NFL Betting News: Panthers After Malik Willis

The 2022 NFL Draft happens next week. A lot can change from now until the first round, and then a lot can happen during the draft’s first round. Where will San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo land? Will the Seahawks draft a quarterback with the ninth pick? Which signal-caller will Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin go for with pick 20 and who are the Saints targeting with their two Round 1 picks? Check out the latest rumors as we head into NFL Draft week so you can keep planning your bets against the NFL Draft Odds.

Trading News, Rumors, Free Agents and More Apr. 19th Edition | NFL Betting

2022 NFL Draft

When: Thursday, April 28 – Saturday, April 30

Saints secure a couple of picks in the Top 20, QB on tap?

The New Orleans Saints secured one of the Philadelphia Eagles’ two Round 1 picks so that they could draft a quarterback, right? Not so fast.

New Orleans appears happy with Jamies Winston. So there’s a good chance the Saints use their first draft pick to go for an offensive tackle to take Terron Armstead’s place.

Armstead bolted to the Miami Dolphins. The Saints know they must shore up the O-line before doing anything else.

Rumor has it, New Orleans uses pick 16 on Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning. Then, the Saints will draft Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave with pick 19.

Seahawks want to draft a quarterback but will shore up the offensive line

Seattle really wants to draft Liberty quarterback Malik Willis. But the Seahawks won’t have Duane Brown at left tackle this season, which means Pete Carroll’s squad will go for the best tackle on the board.

Many believe Alabama LT Evan Neal falls to 9. If that happens, Carroll won’t get fancy. It doesn’t matter who plays quarterback if the Seahawks’ offensive line can’t protect the QB.

SF may not unload Jimmy G. until after the draft

San Francisco waited too long to trade Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers should have jumped on the first deal that came across their desk.

Sure, Jimmy played great in the playoffs. But he’s always hurt, we mean always. Not only that, but few teams require quarterbacks and even fewer are willing to shell out a first round pick for Jimmy G.

The 49ers’ will pay Jimmy $27 million this year if he remains on the roster. Teams know they’ve got the Niners over a barrel. So expect interested teams to keep the 49ers sweating until after the draft.

Are the Carolina Panthers all in with Malik Willis?

It looks that way. The Sam Darnold experiment is a bust. So coach Matt Ruhle knows he’s on the hot seat.

The Panthers will draft Willis and they will start the Liberty quarterback right away. There’s a chance Carolina cuts Darnold and keeps Cam Newton as Willis’ backup.

Willis and Newton have similar games but Malik completes his passes at a higher percentage. So Cam could be a great mentor. Darnold won’t.

Steelers want Willis, but aren’t willing to spend the draft capital to jump into the Top 10

Tomlin wants Willis but he may have to settle for Pittsburgh Panther Kenny Pickett. No matter which quarterback the Steelers draft, make no mistake, Mike Tomlin will draft a QB with pick 20.

There’s no way Tomlin leans on Mitch Trubisky after this season. Pickett may remind the Steelers of Big Ben, which is a good thing.

But Pickett’s hand size is an issue. Not only that, but Tomlin raved about Willis.

So if the Panthers pass, Pittsburgh might try and move ahead in the draft to ensure they get the Liberty signal-caller. If Carolina doesn’t pass, hometown hero Kenny Pickett should expect a Steelers jersey and cap.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?