NFL Draft – Wide Receivers and O Line

Dying to make some football bets? No need to wait until September, as there are plenty of good NFL Draft props which could interest you.

After looking at quarterbacks and running backs previously, let’s look today at wide receivers and offensive linemen.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Taken in Round One: Over 2 ½ (-130) or Under 2 ½ (-110): This is one of the toughest prop bets on the board to project, because there’s so much uncertainty surrounding these prospects.

Starting with Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State. If you watched Bryant this year or last, you know that there isn’t a more physically gifted wide receiver in the 2010 draft. Of course there are a ton of questions surrounding him, as he potentially committed NCAA violations while enrolled in school, and has a work ethic issue that’s been called into question. Will someone risk a first round pick?

While no one questions the work ethic DeMaryius “Bebe,” Thomas from Georgia Tech, many do question the system which he played in. Thomas was one of the most efficient wide receivers in college football last year, making 46 catches for over 1000 yards. But he also faced soft coverage, as opposing defenses were focused on stopping the run against a Georgia Tech triple-option attack.

Another first round bubble prospect is Notre Dame’s Golden Tate, who measured only at 5’10 at the NFL Combine. He’s an incredible talent, but what are realistic expectations of someone so small. And top tight end prospect Jermaine Gresham is coming off a missed 2009 season, because of a knee injury.

With all that uncertainty though, it sure does seem like at least three of those guys will come off the board in Round 1. Bryant will still likely go early in the round, and teams like Cincinnati and Baltimore drafting in the back half of the round need skill position play makers. They won’t be able to pass on the likes of Tate, Thomas and Gresham.

The Play: Over 2 ½ (-130)

Offensive Linemen Taken In Round One: Over 6 ½ (-250) or Under (+175): While some teams are looking to add skill position guys like the ones listed above, other NFL squads are trying to build their offenses from the inside out.

So who are the linemen we should like? It seems like a foregone conclusion that Washington will take an offensive tackle at No. 4, with Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung being pegged as the ideal fit by most prognosticators. It also seems like all but a certainty that in some order, Iowa’s Brian Bulaga, Rutgers’ Anthony Davis and Oklahoma’s Trent Williams will all be taken in Round 1 as well.

Beyond that, the names on the interior of the line that seem to be getting tossed around quite a bit are guard Mike Iupati and center Maurkice Pouncey of Florida. So right there, you’ve already got six guys.

But will there be one more? There certainly aren’t any other guards or centers that will come off the board, so we can cross those positions off. But at tackle?

While the early buzz surrounded Bruce Campbell of Maryland, many experts have fallen out of love with him. Which leaves USC tackle Charles Brown the big winner. It appears as though the physical Brown won’t escape Round 1, and could go to a playoff team looking to fill one final hole, like Dallas or Green Bay.

Take the over in this NFL Draft prop bet.

The Play: Over 6 ½ (-250)