Table of Contents

NFL Draft Betting Odds 2024 - Guide, Strategies & Expert Tips

With our comprehensive guide to betting on the draft, you’ll find essential tips, strategies and expert insights to help you get the most out of the NFL Draft betting odds. Perfect for beginners and seasoned bettors alike, BMR will help you make smart, winning bets during the NFL Draft season. 

Table of Contents

What is the NFL Draft?

The NFL Draft is an annual event where National Football League (NFL) teams select eligible college football players to join the league. This event serves as a primary source for teams to replenish their rosters with new talent.

During the draft, teams have the opportunity to pick players based on a predetermined order, which is often influenced by the teams’ performance in the previous season. The worst-performing teams typically get to pick first, giving them a chance to improve by choosing top prospective players.

When is the NFL Draft?

The NFL Draft typically takes place in late April each year. The event spans several days, with the first round usually held on a Thursday evening, followed by the second and third rounds on Friday and concluding with rounds four through seven on Saturday. The exact dates can vary each year, so it’s important for bettors and fans to check the NFL schedule for the specific timing.

Common Draft Betting Markets

NFL Draft betting involves various markets that cater to different aspects of the draft. Here are some of the most popular betting options to help understand how each of the common draft betting markets works:

  • First Overall Draft Pick: Bettors can wager on which player will be selected as the first overall draft pick. Example: For instance, if analysts predict Bryce Young to be a standout candidate, bettors might place bets on him being the first pick, potentially by a team like the Houston Texans if they hold the first draft spot.
  • Draft Position Bets: These bets involve predicting over or under on the position a specific player will be drafted. Example: A bettor might wager that Will Anderson Jr. will be drafted under the 5th overall pick, meaning they believe he will be chosen within the first four picks.
  • Player Selection: This market allows bets on which team will draft a particular player. Example: If a bettor thinks that the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to strengthen their defensive line, they might bet on the Kansas City Chiefs selecting Chris Jones.
  • Number of Players Drafted by Position: Bettors can wager on the total number of players drafted in a specific position group, such as quarterbacks, during the entire draft. Example: A bettor could wager that more than five quarterbacks will be drafted in the first round, expecting a high demand for quarterbacks like C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson in the early rounds.

These markets offer a diverse range of betting opportunities that can engage bettors in predicting and analyzing the outcomes of the NFL Draft based on player performance, team needs and draft strategies. 

NFL Draft Betting Tips & Strategies

Successful NFL Draft betting requires a combination of research, strategy and timing. Here are some essential tips and common draft betting strategies to consider:

  1. Research is Key: Stay updated with college football performances, player stats and team needs. Pre-draft events like the NFL Combine can also provide crucial insights into a player’s stock. This foundational research is vital to understanding not just the top prospects but also the depth of talent available in different positions.
  2. Understand Team Needs: Each team’s draft strategy is heavily influenced by its current roster and needs. Understanding what positions a team is likely to focus on can give bettors an edge. This includes knowing teams’ offensive and defensive schemes, which can hint at the types of players they might prioritize.
  3. Follow Draft Buzz & Reports: Leading up to the draft, reports and rumors can affect a player’s draft stock. Keeping a close ear to the ground on these shifts can be beneficial. Media reports, expert analysis and team leaks can all influence public perception and betting odds.
  4. Use Mock Drafts: Engaging with mock drafts can be highly beneficial. These simulations by experts and analysts provide insights into potential draft outcomes and can help bettors understand trends and possible surprises. Mock drafts are a valuable tool for predicting player picks and draft day trades.
  5. Consider Compensatory Picks: Understanding the allocation of compensatory picks can be crucial. These are additional picks given to teams that have lost more or better compensatory free agents than they gained the previous year. These picks occur from the third round onwards and can influence the dynamics of the draft, particularly in the middle rounds where teams might take chances on developing players.
  6. Timing Your Bets: As the draft approaches, odds can shift. Placing bets before significant changes in player evaluation can offer value. Watching how odds change in response to the latest news and draft combine performances can help you time your bets to maximize potential returns.
  7. Manage Your Bankroll: As with any betting, it’s crucial to manage your bankroll wisely. Ensure you are betting within your limits and have a strategy for how much to wager on different markets. Never bet more than you can afford to lose and consider setting aside a portion of your bankroll specifically for speculative bets, like those on late-round picks or unexpected trades.

By diligently applying these strategies, bettors can greatly enhance their effectiveness in NFL Draft betting. The key to success lies in continuous learning and adapting to the dynamic nature of draft news and events. Ultimately, the ability to anticipate and respond to changes in player evaluations, team needs and betting odds will determine the profitability of your betting endeavors during the NFL Draft.

Conclusion

The NFL Draft is not only a key event for teams but also an exciting opportunity for sports bettors. With a variety of betting markets and the dynamic nature of draft-day decisions, bettors have ample chance to engage and potentially profit from their knowledge of the game and the incoming talent.

By following the strategies outlined and staying informed, bettors can enhance their chances of success in NFL Draft betting.

NFL Draft Betting: Frequently Asked Questions

The NFL Draft consists of seven rounds, during which teams select players who meet draft eligibility. This multi-day event provides teams with the opportunity to bolster their rosters with new talent, with each round featuring a predetermined number of selections based on the teams’ standings from the previous season.

In the NFL Draft, a total of 256 players are picked. The 32 teams are each allocated a selection in each of the seven rounds, resulting in a cumulative 32 picks per round. This process allows teams to acquire new talent and address their roster needs for the upcoming season.

No, an NFL player cannot be drafted twice. Once a player is drafted by a team, they become exclusive to that team and they cannot be selected by another team in a subsequent draft unless certain exceptional circumstances arise, such as the player not signing with the original team.

No, there are no current NFL players who were drafted straight out of high school. The NFL has a rule that players must be out of high school for at least three years before being drafted. The last player to be drafted from high school was Andy Livingston in 1964.

To watch the NFL Draft for free, you can utilize the free trial offered by Fubo, a streaming service that provides access to channels broadcasting the event, including ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network. Free trials allow you to stream the draft before committing to a subscription.

To watch the NFL Draft on your phone, you can use the NFL Network and ESPN mobile apps with your cable TV account login, including providers like DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Verizon, Xfinity and Sling. These apps allow you to watch this major event on the go.

Follow BMR