The NFL Draft generated some major NJ sports betting buzz last week.
However, exactly how much business has yet to be announced. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement will release the April numbers on May 13.
Will it be enough to offset the lost business from other American sports impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?
It’s highly unlikely.
At the same time, the totals are expected to be significantly higher than those from 2019.
Now that a new NFL rookie class is arriving on the scene, the futures markets are expanding. Call it setting the table for the more exciting betting news still to come.
Rumor has it that the regular-season schedule will be released next week. And don’t be surprised if it includes a contingency plan.
A Feb. 28 Super Bowl? No Pro Bowl?
The NFL reportedly has some curious contingency plans for the schedule 👀
➡️ https://t.co/M4RSMNwZLT pic.twitter.com/e29W1l6Btn
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 28, 2020
Until those details are made public, here is a recap and a look ahead at the NFL betting markets.
Eagles + Hurts = big payout
One of the more shocking stories out of this year’s NFL Draft is the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles drafted a quarterback in the second round.
These would be the same Birds who signed Carson Wentz to a four-year extension valued at up to $144 million. Based on the odds, sportsbooks also saw the scenario as a long shot.
Heading into Friday night, FanDuel Sportsbook odds on the Eagles taking a QB at +5500.
The player ended up being Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts.
One DraftKings Sportsbook customer wagered $50 that Hurts would be the selection. It resulted in a $5,050 winning ticket.
One bettor just got paid out big time thanks to Phily and Jalen Hurts.#MakeItReign | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/hfM00GsaZR
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) April 25, 2020
William Hill sees historic level of betting
Last year, William Hill NJ released 1o NFL Draft props to its New Jersey and Nevada customers. This time around, the bookmaker offered more than 100 unique props that were exclusively available in the Garden State.
The company sent out a press release on Monday, touching on some of the highlights. Nick Bogdanovich, the William Hill’s US Director of Trading, said there was a historic level of betting for this draft.
This could be the foundation to even bigger years ahead.
“People really love the draft; there’s just so much interest surrounding it,” said Bogdanovich. “I expect the handle to be similar, or even potentially increase, for next year’s draft.”
BetMGM Sportsbook + NFL rookie wagers
Live sports are still on hiatus. Bettors, however, can start thinking about which of last week’s draftees will make the biggest impacts.
And by impact, we mean by winning the Rookie of the Year awards.
BetMGM Sportsbook has the odds for the top honorees. Not surprisingly, No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow (+200) is the early favorite to take home the Offensive ROY honor.
The Heisman Trophy winner is penciled in as the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback of the future. He will be taking over for veteran Andy Dalton, who may or may not be staying. His new team is coming off an NFL-worst 2-14 season.
But having his name called first doesn’t make Burrow a lock. Here is some of the competition:
- D’Andre Swift +850
- Tua Tagovailoa + 900
- Jonathan Taylor +950
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire +1000
The Eagles first-round selection Jalen Reagor, a wide receiver out of Texas Christian University, is +2800. Hurts is +8000.
Who will be the next defensive star?
Of course, there are several defensive players expected to make immediate contributions, too.
Chase Young, a defensive end out of Ohio State, went No. 2 to the Washington Redskins. Cornerback Jeff Okudah, Young’s college teammate, went No. 3 to the Detroit Lions.
They are among several top contenders to take home the Defensive ROY trophy.
Here are the current odds from BetMGM:
- Chase Young +350
- Isaiah Simmons +900
- AJ Apensa +1500
- Grant Delpit +1500
- Jeff Okudah +1500
Rookies on the move at DraftKings
DraftKings Sportsbook posted ROY odds prior to last week’s three-day event and updated them this week.
Here is a look at the pre- and post-draft movement:
| Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds Shift | ||
| Player | Pre-Draft Odds | Current Odds |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | +1600 | +700 |
| D’Andre Swift | +700 | +1200 |
| J.K. Dobbins | +1000 | +1600 |
| Cam Akers | +3300 | +2000 |
| Jordan Love | +3300 | +10000 |
| Provided by DraftKings Sportsbook | ||
| Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds Shift | ||
| Player | Pre-Draft Odds | Current Odds |
| C.J. Henderson | +2000 | +3300 |
| Grant Delpit | +5000 | +3300 |
| A.J. Epenesa | +5000 | +3300 |
| Antoine Winfield Jr. | +5000 | +3300 |
| Jeff Gladney | +5000 | +4000 |
| Provided by DraftKings Sportsbook | ||
So, while it may look like the NJ sports betting cabinet is currently bare, clearly, this is not the case.
Call it the preseason to a full slate of NFL betting opportunities still to come.