Kayvon Thibodeaux leads way with top odds to be No. 1 overall pick

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2021 season has come to a close, and as expected, they will pick first overall for the second consecutive time. They will do so despite closing the season on a high note with a victory over the Indianapolis Colts as the Detroit Lions, who were second in the draft order, were also victorious Week 18 against the Green Bay Packers.

Now, all eyes are set on what the Jags will do in terms of their coaching search, but once that’s completed, the sights of the organization will be set on the draft. With the team leading the draft order, they have a big decision to make on who to take first overall, and with the Jags taking Trevor Lawrence last season, many have stated it should be an offensive pick.

However, the oddsmakers at Tipico Sportsbook have given the highest odds to Oregon edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux to go first overall (+100), who is regarded by some as the best player in the draft. Then not too far behind him is another pass-rusher in Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson (+115), while Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal (+550) came in with the third-highest odds.

The Jags are coming off a three-win season where they honestly could use help on either side of the ball, but it was clear the front office didn’t do that great of a job building a supporting cast for Lawrence. However, Thibodeaux and Hutchinson have higher overall grades in the eyes of some, or provide better value than Neal because he could be viewed as a right tackle in Jacksonville.

For now, it makes sense that the top player in the draft would have the highest odds at the moment, but as we’ve seen with oddsmakers in the past, that’s could certainly change. Once the decision is made in terms of who will be the Jags’ head coach (and potentially who will be their general manager), then it could be easier to make a call on the first overall pick.