2020 NFL Draft Prop Bets: Best Bet for First Safety Drafted

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While the 2020 NFL Draft will no longer be physically held in Las Vegas due to the COVID-19 outbreak, that doesn’t mean you can’t have some prop bet action over the course of the three-day event. One popular NFL Draft bet is picking who will be the first player selected at each position. Here is my best bet for the offensive line position, as well as a look at the odds of some other standout prospects (odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook).

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Best Bet for First Safety Drafted

Grant Delpit, LSU (+160)
It might come as a bit of a surprise that Grant Delpit is not the betting favorite to be the first safety drafted. When it’s all said and done, it seems hard to believe that NFL teams would overlook his list of accomplishments.

Winner of the 2019 Jim Thorpe Award, Delpit was a critical part of LSU’s national championship and undefeated season. He finished with 65 total tackles (38 solo), two sacks, and a pair of interceptions. While this past season was not as impressive individually as his 2018 campaign (74 tackles, 5 sacks, 5 picks), it should be noted that Delpit was playing through a high ankle sprain for the majority of the year. If anything, you can’t question his toughness.

Delpit measured in at 6’2” and 213 lbs. at the NFL Combine, putting him a notch ahead of the other top safety prospects in terms of size. He did not partake in any drills due to the ankle injury, but NFL teams need not look further than LSU’s game tape. His size and strength are enough to throw even tight ends off their routes when he lines up in press coverage.

Delpit plays with an assertive physical demeanor, similar to other LSU greats Jamal Adams, Tyrann Mathieu, and Eric Reid. He pairs several instinctual and work-ethic strengths with his physicality. A heavy hitter, he makes sure opposing receivers think twice about venturing across the middle of the field. He has also shown great anticipation when playing in pass coverage.

Delpit also does a great job of wreaking havoc at the line of scrimmage, and he moves downhill quickly to set edges and slip in between lineman before they can set up their pass protection. The biggest concerns revolve around the angles he takes to assist in run support, as well as his ability to hold up as a tackler due to his wiry frame.

The current +160 price indicates a 38.5% implied probability that Delpit will be the first safety selected. It’s the happy medium between having to lay juice on the favorite and taking on greater risk with a long-shot hopeful choice. On top of the betting price, Delpit’s collegiate resume speaks for itself. Lock him in as the pick.

Other S Names to Know

Xavier McKinney, Alabama (-190)
The current odds-on favorite at FanDuel, McKinney has been rising up draft boards throughout the lead-up to the event. He is athletically built at 6’0” and 201 lbs., and he is noted for his burst and acceleration, versatility to match up with various receiving personnel, and high football IQ. Concerns include his tendency to get caught staring too long into the backfield and difficulty handling rub routes.

Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota (+1000)
Perhaps the most intriguing safety name of the class, Winfield Jr. enters the NFL Draft as a redshirt sophomore, coming off his lone healthy collegiate season in which he led Minnesota in tackles (88) and interceptions (7). He brings plenty of strength, great instincts, and an NFL pedigree to the table (son of former NFL All-Pro corner Antoine Winfield Sr.). The biggest concern here is the injury history that derailed most of both his 2017 and ’18 seasons.

Ashtyn Davis, California (+1700)
Despite picking up the sport late (he earned a track scholarship and walked on to the football team), Davis showed enough promise during his career at Cal to be in the top-5 at the safety position on most big boards. He has the athleticism, footwork, and professionalism to be a terrific NFL player. However, he suffers from inconsistency with tackling technique, balance, and instincts due to his limited experience on the gridiron.

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Henry John is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Henry, check out his archive and follow him @HankTimeSports.