A Comprehensive Guide to Betting on NFL Draft Matchups

• The first round of the NFL Draft begins tonight at 8pm ET from Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, WI
• Edge James Pearce Jr has major character concerns according to multiple NFL insiders
• See all the NFL Draft matchup odds and picks, below

The NFL Draft is finally here. An avalanche of news has dropped in the last few days alone, wildly shifting all the Draft related betting markets. As it stands Thursday morning, most of those markets now boast very efficient lines, but there’s a much smaller category that still offers some value.

NFL Draft Player Matchups & Odds

That’s the NFL Draft matchups market released by DraftKings and FanDuel. A week ago, there were six bets to choose from, but the list has been dwindled down to four. My favorite target is Jalen Milroe versus James Pearce Jr., at a very attractive +250 price tag in the NFL Draft odds.

Odds as of April 24th at DraftKings and FanDuel. Claim the DraftKings promo code before making any NFL Draft bets.

NFL Draft Matchup Bet #1: Jalen Milroe Over James Pearce Jr.

We’ll get to Milroe in a second, but first let’s hit on Pearce Jr. The Tennessee Edge is perhaps a top-10 talent, but he has major character issues according to industry experts. Draft Guru Todd McShay says he has more than a page of notes on Pearce regarding his attitude and on-field drive. His maturity has been brought into question, and it doesn’t help that he has an arrest in his past as well.

Top-5 Edge Grades per PFF

Pearce Jr.’s stock has been falling to the point where he’s now just a small favorite to be a 1st Round pick. Milroe on the other hand, is an ascending player. Teams love his elite athleticism and dual-threat ability, viewing him as a Lottery ticket.

The floor may be low, but the ceiling is sky-high. He’s been working with QB Guru Jordan Palmer to fix his mechanics, which will hopefully address accuracy concerns. At one point, Milroe was a longshot to be a top-32 pick. Now he sits at +190 to be a top-32 selection, and he’s been invited to the Draft.

In a year that’s lacking elite talent, I think teams would rather bet on the ceiling of Milroe, instead of the character concerns of someone like Pearce Jr.

• Jalen Milroe Over James Pearce Jr. (+250)

NFL Draft Matchup Bet #2: Luther Burden III Over Trey Amos

Our second wager is also available at juicy plus-money odds. I’m betting Luther Burden III is taken ahead of Trey Amos, as his ceiling is quite a bit higher.

Neither is likely to hear their name called tonight, so this wager will likely be settled on Day 2. However, if one of them gets selected in the 1st Round, Burden is the more likely candidate.

The Mizzou wideout is flying under the radar for a couple reasons. For starters, he dealt with injuries off and on last season. That hindered his production, so his Junior stats look nothing like his sophomore numbers. He’s also not an overwhelming specimen, and some have questioned his ability to line up outside of the slot.

Let’s address both concerns. The entire Missouri offense took at step back last year. Burden caught only 61 balls for 676 yards, and 6 TD. The year before, he racked up 86 catches, for 1,212 yards and 9 TD.

Here’s a kid who was the top wide receiver prospect in the state of Missouri out of high school. He’s got above average speed, and is an absolute technician as a route runner. Regardless of where he lines up, he creates separation and wins in the intermediate and deep levels of the field.

He may be a bit undersized to play on the outside, but his best comp is Brandin Cooks, a six-time 1,000 yard receiver. Pro Football Focus has him graded 15th overall, ahead of every traditional wideout in this class except Tetairoa McMillan. He’s great after the catch, and I’m betting teams will trust the ceiling on display in his sophomore tape.

As for Amos, he’s a safe, pick but profiles as a number-two corner in the league. His explosiveness and speed are unspectacular, while he allows separation a little too easily according to scouts.

With both players projected to be early Day-2 picks, this bet should be much closer to even money. I’ll gladly take the value on Burden.

• Luther Burden III Over Trey Amos (+120)

The NFL Draft is one of the most highly anticipated events in the world of professional football. It is a time when teams have the opportunity to improve their rosters by selecting top college prospects. While most fans focus on the players being drafted, there is also a growing interest in betting on the draft itself.

One popular form of betting on the NFL Draft is through matchups. This involves placing bets on which player will be selected first at a particular position, or which player will be drafted before another player. Betting on draft matchups can add an extra layer of excitement to the already thrilling event.

To help you navigate the world of betting on NFL Draft matchups, here is a comprehensive guide to get you started:

1. Understand the Odds: Like any form of sports betting, it is important to understand how odds work. Odds for draft matchups are typically displayed in a similar format to other sports bets, such as +150 or -200. A positive number indicates the underdog, while a negative number indicates the favorite.

2. Research the Prospects: To make informed bets on draft matchups, it is crucial to do your homework on the top prospects in each position. Look at mock drafts, scouting reports, and expert analysis to get a sense of which players are likely to be selected early in the draft.

3. Consider Team Needs: Teams often draft based on their specific needs, so it is important to consider which teams are in need of a particular position. For example, if a team is in desperate need of a quarterback, they are more likely to select a quarterback early in the draft.

4. Monitor Draft Rumors: Leading up to the draft, there will be plenty of rumors and speculation about which players teams are targeting. Pay attention to these rumors as they can provide valuable insight into potential draft matchups.

5. Shop Around for the Best Odds: Just like with any form of sports betting, it is important to shop around for the best odds before placing your bets. Different sportsbooks may offer different odds on draft matchups, so be sure to compare before making your wager.

6. Bet Responsibly: As with any form of gambling, it is important to bet responsibly and within your means. Set a budget for your draft matchup bets and stick to it. Remember that betting on the NFL Draft is meant to add excitement to the event, not as a way to make money.

By following this comprehensive guide to betting on NFL Draft matchups, you can enhance your viewing experience and potentially win some money along the way. Good luck and happy betting!