NFL Draft Props Can Win You Coin

Even the recreational football bettor knows that there is more to bet than just sides and totals. That’s right, proposition wagers are growing in popularity but what many casual punters don’t know is that there are props on Thursday’s NFL draft. Let’s take a look at a few.

The Draft’s Most Interesting Man

Come on down Shaquem Griffin, because you are indeed the most interesting, and impressive, player in the 2018 NFL draft. As many of you may already know, Griffin was an All-American standout linebacker at the University of Central Florida and named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year. And by the way, he did all of this without the services of a left hand as a result of a birth defect. Griffin enters the draft after an impressive NFL Combine and accompanied by his twin brother Shaquill, who plays for the Seattle Seahawks. Shaquem Griffin downplays his handicap and insists that his merit an outstanding football player should be the story and not his “disability”.

Well, he has a point because he has proven to be a dominant force on the gridiron regardless of the incessant chatter concerning his miraculous triumph over adversity. It’s an improbable feel-good story, but Griffin would prefer to be viewed as a damn good football player whose success warrants a high pick in the draft as opposed to being patronized for his disability first and lauded for his athletic achievements second. However, the truth of the matter is that third-round prospects are not routinely invited by the commissioner to attend the draft. But Griffin was and there’s no secret why. With that said, if you shop around at the Sportsbook Review’s best online sportsbooks there’s a prop out there for the last draft invitee to be taken. Who knows, if the moon and stars align, Shaquem Griffin could be making tackles in a Titans uniform next season!

Last player selected of NFL Draft invitees

Shaquem Griffin, LB, Central Florida +150

Derrius Guice, RB, LSU +500

Connor Williams, OT, Texas +800

Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa +1500

Taven Bryan, DT, Florida +1500

Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA +2500

Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State +2500

Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville +2500

Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama +2750

Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA +3000

Vita Vea, DT, Washington +3000

Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville +3000

Derwin James, S, Florida State +4500

Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech +4500

Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia +4500

Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State +5700

Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA +5700

Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State +5700

Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming +7500

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State +7500

Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama +7500

Sam Darnold, QB, USC +12000

Who Will Be the First Overall Pick?

Sam Darnold -240

Josh Allen +160

Saquon Barkley +550

Baker Mayfield +1000

Josh Rosen +1800

Bradley Chubb +4500

Sam Darnold will be a Cleveland Brown unless that beleaguered and moribund franchise trades away the top pick in the draft. The oddsmakers are offering Darnold at -240, which would be a steal if we knew for certain that Cleveland would be picking in the No. 1 spot. Regardless, any team willing to pay a hefty sum for that opportunity may also be enamored with the big kid with the big arm out of USC. But make sure you head on over to Sportsbook Review, the sports betting industry’s watchdog, to see if there are even better odds at the world’s top online sportsbooks.

Will the Top Three Picks All be Quarterbacks?

Yes – Even

No --140

Now there’s an interesting prop we can sink our teeth into, but the reflexive response may not be the right one as evidenced by the odds. At least my intuitive reaction is that the Browns, Giants, and Jets (from Indianapolis) all need a big-time signal caller. But the Giants are the fly in the ointment as they have an aging and indeed fading quarterback in Eli Manning. Big Blue could very well pluck Penn State’s running back sensation Saquon Barkley in the second spot but if Cleveland goes rogue and selects Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen, leaving Sam Darnold hanging, then New York could very well draft Eli’s heir apparent.

NFL Draft Position: Bradley Chubb

Over 4.5 -125

Under 4.5 -115

There could very well be a domino effect if the first five picks are a combination of four quarterbacks and running back Saquon Barkley. The Indianapolis Colts’ brass would be salivating at No. 6, knowing that they landed the best chaos maker in the draft and added three of the Jets’ second round picks (37th and 49th in this year’s draft and one in 2019) to boot. Andrew Luck is firmly ensconced under center for the foreseeable future, although his brittle body may ultimately derail those long term plans, thus eliminating any need to pick a quarterback at this spot. I think it’s safe to say Indianapolis fans would be thrilled to welcome Bradley Chubb into the Colts herd.