2020 NFL Draft Prop Bets: C.J. Henderson Draft Position
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With the 2020 NFL Draft barreling down on us, identifying the top NFL Draft props becomes a priority. There are a number of prop options available at sportsbooks, but some of the most interesting are the draft position props offered by BetMGM. Draft position props allow bettors to dive into the minds of the teams picking below the current line and project what they may do with their picks. This involves projecting and research, but at the end of the day, no one really knows what NFL front offices may be thinking in relation to how they may value the prospects left on the board. With the NFL Draft now just days away, the betting action is starting to pour in, affecting the odds, and sometimes the lines themselves. Today we will be taking a look at the C.J. Henderson draft position prop. Let’s dig in.
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The Odds
2020 NFL Draft – C.J. Henderson draft position
Over 16.5 (-110)
Under 16.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
The Player
C.J. Henderson (CB – Florida)
One of the most talented cornerbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft class, C.J. Henderson has star corner upside. He has heavy experience in man coverage due to playing in the SEC, and he has the ability to star in zone coverage as well. As a complete prospect who can defend the run and rush the passer, Henderson could easily be the second cornerback selected. He has enough speed and coverage skills to be one of the top overall cornerbacks in the league in a few years’ time. He is the type of prospect who can instantly alter how opposing teams look at his new teams secondary.
Henderson helped himself a lot at the 2020 NFL Combine. He was firmly in tier two before it, but his 4.39 in Indianapolis likely pushed him to the top of the tier in the eyes of some NFL front offices. While there are a host of talented cornerbacks in this class, Henderson joins Okudah as the only defensive backs guaranteed to be drafted in the first round.
The Teams
Before diving into all of the teams picking before 17 that may be interested in C.J. Henderson, we should first eliminate the teams who won’t be taking a cornerback in the first round. The first set of teams we can rule out are the quarterback-hungry teams. This means that the Cincinnati Bengals, the Miami Dolphins, and the Los Angeles Chargers have been removed from the discussion. The Arizona Cardinals have also been eliminated from contention to draft a first-round cornerback. Why? They have All-Pro level Patrick Peterson and 2019 second-rounder (with first-round talent) Byron Murphy. Another team we have eliminated are the Cleveland Browns, who have former first-round pick Denzel Ward and 2019 second-round pick (with first-round talent) Greedy Williams.
Washington (2nd overall)
Washington is highly unlikely to look C.J. Henderson’s way come draft day. They are expected to trade out of the two-hole, but their two most likely trade partners are the Miami Dolphins at fifth overall and the Los Angeles Chargers at sixth overall. A move down to sixth overall, at the latest, would leave them with too high a pick to land Henderson. The more likely targets at fifth or sixth overall would be an offensive lineman, Jeffrey Okudah, Isaiah Simmons, or Derrick Brown.
Detroit Lions (3rd overall)
The Detroit Lions are entertaining trading this pick, but they may quickly change their minds when they see Chase Young available after Washington trades out of second overall. Detroit would have to be blown away by an offer for Matt Patricia to forgo landing a franchise pass rusher on a rookie deal. If Young goes second overall, and the Lions keep their pick, it will likely be cornerback Jeffrey Okudah, not C.J. Henderson, who gets drafted here.
New York Giants (4th overall)
Dave Gettleman marches to the beat of his own drum, but there is no way he drafts C.J. Henderson at fourth overall. The Giants are going to have a wealth of elite options to choose from, and they are expected to land an offensive lineman, Chase Young, Jeffrey Okudah, Isaiah Simmons, or Derrick Brown.
Carolina Panthers (7th overall)
After losing James Bradberry to free agency, Carolina makes some sense as a landing spot for one of the 2020 NFL Draft’s top cornerbacks, but Isaiah Simmons, Derrick Brown, or one of the top offensive linemen are expected to be the pick here. The Panthers will likely dip into the cornerback well on day two and day three, allowing them to grab one of the draft’s elite prospects at seventh overall.
