With this year's NFL Draft in the books, it's never too early to start pondering who the first pick in the 2026 will be. This page will be your home for 2026 NFL Draft information which is admittedly pretty scarce at the moment.
As we get closer to the 2026 NFL Draft, you'll find betting angles to consider from our experts.
Position of First Player Drafted Market
In 2025, the two picks we recommended in this space as the San Francisco 49ers did indeed draft a defensive lineman +210 (Mykel Williams) first and the Seattle Seahawks did select an offensive lineman -120 (Grey Zabul) first.
Stay tuned for more winners (hopefully) in 2026.
Betting Angles for the 2026 NFL draft
The 2025 draft just concluded but we already have our first look at odds for the 2026 NFL Draft's No. 1 overall pick. The five players with the shortest odds are all quarterbacks. Arch Manning has been installed as the favorite at +240 at FanDuel while Garrett Nussmeier is lurking behind him at +360. Drew Allar is +500, LaNorris Sellers is +650, and Cade Klubnik is +750.
The first non-QB on the odds menu is defensive lineman Keldric Faulk from Auburn.
It's easy to see why Manning is the favorite here and his name recognition doesn't hurt, but +240 isn't a great number especially considering injuries and the likelihood one of those other quarterbacks gives him a run for his money.
Where Can I bet on the NFL Draft?
Not everyone in a legalized state is able to wager on the NFL Draft. It's entirely possible that your friend logged into his FanDuel account in another state is able to bet on the NFL Draft, while you're sitting on your couch with with no NFL Draft options.
This chart below breaks down where you can and can't wager on the NFL Draft as of now. If a state allows sports betting, but has restrictions, that's noted in the last column on the right.
| State | Online Betting Legal? | NFL Draft Bets Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | No |
| Alaska | No | No |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes, but restriction on live betting the NFL Draft |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes |
| California | No | No |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes | No |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | Yes | Yes |
| Georgia | No | No |
| Hawaii | No | No |
| Idaho | No | No |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes, but betting closes 24 hours prior to the NFL Draft |
| Kansas | Yes | Yes |
| Kentucky | Yes | No |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes |
| Maine | Yes | Yes |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes, with some live NFL Draft bet restrictions. Wagers on a specific round needs to be placed before that round starts. Bets on a specific pick must be submitted 2+ picks in advance. |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes, with some live NFL Draft bet restrictions. Wagers on a specific round needs to be placed before that round starts. Bets on a specific pick must be submitted 2+ picks in advance. |
| Mississippi | Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota | No | No |
| Missouri | Yes | Yes |
| Montana | Yes | Yes |
| Nebraska | No, but in-person is legal | Yes, but only in-person at specific casinos |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes, but betting closes 24 hours prior to the NFL Draft for most Draft wagers |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes |
| New Mexico | No, but in-person is legal | Yes, but only in-person at specific casinos |
| New York | Yes | No |
| North Carolina | Yes | Yes, with some live NFL Draft bet restrictions. Wagers on a specific round needs to be placed before that round starts. Bets on a specific pick must be submitted 2+ picks in advance. |
| North Dakota | No, but in-person is legal | No |
| Ohio | Yes | Yes |
| Oklahoma | No | No |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | No |
| Rhode Island | Yes | No |
| South Carolina | No | No |
| South Dakota | Yes | No |
| Tennessee | Yes | Yes, with some live NFL Draft bet restrictions. Wagers on a specific round needs to be placed before that round starts. Bets on a specific pick must be submitted 2+ picks in advance. |
| Texas | No | No |
| Utah | No | No |
| Vermont | Yes | No |
| Virginia | Yes | No |
| Washington | Yes | Yes, but only in-person at specific casinos |
| Washington D.C. | Yes | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes, but they won't accept wagers about 24 hours in advance. |
| Wisconsin | No, but in-person is legal | Yes, but only in-person at specific casinos |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes |
NFL Draft Bet Types And Strategies
Betting on the NFL Draft usually means a wager on something happening in the First Round. Day 1 of the draft is a blast as the anticipation builds during the 15 minutes between each pick. Below is some advice to keep in mind whenever you bet on the NFL Draft.
How To sign Up for NFL Draft Betting Sites
Creating an account at the best NFL betting sites is as straightforward as signing up on most websites, with a few additional steps specific to sports betting. Here, we’ve laid out a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the sign-up process smoothly, from entering basic personal details to unlocking your welcome offer.
Make sure your state Allows NFL Draft Bets
See our table above to see if your state has banned NFL draft bets or not. If your state permits wagers on the NFL Draft, proceed to Step 2.
Identify a Sportsbook
Our Best NFL Betting Sites of 2025 page is a great place to help you find a sportsbook because it list the advantages of disadvantages of each and provides you with real feedback from actual customers.
Click The Link Register
Once your heart is set on a particular sportsbook, click the link for that sportsbook (located at the bottom of this page or via the Best NFL Betting Sites of 2025 page) and fill out personal information like yout name and address.
Verify ID
During the registration process, you'll need to verify your identification which often requires taking a photo of your government ID card like a driver's license.
Deposit
Next, you'll make a deposit so you have funds available to wager.
Bet on the NFL Draft
Now you're ready to wager so look for the "NFL" or "NFL Draft" section of the website and start wagering responsibly.
How Does The NFL Draft Work?
The NFL draft consists of the 32 teams of the National Football League welcoming in the newest crop of players. The order of the NFL draft is decided based on the previous year as the teams with the lowest winning percentage will have the highest draft pick slots.
