2022 NFL Draft Prop Picks: Position Totals Over/Under

When it comes to NFL draft position totals, bettors who are daring enough to lay some hefty juice could ultimately find themselves in a profitable position by the end of the first round. With this in mind, our NFL draft prop picks look at position totals for Round 1.

The biggest weekend of the NFL offseason is upon us. A new crop of talent will officially be welcomed into the league when the 2022 NFL Draft begins Thursday night. The city of Las Vegas is hosting this year’s draft, with the Fountains of Bellagio providing a one-of-a-kind backdrop. 

Unlike last year’s draft in which both the first and second overall picks were foregone conclusions, there is a bit more mystery ahead of Thursday night’s first round. While this can lead to a tougher draft handicap, it also provides bettors with an increased level of opportunity. Play your cards right and there is always money to be made by betting on the NFL draft.

Here are our picks and best bets for the 2022 NFL Draft from the position totals markets (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM, and DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

NFL Draft Position Totals Prop Picks

Quarterbacks drafted in Round 1: Under 3.5 (-250 via FanDuel) ???Wide receivers drafted in Round 1: Under 6.5 (-115 via BetMGM) ???Safeties drafted in Round 1: Over 1.5 (-285 via DraftKings) ???Tight ends drafted in Round 1: Under 0.5 (-700 via DraftKings) ???

SEE ALSO: 2022 NFL Draft Odds and Picks

Top NFL Draft Position Totals Predictions

Quarterbacks: Under 3.5 (-250)

Although quarterback is the position that garners the vast majority of hype and media attention in the NFL, there just aren’t many great prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft class. In reality, one could argue that there are none. The only reason that the position total is available at 3.5 is simply that it’s the QB position, and all fans of middling franchises want to see a fresh face under center.

In total, there are only four quarterbacks who have a shot to hear their names called on the first night of the NFL draft. In no particular order, the list includes Liberty’s Malik Willis, Ole Miss’ Matt Corral, Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder.

SEE ALSO: Is There Value Betting the Over on QBs Draft in 1st Round?

The other element impacting this prediction is the fact that there simply is not a widespread need at the quarterback position heading into the 2022 NFL season. Thus, while any of the four players above COULD be first-round selections, no more than three will be drafted on Thursday. In fact, the total number of QBs taken in Round 1 may only wind up being two.

This position total prop is currently listed with an Over/Under of 2.5 at DraftKings.

Receivers: Under 6.5 (-115)

Wide receiver presents what is easily the narrowest gap in terms of NFL draft betting pricing of all the position totals props on the board. Depending on which talking heads one listens to and/or which mock drafts he/she reads, anywhere from five to eight wideouts have a shot to be come off the board on Thursday night.

Given that we are dealing with for an Over/Under line in excess of a half-dozen, the best approach is to break things down. It’s a known fact that each of Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, Alabama’s Jameson Williams, USC’s Drake London, and OSU’s Chris Olave are all Round 1 talents. Bettors can realistically place Arkansas’ Treylon Burks in that same category as a wide receiver who is a virtual lock to be selected on Thursday night.

That list of five players leaves us needing two more first-round receivers in order to surpass the prop line of 6.5. Let’s just say that those two names are not easily decided upon. There are really only three additional wideouts who could conceivably be selected in the opening round. In no particular order, they are Penn State’s Jahan Dotson, Georgia’s George Pickens, and North Dakota State’s Christian Watson. 

Dotson may be the most likely of the three to go in Round 1, but with so many options along the offensive line and on the defensive side of the ball, even he could be considered a reach in Round 1.

Like quarterback, this line gets inflated at the sportsbooks with casual NFL fans wanting to see their teams target the skill positions early in the draft and on primetime TV. Take the less attractive Under.

Safeties: Over 1.5 (-285)

The position total for the number of safeties to be drafted in the first round is set at 1.5. As the betting odds would seem to indicate, the market is clearly leaning heavily toward the Over. Considering that there are at least three players at the position with Day 1 talent, the price is not only justified but worth laying.

Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton accounts for the “1” in our position totals prop line of 1.5 safeties. Most analysts have him off the board within the top-20 selections. Thus, this prediction ultimately comes down to whether or not another team will use a late first-round selection on the position. Should they choose to do so, they will have multiple options from which to choose.

Georgia’s Lewis Cine is one of the most ferocious hitters that the safety position has seen in a long time. He has more than enough talent to be a Day 1 selection, as does Michigan’s Daxton Hill. With his strong suit being in pass coverage, one could argue that Cine and Hill bring completely opposite strengths to the table.

Two other longshots at the position who could surprise and go in the First Round are Penn State’s Jaquan Brisker and Baylor’s Jalen Pitre.

SEE ALSO: Best Bets for 2022 NFL Draft First Pick by Position

Tight ends: Under 0.5 (-700)

There is really only one player impacting the NFL draft betting position total for the number of tight ends to be drafted in Round 1. That would be Colorado State’s Trey McBride. Along with NFL-caliber size, McBride’s diverse route tree sets him apart as easily the best tight end in this year’s draft class.

While McBride may stand head and shoulders above all others at his position, it will be an uphill battle for him to sneak into the first round. Unless trades go down at the back end of the round, the only real fit for McBride among the teams with late-round selections would be the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Some draft experts have actually slotted McBride in at No. 31 overall in their mocks. However, the Bengals have needs far more pertinent to address than adding another pass-catcher. As a borderline first-round talent at a position that is not extremely coveted in the early stages of the draft, McBride’s chances of being taken on Thursday night are slim to none. Laying -700 odds may seem hefty, but this price is notably as low as -900 at other major sportsbooks.

Where to Bet on the NFL Draft

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel SportsbookCaesars SportsbookDraftKings SportsbookPointsBet reviewBetMGM

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