The 2021 NFL Draft is filled with more ways to bet than ever. Since online sportsbooks started offering betting markets on the draft, they have gotten more in-depth. Draft nerds now have the chance to make money instead of just making mocking drafts.
It’s also a pivotal draft for the Philadelphia Eagles. Coming off a 4-11-1 season, they fired the only coach to ever win a Super Bowl for the franchise, shipped the starting quarterback out of town, and brought in a rookie head coach. General manager Howie Roseman faces the ire of Twitterverse with every move.
With the 2021 NFL Draft coming up on Thursday night, we break down some prop bets, draft specials, and odds on who the Eagles will pick, plus how to bet on the NFL Draft in Pennsylvania.
No betting on the NFL Draft in Pennsylvania
Currently, betting on the NFL Draft is not permitted in Pennsylvania. However, NFL draft betting is available at online sportsbooks in New Jersey.
Will NFL Draft betting ever be offered in PA? Johnny Avello, head of sportsbook and gaming operations at DraftKings Sportsbook, says NFL draft betting markets have gained popularity and he expects more states to add it.
“Eventually, states will get comfortable with it,” he said.
Why you can’t bet on the NFL Draft in PA
Act 42 of Pennsylvania’s state gambling expansion law defines sports wagering as:
“The business of accepting wagers on sporting events or on the individual performance statistics of athletes in a sporting event or combination of sporting events by any system or method of wagering, including over the Internet through websites and mobile applications. The term includes, but is not limited to, exchange wagering, parlays, over-under, moneyline, pools and straight bets.”
A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said that the Gaming Act would need to be amended by the legislature for draft betting to happen.
2021 NFL Draft prop bets
The betting markets for the 2021 NFL draft almost resemble a regular season game and not an offseason event where the only contact is just-drafted players giving Roger Goodell rib-crushing hugs.
Avello told PlayColorado:
“It’s an event that a lot of people like to watch. It’s more of a, I’d say, ‘sophisticated players’ type of betting event because they look for the edges they can get. But there are some opportunities for everyone to bet. It’s fun. The Draft is heavily watched. We have a lot up right now. It’s incredible. This is probably the most content we’ve ever had up on it.”
At BetMGM, the Top 10 most bet props are:
- No. 3 Overall Pick
- First running back drafted
- First defensive player drafted
- Which team will draft Ja’Marr Chase
- Total offensive linemen drafted in Round 1
- No. 2 Overall Pick
- Wide receivers drafted in Round 1
- Running backs drafted in Round 1
- QBs drafted in Round 1
- Which team will draft DeVonta Smith
Darren Darby, Sports Trader at BetMGM, commented:
“BetMGM has 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.”
Odds on whom the Eagles will pick first
Think you know who Howie and the Birds are going to pick? DraftKings has odds on which player will be selected with their first pick.
Player to be drafted first by the Eagles (odds)
- Jaycee Horn: +300
- DeVonta Smith: +300
- Patrick Surtain: +300
- Jaylen Waddle: +500
- Micah Parsons: +700
- Rashawn Slater: +800
- Kyle Pitts: +1100
- Penei Sewell: +1200
- Full list of odds below and on app
Position of Eagles’ first pick (odds)
- Wide receiver: +130
- Cornerback: +175
- Offensive lineman: +600
- Defensive lineman: +1000
- LB: +1100
- QB: +1600
- Tight End: +2500
- Safety: +5000
- RB: +6600
- Kicker/punter/LS: +50000
- Position of player: Offense (-139)/Defense (+112)
Will the Eagles draft a quarterback?
For the first three picks in the 2021 NFL draft, a quarterback is the favorite to be selected.
- First overall pick: Trevor Lawrence (-10000)
- Second pick: Zach Wilson (-10000)
- Third pick: Mac Jones (-305), Trey Lance (+250)
The last time quarterbacks were the first three selected in the NFL draft was in 1999. However, last year marked the first time since 1999 that three quarterbacks got picked in the Top 5.
The Eagles reportedly already tried to trade up with the goal of selecting Zach Wilson. They have not “officially” named last year’s second round pick Jalen Hurts the starter. And, at the self-proclaimed “quarterback factory,” even if the Eagles don’t select a quarterback with their first pick, don’t be surprised if they grab a signal caller with one of their other early round picks.
Odds Eagles select quarterback first
- Trey Lance: +2000
- Justin Fields: +3300
- Mac Jones: +5000
NFL Draft betting specials at BetMGM
Flashback: In the early 2000s, my cousin hosted a draft party when it was held on Saturdays and Sundays. Only serious draftniks invited, bring your own draft guides and favorite “game day” grub. It was the best family party.
BetMGM is bringing the betting fun for the 2021 NFL draft. They have over 35 prop bets for the draft in addition to similar markets found at other sports betting apps.
BetMGM Philadelphia Eagles draft specials
- Giants, Eagles and Steelers draft an offensive player with their first pick (+250)
- Eagles draft DeVonta Smith and Dolphins draft Ja’Marr Chase (+1600)
- Titans and Eagles both draft a cornerback with their first pick (+700)
- Eagles draft Jaylen Waddle and Giants draft DeVonta Smith (+2000)
Some other interesting BetMGM Draft Specials
- The first four picks all to be quarterbacks (-110)
- 5+ WRs and 5+ CBs drafted in Round 1 (+125)
- Trey Lance and Mac Jones both to be drafted before Justin Fields (+200)
- Kyle Trask to be drafted before Trey Lance (+700)
- The first 5 picks all to be quarterbacks (+900)
- Justin Fields not be drafted in the first round (+900)
- Zach Wilson not drafted in Top 5 (+2500)
- Trevor Lawrence not drafted in Top 2 (+3500)
QB drama at No. 3
The San Francisco 49ers hold the No. 3 pick and there has been some major line movement on the three quarterbacks projected to be selected. Check out this chart from William Hill.
Nick Bogdanovich, Director of Trading for William Hill, said of the No. 3 pick:
“It’s been the one prop that’s been the most popular so far for us, that’s for sure.
“The most tickets is on Fields, second-most on Jones then Lance. Most money is on Jones by a mile, twice as much as Lance.”
At William Hill, “Fields drafted No. 3” is the most popular bet by total number of tickets. “Jones selected No. 3” is the most popular bet by total handle.
NFL 2021/2022 Rookie of the year odds
They don’t officially know where they will start their NFL careers. But about twenty players each are listed for Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year at DraftKings.
2021/22 Offensive Rookie of the Year favorites
- Trevor Lawrence: +200
- Mac Jones: +500
- Zach Wilson: +700
- Justin Fields:+800
- Trey Lance: +800
- Kyle Pitts: +1100
2021/22 Defensive Rookie of the Year favorites
- Micah Parsons: +400
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah: +700
- Kwity Paye: +900
- Jaelan Phillips: +1000
- Patrick Surtain II: +1000
For more on how to bet on the NFL Draft, see this video from PlayUSA.
Lead image credit: AP Photo/Derik Hamilton