The team with the worst record in the NFL the previous season will generally have the first overall pick and will be able to select any player eligible for the NFL draft. To be eligible to enter the draft, a player must be at least three years removed from high school.
With so many players on an active NFL roster, you are probably thinking “How many rounds are there in the NFL draft?” In the draft, there are seven rounds and the entire draft process plays out over a three-day span.
How Do NFL Draft Odds Work?
You’re generally deciding between two possible outcomes, either the OVER or UNDER on draft position, or the number of a certain position to be selected. The biggest difference is in picking from select groups of players to be chosen with the No. 1 pick or to be the top player selected at their position.
What Is A Draft Prop Bet?
When you bet on the NFL draft, you’re making a prop bet. Short for proposition, this is a bet on the occurrence or non-occurrence of certain player or team milestones that may not directly correlate to the outcome of a particular game. You can make this kind of bet as soon as draft odds are announced. If you see odds you like, jump on them quickly as the lines could move or be taken off the board.
Prop bets are fun side bets for established gamblers or those just learning how to bet on the NFL draft online and can involve just about anything. NFL draft props will range from:
- • Who will be the first wide receiver drafted?
- • Will any first-round draftee put on the wrong hat?
- • How many Pac-12 players will be drafted in the first round?
- • Who will the No. 1 pick hug first?
Live Draft Betting: Wagering While The Draft Is Unfolding
One of the greatest things about betting on the NFL draft, besides the potential to win money, is live betting. Just remember that some states (see table above) have restrictions on live betting during the NFL Draft.
Football wagering sites offer live odds and lines as the draft is going on, giving you the chance to bet on almost every selection. If a prospect gets drafted fifth overall instead of 12th as he was initially projected, then that will have an effect on live odds and lines with regard to the remaining selections.
Ways to Bet the NFL Draft
No. 1 Overall Pick
In a year with little doubt and odds of the first overall pick being -20000, this may not be the sexiest way to bet, but you can usually find more opportunity in this market earlier in the draft process.
Other Specific Picks (No. 3 overall)
Sportsbooks usually offer the opportunity to bet on players to go at a specific draft slot. That means if there's a trade, and a new team is selecting, the bet still counts.
Position of First Player Drafted
Often you can wager on which position a particular team will draft with its first pick. For instance, which position will the Atlanta Falcons select with their first draft pick and there will be odds for various positions.
First player drafted at a position
Who will be the first running back drafted? Who will be the first wide receiver drafted? I really like betting the offensive linemen market because often teams value different skillsets in linemen an you can find value down the board.
OVER/UNDER
The NFL Draft gives oddsmakers opportunities to get creative and we often see props that are unique. For instance an OVER/UNDER market for the number of players that are drafted from a particular school. More commonly though, you'll find OVER/UNDER odds for a players specific draft position. For example, will a player get drafted over/under (i.e. before/after) the 12th overall pick.
Tips for Betting the NFL Draft
Utilize X
Follow NFL teams’ beat writers along with plugged-in national reporters. It can be helpful to have a separate account for this so that you aren’t seeing other distracting non-lucrative content in your feed.
Beware of Fake News
It’s very common for random people to pretend they are specific writers or national reporters. People don’t look at their credentials and soon enough fake rumors are spreading. Another form of fake news is put out by teams to actual reporters as a smoke screen so other teams don’t realize how much they are locked in on a particular player.
Watch For Late Steam
It’s very common for random people to pretend they are specific writers or national reporters. People don’t look at their credentials and soon enough fake rumors are spreading. Another form of fake news is put out by teams to actual reporters as a smoke screen so other teams don’t realize how much they are locked in on a particular player.
Counter Limits with Multiple Books
Want to place a bet for $1,500 but your betting app or betting counter will only let you bet $250? You could make the bet at several places until you’ve hit your intended $1,500 bet. It’s a lot more work and can be a nuisance to open up new accounts, but there are benefits to doing so beyond the NFL draft, so consider it necessary sports betting hygiene.
Always Shop Around
Because liability will vary from one sportsbook to the next, you may see very different numbers on the same prop. Always shop around and make sure you’re getting the best number possible.
Be Greedy
If you know you have an edge on the sportsbook, be greedy and fire away. Obviously, use healthy betting habits and don’t bet what you’re afraid to lose, but NFL draft season is one of those rare times when something that seems too good to be true probably actually is true.
Target a specific Prop
Props like “How many RBs will be selected in the first round?” or “How many players from X School will be selected in the first round?” take a lot of research. Do your diligence and become an expert on one or two specific props because it’s actually realistic that, with diligence, you could know more about a specific prop than the guy who set the line.
NFL Draft Betting Sites
No books available.
How To Bet On The NFL Draft FAQ
Can I Bet On The NFL Draft?
Yes, you can bet on the NFL draft. You can wager on things like which player will be drafted first overall, who will be the first wide receiver selected, whether a particular player will go OVER/UNDER a certain draft position, or even the number of running backs who will get drafted.
How Many Rounds Are In The NFL Draft?
There are a total of seven rounds in the NFL draft. Teams are given 10 minutes to make each pick in the first round, seven minutes to make each selection in the second round, five minutes to make each pick in rounds 3 through 6, and four minutes for each pick in the seventh and final round.
How Long Does The NFL Draft Last?
The NFL draft is conducted over three days at an approximate total length of 13 to 14 hours. The first-round broadcast of the NFL draft lasts roughly three hours. Rounds 2 and 3 last around four hours, and rounds 4 through 7 of the NFL draft take anywhere from six to seven hours.
