Bet Chicago Logo
  • NFL6AxA8ZrrIkUCay6Iekgs6k

    NFL news, odds, lines and wagering analysis

  • College FootballbW88wLUtXMeaeEOikGsU4

    College Football Betting

  • NBA6u9BKVTY2ckW2iOMgUiwyc

    NBA Betting Lines, Odds, Spreads and Wagering Analysis from BetChicago

  • NCAA BBgNg3S92MjCKu0CAOYwiWg

    NCAA Basketball Betting Lines, Odds, Spreads and Analysis

    • Home
    • News
    • Schedule
    • Futures
    • Standings
  • Podcasts2178mk1KlAoY7g2jH8KrMz

    Football betting podcasts

  • MLB5nf5uAz2yAo6IMAsckq8Qa

    MLB Betting Lines, Odds and Wagering and Fantasy Analysis

    • Home
    • News
    • Scoreboard
    • Schedule
    • Standings
    • Odds
  • Golf7A0eylzER2uqQY2kcQqyWS

    Golf Betting

    • Home
    • News
    • Leaderboard
    • Schedule
    • World Rankings
    • Odds
  • ...
    • Sports Betting Industry News5bPejKTlZeuEsG42oyeCGe

      Sports Betting Industry News

    • Betting Guides4NyqzWkxBQXcG58JmZBGxp

      Sports betting glossaries, tutorials on advanced metrics and more

    • Soccer7d0trXzol2uICOEoIqs0Ea

      Soccer Betting News

    • NASCAR2nwagNnke8E0Q0kce2UI2M

      NASCAR Betting News, Information and Insight

    • Horse Racing1cG3403troWKYKqu8yAMuE

      Horse Racing News, Odds and Picks

    • UFC2FbKCPn5duoQeCMGMYgKEo

      UFC and MMA Betting

    • BoxingO0rvFyckMMMiG6eYKGaOc

      BetChicago Boxing Coverage

    • NHLrsDGYfODbqOaqYKaww4iq

      NHL Betting Lines, Odds and Analysis

    • Politics and election oddsnSyqwIVtZNj6DuXjn0SLb

      Odds and betting information for U.S. elections

    • Entertainment4gzKSgVG64EI2yEU2CYGOY

      Entertainment Betting Lines, Odds and Analysis

    • Fantasy Football7BTPbPIdu8iaYiiE46IQok

      Fantasy Football Analysis

    • Tennis4EpTm7Ht8sMK4g8CKwQCe0

      Tennis Odds and Betting Analysis

    • Home1GbgAvLoZC4E44cMUg2YMe

      BetChicago - Illinois | Sports Betting News, Odds, Lines, & Contests

NFL

2020 NFL Draft betting report: Sharp action offers clues into first round; wagers to consider

2020 NFL Draft betting report: Sharp action offers clues into first round; wagers to consider

For a few hours on Thursday evening, life is going to feel like it’s back to normal for sports bettors when the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off.

