The NFL Draft is a huge event for sports bettors, especially for NFL bettors who are starving for some action during the offseason. There are various ways you can bet on the NFL Draft and many opportunities for potential winnings if you wager wisely.
The upcoming 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Here’s an in-depth guide on how to bet on the NFL Draft 2026, from the best NFL Draft sportsbooks and welcome bonuses to the best NFL Draft betting markets and expert tips and strategies.
Top Sportsbooks for NFL Draft Betting
Different sportsbooks offer different betting options, especially for the NFL Draft. For example, at DraftKings, you can find an NFL Draft prop bet for “Total Offensive Lineman Selected in the First Round.” Other sportsbooks don't offer this wager type.
We recommend signing up for multiple NFL betting sites. This allows bettors to:
- Compare NFL Draft odds across sportsbooks
- Get access to more NFL Draft betting markets
- Take advantage of multiple sportsbook promos for the NFL Draft
Overall, we found that DraftKings has the best NFL Draft betting odds and markets. In fact, DraftKings offers over 50 NFL Draft prop bets and specials. DraftKings also leads the way with a $300 sign up bonus if your first wager wins. FanDuel, Bet365, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook round out our top five.
Top 5 NFL Draft Betting Sites
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- Caesars Sportsbook
Contents
- 1 Top Sportsbooks for NFL Draft Betting
- 2 Top 5 NFL Draft Betting Sites
- 3 How to Bet on NFL Draft 2026
- 4 Types of NFL Draft Bets
- 5 NFL Draft Betting: Best Strategies
- 6 NFL Draft Betting Preview & Odds Breakdown
- 7 Where Can I Bet on the NFL Draft?
- 8 Responsible Gambling
- 9 Recapping How to Bet on the 2026 NFL Draft
1. DraftKings
DraftKings is the current #1 sportsbook by market share, having narrowly passed FanDuel. It has a fairly good loyalty program and many promos and boosts, but its main draws are its incredibly smooth user experience and mobile app, and its guaranteed welcome bonus of bet $5 and get $300 if your first bet wins, without needing to enter the DraftKings promo code.
DraftKings offers highly competitive NFL Draft odds and the largest number of NFL Draft betting markets, including overall pick number odds, players drafted by odds, position props, NFL Draft team specials, and even Mr. Irrelevant odds. Overall, it is an excellent sportsbook, especially for casual sports bettors.
2. FanDuel
FanDuel is the next top dog after DraftKings. The popular sportsbook offers a $250 welcome bonus if your first bet wins. FanDuel is known for having one of the best user experiences, thanks to an expertly crafted mobile app.
FanDuel offers a solid NFL Draft betting experience. There are good odds, plenty of boosts and promos for existing users, and a decent bet selection. NFL Draft bettors can wager on the Number 1 Overall Pick, the Number 2 Overall Pick, the Number 3 Overall Pick, the position of each team's first drafted player, and the first player drafted at each position.
3. BetMGM
BetMGM prioritizes NFL betting opportunities, which means they go all-out for the NFL Draft. BetMGM Sportsbook offers highly competitive NFL Draft odds and plenty of variety when it comes to betting on the NFL draft for 2026. Bettors can wager on over 40 NFL Draft bets, such as picks 1 through 5, the position of the first player drafted by each team, and the first player drafted at each position.
BetMGM also offers a massive welcome bonus of up to $1500 back if your first bet loses and an excellent sportsbook loyalty program, BetMGM Rewards. There are also regular boosts and promos to take advantage of.
4. Caesars Sportsbook
The Caesars brand is among the most respected in the industry and has the best loyalty program, Caesars Rewards, which caters particularly well to high-volume sports bettors. Its NFL Draft betting options are solid but not great, with a decent selection of NFL Draft specials and props.
Caesars also offers a competitive welcome bonus. New users can use the Caesars Sportsbook promo code SFADYW to unlock ten 100% profit boost tokens that double their winnings on their next 10 bets. Caesars is one of the best NFL sportsbooks, thanks to its NFL live streaming during the season and regular NFL odds boosts.
5. Bet365
Bet365 is unique among the top NFL betting sites because it allows new users to choose between two offers: Bet $10, Get $200, or a $1,000 First Bet Safety Net. Use the Bet365 bonus code SFA365 to select the signup bonus that fits your betting strategy.
Although Bet365 does not have a loyalty program for its sportsbook, it offers frequent boosts and promos for all users. It also offers an incredible array of sports markets from leagues around the globe and a very nicely designed mobile app. Bet365 has great NFL Draft odds, but its selection of betting markets for the NFL Draft can't match DraftKings and FanDuel.
