Saquon Barkley is Odds-On Favorite to Go No. 1 in NFL Draft

Bovada has installed the Penn State running back with the best odds at +170.

Penn State running back Saquon Barkley looks on during the 2018 NFL Combine. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Penn State running back Saquon Barkley looks on during the 2018 NFL Combine. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

No one knows who the Cleveland Browns will select with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft in April, but the smart money is on Penn State running back Saquon Barkley.

At least that’s according to Bovada, as the sportsbook has installed Barkley as the favorite to go No. 1 at +170. (That number means a $100 bet on Barkley would bring back a $170 payout).

Following Barkley in the odds to go first are a quartet of quarterbacks: USC’s Sam Darnold (+240), Wyoming’s Josh Allen (+400), Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield (+550) and UCLA’s Josh Rosen (+700).

Given those numbers, it’s more generally likely the Browns will pick a quarterback at No. 1, but, since there are four options, Barkley is the better bet to go first as there is only one of him.

Overall, Bovada is extremely confident the Browns will select one of those five players as they’ve set the odds of Cleveland drafting any player other than Barkley or the four quarterbacks first at +1500.

Therefore, if you want to risk $100 to make $1,500, take a chance on Cleveland taking defensive end Bradley Chubb out of NC State at No. 1 and throw a C-note on the field.

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