With the Scouting Combine now underway, we turn our football attention to the 2024 NFL draft, Apr, 25th-27th in Detroit.
It’s not quite as big as games, but it’s become a cottage industry. There’s a fair amount of skilled players and intrigue with this draft, the latter sidebar starting right at the top.
As the Chicago Bears currently hold the No. 1 overall selection, it remains to be seen if they do the choosing. All the mystery surrounds the question of whether the Bears are infatuated with quarterback Justin Fields, or they dip into the collegiate pool to find his replacement. If the reports are to be believed, he’s done in the Second City.
It’s no surprise that, in this era, there are solid betting opportunities associated with the draft. Here are some of the top wagers in the market…
The Bear Market?
Who will be the top choice in the draft, and who makes that pick? There’s a heavy favorite this time around.
Quarterback Caleb Williams of Southern California is the 1-10 (-1000) choice to be the first player to greet the commissioner, according to NFL draft odds.
Some team figures to take him at No. 1, but is it the Bears?
Chicago will be on the clock (barring a trade), which again depends upon the level of its (fleeting?) love affair with current quarterback Justin Fields. Some other players to consider…
Odds by BetUs
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Drake Maye/North Carolina Quarterback | 6-1 (+600) |
| Marvin Harrison Jr./Ohio St. Wide Receiver | 10-1 ( +1000) |
| Jayden Daniels/Louisiana St. Quarterback | 14-1 ( +1400) |
| J.J. McCarthy/Michigan Quarterback | 28-1 (+2800) |
By the way, Chicago is 40-1 (+4000) to win the title next season, as per Super Bowl LIX odds.
One of the above quintets is going to be taken first in late April, very likely with Williams as the choice. Drake Maye is pushing extremely hard to make his case, however.
First Non-Thrower Selected
Since it’s widely assumed a quarterback will be chosen with the first overall pick in the draft, there are other betting options on the table. Trying to find the first non-quarterback off the board is one way to go, and it’s a market with value.
It’s no surprise Ohio St. standout wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. is the clear betting favorite in this market as the odds for him to be selected are set at -650. The Ohio State wide receiver is expected to be a superstar in the NFL, and teams will be lining up to get a playmaker like him.
That doesn’t mean that Harrison is going to be a lock in this market though, as some teams are going to be looking for other positions as well. This is the type of bet in which looking for value is the way to go, and some great options are listed below:
Odds by BetUs
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Joe Alt/Notre Dame Tackle | 8-1 (+800) |
| Jared Verse/Florida St. Defensive End | 10-1 (+1000) |
| Dallas Turner/Alabama Linebacker | 12-1 (+1200) |
| Malik Nabers/Louisiana St. Wide Receiver | 12-1 ( +1200) |
| Laiatu Latu/UCLA Defensive End | 12-1 (+1200) |
| Olumuyiwa Fashuna/Penn St. Tackle | 18-1 ( +1800) |
There’s no value in Harrison being the first non-quarterback selected, but it’s the safest option without question.
The “Irrelevant” Choice
What was a fun choice has now become someone who could turn out to be someone (see Purdy, Brock). The last choice in the draft, “Mr. Irrelevant” on his vanity plates, is another available wager. So, not only are you able to bet on whether this player is offensive or defensive, but you can wager on the exact position as well.
The board has the offensive player/kicker as the favorite at -130 (defensive player/punter at -110).
If you’re game to make a more exact “Irrelevant” wager…
Odds by BetUs
| Position | Odds |
|---|---|
| Quarterback | 2-1 (+200) |
| Defensive Line/Edge | 5-1 (+500) |
| Cornerback | 6-1 (+600) |
| Wide Receiver | 6-1 (+600) |
| Offensive Lineman | 7-1 (+700) |
If that’s not a reason to stay interested over three days and the reading of hundreds of names…
