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One of the most coveted positions in the NFL – besides the quarterback – is the guy protecting a franchise’s most valuable asset. The offensive tackle, particularly the left tackle, has become a must- have for NFL teams.
The 2022 draft has four prospects that will likely go on Day 1 of the draft. Three of those are listed on the board in the category of First Offensive Lineman Picked. Here’s a look at the odds and the most likely to be the first off the board.
The Favorite
NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu is the overall favorite to be the first offensive lineman selected. He is given -125 odds and it’s easy to see why. Ekwonu is the best run-blocking offensive tackle in the past couple drafts. He will fit nicely into any zone blocking scheme.
Ekwonu is extremely powerful at the point of attack. He lacks some size in comparison to most OT prospects. Ekwonu is listed at 6-foot-4-inches and weighs in at 310 pounds. He is very athletic and hails from a very athletic family. His family members say he’s only the second-best athlete among his siblings.
Ekwonu’s mother was a track star. His fraternal twin brother is a linebacker at Notre Dame. In high school, Ekwonu ran a leg on the 4×100-meter relay team. There’s no question the guy’s an athlete. There’s also no question he is a dominating offensive linemen. He was dubbed “Mr. Pancake” at NC State.
The Contender
A three-year starter at Alabama, Evan Neal is both massive and extremely versatile. He is a legitimate 6- 7.5 and weighs in at around 335 pounds. He has started at left guard, right tackle, and left tackle for the Crimson Tide.
Three years of playing against SEC talent has helped Neal develop into an outstanding offensive lineman. He was a former five-star recruit who, like Ekwonu, is a freakish athlete. Neal didn’t run at the NFL combine or at his pro day, but he is the type of player who will have a very successful decade-plus career in the NFL. That’s why he’s given +150 odds to be the first offensive lineman drafted this year.
The Wild Card
Mississippi State’s Charles Cross started for two seasons in Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense. He’s had tons of pass blocking reps at left tackle where he’ll play at the next level.
Cross is big at 6-5 and 307 pounds and he showed great speed and explosiveness with a 4.95 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Cross also has 34.5-inch arms, a coveted trait for offensive tackles as they fight to keep pass rushers off their quarterback.
Cross is the outlier at +400. Most experts have either Ekwonu or Neal going first.
2022 NFL Draft 1st OL Selected Prediction
Don’t be surprised if the Jacksonville Jaguars opt for an offensive lineman first instead of an edge rusher like Aidan Hutchinson. The Jags could use a quality protector of their franchise quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, who they took with last year’s first pick.
If not the Jags, then Houston at No. 3 is very likely to go with an offensive lineman. Either way, it appears that Ekwonu has surpassed Neal as the likely first pick.
That’s exactly why we’ll back the top contender – Neal. He’s bigger, just as athletic, and he played three seasons for the best program in the country. And, bettors get Neal at plus-money.
PICK: EVAN NEAL +150
Odds to Be 1st OL Selected in the 2022 NFL Draft
Ikem Ekwonu -125
Evan Neal +150
Charles Cross +400
Make sure you check out our 2022 NFL draft 1st QB selected picks, 2022 NFL draft 1st RB selected picks and 2022 NFL draft 1st WR selected picks.
