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Tons of media attention will continue to go toward quarterbacks of the 2021 NFL Draft class as teams try to identify their leader for years to come. While it’s as important as ever to have a franchise quarterback, teams across the league have agreed reaching for a rookie at the position is worth reaching a few spots. Because of that, plenty of value can be had for teams not looking for a new QB this spring.
Among the bettors at DraftKings Sportsbook, former Florida tight end Kyle Pitts is getting the majority of the handle and the most amount of bets to be the first non-quarterback taken. Many of those in the mock draft community project the Atlanta Falcons to go after Pitts with the No. 4 overall pick. However, there could be plenty of teams looking to trade up to the fourth spot to take one of the top four quarterbacks available.
If you’re looking to go after a dark horse, former Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith is at +4000 odds to be the first non-QB taken, and he’s coming off one of the best seasons a receiver can have with dominant performances all season long. All it takes is one team to think he’s the best wide receiver in the draft, and it could be the Cincinnati Bengals at the No. 5 spot to give Joe Burrow another weapon.
Below is a look at the top five players being picked as the No. 1 non-QB to be selected in the NFL Draft.
Kyle Pitts (+125): 63% handle, 41% bets
Penei Sewell (+250): 20% handle, 28% bets
Ja’Marr Chase (+220): 10% handle, 15% bets
Rashawn Slater (+600): 3% handle, 6% bets
DeVonta Smith (+4000): 2% handle, 4% bets
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