21+ only. New customers only. Min. $10 deposit and $10 bet required. Bonus paid as non-withdrawable site credit. The Bet365 bonus code ‘SFA365’ can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. | #Ad
How to Bet on NFL Draft 2026
Betting on the NFL Draft works pretty much like betting on any sporting event. Before we look at specific bet types, here’s a quick walkthrough of how to actually place a bet on the NFL Draft.
- Choose a sportsbook or multiple sportsbooks that offer NFL Draft betting (listed above).
- Sign up by installing the app or through the website and filling out their registration form.
- Verify your account and make a first deposit. Be sure to choose an amount that qualifies for their welcome bonus (the minimum is normally $10).
- Search for ‘NFL Draft’ in the sportsbook’s search bar or click on the ‘NFL' section.
- Choose the NFL Draft bet you prefer and place your wager.
- Track your bet in the bet slip.
Types of NFL Draft Bets
Betting on the NFL draft can be done in the Football or NFL section. You’ll find odds listed for specific picks, such as the first overall pick, the second overall pick, the third overall pick, etc. You’ll also find over/under bets for things like player draft positions and how many players will be selected by a certain team.
It’s somewhat like betting the moneyline or spread for a game since you’re betting on two possible outcomes, either the number a certain player gets selected or the over/under on a draft position.
Here are some of the best NFL Draft bets available right now at our top 5 NFL Draft sportsbooks:
- 1st overall pick
- # quarterback drafted (eg. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc)
- # running back drafted
- # wide receiver drafted (no Travis Hunter)
- # Defensive lineman drafted (no Abdul Carter)
- # Offensive lineman drafted
- # Tight end drafted
- Position of first drafted player by (team)
- Position of #1 pick
- First non-QB selected
- Last overall selection
This is not an extensive list, but these are the most common NFL Draft bets. As you can see, most of these bets depend on picking and betting on a player. For example, if you think Cam Ward -will go first overall in the NFL Draft (current heavy favorite at -2000 at DraftKings), you can select his name, determine your bet amount, and click “Place Bet.”
NFL Draft Betting: Best Strategies
It’s important to have a strategy when betting on anything, including the NFL Draft. Be methodical with your approach to betting on the NFL Draft 2026, and consider everything before placing your bets.
Tip #1: Follow Mock Drafts and Insider Info
News about the NFL Draft changes by the minute, so it's important to have your ear to the ground. Sports news and podcasts are valuable resources that can help you make better decisions. Follow the social media accounts of NFL Draft insiders like Lance Zierlein, Marc Sessler, Dame Brugler, and Ryan McCrystal.
Each team also has reporters and people close to the franchise who sometimes give hints about who the team might draft or which prospects they like best. Getting an early scoop means you can pounce on odds before they become less favorable.
Tip #2: Vet the Sources
Not all information is created equal. Vet the places you get your information from and ensure you’re getting tips from people who understand what they’re talking about. If you hear a rumor, see if you can confirm it through other sources.
Remember, GMs are ultimately the ones making the picks. Keep this in mind when predicting what they’ll do. They’re the ones whose opinion matters the most regarding the NFL Draft. So, any information should hopefully stem from them.
Tip #3: Shop Betting Markets & Odds
Some sportsbooks have dozens of betting markets for the NFL Draft, from the first overall pick and the first quarterback selected to less common props like the number of SEC Players Selected in the first Round and the Position of the First Drafted Player by the Miami Dolphins. Try to find an edge based on your knowledge and information.
It's also important to always compare odds across sportsbooks to maximize your bet's value. For example, DraftKings currently has EDGE David Bailey at +210 odds to be the second pick of the NFL Draft. However, FanDuel is offering much more value at +300.
Tip #4: Be Willing to Lay the Juice
Betting on a heavy favorite is the best move sometimes, and there’s nothing wrong with that. After all, the right move is the right move.
NFL Draft Betting Preview & Odds Breakdown
There are many betting markets available at top-rated sportsbooks for the NFL draft. The following guide will prepare you for what to expect from this year’s draft class, what you should know before placing your bets, current NFL Draft odds for top prospects, and some of the best NFL Draft prop bets.
Latest NFL Mock Draft
According to the NFL Insider Brendan Donahue, these are the top 10 picks going into the 2026 NFL Draft:
- No. 1 – Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)
- No. 2 – Jets – EDGE Arvell Reese (Ohio State)
- No. 3 – Cardinals – EDGE David Bailey (Texas Tech)
- No. 4 – Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
- No. 5 – Giants – LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State)
- No. 6 – Browns – WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State)
- No. 7 – Commanders – CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)
- No. 8 – Saints – EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami)
- No. 9 – Trade: Cowboys – S Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
- No. 10 – Bengals – CB Jermod McCoy (Tennessee)
But no matter how many draft experts weigh in, the NFL draft remains unpredictable—see the Falcons' curveball in 2024 when they took quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick despite signing Kirk Cousins to a 4-year deal worth $180 million in March. That’s why there can be great value in betting on the NFL draft every year.
