NFL draft odds: Finding a home for CeeDee Lamb
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We're just a few days out from the 2020 NFL Draft and the wide receiver market remains intriguing and unpredictable.
Over the past week, Oklahoma product CeeDee Lamb has emerged as the slight favorite in many spots to be the first wideout selected, ahead of Alabama duo Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III, though there's likely to be very little distance between the trio.
With a projected wide receiver run between the 11-15 range, as well as a few needy teams rumored to be seeking a trade up, let's break down where Lamb might land.
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas Raiders | +325 |
| New York Jets | +375 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +450 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +600 |
| Denver Broncos | +750 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +900 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +1400 |
| Miami Dolphins | +2000 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +3000 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +3000 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +3300 |
| Detroit Lions | +5000 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +5000 |
| New Orleans Saints | +5000 |
| Green Bay Packers | +6000 |
| New York Giants | +6600 |
On paper, the Las Vegas Raiders feel like the perfect fit for Lamb. His ball skills, football IQ, and yards-after-catch ability could make him the true No. 1 receiver Jon Gruden's offense is lacking. Putting them as favorites makes sense, even if very little about the Raiders ever does.
Of the wideout-needy teams in that 11-15 range, the New York Jets could have their pick of the litter at No. 11 if no one trades ahead of them and they decide not to trade down to compile assets. Should they stand pat, Lamb would be a conceivable option, with general manager Joe Douglas having to choose between the draft's top receiver or the third- or fourth-best offensive lineman.
After the Jets are the San Francisco 49ers (+450), Arizona Cardinals (+600), and Denver Broncos (+750). The Cardinals make little sense after they acquired DeAndre Hopkins, and while the 49ers and Broncos are both in the market for wide receivers, they would likely have to trade up to acquire Lamb's services.
Do any other teams offer value?It remains within the realm of possibility that a team trades up to have their pick at wide receiver, with the Philadelphia Eagles (+900) fitting the bill. They have a glaring need at the position, and reports have surfaced that GM Howie Roseman is infatuated with Lamb.
I've been told that the #Eagles are aggressively pursuing a trade-up in next Thursday's #NFLDraft2020. CeeDee Lamb is the "apple of his eye" for Howie Roseman. Roseman is "absolutely in love" with Lamb. Hearing if that fails or top 4 WR are gone, PHI will be bailing out of 21.
- Joe Tordy (@JoeTordy) April 15, 2020
It's surprising not to see the Minnesota Vikings on this list, but with a hole at wideout, a win-now mentality, and 12 picks in this draft, they certainly have the assets and the motive to get a true impact player at the position instead of waiting for guys like Denzel Mims and Brandon Aiyuk, who aren't as suited to make an immediate impact.
Best betNew York Jets (+375)
I had originally slated the Jets to bolster one of the league's worst offensive lines, but after reports surfaced of Mekhi Becton failing a drug test at the scouting combine, I expect him to slide a bit and for the top-three tackles to be gone by the time the 11th pick rolls around.
Lamb would be far more than a consolation prize for the Jets, though. 2018 third overall pick Sam Darnold deserves a lot better than Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman as his two starting receivers, and he will get just that Thursday night.
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Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.
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