State of Florida Among Favorites to Have Most NFL Players Drafted

The 2022 NFL Draft is drawing near and while the analysis of NFL Draft prospects has been ongoing since the day after the 2021 NFL Draft, the clouds are beginning to clear, and we are starting to get a better idea of where 259 individuals will get their names called.

If you take look at NFL Draft odds from the top sportsbooks around the country, you will find the chance to be drafted for hundreds of players. With that in mind, FloridaBet.com collected a list of all the players with odds to be drafted and broke them down by state.

Known as one of the most formidable hotbeds of high school football, the state of Florida (26) is likely to the have the fourth-most players drafted by the NFL this season, behind Texas (44), California (34), and Georgia (28).

Top Players from Florida Favored to be Drafted

EDITOR'S NOTE: Florida sports betting is currently prohibited so there are no sports betting apps in Florida legally offering odds on the NFL Draft. Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, which is available in other states, were used for this article.

Breaking Down the Top Players from the State of Florida

You might be asking yourself, “What players from Florida likely look to be the first five off the board?” Well, I am glad you asked.

• Evan Neal Evan Neal, Offensive Tackle from the University of Alabama, is likely headed back to the state of Florida with the first pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although the Jaguars recently franchise tagged tackle Cam Robinson, the Jaguars need to continue to solidify their offensive line to protect second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and Neal seems to be the one can’t miss prospect along the offensive line.
• Kaiir Elam Kaiir Elam, a three-year starting cornerback from the University of Florida, likely looks to be the next Florida player off the board. A possible late first-round or early second-round pick, Elam blazed a 4.39 40-yard dash, and while his statistics in three years with the Gators don’t scream elite NFL prospect, the son of former NFL cornerback Abe Elam is teeming with lock-down potential for a team looking to solidify its defensive backfield.
• Nik Bonitto Nik Bonitto, an edge rusher from the University of Oklahoma, was a menace all over the field during his three years playing for the Sooners. A likely second-round pick, Bonitto will add speed, toughness and aggressiveness to any 4-3 or 3-4 scheme, although his role would differ. A great value in the second round, Bonitto is likely a multi-contract NFL player.
• James Cook It might be a bit before another Floridian is drafted, look for James Cook, running back from the University of Georgia and younger brother of Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, to be a late second- to early third-round draft pick. As a part of a heavy stable of running backs for the 2021 College Football National Champions, Cook showed speed, vision, and still has relatively fresh legs. A great fit for the Miami Dolphins, Cook could end up back in the Sunshine State.
• Zach Carter Look for Florida defensive lineman, Zach Carter to go in the third or fourth round. Carter, who played both defensive end and tackle, has the ability to get to the quarterback and nicely fill in gaps on the defensive line. Carter’s ability to play both positions not only showed his athleticism but could be a two-fer for teams looking to have flexibility on their defensive line.

Players from Florida Colleges Favored to be Drafted Highest

But beyond just players from Florida, what players are favored to be drafted first from Florida’s top univsersities?

• University of Florida Cornerback Kaiir Elam, as mentioned above, will be the first Gators player drafted and for rightful reason. He did start the year with top 10 potential but a solid year last year keeps him in the potential first round range, just not top 10.
• Florida State University University of Georgia Transfer defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson was an All-American for the Seminoles and is a likely top-20 pick in the NFL draft. Johnson has all of the tools and skills you look for in a player and I would not be surprised if he is a future Pro Bowler.
• University of Miami The Hurricanes will likely only have a handful of players drafted this year, but look for wide receiver, Charleston Rambo, a University of Oklahoma transfer, to go late in the fifth- or sixth-round. The speedy target likely will play Slot receiver, and should have a productive career.
• University of South Florida Don’t expect a player from USF to be drafted this season. A team that struggled to just three-wins over the last two seasons will once again be shutout of the NFL draft and continue the streak to four years of not having a Bull drafted.
• University of Central Florida While the Golden Knights continue to have success on the field, they will likely not have a player drafted this year, but if one were to get picked it would be Big Kat Bryant, an EDGE rusher and former Auburn Tiger. Big Kat will likely sign as an undrafted free agent with real opportunity to make an NFL roster.

If the NFL Draft isn't your thing, here's a look at the odds a former QB for a college from Florida will start in the NFL next season. Fomer Gator Kyle Trask with the Bucs and former Seminole Jameis Winston with the Saints have the best odds to start somehwere.