Jacksonville Jaguars (9th overall)
The Jacksonville Jaguars are where C.J. Henderson’s draft ceiling begins. They are likely to tap Derrick Brown or Javon Kinlaw if they’re still available here, but they will likely weigh a cornerback against the top offensive linemen left on the board if the defensive tackles are not. Jeffrey Okudah will, of course, have to be off the board for Henderson to be a serious consideration, but cornerback is big enough of a need for the Jags to put off drafting an offensive lineman until 20th overall. However, the more likely scenario is that the Jaguars take the highest corner left on their board at 20 and go offensive or defensive line at ninth overall.
New York Jets (11th overall)
The New York Jets are expected to be heavily interested in C.J. Henderson. They need a number one corner, and Henderson begins to present value at 11th overall for teams that have him as their number two cornerback in the 2020 NFL Draft class. With that being said, the Jets are rumored to be considering options at nearly every other position, with wide receiver, edge rusher, and the offensive line being their most likely targets. As much sense as he makes for the Jets, they would likely have to trade down a few spots to pull the trigger on Henderson.
Las Vegas Raiders (12th overall)
The Las Vegas Raiders have a need at cornerback, but it’s highly unlikely that they target one at 12th overall unless Jeffrey Okudah inexplicably slips to them. They are expected to select a free-falling defensive prospect, or draft Jordan Love, Jerry Jeudy, or CeeDee Lamb here. Henderson may be in play for the Raiders if he is still on the board at 19th overall.
San Francisco 49ers (13th overall)
The San Francisco 49ers are another team in need of cornerback help. They have Richard Sherman, but they need some help on the outside on the opposite side of the field. However, they have re-signed Jason Verrett, and they are likely hoping a return to full health means he also returns to something resembling his pre-injury form. The 49ers have precious little capital in this draft, and they should look to fill a bigger need with Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, or a free-falling defensive stud.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (14th overall)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would do very well to add a potential number one corner to their secondary. They have spent significant draft capital addressing the cornerback position over the last two years, but they need a true number one after releasing Vernon Hargreaves in the middle of last season. That said, they are likely to prioritize protecting Tom Brady, and they are expected to be targeting an offensive lineman here. They will be hoping that a prospect from tier-one drops to them, but they may have already resigned themselves to considering the second tier that includes Austin Jackson, Josh Jones, Cesar Ruiz, and Netane Muti.
Denver Broncos (15th overall)
Yes. This would be a perfect landing spot for C.J. Henderson. The Denver Broncos need a true number one cornerback, and they have needed one long before getting rid of Chris Harris. Henderson would inject some youth and talent into their secondary, but the Broncos are rumored to be eyeing one of Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, or Henry Ruggs at this spot. It will be interesting to see which position they go with, and if Henderson would be their choice of the tier two corners (if still available).
Atlanta Falcons (16th overall)
The Atlanta Falcons have two massive needs: cornerback and the defensive line. The Falcons have to be considered one of the favorites to draft C.J. Henderson after failing to address the position in free agency. They did, however, address their glaring need on the edge by signing stud pass rusher Dante Fowler. This suggests that unless one of Derrick Brown or Javon Kinlaw are still available, that the Falcons may be prioritizing first-round corner help. Atlanta’s selection at 16th overall should be a cornerback.
Conclusion
C.J. Henderson has no fewer than four potential landing spots in the first 16 picks. As much as his stock has risen since his 2020 NFL Combine performance, Henderson appears destined to be picked in the first half of day one. He may go as early as the top 12, but the more likely scenario is that we see him drafted by the Denver Broncos at 15th overall or the Atlanta Falcons at 16th overall. As the buzz grows for Henderson to be a top-16 pick, the money is likely to start to pour in on the under for this prop. Slam this one as a multiple unit play as soon as possible.
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Raju Byfield is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Raju, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyContext.