite to win MVP next season at +700. Adding a talented rookie WR like London would offer added confidence that a big season is coming for the fifth-year pro.
How This Year’s Wide Receiver Class Looks
The last few seasons have been loaded with wide receiver talent, and there are many who believe this class, while lacking a true superstar, has plenty of strong prospects.
With New York sports betting apps now legalized, you can bet on many NFL draft props.
One such prop that accurately reflects the expected class of WRs is on DraftKings Sportsbook, where they’ve set the over/under of wide receivers drafted at 5.5 total.
Other Teams Who Could Draft WRs High
This wide receiver class likely lacks a top-10 talent, but teams drafting in spots 11-24 might grab a player at the position that Buffalo might want.
Teams we must consider in the market for a first round WR include Cleveland, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Orleans, New England and Las Vegas.
There’s still over a month before the draft, and NFL free agency can impact the complexion of the league in many ways before we reach the draft.
The market remains volatile, but if London’s odds to be the first WR continue getting worse, that is good news for Buffalo.
