The NFL Draft is one of the most anticipated events in American football, apart from the actual games. But what exactly is it? Essentially, the Draft is where college football players are selected to join professional teams, setting the stage for the upcoming season.
It’s a time of great excitement and speculation, with up-and-coming players being given the chance to prove themselves on the national stage.
These days, however, this excitement and speculation has made the NFL draft the ideal spot for betting. Indeed, betting on the NFL draft has grown in popularity over recent years, as fans look to test their knowledge and their predictions.
We’re going to provide an in-depth look at how betting on the Draft works, including some top tips and emerging trends.
Understanding NFL Draft Betting
Ordinary sports betting tends to be about wagering on game outcomes – things like overall wins and losses, points scored, goal scorers (so to speak) and more.
Betting on the NFL draft, however, is about predicting draft selections. This can include things like which player will be picked first overall, the positions in which the players will be selected and so much more.
Since the draft involves several variables – including who is picked, the positions in which they’re picked, the teams they’re selected for and the order in which they’re called – there are plenty of types of bets that can be made.
Here are some of the types of bets that can be made:
– 1st Overall Pick: Betting on which player will be the number one pick of the draft.
–Player Draft Position: Predicting the exact specifications of the draft position of a specific player.
–Over/Under Draft Position: Wagering on whether or not a player will be drafted earlier or later than a specified draft position.
–Team’s First Pick: Betting on which player a specific team will select as their number one pick.
–Position of the First Drafted Player: Predicting which position will be the first one chosen by a team – that is, quarterback, linebacker, etc.
Of course, knowing the types of bets that can be made is one thing, but it’s a lot more complicated than that. In order to make successful bets, you need to have a good understanding of current affairs within the NFL and college football.
Here are some top tips for being successful in betting on the NFL draft.
1. Do Your Research
Unlike playing games of chance at sites like Big Dollar casino, making successful predictions regarding the NFL draft requires thorough research. You need to keep up to date with mock drafts, player evaluations and analyses.
It’s about paying close and constant attention to college performances, combining results and pro-day showcases. Furthermore, you need to understand team needs and strategies in order to have an idea of what they may be looking for in new players.
2. Understand Team Needs
Naturally, teams draft players based on what they need, so knowing which positions each team is most likely to prioritise can guide the bets you make.
For instance, if a team is weak at the quarterback position, they’re more likely to draft a top quarterback prospect if one is available.
3. Bet Early
It can be tempting to wait until the last minute to place bets, as you’ll have the most possible information. However, the odds for draft bets change rapidly as the draft approaches and more information becomes available.
So, if you place your bets early, you’ll be able to lock in more favourable odds before they change due to circulating rumours and new insights.
4. Follow Inside Information
NFL insiders, journalists and analysts tend to have inside information, and this can be incredibly useful.
By following reputable sources on social media and reading reports written by these types of experts, you’ll be able to pick up clues about teams’ draft intentions.
However, you also need to be careful of falling victim to false rumours and cross-referencing information from multiple sources, so it’s all about weighing things up and knowing who and what to trust.
5. Monitor Player Stock Movement
Player stock tends to rise and fall based on pre-draft activities. Indeed, a strong performance at the NFL Combine or a positive medical report can help boost a player’s draft stock, while on the flip side, off-field injuries and issues can cause it to drop.
Keeping track of these fluctuations can help you make informed bets.
6. Consider Trends in Previous Drafts
Looking back in the history books can offer valuable insights into what a team may do. For instance, certain positions like quarterbacks and offensive tackles, tend to be drafted early.
So, understanding these historic trends can help you predict the different types of bets that are most likely to succeed.
7. Diversify Your Picks
Just like in any kind of betting, diversifying your wagers across different categories is preferable to placing all your money on a single bet. This approach increases your chances of winning and mitigates the risk of losing everything on one incorrect prediction.
8. Use Multiple Sportsbooks
Making use of several different sportsbook can offer bettors varying odds and lines for the same bet. Indeed, shopping around for the best possible odds can help maximise your potential returns. Also, it’s important to remember that some sportsbooks might provide unique betting options that aren’t available elsewhere.
Trends in NFL Draft Betting
–Rise of Quarterback Selections: Quarterbacks tend to be selected early, often within the first few picks.
– Skill Position Players Gaining Traction: Running backs and wide receivers have seen a rise in their draft positions.
– Increasing Focus on Offensive Linemen: There’s been an increase in protecting quarterbacks, so offensive linesmen tend to be selected early.
– Draft-Day Picks: Draft-day trades are becoming more common as teams do their best to secure their desired players.
–Influences of Combine and Pro-Day Performances: Both poor and outstanding performances have a significant impact on draft selections.
– Analytical Approach: Teams are increasingly using advanced analytics to make daft decisions, which means that they’re using more and more data-driven selections.
There you have it. Everything you need to know about betting on the NFL draft and which trends are driving bettor decisions.