Current NFL Draft Odds for No. 1 Pick
With the Raiders still holding onto the No. 1 pick, the heavy favorite to go first in the 2026 NFL draft is Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. These are the current odds for the No. 1 pick, according to DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Fernando Mendoza, Indiana QB (-20000)
- David Bailey, Texas Tech Edge (+9000)
- Arvell Reese, Ohio State Edge (+9000)
- Ty Simpson, Alabama QB (+9000)
- Rueben Bain Jr., Miami Edge (+20000)
Since Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite to go first, the betting market for the second quarterback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft is heating up. Ty Simpson is the betting favorite to hear his name called as the second quarterback selected in the draft at -2500, followed by Garrett Nussmeier (+1600) from LSU.
Best 2026 NFL Draft Betting Props and Specials
As we get closer to the start of the NFL Draft, more and more NFL Draft props and specials will become available at sportsbooks. DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM already have over 100 combined NFL Draft betting markets.
Here are some of the betting markets you can expect to find for the 2026 NFL draft:
- Successfully matching players to their exact draft slot (No. 1 pick, No. 2 pick, No. 3 pick, etc.)
- Successfully matching players to the team that drafts them
- Predicting the position that a team will draft with their first pick of the 2026 draft
- Over/under markets on a prospect’s draft slot
- Over/under on the number of offensive or defensive players drafted in the first round
- Over/under for how many players at a specific position get drafted in the first round
- Head-to-head bets on which player will get drafted higher
Where Can I Bet on the NFL Draft?
Although most states that allow betting on sports also allow betting on the NFL Draft, not all do. That’s because it isn’t technically a sporting event, so there’s some red tape involved where laws dictate that non-sporting events can’t be wagered on.
That said, here’s a list of all legal sports betting states and whether or not they allow NFL Draft betting:
| State | Legal Online NFL Draft Betting | In-Person NFL Draft Betting Only |
| Arizona | ✅ | ❌ |
| Arkansas | ✅ | ❌ |
| Colorado | ✅ | ❌ |
| Delaware | ✅ | ❌ |
| Florida | ✅ | ❌ |
| Illinois | ✅ | ❌ |
| Indiana | ✅ | ❌ |
| Iowa | ✅ | ❌ |
| Kansas | ✅ | ❌ |
| Louisiana | ✅ | ❌ |
| Maine | ✅ | ❌ |
| Maryland | ✅ | ❌ |
| Massachusetts | ✅ | ❌ |
| Michigan | ✅ | ❌ |
| Mississippi | ✅ | ❌ |
| Montana | ❌ | ✅ |
| Nebraska* | ❌ | ✅ |
| Nevada | ✅ | ❌ |
| New Hampshire | ✅ | ❌ |
| New Jersey | ✅ | ❌ |
| New Mexico* | ❌ | ✅ |
| North Carolina | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ohio | ✅ | ❌ |
| Oregon | ✅ | ❌ |
| Tennessee | ✅ | ❌ |
| Washington* | ❌ | ✅ |
| Washington D.C. | ✅ | ❌ |
| West Virginia | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wisconsin* | ❌ | ✅ |
| Wyoming | ✅ | ❌ |
| Connecticut | ❌ | ❌ |
| Kentucky | ❌ | ❌ |
| New York | ❌ | ❌ |
| Pennsylvania | ❌ | ❌ |
| Rhode Island | ❌ | ❌ |
| Vermont | ❌ | ❌ |
| Virginia | ❌ | ❌ |
NFL Draft Betting Restrictions
Some states that do allow NFL Draft betting have certain restrictions. Here are the restrictions you need to look out for by state.
- Arizona – No NFL Draft live betting allowed
- Iowa – No bets less than 24 hours before the Draft begins
- Nevada – Wagers on certain players must be placed 24 hours preceding round #1
- West Virginia – Sportsbooks stop accepting wagers the night before the Draft starts
Massachusetts, North Carolina, Tennessee, & Michigan – Users must submit pre-draft wagers before the Draft starts. Wagers on certain rounds have to be placed before that round begins. Bets on specific picks have to be placed two picks before.
Responsible Gambling
Betting on sporting events is supposed to be enjoyable, not a financial burden. If you ever feel that your betting habits have gone too far, contact a professional immediately. Call 1-800-GAMBLER to speak to someone who can help today.
Recapping How to Bet on the 2026 NFL Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft is set to be an exciting one, headlined by Fernando Mendoza, Arvell Reese, David Bailey, and Carnell Tate. The consensus first-overall pick is Mendoza, but there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding everything else.
NFL fans can wager on the draft at top sportsbooks across various betting markets, such as the No. 1 overall pick, what position each team will select, how many of a given position will go in the first round, and much more.