LSU NFL Draft preview: Prop bet picks for Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and more
The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here.
The 1st round of the draft will begin on Thursday night, and multiple LSU players are expected to hear their names called early on. Jayden Daniels could go as high as No. 2 overall while receiver Malik Nabers is widely expected to be a top-10 pick. Fellow receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is also set to go later in the 1st round and could be the 4th receiver off the board in this class.
LSU has not produced multiple 1st round picks in a single draft since 2020 when 5 former LSU players went on Day 1. The Tigers haven’t produced multiple top-10 picks in the same draft since 2017.
Here’s a breakdown of some NFL draft prop bets regarding LSU’s top 3 prospects:
Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels’ draft stock has soared in recent months. After a season that saw Daniels win the 2023 Heisman Trophy, the former LSU quarterback has rocketed to the top of draft boards this spring. He could go as high as No. 2 overall in Thursday’s first round.
In fact, the’s a significant betting favorite to do so. Daniels is -550 at FanDuel to be the No. 2 overall pick on Thursday night.
However, let’s not mistake that price to mean it’s a certainty. Caleb Williams going No. 1 overall is a certainty — he’s -20000 to do so. See the difference? Daniels at -550 means this is a guess — perhaps an educated one, but a guess nonetheless.
Washington has a new general manager and head coach conducting this draft, and the Commanders’ brain trust has been notably quiet throughout this process. I think there’s some value on Maye to go No. 2 overall, which would mean Daniels could slide to No. 3 — either to the Patriots or another team in that spot.
Pick: Jayden Daniels to be the No. 3 overall pick (+475 at DraftKings)
States: NY, NJ, PA, CT, AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NH, OH, OR, TN, VA, WV, WY
Malik Nabers
There’s a lot of uncertainty at the top of this year’s draft, particularly at the quarterback position. However, there’s a consensus forming surrounding the landing spot for ex-LSU receiver Malik Nabers.
Nabers is currently the favorite to go No. 6 overall to the New York Giants at +170. The Giants could decide to trade up for a quarterback (with New England or Arizona, perhaps) but even in those scenarios, it seems like there’s a good chance Nabors would go off the board at No. 6. Nabers is widely-regarded as one of the top receivers in this class alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze.
Experts generally agree that the Giants will target Nabers. As of Wednesday, 10 of the top 15 mock drafters in the public sphere were projecting New York to select Nabers. Only 1 of the remaining 5 had New York taking a wide receiver other than Nabers.
The primary danger in making this bet is that New York will go with Rome Odunze over Nabers — and that is certainly possible. But at +170, I think you’re getting a fair price.
Pick: Malik Nabers to be the No. 6 overall pick (+170 at FanDuel)
BET $5
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Brian Thomas Jr.
With all the talk centered around the top 3 receivers in this draft, Brian Thomas Jr. gone under-the-radar a little bit. But the 6-foot-3 Iwideout went for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns this past season while splitting target-share with Nabers.
In most mock drafts, Thomas is squarely in the middle of a 2 distinct factions of receivers in this class. He’s being mocked lower than the top 3 wideouts, but is significantly higher than some of the fringe late 1st/early 2nd round wide receiver talents such as AD Mitchell, Ladd McConkey and Xavier Worthy.
With that in mind, it makes sense that most books have the over/under for Thomas’ draft position set at 19.5.
The Colts (at 15) and Bengals (at 18) are two teams in this range that could take a wide receiver. Cincinnati seems to be the more likely of the two, considering that they lost Tyler Boyd in free agency this offseason and star Tee Higgins is entering the final year of his contract.
Ultimately, it seems more likely that Thomas will fall into the 20s than it is that someone will reach on him in the teens. He’s a talented player, but the premium receivers are all going in the top 10 in this class — and there’s plenty of depth at WR.
Pick: Brian Thomas Jr. draft position over 19.5 (-200 on bet365)
States: LOUISIANA
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LSU is expected to have several other players hear their names called at some point over the 3-day NFL Draft. Defensive tackle Maason Smith, defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo and defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson are all very likely to be picked before the end of the day.
The 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday night.
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I’ll pull for these guys no matter where they end up. Would love to see Thomas in Cincy or Jax.
Really hope Nabers doesn’t go to the midgets.
BT could be the steal of the draft. Can’t wait to see where they all wind up.
Selfishly I’d like to see BT go to the saints but they pick 14th and I doubt they’ll have him that high.
These bettors would bet on farts, what direction they travel, and how horrible the stench. It’s just absurd everything that is betted on these days.
I agree with each comment. I’d love to see Thomas end up in NOLA or Cincinnati.
If the Saints pass on Thomas, then hopefully he lasts until Cincy picks 18th.
Saints should draft Fashanu, Thomas, or Bowers.