NFL Draft Betting Guide: 5 Wagers to Make Round 1 Even More Exciting
Round 1 of the NFL Draft already comes with its own share of drama. Add a few bets to the mix, and every trade rumor, tick of the timer, and surprise selection adds that much more to the experience.
These five wagers give you something more to care about than just your favorite team. We have a couple of bets that feel like free money, a medium-risk wager on the draft's opening three picks, and then two more risky propositions that pay handsomely.
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook. DraftKings does not sponsor this content.
QB Ty Simpson First-Round Pick (-200)
Widely treated as the second-best quarterback of the draft class, the undersized Simpson has a reasonably strong chance to come off the board in Round 1, especially in what is considered one of the weaker quarterback pools in recent times. There are a handful of teams that could draft the inexperienced Simpson as a backup with a chance to learn behind a veteran, including the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Rams. Look for one of those teams to possibly trade back into the late first round to snag him.
Exact Order: 1) Fernando Mendoza, 2) Arvell Reese, 3) David Bailey (+135)
Barring a trade into the No. 3 spot by a team with a glaring need and the requisite capital to acquire such a costly pick -- namely the Dallas Cowboys -- this is your best betting scenario for how the first three choices in the draft will play out. We can etch Mendoza to Vegas into stone or scroll it across The Sphere, so this comes down to whether the Jets prefer Reese over Bailey. Despite what New York general manager Darren Mougey says, read heavily into the franchise canceling its top-30 visit with the latter after meeting the former. Reese is a better team fit and has more upside. Done. Bet on Arizona addressing its massive need coming off the edge at No. 3.
RB Jeremiyah Love Over 5.5 Draft Position (+240)
Going off the first three picks playing out the way the previous bet predicts, this brings us to the Tennessee Titans at No. 4. Running back Tony Pollard has been as solid and consistent as they come over his last four years, and a two-year attempt to get Tyjae Spears more involved hasn't panned out. Furthermore, Spears has long-term availability concerns with his knee, and the nearly 29-year-old Pollard has just the 2026 season left on his contract. Insert the only elite back of this class, and the smashmouth brand that head coach Robert Saleh craves under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll can be realized with just a little Love in this marriage.
Carolina Panthers Draft TE Kenyon Sadiq (+310)
The only real concern bettors should have about this one is whether a slew of trades drastically reshape the order before Carolina picks at No. 19. Simply put, if the most explosive tight end, who also happens to be an excellent blocker, is available, the Panthers will bolster their offense without a second thought. Carolina's defense has been upgraded in free agency, and Bryce Young showed enough flashes to believe he's one dynamic weapon away from really clicking.
Jordyn Tyson Second WR Drafted (-160)
This one is as close to a sportsbook handing you cash as you'll find. Tyson has significant injury concerns but is talented enough that he would contend to be the top receiver in any other timeline. We have a minimum of seven viable suitors before Pick 18, and Carnell Tate is the only receiver anyone should view as an automatic selection in the top 15. Makai Lemon, who is undersized, lacks elite speed, and is coming off a round of awful interviews, is Tyson's primary competition to go next. Take the free money!
Related: 4 Biggest Boom-or-Bust Prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft
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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 4:04 PM.