Who Will Be The First Offensive Lineman Taken In 2020 NFL Draft?

• Tristan Wharfs is the favorite to be the first offensive lineman drafted at -130 odds.
• The NFL Draft will be from April 23rd-25 with the first round of the draft beginning at 8 p.m. EST.
• Mekhi Becton has +250 odds to be the first offensive lineman drafted and could be a sleeper pick.

LAS VEGAS — This year’s NFL Draft will be different for many reasons. One of those reasons is that the draft will feature no fans in attendance for the first time in decades as the league takes the necessary precautions to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Furthermore, the 2020 NFL Draft is still slated to go on as scheduled, with a more virtual adaption to keep all parties safe.

Since the draft won’t be postponed, online sportsbooks have already released odds on numerous aspects of the draft.

The offensive line has now become a premium position in the NFL and teams are using more first-round picks on the position than ever before. Now that a new crop of lineman are set to come through the draft, sportsbooks have released odds for which offensive lineman will be the first one taken.

This may be a position group that the general NFL bettor may not pay too much attention too, but this year’s class (and more importantly their odds) are worth examining.

Tristan Wirfs (-130)

The Iowa Hawkeyes Tristan Wirfs is the favorite to be the first offensive lineman drafted and for good reason. The left tackle fills a big hole on the New York Giants offensive line while also giving the team another cornerstone piece to their offense.

New York’s new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett is no stranger to taking offensive linemen in the first round as it was vital to building the Dallas Cowboys line during his tenure.

The Giants have the fourth pick in the draft and although they have glaring holes on defense, protecting young quarterback Daniel Jones will be the team’s top priority as they rebuild their roster. This is why Wirfs has the shortest odds to come off the board first.

Mekhi Becton (+250)

Mekhi Becton is an athletic freak playing the offensive line position, standing 6 foot 7 inches tall. Becton is expected to be off draft boards by the first round and teams could even trade up for the services of the big man which is why his odds are the second shortest at +250.

Becton still needs development with run blocking but he excels in pass protection which will make a lot of teams ready to pull the trigger on a trade come draft day. The odds for Becton are worth the risk as he could challenge Wirfs to be the first lineman off the board.

Jedrick Wills Jr. (+275)

Jedrick Wills Jr. has the potential to be the first lineman taken off the board and it depends on what the New York Giants do with the No. 4 overall pick. The Alabama Crimson Tide product has the athleticism that wowed scouts at the combine and is a lock to be at least a top 10 pick in the draft.

If the Giants trade their pick to a quarterback hungry team Wills could very well be the first offensive lineman taken off the board but it will take some movement by other teams for the +275 odds to net bettors a return.

Andrew Thomas (+800)

Andrew Thomas has the longest odds of any lineman in the top four. Listed at +800 odds, if Thomas was in a different draft class he’d likely be the most coveted offensive lineman. The talent in the trenches for this draft is deep and Thomas is a long shot to be the first lineman taken off the board especially with Becton and Wirfs putting on a show at the NFL Combine.

The former Georgia Bulldog will still be a first-round pick but his draft status will likely depend on team needs. Thomas is a starting-caliber offensive lineman and a team is getting a good value if taking him in the mid to late first round. However, Thomas’ +800 odds aren’t worth the risk as bettors are more likely to net a return on Wirfs or Becton.

The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft will be held on April 23 and will be broadcasted by NFL Network and ESPN at 8 p.m. EST.