Mike Roselli
Staff Writer
//images.ctfassets.net/p0ykbbcw3bn6/7b8fatnt0savYXQpGjUFZX/00e35d26bfd9811ce1d5a2a0dbf573cd/14344275_10104074638428869_4255770574277636484_n.jpg
5uL6zMR4FAmrEHinreudvt
@michaelroselli
Mike Roselli is a Chicago-based attorney and sports analyst. He runs "The Doggy Juice Podcast" - an analytics-driven podcast that updates listeners on state-by-state sports betting legalization and helps them find value on the betting boards.
For a few hours Thursday evening, life is going to feel like it’s back to normal for sports bettors. Well, as normal as it can be in these circumstances. When the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off via videoconference at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network – instead of the sunny Las Vegas Strip as [originally planned](https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/nfl-draft/nfl-cancels-draft-plans-in-las-vegas-1982346/) – bettors and bookies will square off, sweating out wagers as player names are announced off of cue cars. Even though fans will have to watch it from their couches, the Thursday-to-Saturday event is a much-needed reprieve while the nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Bettors have had several weeks to attack the NFL Draft props markets, and with a very limited amount of sports to wager on during this time, the 2020 version of one of pro football’s biggest nights is seeing unprecedented fan interest. By taking mobile action on these softer betting markets based entirely on information, oddsmakers have had to remain on their toes, needing to stay on top of tons of new information constantly being churned out in the social mediaverse and beyond. Booking the NFL Draft has always been a challenge for oddsmakers. In previous years, some have determined that the considerable amount of time and energy required to stay on top of all the news amounts to just too much of a headache. In other words, the ends don't justify the means. All it takes is one oddsmaker to fall asleep at the wheel for bettors to flock in and take advantage of a stale line or a mispricing. Such markets provide plenty of opportunities for those who act with catlike swiftness, allowing them to get ahead of some wild line moves. __Doggy Juice Podcast:__ [Quarantine Quick Hitters](https://www.betchicago.com/doggy-juice-podcast-episode-82-quarantine-quick-hitters) ## A volatile quarterback market After sitting at odds of 6/1 or higher to be the second quarterback selected, steam on Oregon QB Justin Herbert made him the betting favorite at some sportsbooks to be the second gunslinger off the board before the market changed course midweek, when Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa – whose stock had seen a corresponding drop amid [injury concerns](https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-tua-tagovailoa-injury-225626132.html) – was backed by optimistic bettors. On Wednesday morning at William Hill, where Tagovailoa’s draft position is among the five most popular prop bets ahead of Thursday’s event, the 22-year-old from Hawaii had gone from a 7/1 longshot to a -130 favorite to be the third QB selected. But by Wednesday night, Herbert was -140 in the same market, with Tua at even-money. Herbert’s draft position has also attracted plenty of betting action. The Pac-12 standout's OVER/UNDER was 5.5 (OVER -235) at FanDuel Sportsbook at the turn of the month, but optimism has seen the juice on the OVER drop substantially, flipping to plus-money for a while. At the time of this publication, FanDuel is offering Herbert at 5.5 (OVER -140/UNDER +120). ## First round QB and WR props attract betting interest Bettors are drawn to the skill positions, and this year they are not shying away from wagering on props involving quarterbacks and wide receivers. The notion that the 2020 Draft features one of the deepest WR classes of all time has led to many wagers on the number of pass-catchers taken in the first round. With a run on WRs expected to come Thursday night, some mock drafts are projecting even six to seven to go in the opening round. Quarterbacks are also seeing their fair share of betting interest. As of Wednesday afternoon, the largest NFL Draft bet taken at William Hill was a $4,000 wager to win $1,000 on OVER 3 quarterbacks drafted in the first round. At Caesars sportsbooks, QBs taken in the first round closed at 4 (UNDER -130/OVER even money), "with some early money going UNDER 4.5 to force us down," Senior Sports Trader Rex Beyers told BetChicago via email Wednesday evening. "There has been decent 2-way to that market since." According to Beyers, the 'QBs taken in the first round' prop is a popular attraction again this year just like it was in 2019, "when it seemed four QBs were a cinch to go yet only three got drafted on Thursday night." ## Sharp action provides clues on Lions' plan at No. 3 With LSU's Joe Burrow expected to go No. 1 to the Bengals and Ohio State's Chase Young No. 2 to the Redskins, all eyes are on the Detroit Lions at No. 3. Guessing what GM Bob Quinn does when it's his turn to pick has been a popular topic of conversation. A look at the betting market may offer some clues. "We have a couple of multi-way props that might be telling," Beyers told BetChicago vie email. "We have an exact order of first three drafted players where 'Burrow/Young/Herbert' drew a little sharp action, perhaps indicating someone might trade up with Lions to draft Herbert at 3. And for our 'Third Pick Overall', the FIELD opened at +4000 last week and we got as low as +225 there before closing it at +240 as the second-choice behind Jeff Okudah -- and well ahead of Tua, Simmons, Young, Burrow and Herbert." __Also read:__ [Betting market helps project first round](https://www.betchicago.com/nfl-draft-2020-odds-rumors-mock-betting-first-round) ## NFL Draft best bets While the lines have moved rather significantly over the past couple of weeks on most of my NFL Draft wagers (especially Chase Young UNDER 2.5 at -500), here are two bets worth considering on Thursday evening. __Wide Receivers Drafted in First Round: UNDER 5.5 (+140)__ Unprecedented depth at the WR position in this year's draft could increase the willingness of teams in the latter half of the first round to wait, with the understanding that there will be plenty of talent later on to choose from. After losing out on the first four or five studs, GMs can address another position that isn’t as deep with the comfort of believing there will be other good WR options waiting for them. Teams want to protect their QBs, and the temptation to bolster their offensive line in a draft with plenty of depth at WR may be too much to ignore. I'll gladly take the plus price here in a prop that I consider to be a genuine coin flip. __Jordan Love Draft Position: OVER 19.5 (-150)__ This line continues to get steamed as I type this, so be sure to shop around for the best price. It is no secret that Love's draft stock has plummeted over the past couple of weeks. But at this point, it looks like he may not even go in the first round (although Jacksonville picks at No. 20 and desperately needs a young QB). Even at 19.5, I am happy to lay some extra vigorish on the OVER here. __2020 NFL prop picks:__ [Saquon Barkley primed for monster season](https://www.betchicago.com/2020-nfl-prop-picks-saquon-barkley-primed-for-monster-season)
2020-04-23T12:47:01.907Z2020-04-23T08:46-04:00
  • 2020 NFL Draft betting report: Sharp action offers clues into first round; wagers to consider

