- The First Round of the NFL Draft saw six wide receivers selected.
- Sportsbooks have Denzel Mims at EVEN odds to be the seventh when picks resume tonight.
- Laviska Shenault at +950 odds to be next WR chosen may be worth the risk.
LAS VEGAS – On Thursday, those watching and betting on the NFL Draft saw a wide receiver explosion of massive proportions. Six receivers were taken in the first 25 picks, marking a historic occasion for the position.
Experts knew that this class was loaded at wideout, but did not expect names like Arizona State Sun Devil’s Brandon Aiyuk, or LSU Tiger’s Justin Jefferson to be called so early in the process.
The three most high-profile receivers going into the first round were still selected around their anticipated positions, but not in the order many experts predicted.
Going into Thursday night, oddsmakers had Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, and Henry Ruggs III all going in the first round. The order of them being chosen was unanimously dominated by Lamb and Jeudy, with Ruggs III a consensus third choice.
In typical, and unpredictable draft fashion, Henry Ruggs III was the first wide receiver drafted, being selected 12th overall.
Ruggs III blew scouts away at the combine for his lightning-fast 4.27 40 yard dash time, and now has the distinction of being the first draft pick in history to go to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Second Round
With full attention now on the second round, oddsmakers have Denzel Mims sitting at even odds to be the seventh WR off the board.
However, those looking to place a flyer on a potential big whale should check out the odds for the Colorado Buffaloes star Laviska Shenault.
2020 NFL Draft – 7th Wide Receiver Drafted:
- Denzel Mims EVEN
- Tee Higgins +145
- Michael Pittman Jr. +375
- Laviska Shenault +950
- KJ Hamler +2200
- Chase Claypool +3000
- Van Jefferson +4500
Shenault was a consensus first-round pick around this time last year. Unfortunately, injuries got in the way of his progress and he slipped down draft boards heading into the offseason.
However, his recovery has gone “terrific” according to his physician and teams might be looking to get a steal early in the second round.
All 32 teams received a letter from Dr. William Meyers regarding the health of #Colorado WR Laviska Shenault, who had core muscle surgery. Per Meyers, he will be 100% by April 25. pic.twitter.com/v5dtOzIsDd
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 18, 2020
At +950 odds, bettors are salivating at the opportunity for a big money flyer. Tee Higgins is another big name that NFL bettors may recognize given that he played on the Clemson Tigers. With experience at an elite level school such as Clemson, Higgins might be another underdog pick to lookout for.
