Bet like ‘The Bear’ – Chris Fallica’s top picks and plays for the NFL draft

The 2022 NFL draft is upon us. Georgia DE Travon Walker has emerged as the consensus favorite to be top pick at sportsbooks, but what other players or props are worth betting on? Here are the bets I like and some “Bear Bytes” to help you navigate the draft.

The Bear’s best bets

George Karlaftis over 22.5 (+130)

In a draft deep at defensive end, seems like a bit of a reach that Karlaftis would go this early. He keeps slipping on the odds, so you’re getting a better price, and at best I think he goes back end of the first round.

Over 5.5 WRs selected in first round (-400)

When it comes to draft props, I’m more concerned about the number, not as much about the juice. If I can get a great number and have to lay juice, I’m OK with that, as I’m trusting and betting my information on the number. That’s what I’m doing here. At minimum, I see six WRs going in the first round, possibly even seven. I totally understand those who don’t like laying this big of a price, but for those who don’t mind, this is worth a play.

Cleveland Browns first selected player – WR (+250)

The Browns did bring in Amari Cooper, but given they lost Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins, they would be best served by adding to their WR unit to give Deshaun Watson as many weapons as possible. Picking early in the second round, Cleveland could have its pick of someone like George Pickens, Christian Watson or John Metchie III.

Exact draft order: No. 1 Travon Walker, No. 2 Aidan Hutchinson (-200); No. 1 Travon Walker, No. 2 Kayvon Thibodeaux (+350)

I’m of the mindset Travon Walker will go first overall. So I will try to maximize that by playing exactas with Aidan Hutchinson second, as well as Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has also been linked to the Lions. I’ll shade it heavier toward Hutchinson, and if one of them hits, you’re good.

Bear Bytes

• Alabama has had 38 players selected in the first round since 2010. That’s 19 more than the…