NFL Draft Odds and Our Best Bet Picks
The NFL Draft is only a few weeks away, and the betting market is really starting to heat up. While most sports bettors will have their attention on the conclusion of March Madness, we know the NFL is king and plenty of our readers will appreciate an NFL Draft betting preview.
Our best bets will focus on some of the props available for the draft, but let's start by taking a look at the current odds for the top 5 picks.
Odds for #1 Overall Pick
The Chicago Bears own the top overall pick and Caleb Williams is by-far the betting favorite to go first overall. His -4000 odds mean a better has to wager $4,000 to win $100.
Odds for #2 Overall Pick
The second overall pick belongs to the Washington Commanders, and in most people's eyes, this is where the draft begins. Jayden Daniels is the current favorite to go #2, but Drake Maye and JJ McCarthy aren't far behind.
Odds for #3 Overall Pick
The New England Patriots currently own the third pick in the draft and are likely going to pick their franchise QB here. Drake Maye is currently the favorite to go to New England, followed by Jayden Daniels and JJ McCarthy.
Odds for #4 Overall Pick
The Arizona Cardinals hold the fourth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and, unless a trade happens, seem destined to select Marvin Harrison here. The fact that JJ McCarthy has the next best odds to go fourth indicates Vegas thinks a team may move up to this spot to get their QB.
Odds for #5 Overall Pick
Jim Harbaugh's LA Chargers own the fifth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. While Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison are the favorites to go fifth overall, we have to believe there are teams that will look to jump up to the #5 pick if McCarthy is still available. This makes betting on either WR to go fifth a tough proposition.
Let's jump into some of our favorite prop bets that are available today at DraftKings Sportsbook. Our team has analyzed the team and positional odds available and have 4 picks that stand out as our best bets.
1st RB Drafted: Blake Corum (+500)
Corum comes in with the 4th best odds via DraftKings to be the first running back selected in this year’s draft. In one of the worst RB classes in recent memory, taking Corum as a flier to be first off the board is one we are willing to take.
Blake went for over 1,300 total yards and 28 touchdowns in his last season at Michigan that culminated in a National Championship. As a do-it-all playmaker that could become a three-down back in the league, he has the highest ceiling of anyone at his position this year.
The pick we are targeting for Corum? That 37th overall pick from the Chargers, who just lost Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen while bringing in none other than Coach Harbaugh who has seen Corum go for over 1k yards in three straight seasons.
A backfield of Gus Edwards and Blake Corum is the most Jim Harbaugh thing we could get in year one and that’s bound to happen.
1st CB Drafted: Terrion Arnold (+135)
It’s difficult to imagine a world in which a cornerback from Toledo gets selected over one from Alabama. Arnold totaled 63 tackles and 6.5 for loss last season with the Tide, while securing five picks against SEC opponents.
A playmaker on the back lines, look for Atlanta at 8th to be an ideal landing spot.
Arnold’s 4.5 40-yard dash and above-average combine statistics make him a great long-shot bet to be the first defensive player off the board as well. He’s currently sitting at +1600, behind linemen such Laiatu Latu and Dallas Turner.
However, with there being a good chance the top 7 picks are offensive players (with the Jets and Titans as 50/50s), Atlanta and Arnold’s fit at 8 is too good to pass up.
Ravens 1st Drafted: Defensive Line/Edge (+400)
After losing Patrick Queen and potentially Clowney this offseason, D-Line or Edge at +400 and Linebacker at +3000 are the props we are willing to take for a team that focused more on the offensive side of the ball over free agency.
The times where Baltimore has selected a defensive player first over the last decade has certainly panned out. C.J. Mosley, Patrick Queen, Marlon Humphrey, and Kyle Hamilton are the four playmakers.
Look for some of the same magic to happen on draft night where new management should look for history to repeat itself. Chop Robinson (Penn State) is our go-to pick at 30th overall for the Ravens.
Jaguars 1st Drafted: Cornerback (-115)
While the Jags certainly need help via the draft, their mentality this offseason will be a point of emphasis after their season went south about mid-way through.
As for their 1st round selection at 17, cornerback is the go-to position.
GM Trent Baalke emphasized adding to their secondary after the season and all signs point to the Jags selecting one of Terrion Arnold (Alabama), Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo), or Cooper DeJean (Iowa).
While the Jags receiving core got some boost with the Gabe Davis signing and the offensive line still intact from last season, the secondary is the only missing piece to the puzzle in order for the Jags to have a chance at an AFC South title this season, plus some mentality boost.
Dolphins 1st Drafted: Defensive Line/Edge (+210)
It won’t be the most Mike McDaniel or Miami pick at 21 if they go defensive line, but the ‘Fins certainly need help there after losing Christian Wilkins and Van Ginkel.
With former 1st rounder Jaelan Phillips coming off a torn achilles, this +210 prop for the position is one we are eyeing for Miami, who doesn’t need help on the offensive side of the ball until later in this draft.
With a fairly deep pass rushing class on tap for this draft, expect Miami to stick with filling their massive need especially against the AFC North teams that can run the ball in the Jets and Buffalo.