Travon Walker Emerges As Heavy Favorite To Become No. 1 Overall Pick

The 2022 NFL draft begins tonight, kicking off one of the most intriguing first rounds this event has seen in quite some time.

Due to a relatively weak class of quarterbacks—especially in comparison to last year, when five signal-callers came off the board in Round 1 and a record-setting eight were drafted by the end of the third round—the door is wide open for some surprising picks to be made tonight.

The top-10 is far from set, although there have been some indications that the Jacksonville Jaguars may have settled on their selection at No. 1 overall, including but not limited to some rather telling NFL draft odds courtesy of FanDuel.

Here’s a look at all the players with odds of becoming the first pick in the 2022 NFL draft:

2022 NFL Draft No . 1 Pick Odds

• Travon Walker: -420
• Aidan Hutchinson: +440
• Ikem Ekwonu: +700
• Evan Neal: +2500
• Kayvon Thibodeaux: +2500
• Malik Willis: +5000

While it initially appeared that Kayvon Thibodeaux and Aidan Hutchinson would be the primary choices at this spot, Travon Walker has rapidly emerged as the favorite.

The Georgia edge-rusher began the week as near even money but has since seen his odds shoot up to -420—meaning one would need to risk $4.20 to return $1 on the outcome—heading into draft day.

Hutchinson has fallen back to +440 and Thibodeaux doesn’t appear to be in the mix anymore based on his +2500 betting line, placing him behind Ikem Ekwonu (+700) and Evan Neal (+2500) for best odds of being selected No. 1 overall.

It’s looking so likely that the Jaguars make Walker the pick that Hutchinson is now the odds-on favorite to be selected at No. 2—FanDuel has him at -140 to come off the board here—with Thibodeaux a close second at +130. Walker is a much distance third at +1100 odds, tying him with Jermaine Johnson.

There have been signs that the Jags have been leaning towards Walker for quite some time.

Earlier in the month, chatter started that the Jags were enamored by Walker’s potential and insiders noted general manager Trent Baalke’s history of going for upside. Last week, general manager Trent Baalke made the dubious claim that Hutchinson and Walker were equally productive in their respective schemes despite the former having eight more sacks than the latter this past season alone.

Walker truly began to see his odds surge on Monday, when ESPN’s Todd McShay noted he’s heard from NFL executives that the Jaguars “prefer the upside and traits of Walker over the proven production, motor and leadership that Hutchinson brings to the table”.

McShay’s report skyrocketed Walker up the odds list and the Georgia pass-rusher has only been further boosted in the days since.

Many respected analysts have been putting Walker at the top of their final mock drafts. PFF’s Michael Renner moved Hutchinson down to No. 2 in his latest update, sliding Walker to the top in his stead. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah noted that all the signs are pointing to Walker at No. 1 as well.

One thing that could completely reshape how the No. 1 overall pick odds look is a trade, which is something the Jaguars have been open to but seems rather unlikely in the final hours leading up to the start of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Baalke recently confirmed that his team has been open for business but hadn’t fielded a single direct call regarding the selection.

Barring a last-minute offer that Jacksonville can’t refuse, the club will be making its pick at No. 1 later tonight, becoming just the sixth team in NFL history to hold the top selection in back-to-back seasons.

The Walker pick may not be written in pen just yet, but all signs and the latest draft odds point to him joining the Jaguars tonight.

Check back later today for a full overview of 2022 NFL draft odds, prop bets, predictions and more for the first round.