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NFL draft matchup props: Tight battle between Smith, Waddle

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

If you have a decent pulse on which direction certain NFL draft prospects are trending, the matchup market may be for you.

Typically involving two players at the same position, the objective for bettors is simple: Wager on who you think will be first off the board.

Oddsmakers set prices on a handful of matchups, so let's dive into one of the hottest questions leading up to the draft: DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle?

WR DeVonta Smith (-115) vs. WR Jaylen Waddle (-115)

A pair of teams in the top half of the draft will land elite talent at wide receiver, but the jury's still out on which Alabama star will hear his name first.

Smith mowed through the SEC en route to the Heisman Trophy last season, while Waddle averaged close to 20 yards per catch and added three special teams scores over his career.

The biggest issue with Smith is his size - he clocked in at 166 pounds during his medical recheck. His wiry frame could turn teams off, especially in such a deep receiver class. Otherwise, he was flat-out dominant in his final season, recording 1,856 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns, headlined by a 215-yard performance over Ohio State in the national championship.

Waddle didn't put up such gaudy numbers last year - he missed half of the season due to injury - but is hands-down the top big-play prospect in this class.

We took a flier on Smith at +700 as the first receiver selected, but at this price, we're grabbing Waddle, who's been as high as -145.

Front offices get weak knees for burners - fellow Alabama receiver Henry Ruggs was the first wideout off the board last year despite having the third-best odds - and Waddle's breakaway speed looks fast in slow-motion. He's a Percy Harvin prototype who will thrive in any system, and he'd likely be the WR1 if Ja'Marr Chase didn't exist.

Pick: Waddle (-115)

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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