Odds to Be 3rd-Overall Pick in 2020 NFL Draft – Tua Favored, Okudah Trails Closely
- Tua Tagovailoa is favored to be the third player selected in the 2020 NFL draft
- The Lions currently hold the selection; will they keep it or trade down?
- See the odds for who every player on the board in the latest NFL draft prop bet
With the 2020 NFL draft (April 23-25) all systems go, there is never ending chatter among pundits as to where each player will go. Sportsbooks have followed suit, posting props on who will be selected with each of the top picks.
When it comes to the #3 selection, that Detroit Lions currently hold the pick, but there’s a strong belief they’d be amenable to trading down, perhaps with a team that covets Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Entering the third year under head coach Matt Patricia, the Lions are a mess and could really use an infusion of talent on both sides of the ball, most notably on defense, having given up the second-most yards per game in the league last year (400.4, ahead of only Arizona).
What will happen with the pick and who’s the best bet to hear his name called at #3?
2020 NFL Draft 3rd-Overall Pick Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama) | +150 |
| Jeff Okudah (CB, Ohio State) | +175 |
| Isaiah Simmons (LB, Clemson) | +550 |
| Chase Young (EDGE, Ohio State) | +700 |
| Derrick Brown (LB, Auburn) | +900 |
| FIELD | +900 |
Odds taken March 18th.
Cornerback Might Be Lions Biggest Need
For a team that needs considerable help across the board, cornerback might be the most pressing issue in the Motor City, particularly if the rumors of star CB Darius Slay being traded end up being true. If that is the case, the Lions would have to strongly consider Ohio State junior Jeff Okudah.
And one of the teams that doesn’t land Byron Jones then could wind up trading for Lions’ CB Darius Slay. https://t.co/XEghB8qgHD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
If Okudah does go #3, he would tie for the highest cornerback ever drafted, and become the first top-three CB selection since Shawn Springs back in 1997.
Okudah was dynamic last year with the Buckeyes, which might lead the Lions to second guess trading down; or they could get greedy and think he will still be there a little later.
Jeff Okudah: Only CB in the 2020 class to not allow a single 15+ yard catch in press coverage last season. pic.twitter.com/g8ljdb11ay
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 13, 2020
Could Detroit Deal Matthew Stafford and Take Tua?
This one is not as likely. Detroit saw what life was like without Stafford last year when they lost all eight games he didn’t play, and Tagovailoa is coming off a devastating hip injury which likely will cause him to miss some time.
Detroit did bring in former Bears backup QB Chase Daniel this offseason, but rolling with Daniel and a rookie Tagovailoa would be a huge risk for Patricia, who will likely will be given his pink slip at the end of the season if Detroit doesn’t make the playoffs.
Former Bears' QB Chase Daniel, who beat the Detroit on Thanksgiving Day last season, reached agreement with the Lions today on a three-year, $13.05 million deal that includes a voidable clause, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
That said, the Patriots are suddenly in need of a QB and obviously have ties to Patricia (the former defensive coordinator in New England). Bill Belichick could come calling.
Some Team Trading for Tua the Likely Scenario
In a league that is starved for franchise quarterbacks, there are many teams behind the Lions in the draft who may be desperate to trade up. The Dolphins have been linked to Tua and have three first-round picks at their disposal (#5, #18, and #26). Miami has the ammunition to get a deal done.
Not sure what Patriots' plan is going to be, but if I'm the Dolphins, I'm taking no risks. I am trading up as far as I can from No. 5 and taking Tua Tagovailoa. No looking back.
Not waiting for Justin Herbert or Jordan Love. Not letting the Pats or anyone jump me. Get it done.
— Adam Silverstein (@SilversteinAdam) March 17, 2020
The Chargers, who parted ways with Philip Rivers this offseason, pick immediately behind Miami at #6. They might try to leapfrog the Dolphins to land Tua after losing out on the Tom Brady sweepstakes.
Other potential teams that could trade up to #3 include the Raiders, Colts, and Buccaneers, even after signing QBs. Before his injury, Tua was projected to go #1, so with a full recovery expected, plenty of teams will be eyeing him, which plays perfectly into the Lions’ hands.
Pick: Tua Tagovailoa drafted third overall (+150)
Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 16 years, where he's been featured on Sportscentre, That's Hockey, That's Hockey 2Nite, The Masters preview shows, and several more.
