NFL Draft Odds 2021: How To Bet, Strategy & Mock Drafts
While last year’s NFL Draft was an unprecedented one during the coronavirus, as the draft was held virtually, the 2021 NFL Draft will take place as planned in Cleveland, Ohio. With legal sports betting booming in the United States, this becomes one of the more popular off-field sports betting markets available. Bettors in legal states can wager on which players will be drafted when, which players are drafted first at their position, and more. With dozens of NFL Draft betting markets, it becomes one of the more popular betting events of the year.
Let’s take a look at the NFL Draft order, our mock draft, the betting markets available, NFL Draft history and more.
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Time and Info – 2021 NFL Draft
Where: Cleveland, Ohio
When: Thursday, April 29 through Saturday, May 1
TV: ESPN, NFL Network, ABC
.@NFL Announces Plans for 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland:https://t.co/pzmWj3QOye
Activities to Take Place Around FirstEnergy Stadium, Including Free Fan Event
Select Prospects, Fans, Legends, Commish Goodell, Media & Networks On-Site in CLE Following COVID Protocols#NFLDraft
— NFL345 (@NFL345) March 22, 2021
Watch the NFL Draft – TV Schedule
Round 1 – Thursday, April 29, 8 PM EST
Rounds 2-3 – Friday, April 30, 7 PM EST
Rounds 4-7 – Saturday, May 1, Noon EST
ESPN & @ABCNetwork announce commentator teams for the 2021 @NFLDraft
Live from Cleveland, Ohio | April 29 – May 1
Details: https://t.co/zUykmpQqAR
🎥 ESPN #NFLDraft host @Espngreeny reflects on his new assignment pic.twitter.com/jzYy1veU00
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) March 24, 2021
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2021 NFL Draft Order
A look at the updated NFL Draft order for the first round.
| Draft Pick | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2 | New York Jets |
| 3 | San Francisco (via MIA via HOU) |
| 4 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 5 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 6 | Miami Dolphins (via PHI) |
| 7 | Detroit Lions |
| 8 | Carolina Panthers |
| 9 | Denver Broncos |
| 10 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 11 | New York Giants |
| 12 | Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA via SF) |
| 13 | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 14 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 15 | New England Patriots |
| 16 | Arizona Cardinals |
| 17 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 18 | Miami Dolphins |
| 19 | Washington Football Team |
| 20 | Chicago Bears |
| 21 | Indianapolis Colts |
| 22 | Tennessee Titans |
| 23 | New York Jets (via SEA) |
| 24 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 25 | Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR) |
| 26 | Cleveland Browns |
| 27 | Baltimore Ravens |
| 28 | New Orleans Saints |
| 29 | Green Bay Packers |
| 30 | Buffalo Bills |
| 31 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 32 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
First Overall Pick NFL Draft Odds
Here is a look at the odds for which player will be selected first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
| Player | First Overall Pick Odds |
|---|---|
| Trevor Lawrence | -10000 |
| Zach Wilson | +1600 |
| Justin Fields | +3300 |
| Penei Sewell | +6600 |
| Trey Lance | +8000 |
| Mac Jones | +10000 |
| Ja'Marr Chase | +20000 |
| Kyle Pitts | +20000 |
| Rashawn Slater | +20000 |
| Patrick Surtain | +25000 |
Second Overall Pick Odds
After Trevor Lawrence presumably goes first, the second pick odds are as follows:
- Zach Wilson (-5000)
- Justin Fields (+1600)
- Trey Lance (+3300)
- Trevor Lawrence (+3300)
- Kyle Pitts (+3300)
- Mac Jones (+5000)
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NFL Draft First Running Back Taken Odds
For the first running back to be taken, the odds are very close. Here is a look:
- Najee Harris (-150)
- Travis Etienne (+150)
- Javonte Williams (+400)
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First Wide Receiver Drafted Odds
Will Ja’Marr Chase be the first receiver drafted? The latest odds from DraftKings:
- Ja’Marr Chase (-625)
- Jaylen Waddle (+600)
- DeVonta Smith (+700)
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First Offensive Lineman Drafted Odds
While there is a heavy favorite to be taken first at the lineman position, there is still a betting market available.
