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NFL Draft 2015 betting odds: Jameis Winston favorite for No. 1 pick

By Will Osgood

January 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) runs the ball against the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) runs the ball against the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is Vegas’ choice to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night. 

What can’t be bet on anymore? At this year’s Super Bowl, prop bets were made on the hair color Katy Perry would feature during her halftime performance.

In the realm of slightly less quirky (OK, probably a lot less), the betting website Bovada has listed odds on this year’s No. 1 pick for the NFL draft–which will be announced some time after 8 PM ET on Thursday.

As reported by Pro Football Talk, the odds are pretty favorable that the pick will in fact be Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. The sports book has Winston with a 93.75 percent–or 1/15–chance of being the No. 1 pick.

In fact, only one other player is even listed among the odds–not surprisingly, University of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota with 15-to-2 odds–while the field (read: anyone else) comes in 9-to-1.

It’s not surprising given that Winston has been the presumptive favorite to hear his name called first in the draft for quite some time now.

There just hadn’t been odds posted to handicap the pick until now.

Because of the nature of the draft, as the greatest three days of soap opera-like high drama for the sports fan in the calendar year, everyone wants to know who it will be. Some reporters and analysts see it as their job to get the inside scoop, or at least end up privy to such information.

What Davis said seems like common sense. Of course there are some in the Bucs’ brain trust who like Mariota better. To expect differently would be more shocking.

When there are two quarterbacks at the top of the draft, seemingly separated by so little, it is to be expected a team would be at least slightly divided.

But ultimately the call is up to Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht, head coach Lovie Smith and the Glazer family as to which played ultimately goes No. 1 overall on Thursday night.

But there’s probably a lot more drama than is necessary. Winston is the obvious choice, if only on-field talent is considered. Of course, the off-field drama with Winston is concerning and should be considered, but ultimately should not keep the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner from being the pick on Thursday evening.

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