The NFL draft is just around the corner, and as we get closer, the betting odds on these selections are heating up! With so much uncertainty surrounding these players and franchises, and the promise of future stars scattered throughout the draft, we’re eager to explore the best betting opportunities available.
Jeanty took college football by storm this year with his record-breaking year at Boise State. With 2600 yards of rushing this year, he nearly single-handedly willed the Broncos to the College Football Playoffs. With elite ability to run between the tackles, he’s the perfect player to give to the new Raiders head coach, Pete Carroll. Even though a running back at 6th in the draft seems like a reach, Jeanty might be a talent too good for the Raiders to let slip by. They are in desperate need of a running game after bringing in Geno Smith as their QB. Adding Jeanty behind one of the better offensive lines could make the Raiders a real threat. At only -110 odds, this is one of the best bets in the draft.
The Jets are, well, they need a lot. The offensive line could really use some support, and this draft offers a wealth of talent! Armand Membou stands out as one of the top prospects for offensive tackles. His impressive performance at the combine really caught everyone's attention, but it was his time at Missouri as a three-year starter that truly showcased his abilities. He would be a fantastic addition for the Jets, who are eager to find some stability after the Aaron Rodgers experience didn't go as planned. Starting with Membou could be just the right move, especially with +125 odds for the 7th pick, making it an exciting value bet!
The rebuild in Carolina is underway! After facing challenges in the last season, the Panthers find themselves once again near the top of the draft, looking for talent on both sides of the ball. At the 8th pick, Jalon Walker is turning out to be one of the most exciting players still available. Recognized as possibly the best linebacker in the draft, he had an impressive run at Georgia, racking up a remarkable 60 total tackles this season. With Carolina in need of a standout pass rusher, Walker seems like the perfect match. It looks like there aren’t many teams drafting at 8 who would pick him ahead of Carolina, making the +150 odds on this selection a fantastic opportunity. Given that most mock drafts see him going here, it’s surprising we’re not seeing minus odds!
Sanders is undeniably one of the most talked-about players in this year’s draft. As the son of Deion Sanders, he just wrapped up his second season in Colorado with his dad as the head coach. Compared to his first year, this season showed significant improvement, although he still faces some criticism. Despite this, he impressively racked up over 4000 passing yards and 37 TDs, showcasing his elite talent and remarkable arm strength for deep throws. Although his height is just 6’1.5, which has affected his draft stock a bit, he’s still viewed by many as the second-best QB in this draft class. With the Saints picking at 9th, facing some financial constraints, and Derek Carr dealing with a shoulder injury, they might just be considering Sanders. As a quarterback with a controlled price tag, a strong arm, and lots of potential, it would be tough for them to let him go. Whether they truly believe in his talent is another matter altogether. Nonetheless, Sanders at the 9th pick has excellent odds at +190! The pieces are falling into place for this to happen, and snagging nearly two to one odds on it looks solid with less than a week till the draft.
Jaxson Dart has certainly been a name that’s moved up and down draft boards over the past couple of weeks, and recently, we’ve noticed him steadily climbing! He's now creeping into the top of the second round and even the tail end of the first round. During his three years at Ole Miss, he played impressively, and in his final season, he racked up nearly 4300 passing yards along with 29 touchdowns! While there's no doubt about his arm talent, some folks have concerns about how well he can adjust to an NFL offense, since Ole Miss tends to run a more gimmicky style, featuring play actions and misdirection plays. This uncertainty has kept Dart lower on many boards for a bit, but as the draft approaches, some teams, especially the Steelers, seem more eager than ever to find a quarterback. Sitting at the 21st pick, they might pose the biggest challenge in this draft line-up. Still, with +120 odds, I don’t believe the Steelers will go for a QB here; I think they're more likely to add another receiver, like Emeka Egbuka or Matthew Golden, and then sign Aaron Rodgers to bolster their lineup!
This year, we have such an impressive class of defensive linemen in the draft! Since many teams are focusing less on skill positions in the first round, it makes perfect sense for them to strengthen their defensive line. Although nine defensive linemen might sound like quite a few, it feels quite doable, unless teams begin to prioritize quarterbacks or running backs as the first round wraps up. With an exciting group of edge rushers available this year, I believe teams will play it safe in the first round and seize the opportunity to draft linemen while they can!
This year's draft features some truly outstanding running backs, making it one of the most exciting we’ve seen in quite some time! We have standout players like Aston Jeanty, who's anticipated to be a top 10 prospect, alongside other remarkable talents such as Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, Kaleb Johnson, and Quinshon Judkins. It looks like Hampton has a strong chance of being picked in the first round, and the Broncos seem like a perfect fit for him. And let's not forget about the rest of these talented backs- they have so much potential! All it's going to take is one team in the later rounds, like the Chiefs or Bills, to recognize their value and make a move. That could lead to a wonderful opportunity with +165 odds!
Will Campbell is currently the favorite with odds of -230. But consider Mason Graham at +1800- what a steal! The Patriots might just grab him since strengthening their defensive line is crucial. Sure, his arms measured shorter than expected, which has made some people hesitant, but he really shined in college. His quickness off the line and ability to keep blockers guessing were truly remarkable during his three years at Michigan. Given the huge difference in odds and how practical this choice is, +1800 looks like a fun opportunity to put a little money on!
It's a bit of a long shot, but the Bears are known for their unpredictability heading into this game. Adding another edge rusher might just be a smart move for them, even if the odds seem stacked against it. With Dayo Odeyingbo and Montez Sweat currently in the mix, it’s not their top priority, but it's definitely an area where they could think about strengthening. Given how valuable solid edge rushers can be, this could turn out to be a fantastic value pick for the Bears, really helping to solidify their defense!
This might seem a bit unusual; we’ve noticed McMillan losing ground across most boards, but this time of year often brings some surprises. The Jaguars are on the lookout for another offensive weapon to team up with Trevor Lawrence. Just last year, they welcomed Brian Thomas Jr., who truly shined and became a fantastic find in his rookie season. Imagine the potential of pairing Lawrence with another athletic standout who can break away from coverage and leverage their impressive size- this could really elevate the Jaguars' offense! While it might raise some eyebrows due to their offensive line needing a little support, the odds at +2500 make this an intriguing possibility.