- Penei Sewell (-500)
- Rashawn Slate (+300)
- Christian Darrisaw (+3300)
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Four QBs in a row to start 2021 NFL Draft?
There is growing buzz that there will be four straight quarterbacks to start the 2021 NFL Draft. As Field Yates tweeted here, that is extremely rare.
21 days until the 2021 NFL Draft.
QBs frequently top the draft, with potential history to be made this year: we could see QBs taken with the first 4 picks for the first time in the Common Draft Era. pic.twitter.com/AXJpFS5UF1
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 8, 2021
The general consensus is leaning this way though, as it looks to be Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, then Justin Fields as the first four picks in the NFL Draft. This is great news for teams like the Bengals who already have their quarterback, as they will have a choice of Penei Sewell, Kyle Pitts, and others at the five spot.
San Francisco 49ers Trade Up to #3, Eagles Trade Back
Filed to ESPN: Dolphins trading No. 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 12 pick, a 2021 third-round pick (SF’s comp pick for Robert Saleh hiring) and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, per sources.
Blockbuster deal with massive ramifications for years to come.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2021
It’s already happening. The speculation has begun, as the 49ers have traded two future first round picks and #12 overall to move up to #3. This almost assures the 49ers are taking a quarterback. This means two things:
- Where is Jimmy G going?
- Who will be the 49ers QB?
Eagles traded their sixth to the Dolphins for No. 12 and their 2022 first-round pick. Teams also swapped mid-round picks — Eagles' pick 156 for No. 123.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2021
The Dolphins then traded back up, and now have the sixth pick while the Eagles pick 12th.
NFL Comp Picks Announced
With NFL rules permitting teams to receive compensation picks, there are always nearly three dozen or more awarded each year. Here’s a look at the 2021 NFL compensation picks.
.@NFL Announces 36 Compensatory Draft Choices to 17 Clubs: https://t.co/XfQU7u2r01
— NFL345 (@NFL345) March 10, 2021
Per NFL communications, here are the compensation draft choices for this year’s NFL Draft, by round and overall selection.
Round 3 Comp Picks
There were 10 round three comp picks awarded for this year’s draft, here’s a look.
- Patriots (96)
- Chargers (97)
- Saints (98)
- Cowboys (99)
- Titans (100)
- Rams (101
- 49ers (102)
- Rams (103)
- Ravens (104)
- Saints (105)
Round 4 Comp Picks
There were seven fourth-round comp picks awarded this year, here they are:
- Cowboys (138)
- Patriots (139)
- Steelers (140)
- Rams (141)
- Packers (142)
- Vikings (143)
- Chiefs (144)
The remaining compensation picks take place in the fifth and six rounds, from picks 177 to 183 and 216 to 227. Here they are.
Top 2021 NFL Draft Prospects
There is a massive selection of top-tier NFL prospects available for the 2021 NFL Draft, but here is a quick look at three of the top players available.
Trevor Lawrence Scouting Report
Lawrence was destined to go number one for years and is one of the best NFL prospects of all time. Here is why.
Justin Fields Scouting Report
Fields may be the second QB taken, but does he have the best tools in the class? Here is his highlight reel.
Ja’Marr Chase Scouting Report
Chase did not play in 2020, but here is his highlights from the impressive 2019 CFB season where LSU went undefeated.
How To Bet on the NFL Draft
Betting on the NFL Draft will be very easy for legal sportsbooks when the time comes, in 4 states that have NFL draft betting online available via mobile apps. Currently on sportsbooks like DraftKings Sportsbook, you can bet who will be drafted #1 overall. Expect there to be a large market of prop bets to bet on when the draft approaches. The most popular style of betting for the NFL Draft looks like this (examples only):
- Kyle Pitts draft position – 8.5 (over or under)
- Zach Wilson as second quarterback taken (+150)
- Which of the two players is drafted higher between Player X and Player Y?
- Who is the first wide receiver drafted?
- How many QBs taken in the first round (4.5)
These types of bets allow for a vast selection of betting for NFL Draft fans and bettors alike.
