2018 NFL Draft Props: Darnold the Favorite on First Overall Pick Betting Lines

For the second year in a row, the Cleveland Browns are expected to hold the top overall pick in the NFL draft (barring a trade). But this year, the Browns will likely address their biggest need with their No. 1 selection, at least according to oddsmakers.

USC quarterback Sam Darnold is the -240 favorite (bet $240 to win $100) on the 2018 NFL draft props at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark to go to Cleveland when the draft kicks off, although a few others have a shot to go first too.

While the Browns acquired veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor in a deal with the Buffalo Bills earlier this offseason, there is no doubt they still need a young prospect they can develop into a future star. The quarterback position has been a revolving door in Cleveland since the team returned to the league in 1999 with the brief and unsuccessful reign of former No. 1 overall pick Tim Couch for five seasons.

Last year, the Browns selected Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett with their first pick.

Darnold is not quite a lock to be selected first overall on Thursday, but he is close. A pair of quarterbacks who might end up in the top spot over Darnold include Wyoming's Josh Allen and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield at +160 (bet $100 to win $160) and +1000 odds, respectively.

Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is another possibility as the +550 third choice between Allen and Mayfield, who was the Heisman Trophy winner last season for the Sooners. Cleveland also owns the fourth overall pick and may take Barkley there since the New York Giants and Jets might select quarterbacks as well.

However, the Giants could also lean toward Barkley with the second overall pick since they should have two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning under center for at least another year. Barkley is the +190 favorite to go second overall on the 2018 NFL draft betting lines, with North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb rising up the draft board as the co-second choice behind him at +275 along with Darnold if he were to fall from the top spot.

The Jets almost definitely will then take a quarterback with the third overall pick before the Browns select again. UCLA's Josh Rosen is the +140 favorite to land with them followed by Mayfield (+160), Darnold (+400) and Allen (+500). Chubb is currently -110 to be picked fourth by Cleveland, with "any other player" favored though at -130.

It is even money that the first three picks are quarterbacks and -140 that they are not.

For more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news check out the OddsShark podcast with Jon Campbell and Andrew Avery. Subscribe on iTunes or listen to it at OddsShark.libsyn.com.