2021 NFL Draft odds: Bettors expect Jaylen Waddle as Top-10 pick, not Alabama receiver teammate and Heisman winner DeVonta Smith

William Hill Sportsbook oddsmakers heavily favor former LSU star Ja'Marr Chase at -1000 to be the first wide receiver off the board in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday. Most scouts agree with that, and all essentially list Alabama's Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith as the next two off the board in whichever order. While Smith had a historic season in winning the 2020 Heisman Trophy, William Hill bettors by their wagering trends favor Waddle to be a Top-10 pick but not Smith.

All Smith did last season for the national champions was set SEC single-season records with 1,856 receiving yards and 23 touchdown catches in becoming the first wideout since Michigan's Desmond Howard in 1991 to win the Heisman. Smith's 3,965 career receiving yards are an SEC record as are his 46 receiving touchdowns, which are also fifth-most in FBS history.

William Hill gives Smith an Over/Under draft position 11.5 with the Over a -145 favorite. Bettors at the book are hammering the Over, too, with 75 percent of all money wagered on that prop leaning Over as well as 68 percent of tickets sold. The main issue with Smith is that he's a frail-looking guy at 6-foot, 166 pounds. While there was no NFL Combine this year, only 16 previous wide receivers measured at 170 pounds or less since 2000. DeSean Jackson became the best professional of that list.

Waddle, meanwhile, measures at 5-foot-9½ but at 180 pounds. Waddle is faster than Smith and also can return kicks, but Waddle also only played five games last season due to injury. He had four straight 100-yard games in the regular season but was quiet after returning and getting hurt in the national title game vs. Ohio State. 

William Hill gives Waddle an Over/Under draft position of 10.5, with the Over a -135 favorite. A total of 55 percent of all tickets sold and 52 percent of money wagered is on the Under at +115. The book opened Waddle at 11.5 but has since dropped him to 10.5.

SportsLine's RJ White has Waddle going No. 7 to Detroit and Smith at No. 11 to the New York Giants. The CBS Sports Big Board ranks Waddle as the No. 7 overall player and Smith 10th. NFL.com gives Waddle a grade of 6.86 (Pro Bowl talent) and a comparison of Tyreek Hill. The site gives Smith a grade of 7.13 (perennial All-Pro) and a comparison or Ridley.

If the Bengals take Chase at No. 5 overall, many mock drafts have Waddle or Smith going sixth to Miami. The Lions at No. 7 badly need a wideout, too, so it could be that both Waddle and Smith are picked in the Top 10 – or that neither is if Chase falls past the Bengals. 

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