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DraftKings Sportsbook NFL Draft Betting Markets
Some of the current betting markets available for the NFL Draft on DraftKings Sportsbook are:
- 1st Overall Pick
- 2nd Overall Pick
- 1st Round Picks by Position
- 1st Pick by Position
- Cornerback
- Defensive Lineman
- Linebacker
- Offensive Lineman
- Quarterback
- Running Back
- Safety
- Tight End
- Wide Receiver
- Second QB Drafted
- Third QB Drafted
- Position of Mr. Irrelevant (last overall pick)
- Total QB Taken in First Round
- Draft Position Props
- and more!
In addition, you can find DraftKings Sportsbook having some special bets such as the exact top three in the draft. After the Super Bowl, the NFL Draft is the most attractive betting market for many bettors.
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2021 NFL Mock Draft Predictions
A look at our NFL Mock Draft for the 2021 NFL Draft.
| Draft Pick | Team | Selection |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson |
| 2 | New York Jets | Zach Wilson, QB, BYU |
| 3 | San Francisco 49ers (via MIA via HOU) | Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State |
| 4 | Atlanta Falcons | Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State |
| 5 | Cincinnati Bengals | Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon |
| 6 | Miami Dolphins (via PHI) | Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU |
| 7 | Detroit Lions | DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama |
| 8 | Carolina Panthers | Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida |
| 9 | Denver Broncos | Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech |
| 10 | Dallas Cowboys | Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State |
| 11 | New York Giants | Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama |
| 12 | Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) | Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern |
| 13 | Los Angeles Chargers | Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama |
| 14 | Minnesota Vikings | Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech |
| 15 | New England Patriots | Mac Jones, QB, Alabama |
| 16 | Arizona Cardinals | Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina |
| 17 | Las Vegas Raiders | Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan |
| 18 | Miami Dolphins | Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami |
| 19 | Washington Football Team | Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC |
| 20 | Chicago Bears | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame |
| 21 | Indianapolis Colts | Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| 22 | Tennessee Titans | Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama |
| 23 | New York Jets (via SEA) | Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota |
| 24 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Wyatt Davis, OL, Ohio State |
| 25 | Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR) | Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami |
| 26 | Cleveland Browns | Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU |
| 27 | Baltimore Ravens | Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida |
| 28 | New Orleans Saints | Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU |
| 29 | Green Bay Packers | Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue |
| 30 | Buffalo Bills | Najee Harris, RB, Alabama |
| 31 | Kansas City Chiefs | Landon Dickerson, OL, Alabama |
| 32 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson |
Latest NFL Draft Big Board
Here is a look at Action Rush’s updated NFL Draft Big Board, with our Top 25 Prospects.
| Rank | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trevor Lawrence | QB | Clemson |
| 2 | Penei Sewell | OT | Oregon |
| 3 | Kyle Pitts | TE | Florida |
| 4 | Ja'Marr Chase | WR | LSU |
| 5 | Justin Fields | QB | Ohio State |
| 6 | Rashawn Slater | OL | Northwestern |
| 7 | Micah Parsons | LB | Penn State |
| 8 | Caleb Farley | CB | Virginia Tech |
| 9 | Jaylen Waddle | WR | Alabama |
| 10 | DeVonta Smith | WR | Alabama |
| 11 | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | LB | Notre Dame |
| 12 | Zach Wilson | QB | BYU |
| 13 | Christian Darrisaw | OT | Virginia Tech |
| 14 | Trey Lance | QB | North Dakota State |
| 15 | Patrick Surtain II | CB | Alabama |
| 16 | Najee Harris | RB | Alabama |
| 17 | Zaven Collins | LB | Tulsa |
| 18 | Mac Jones | QB | Alabama |
| 19 | Jaycee Horn | CB | South Carolina |
| 20 | Alijah Vera-Tucker | OL | USC |
| 21 | Wyatt Davis | OL | Ohio State |
| 22 | Rashod Bateman | WR | Minnesota |
| 23 | Kwity Paye | DE | Michigan |
| 24 | Travis Etienne | RB | Clemson |
| 25 | Creed Humphrey | OL | Oklahoma |
Team Needs for the NFL Draft
A look at the updated team needs for each NFL team heading into the NFL Draft.
