DK Metcalf Heavily Favored to be First WR Selected in 2019 NFL Draft
- The NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 25th
- D.K. Metcalf averaged 21.9 yards per reception last year at Ole Miss
- As the odds-one favorite to be the first WR drafted, is Metcalf good betting value?
Life doesn’t have many certainties, but here are three: death, taxes, and D.K. Metcalf being the first wide receiver taken in the 2019 NFL draft (Thursday, April 25th).
Here’s the breakdown of why Metcalf is a value play to be the first WR off the board even at a -350 price tag.
2019 NFL Draft Odds: First Wide Receiver Drafted
| Wide Receivers | Odds to be first WR drafted at Bookmaker |
|---|---|
| D.K. Metcalf (Ole Miss) | -350 |
| Marquise Brown (Oklahoma) | +350 |
| A.J. Brown (Ole Miss) | +600 |
| N’Keal Harry (Arizona State) | +1500 |
| Kelvin Harmon (NC State) | +2000 |
*odds taken 4/2
Metcalf played in only seven games at Ole Miss last year, posting 26 receptions for 569 yards and 5 TD. While those numbers may not be eye popping, the ones he put up at the NFL combine were.
DK Metcalf just now #OleMissProDay pic.twitter.com/4ipCMg2Z0R
— RosterWatch (@RosterWatch) March 29, 2019
Metcalf is a Physical Freak
Metcalf is listed at 6’4 and 230 pounds. He was able to run a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash and tied for the most reps in bench press with 27. His blend of strength and speed had scouts drooling and shot him up draft boards in a big, big way.
DK Metcalf EATING his PRO DAY ? @dkmetcalf14 (via @Tom_Eble, @jamespalmertv) pic.twitter.com/lVyksl9kTv
— Overtime (@overtime) March 29, 2019
Picking who will be the next NFL star isn’t so much about finding the player who had the most eye-popping stats at the college level, but who has the physical attributes that translate most to the pro game.
In 2018, Maryland’s DJ Moore (24th) and Alabama’s Calvin Ridley (26th) were the first two WRs selected, and they finished 1-2 in rookie receiving yards. Neither one even cracked the top-25 NCAA receiving leaders in their final seasons.
If you were an NFL GM in need of a wide receiver, it would be tough to find a better option than a giant target with speed and strength to burn.
Metcalf is a Perfect Fit for the Bills
The Buffalo Bills hold the 9th selection in the upcoming draft and have already had a meeting with Metcalf. The pairing makes perfect sense for both player and team. Metcalf has the frame to handle the elements during the cold winter months in Buffalo, while still having enough speed to excel even if there is snow, sleet or rain.
The Bills desperately need weapons to help second-year QB Josh Allen and the pair would form an enticing duo. For a squad that’s been little to no threat offensively in the AFC East for years, Allen and Metcalf would give the division one of the most potent punches of QB and receiver, and probably the best one whenever Tom Brady finally decides to hang them up for real.
I'm retiring. In my spare time, I'll be tweeting #LFG
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) April 1, 2019
Metcalf averaged 21.9 yards per reception last year in college. Remember the combine videos of Allen tossing the ball nearly the length of the football field?
The Bills would be smart to pair their rocket-armed QB with the best deep threat on the board.
Metcalf is the Best Bet
The Ole Miss product is going to be the first receiver off the board and he’s the right pick even at short odds. Value doesn’t always mean finding an underdog with Cinderella-like odds.
In this case, Metcalf should cost you more than -350, so bite the bullet and enjoy the pay day on draft night.
PICK: METCALF (-350)
SBD’s 2019 NFL Draft Coverage
Ryan has been working at TSN for over eleven years, and is now a lead writer and content producer at That's Hockey. Over the years, he's launched and hosted TSN's first NCAAF podcast, The College Football Show, and been featured on the likes of TSN 1050, Sportscentre, and That's Hockey 2Nite.
