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Making NFL Draft bets can be a tricky, but entering Day 2, it’s a little easier to forecast what teams might do now that the first round is finished.
Using information from OddsChecker.com, let’s take a look at some of the top Day 2 NFL Draft bets leading up to Friday’s action in Cleveland, with a specific focus on the positions each team is likely to target.
Read More: 2021 NFL Draft: Winners and losers from the first round
2021 NFL Draft bets: Notable value wagers for Day 2
Atlanta Falcons to pick defensive lineman (+210)
With the third pick in the second round at No. 35 overall, the Atlanta Falcons really need to get better up front on defense. They could definitely use a viable pass-rusher, as Dante Fowler Jr. is the only even borderline reliable player at defensive end on the roster right now.
Drafting Kyle Pitts fourth in Round 1 was a nice move, but honestly, the rest of the Falcons’ draft could be spent on the other side of the ball. That’s how many holes they have.
While there’s appeal in bringing in Alabama’s Christian Barmore to tear up the interior alongside Grady Jarrett, it’s more likely that Atlanta goes with an edge defender to kick off their second day. Our latest mock draft has them going with an in-state product in Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari.
Although he might fit better in a 3-4 alignment, Ojulari just has too much talent to pass up at this point, and he has plenty of functional strength, fluidity in space and ability to convert speed to power to help the Falcons immediately.
Ojulari or Barmore would be great choices, and because Atlanta runs a 4-3 base defensive alignment, they’re both covered under this +210 prop — unless something goes seriously awry.
Related: NFL mock draft 2023 – CJ Stroud, Bryce Young headline outstanding 2023 NFL Draft class
Cleveland Browns to pick defensive lineman (+145)
Unless there’s an offensive lineman still available that blows the Cleveland Browns away, they should just keep stacking up depth on defense, which is precisely what they did in Round 1 by selecting Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry did an excellent job retooling the defense in free agency, with one of the highlights being the acquisition of Jadeveon Clowney. That said, Clowney and Malik Jackson are on one-year deals, and Cleveland had to release Sheldon Richardson for salary cap purposes.
That leaves plenty of room to believe that the Browns will be in the market for defensive line help in Round 2. The price is right at +145, and like with the Falcons, this could be either a tackle or edge player.
Look for Cleveland to target explosive prospects such as Louisiana Tech’s Milton Williams or NC State’s Alim McNeill on the inside.
Read More: Cleveland Browns pick Greg Newsome II No. 26 overall in 2021 NFL Draft
Pittsburgh Steelers to pick offensive lineman (+100)
The Miami Dolphins are also an even-money bet to take a big man to protect Tua Tagovailoa, but they’re a little harder to pin than the Pittsburgh Steelers, because they have two second-round picks.
After ranking dead-last in rushing offense last season, Pittsburgh spent a first-round pick on tailback Najee Harris. Fine, but even with Harris’ skill set, that ground game won’t get going without upgrades on the offensive line.
If the Steelers wait any longer to address this position group, not only will Harris have little room to run as a rookie, but aging QB Ben Roethlisberger is going to be under siege in 2021.
There are needs at both tackle positions, and incumbent guard David DeCastro is entering a contract year. It’s a dire situation for Pittsburgh’s offense, so we’d be shocked if that area isn’t the pick in Round 2.
Our latest Round 2 NFL mock draft has the Steelers taking BYU left tackle Brady Christensen, who blocked for New York Jets No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson in college.
Read More: New York Jets draft Zach Wilson with No. 2 pick in 2021 NFL Draft