| NFL Team | Team Needs |
|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | OL, DB |
| Chicago Bears | QB, OL, DB |
| Cincinnati Bengals | OL, DL, LB |
| Buffalo Bills | RB, DL, DB |
| Denver Broncos | RB, QB, DL, OL |
| Cleveland Browns | DL, LB, DB |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | RB |
| Arizona Cardinals | OL, DT, LB |
| Los Angeles Chargers | OL, DL, DB |
| Kansas City Chiefs | OL, DB |
| Indianapolis Colts | WR, DL, DB |
| Dallas Cowboys | QB, OL, DL, DB |
| Miami Dolphins | RB, WR, OL, DL |
| Philadelphia Eagles | DL, WR, OL, LB, DB |
| Atlanta Falcons | RB, DL, DB |
| New York Giants | WR, OL, DE, LB |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | QB, DL, DB |
| New York Jets | RB, WR, OL, DB |
| Detroit Lions | QB, WR, OL, DL |
| Green Bay Packers | WR, DL, DB |
| Carolina Panthers | QB, OL, DL, LB, DB |
| New England Patriots | QB, WR, TE, OL, DE/LB |
| Las Vegas Raiders | DL, LB, DB |
| Los Angeles Rams | OL |
| Baltimore Ravens | WR, DB |
| Washington Redskins | QB, OL, LB, DB |
| New Orleans Saints | QB, WR, DB |
| Seattle Seahawks | RB, OL, DL |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | RB, TE, OL, DB |
| Houston Texans | WR, DL, LB |
| Tennessee Titans | WR, TE, DB |
| Minnesota Vikings | WR, OL, DL |
NFL Draft History
A look at some history for past NFL Drafts, to help aid your betting research.
First Overall Picks
Here is the first overall pick for each of the last 21 NFL Draft classes, since the turn of the century.
| Year | Team | Selection | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | QB |
| 2019 | Arizona Cardinals | Kyler Murray | QB |
| 2018 | Cleveland Browns | Baker Mayfield | QB |
| 2017 | Cleveland Browns | Myles Garrett | DE |
| 2016 | Los Angeles Rams | Jared Goff | QB |
| 2015 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Jameis Winston | QB |
| 2014 | Houston Texans | Jadeveon Clowney | DE |
| 2013 | Kansas City Chiefs | Eric Fisher | OT |
| 2012 | Indianapolis Colts | Andrew Luck | QB |
| 2011 | Carolina Panthers | Cam Newton | QB |
| 2010 | St. Louis Rams | Sam Bradford | QB |
| 2009 | Detroit Lions | Matthew Stafford | QB |
| 2008 | Miami Dolphins | Jake Long | OT |
| 2007 | Oakland Raiders | JaMarcus Russell | QB |
| 2006 | Houston Texans | Mario Williams | DE |
| 2005 | San Francisco 49ers | Alex Smith | QB |
| 2004 | San Diego Chargers | Eli Manning | QB |
| 2003 | Cincinnati Bengals | Carson Palmer | QB |
| 2002 | Houston Texans | David Carr | QB |
| 2001 | Atlanta Falcons | Michael Vick | QB |
| 2000 | Cleveland Browns | Courtney Brown | DE |
NFL Draft Facts
- Since 2009, nine of the last 12 #1 overall picks have been quarterbacks.
- The NFL Draft was held in New York City from 1965 until 2015.
- Chicago hosted the 2015 and 2016 NFL Draft(s), while Philadelphia, Dallas, and Nashville hosted in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively.
- Only two first round picks have been forfeited in history, both by the New England Patriots (2008 and 2016 for cheating).
- The 2021 NFL Draft will take place from April 29th to May 1st.
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NFL DRAFT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the dates for the 2021 NFL Draft?
The NFL Draft will take place in Cleveland, Ohio from April 29th to May 1st, 2021
What time does the NFL Draft Start?
The start time for Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 29 is 8 p.m. ET. The start time for Rounds 2-3 of the NFL Draft, scheduled to take place Friday, is 7 p.m. ET. The start time for Day 3 of the NFL Draft, which includes Rounds 4-7, is 12 p.m. ET.
How Can I Watch The NFL Draft?
ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network will air all 7 rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. You can live stream the NFL Draft via the ESPN app and NFL app.
Which team has the first pick in the NFL Draft?
The Jacksonville Jaguars have the 1st pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. They are projected to draft Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence
Can I Legally Bet on the NFL Draft?
Yes, the following states offer online sports betting sites and mobile apps: New Jersey, Indiana, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Colorado, Illinois, Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee, and more soon
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