2022 NFL Draft: Sleeper bets to go in the 1st round

Most of your bets will be settled within the first two hours of Day 1 of the NFL draft. Hopefully, that also applies to our favorite bets to be picked in the top 32. However, there's also a surefire way to keep your attention locked in through the final picks of the first round. One of those ways is to identify the players who could shockingly have their names called Thursday night.

There's at least one surprise in the first round every year. The Raiders selected Alex Leatherwood on Day 1 in 2021, despite most draftniks believing he'd be around for Day 2.

Here are the players who oddsmakers don't expect to be selected Thursday night. They could offer a nice return if we can identify which ones might sneak their way into the top 32.

1st-round draft pick odds

Teams with two first-round picks - with one coming in the teens or later - are more likely to reach off the board in the opening round. The thinking is that those clubs won't take the same heat as if they were going all-in on a reach if they're more conservative with their first selection.

Here are some teams that are candidates to reach with two first-rounders and their positional needs:

Each one of these clubs also has at least one pick in the second round, which might make them less likely to reach. The Chiefs and Packers have two selections in the second round, meaning they could fill depth with those picks and take a big swing in Round 1. The Texans are also a wild card at this point, a la the Raiders of years past.

Best value bets

David Ojabo (+200)

Talent evaluators don't seem to care about Ojabo tearing his Achilles at the NFL combine. He's got first-round ability and production. A team could stash this quality player at a key position if they have some extra draft capital - like Kansas City does - and are willing to wait a year.

Jalen Pitre (+300)

After Kyle Hamilton, the second safety coming off the board is anyone's guess. Since Hamilton will go first, there's no fun in the "first safety drafted." However, taking the best price among a positional group is a good strategy. The hard part is deciding whether Pitre is the next safety picked and if that happens in the first round. The Baylor product's talent and ability to alter a game is undeniable.

Perrion Winfrey (+500)

Winfrey has a particular skill set as a 3-4 defensive tackle prospect. The Oklahoma product's explosiveness off the ball might be enough to get a team that runs the same scheme to take a shot on him since clubs are now placing importance on getting pressure via the interior.

Carson Strong (+650)

It's unlikely Strong gets picked in the first round. But choosing the Nevada quarterback would give a team a fifth year on the entry-level contract to develop a prospect who was a projected first-rounder going into last season. All it takes for a big price to cash late in Round 1 is a general manager believing Strong is the most attractive option among a group of quarterbacks with shorter odds.

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.