Money Talks: Mocking an Offensive Tackle to the Jets based on NFL Draft Wagering Odds
Forget about the internet rumors, the top-30 visits and the insider information.
One way to structure a mock draft is to use betting odds to determine the picks.
That's the method employed by Sports Illustrated's Craig Ellenport in his "Follow the Money" Mock Draft on April 26.
"This one has nothing to do with player evaluations or hunches or anything like that. It’s about just one thing: the odds," explained Ellenport.
Keep in mind, odds may have shifted since publication (find the latest numbers at SI Sportsbook).
According to the odds-influenced projections, the New York Jets landed Georgia left tackle Broderick Jones at No. 15 overall.
The Green Bay Packers took Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter at No. 13, which was Gang Green's first-round position prior to completing the trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Picking 14th in the order, the New England Patriots went with Pitt cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
15 New York Jets (via GB): Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
"With Aaron Rodgers finally in the fold, the Jets are heavily favored to find offensive line help to protect their 39-year-old QB. This will be the Jets’ third first-round OT in the last four years, but it makes sense. Jones has the fourth-best odds (+900) to be the first offensive lineman taken, so he’s the fourth O-lineman off our board."
Jones, who made a top-30 pre-draft visit to the Jets, started all 15 games at left tackle for Georgia during their run to the 2022 CFP National Championship.
The 6-foot-5 Jones looks fast on game film and ran fast at the NFL Combine. The 6-foot-5 bookend topped all offensive line participants by running the 40 in 4.97s.
Georgia LT Broderick Jones (59)
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears started a run on offensive tackles by selecting Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr. at No. 9 overall. The Philadelphia Eagles used the No. 10 pick on Northwestern's Peter Skoronski. The Tennessee Titans made it three offensive tackles in a row with Tennessee's Darnell Wright at No. 11 on the clock.
View SI Sportsbook's NFL Draft Odds
Here is the odds information that influenced Ellenport's offensive tackle selections at No. 9 (Bears), No. 10 (Eagles) and No. 10 (Titans):
"The Bears are favored to go offensive line at -188. There are three co-favorites to be the ninth overall pick at +300 and two of them are O-linemen."
"Everyone knows the Eagles put a premium on offensive linemen, so it’s no surprise SI Sportsbook has them at -143 to use this pick on the front line."
"Tennessee is listed at -125 to go offensive line, but a close second is defensive line at +150."
