The PGA Tour players will face an unfamiliar course this week when the 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson tees off Thursday at TPC Craig Ranch outside Dallas. World No. 3 Jon Rahm and reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau headline a strong field that also includes the return of hometown favorite Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka, who is healing from knee surgery.   

Rahm and DeChambeau are the 8-1 co-favorites in the latest 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson odds from William Hill Sportsbook, with Spieth (12-1) close behind. Others expected to contend include Daniel Berger (16-1), Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama (20-1) and Koepka (20-1).  

Before you lock in your 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson picks, you NEED to see who Sal Johnson is backing.

A media legend and consummate golf insider, Johnson has a strong feel for which players are peaking and how their games fit the courses.    

Before this event in 2018, Johnson touted little-known Aaron Wise among his long shots who could come through. The then-21-year-old had made just 17 tour starts coming in, but he went out and shot 23 under to win by three at Trinity Forest Golf Club.    

Johnson has a knack for predicting when surging players are poised for a breakthrough. He tabbed Sungjae Im as a top contender before his first tour win at the Honda Classic last season, then touted Tyrrell Hatton before he got his first tour victory the following week. 

Before Matsuyama won the Masters three weeks ago, Johnson made special mention of Spieth, Xander Schauffele and Will Zalatoris as golfers to watch.

He listed Spieth and Schauffele in his top three contenders and had Zalatoris as his top rookie. Zalatoris nearly caught Matsuyama and finished as runner-up, while Spieth and Schauffele tied for third. Anyone who has followed Johnson's advice has cashed in HUGE!

Now Johnson, the first producer of "Inside the PGA Tour," a longtime ABC Sports golf producer who worked with Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman, and the founder of the world's top golf stats database, has released his highly confident 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson picks, and they will surprise you.

We can tell you the golf expert is slightly fading Jon Rahm, who is the favorite at 8-1! The Spaniard has been playing among the best golf on tour most of the season but doesn't have a win to show for it, and he just missed the cut at Quail Hollow. His length should give him an edge at TPC Craig Ranch, but he isn't listed among Johnson's favorites to win.

Instead, Johnson is touting a MAJOR long shot among his favorites to WIN at well over 50-1 odds! This player is excellent off the tee and always plays well in warmer weather. He has two top-10s in his last four events and could make a HUGE splash this week!  Anyone who backs this underdog could cash in HUGE!

Who wins the 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson? Where do DeChambeau and Spieth finish? And which MONSTER long shot is a MUST-BACK? ... Join SportsLine now to see Sal Johnson's full leaderboard and picks for the 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson, all from the insider who has a strong feel for when these players are in line for a big week!