NFL Draft betting provides gamblers a sampling of what the new normal might look like.
The retail sportsbooks may still be closed, but the NJ sports betting action, at least for a few nights, is back in the spotlight.
The props and parlay party with Thursday night’s first-round action was fun to watch.
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow going No. 1 to the Cincinnati Bengals shocked nobody. He was the heavy favorite.
But as a whole, round one produced a record-setting handle for SugarHouse Sportsbook in New Jersey. According to the press release, the totals have already tripled 2019’s numbers from the three-day event.
Here is a look at some of the highlights and attractive wagers heading into rounds two and three taking place tonight.
NFL Draft round one news and notes
SugarHouse said 76% percent of Thursday’s sports betting handle in NJ was wagered on the NFL. And the overwhelming majority of the action was draft related. Some futures are included in the total.
One person put close to $5,000 down on Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb being the first wide receiver draft. The Dallas Cowboys drafted him at No. 17. But the ticket was not a winner.
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Henry Ruggs III out of Alabama five spots higher. Teammate Jerry Jeudy was selected by the Denver Broncos No. 15.
Some bettors hit the wide receiver trifecta that SugarHouse was offering.
New York Giants fans were taken by surprise when their team selected Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas with the No. 4 overall pick. His odds went off at +1000.
Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa being the second quarterback drafted, was one of the night’s more popular props. Not to mention, the Miami Dolphins took him fifth, making the ticket a winner.
SugarHouse bettors have unfinished business
Heading into tonight (7 p.m. EST start), some bets remain open.
Will Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet (-400) be the first tight end drafted? None were taken in the first round.
And based on these odds he remains the heavy favorite:
- Adam Trautman +500
- Harrison Bryant +1100
- Albert Okwuegbunam +1400
- Hunter Bryan +1600
All of the safeties are still available, too. It means customers who have Alabama’s Xavier McKinney (-200) going first are still alive. Here is a look at the competition:
- Grant Delpit +400
- Jeremy Chinn +500
- Antoine Winfield Jr. +700
- Kyle Dugger +2500
But no matter how things unfold, Mattias Stetz, COO of Rush Street Interactive, which operates the SugarHouse Sportsbook, said the opening night was “outstanding.”
“We are delighted with the strong wagering action and how bettors supported many imaginative prop bets.”
“They really prepared well for the draft and they weren’t afraid to bet heavily on some long shots.”
DraftKings Sportsbook and the QB spotlight
The top-four projected quarterbacks in this year’s draft class heard their names called last night. However, there are still several big names on the board.
The next three players likely to attract the most attention are:
- Jacob Eason, Washington
- Jake Fromm, Georgia
- Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
DraftKings Sportsbook shared a splits chart breaking down the betting perspective.
| Notable Remaining Draft Picks | ||
| Jalen Hurts (QB) | ||
| Pick Position | % Handle | % Bets |
| Over 55.5 (+110) | 51% | 41% |
| Under 55.5 (-137) | 49% | 59% |
| Jake Fromm | ||
| Pick Position | % Handle | % Bets |
| Over 68.5 (-143) | 58% | 45% |
| Under 68.5 (+115) | 42% | 55% |
| Jacob Eason | ||
| Pick Position | % Handle | % Bets |
| Over 49.5 (-110) | 69% | 57% |
| Under 49.5 (-110) | 31% | 43% |
| Provided by DraftKings Sportsbook | ||
And based on the odds, there is a strong chance Hurts goes in the second or third round. Here is a look at how his betting action is trending.
| Jalen Hurts Draft Round Odds Movement | ||||
| Round | Opening Line | Two Weeks Ago | Last Week | Current |
| 2 | +200 | +160 | -110 | -225 |
| 3 | +130 | +100 | +110 | +140 |
| 4 | +400 | +700 | +400 | +1100 |
| 5-7 | +500 | +1400 | +2000 | +3300 |
| Provided by DraftKings Sportsbook | ||||
Philadelphia Eagles NFL Draft betting continues
Hey Philadelphia Eagles fans, you may or may not be happy with the selection of Texas Christian wide receiver Justin Reagor.
DraftKings has already set the over/under on receiving yards for the 2020 season at 800.5. Currently, he is not one of the favorites to win Rookie of the Year:
A couple former LSU Tigers at the top of the Offensive Rookie of the Year odds 🐯#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/WR8vCTIQe2
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) April 24, 2020
Here are the odds from FanDuel Sportsbook for those looking to bet what position the Birds will draft in the second round:
- Linebacker +150
- Cornerback or safety +280
- Offensive line or wide receiver +500
- Defensive line +700
- Running back +1500
- Tight end +4000
- Quarterback +5500
In other words, NFL Draft prop betting is far from finished.