Here comes the NFL Draft kickoff, descending towards the hands, or the apps, of New Jersey online sports bettors.
Thursday at 8 p.m. launches the annual dance for NFL teams trying to improve rosters and bettors seeking to pad bankrolls.
From an NJ sports betting perspective, DraftKings, FanDuel, William Hill, and BetMGM report brisk action as gamblers make an unusual deadline.
Some wagers will need to be placed prior to the Jacksonville Jaguars announcing the No.1 overall pick.
Don’t worry, additional NFL Draft betting options will be posted for the later rounds.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Darren Darby, sports trader for BetMGM, said they have taken significant action on the NFL Draft.
“So far, action has been equivalent to a NBA game but expectations are that by Thursday there will be more handle than an average NFL game,” said Darby.
He added the most popular prop bets soo far include:
- 3rd overall pick
- First running back drafted
- The first defensive player drafted
However, every NJ major NJ online sportsbook is rolling out an extensive props menu for this three-day event taking place in Cleveland.
Here’s a closer look at the wagering possibilities from a Garden State perspective.
The Eagles, Giants, or Jets select …
Where does a Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, or New York Jets backer find a gambling sweet spot?
The Giants have the 11th pick followed by the Eagles at 12. Keep in mind either of those teams could pull the trigger on a trade before they’re even on the clock.
Then there are the Jets, who will most likely select Zach Wilson out of BYU as the second overall pick. So Jets bettors have no drama to consider short of an angle on the 23rd player, the team’s next selection.
Fortunately, the books made it interesting with early action and props tailored specifically to the Eagles and Giants.
One approach could be focusing on Giants- and Eagles-specific props at FanDuel Sportsbook.
FanDuel lists several potential draftees for the teams New Jersey bettors follow closely.
It has South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn as the +280 favorite for the Eagles. Here are some of the other names on the board:
- DeVonta Smith, Alabama WR, +430
- Jaylen Waddle, Alabama WR, +430
- Patrick Surtain II, Alabama CB, +470
- Kwity Paye, Michigan DE, +500
Weighing your Eagles betting options
So here are some factors to consider before wagering on the Birds’ first-round selection.
Does Smith or Waddle have the size to play in the NFL?
Do you like the Tyreek Hill model for the Kansas City Chiefs?
How would you separate these two?
Surtain, on the other hand, has obtained hype that seems to surpass his achievements.
That’s the impact of mock drafts.
Teams blow smoke, analysts try to convey clairvoyance and someone like Surtain is considered a savior to be grappled over by the Giants, Eagles, and perhaps the Dallas Cowboys, who own the 10th pick.
With Paye, do you remember rarely hearing his name until recently?
Rashawn Slater of Northwestern is +1000. That’s excellent odds for the player likely to be there if the Eagles want to address their most pressing need: the lack of quarterback protection.
And there’s an interesting contrast for this prop with the Giants.
Horn is +700 while Smith is the favorite at +230. Waddle is next at +470 as of Wednesday morning.
Penn State linebacker Micah Parson and Slater stand at +500 while Surtain is +800.
For Jets bettors, it’s hard to forecast how they will fill abundant holes in ensuing rounds. Thus, it’s hard to bet on them.
NFL Draft position props
BetMGM released a list of where Giants and Eagles bettors are projecting the first position taken by their teams.
Eagles supporters are gambling that it will be a wide receiver at more than 70%. Cornerback was the second position favored at 26.3%. This indicates a preference for Surtain, Horn, Smith, or Waddle.
What about addressing the offensive line for a team that yielded far and away the most sacks in the NFL last year? The percentage is a minuscule less than 1%.
Bettors and fans prefer marquee names over practicality in a high-profile draft.
For the Giants, 84% of the bettors expect a defensive lineman to be taken. Maybe edge rusher Jaelen Phillips of Miami?
The betting handle backed a cornerback at more than 26%.
Other intriguing NFL Draft props
Are you seeking some razzle-dazzle at different books?
DraftKings has a neat 3-4-5 combo. Get them in exact order:
The QB Mac Jones of Alabama, tight end Kyle Pitts of Florida, and receiver Ja’Marr Chase of LSU combo is +200
Jones, Pitts, and Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell trio is next at +350.
Jones, QB Justin Fields of Ohio State, and Chase are +550.
Some conclusions: Jones, the Alabama quarterback, is heavily favored to go third.
The book projects the Atlanta Falcons, at No. 4, will not select a quarterback unless its’s Fields. The Cincinnati Bengals, seemingly locked on Sewell at five, may be more smitten with the explosiveness of Chase.
“The tough thing about booking this draft is that we are not handicapping a game,” Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook operations for DraftKings, told Play NJ.
“Trying to figure out which guys are going to get picked, who the teams, need, etc. is very difficult. We go by a lot of information that’s out there and then we have to hope we get it right.”
William Hill NFL Draft over-under
At William Hill New Jersey, just one player with single-digit draft position odds has shifted from his original number. After opening at 6.5 (over +135/under -155), Chase is down to 5.5 His under is still favored at -145, while the over is priced at +125.
Two other players are also at 5.5: Pitts (over +180/under -210) and Sewell (over -170/under +150).
These rounds will tilt the direction of the draft.
“Ja’Marr Chase has gotten really good action,” said Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading for William Hill US. “I don’t think he’ll go 4, but 5 is a legitimate spot for him. The Bengals reuniting him with [Joe] Burrow would be a cool story.
“The Bengals also don’t have A.J. Green anymore, so Chase could fill that slot. I think that’s what everyone is banking on who is taking his under.”
Waddle, meanwhile, has dropped from 11.5 to 10.5 regarding his draft position. The over is -135 while the under is at +115.
That puts him in the Eagles-Giants area, along with Surtain.
DraftKings offering another no-brainer
Take the no-brainer if it applies.
New users, place $1 on the NFL Draft at DraftKings and get $100 in free bets if a quarterback is taken first. That pick is going to be Trevor Lawrence by the Jacksonville Jaguars and you will collect.
Make a deposit of $5 or more into your sportsbook account. Then place a bet of at least $1 on any NFL Draft Market. Bet must be placed prior to the start of the draft.
After Lawrence is taken the $100 bonus is issued.
The free wagers are good for seven days and come in the form of four $25 free bets. This offer only applies to first-time depositors.
FanDuel is in the giving mood, too.
New users who sign up and download the app can get 20-1 odds on the Jaguars to draft Lawrence first overall. A $5 bet pays out $100 on this gift.
No matter which NFL Draft betting angle you choose, we offer these words: NJ bettors you’re on the clock.
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