NFL Draft: Position-By-Position Guide Ahead of Draft
Adam Martin 
The time of year is fast approaching where interest in the NFL kicks up a gear ahead of the start of the new season in September.
The first major event since the Super Bowl is of course the Draft, which takes place next week and already has fans working out mock drafts and potential moves.
The Philadelphia Eagles are already favourites with online betting sites to retain the Super Bowl crown they claimed in February, but the draft could have a significant impact on those odds.
Our new NFL betting expert, Adam Martin, has had a look at the best picks per position in the draft this year.
It’s only one week till the NFL draft will be broadcast live from Green Bay, Wisconsin. All the potential college stars will be looking to see where they will be starting their NFL careers.
Here we look at the best players in their positions that will be going in round one.
Quarterback – Cam Ward – Miami
The QB class is not great this year, but Cam Ward is a deserved front runner. He is expected to be the number one pick and go to the Tennessee Titans. Ward is an exciting prospect who possesses great arm strength and the ability to be mobile.
Ward is ice cool and has a commanding presence on the field. He does still need to develop, and that will take time, but out of all the QBs in this year’s class he is easily the best.
Running Back – Ashton Jeanty – Boise State
There is serious buzz around the running back class this year and Jeanty is top of the pile. It is quicker to say what he is bad at rather than what he is good at, as the former Boise State runner has got elite written all over him. Jeanty has great vision and footwork along with the size and strength to play the position at an elite level.
Some people might say he is a bit undersized as he is only 5’9 but it shouldn’t impact him too much. He has also fumbled the ball nine times in two years which is a concern, but he is easily a first-round pick and will go early.
Wide Receiver – Tetairoa McMillian – Arizona
This year is not a vintage year for wide receivers, but McMillian is potentially special. He is a big physical receiver standing at 6’5 and 220lbs. He is a great target for touchdowns and eats up yards with his long stride.
He has struggled with drops in college, although that was largely due to poor QB play. Also, he doesn’t block as much as he should. However, he is still the standout guy from this year’s class, and he will be drafted on the first night.
Tight End – Tyler Warren – Penn State
The tight end class this year looks solid and that’s something that doesn’t happen every year. The top choice is Penn States Tyler Warren who had an amazing season last year. He is a very athletic route runner who has quick footwork and is a great touchdown target.
He might not be as good as Travis Kelce has been or Brock Bowers is now, but he is still a great talent. Expect him to go in the top half of the first round.
Offensive Lineman – Will Campbell – LSU
You can never have enough o-linemen is the saying. Well, there aren't that many top-quality ones this year, but Will Campbell is one. The LSU tackle is a great communicator who possesses great footwork and strong hands.
He does have a few flexibility issues, but he is versatile enough to play anywhere along the line. Campbell is easily a top 10 pick in the draft and is an NFL starter ready now.
Inside Defensive Lineman – Mason Graham – Michigan
Another position that you need plenty of guys for and this year there is a truly special talent. Mason Graham is an absolute beast standing at 6’3, 318lbs. For a man so big he has great agility and explosive speed.
His grip strength is incredibly strong, and he has the footwork and versatility to get past any opponent. Analysts have said that he has short arms, but the tape shows a beast who should be taken in the top five picks.
Edge Rusher – Abdul Carter – Penn State
The second Penn State player on the list is arguably the best talent in the whole draft. Abdul Carter is an outrageously talented edge rusher who can also play at linebacker. He has an explosive first step and great bend to get around any opponent.
He has a great motor and shows serious toughness as he played hurt in the college playoffs last season. He does rely on his athleticism to much at times, but he should be the second or third pick. He could be truly special.
Linebacker – Jalon Walker – Georgia
Jalon Walker is easily the top linebacker in a class that doesn’t possess much depth. The Georgia man has played at both edge rusher and linebacker, but linebacker feels like his more natural position. He has an explosive first step and a high motor which means he can play hard all game long.
He is still raw and sometimes shows hesitation when reading the game, but he has lots of positive traits about him. Linebackers tend not to go to early in the draft, however Walker is expected to be taken in the first ten picks.
Safety – Malaki Starks – Georgia
Another Georgia Bulldog is listed here in Malaki Starks. The safety position is another that doesn’t get the headlines, but Starks is a headline maker. He has a rare combination of violent tackler and explosive speed.
Starks reads the game incredibly well and goads quarterbacks into making mistakes. Sometimes he can be over aggressive and discipline issues have been mentioned about him. Despite that he should be a first-round pick.
Cornerback – Travis Hunter – Colorado
The last player on the list is another choice for best player in the draft. Travis Hunter is a very rare player who could become incredibly special. Not only is Hunter the best cornerback in this year’s draft, but a lot of analysts also think he is the best wide receiver as well. It’s very rare to see a player in two positions in the NFL but Hunter wants to give it a go.
Hunter possesses great ball skills and expectational mirroring of his opponent. He reads the game well and baits the quarterback into making mistakes. At 185lbs he is a bit small at his position and struggles against the bigger wide receivers. However, he is favourite to be the number two pick, and it would be shocking if he wasn’t in the first three.
While it's the off-season in the NFL, there's still plenty to get stuck into on Freebets over the next few weeks as football season reaches its climax.
We'll be providing Champions League tips as Arsenal look to go all the way, while the Premier League and EFL will also feature heavily right here.