    • The story of Cheryl White, the first black female jockey in U.S. horse racing history

    • The marvelous comeback story of jockey David Cohen

    • College football advanced stats glossary: How to use today's metrics in sports betting

    • The Legend of Silky Sullivan, the greatest come-from-behind horse in racing history

    • No resolution in sight for Sammy Sosa's fractured relationship with Cubs

    • Odds to win a golf major in 2020: Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods each 5/1

    • NBA Finals betting history: Can Raptors defy odds vs. heavily favored Warriors?

    • AFC weather report: Philip Rivers' cold-weather stats cast interesting light on Patriots vs. Chargers

    • MLB division odds, 2020 season win totals: White Sox tick up with transformative offseason

    • With 24-team playoff on horizon, NHL futures odds and series prices posted on betting boards

    • 20 questions during quarantine with Rufus Peabody: Pro bettor talks Coronavirus data, modeling the new home field and a bad beat that lasted two weeks

    • Illinois Sports Betting

    • Rickie Fowler win proves point but his 2019 major championship futures lack value

    • 2020 college football national championship odds: Nebraska still swimming with big boys

    • NASCAR at Martinsville odds, key stats, bets to consider: Kyle Busch on upset alert despite dominance at track

    • How ESPN's FPI win-loss simulations compare to betting win totals for college football's worst teams

    • Post-draft glance at betting odds indicate expectations high for Burrow, tempered for Tua

    • Fantasy football keeper leagues: Quarterbacks to hang on to, others to drop

    • How sportsbooks are adjusting to new NASCAR rule which can disqualify drivers on the spot

    • 20 questions during quarantine with sports betting attorney Daniel Wallach

    • Super Bowl 55 odds update: Price on Chiefs continues to shorten

    • The Doggy Juice Podcast: Champions League restart and PGA Championship betting preview

    • UFC 251 odds: Money pours in on underdog Masvidal ahead of title fight vs. Usman

    • The Doggy Juice Podcast: An unprecedented summer of sports

    • Indiana sports betting handle increases in May, poised to carry momentum into summer months

    • Illinois suspends in-person mobile registration rule for sports betting

    • The Doggy Juice Podcast: Two years post-PASPA

    • UFC 249 matchups and odds: American bettors primed for return of live sports in loaded Saturday card

    • 20 questions during quarantine with sports betting attorney Daniel Wallach

    • 2020 NFL Draft betting report: Sharp action offers clues into first round; wagers to consider

    • The Doggy Juice Podcast: Quarantine Quick Hitters

    • The Doggy Juice Podcast: How coronavirus is impacting the sports betting landscape

    • Betting market moves quickly on Buccaneers amid Brady news

    • The Doggy Juice Podcast: Illinois sports betting and college basketball conference tournaments

    • Legal sports betting launches in Illinois

    • The Doggy Juice Podcast: MLB integrity issues and NBA handicapping strategy

    • Champions League Round of 16 odds, betting primer: Two more road favorites on Wednesday slate

    • The Doggy Juice Podcast: Wilder vs. Fury 2 fight preview and betting strategy

    • NCAA Tournament odds, top 25 rankings: Market struggles to find consensus in wide-open field

    • The Doggy Juice Podcast: Champions League Round of 16 betting breakdown

    • European soccer domestic title odds update: Liverpool all but locks up EPL, but races are tighter elsewhere

    • College basketball conference tournament odds: Spartans, Terrapins co-favorites in Big Ten

    • Sunday college basketball odds, analysis and picks: Red-hot Notre Dame offense looks to continue torrid streak

    • Indiana joins New Jersey by accepting Oscars bets while Nevada, other states lag behind

    • Saturday college basketball odds, analysis and picks: Indiana a short home favorite against Purdue

      • 2020 NFL Draft odds 2X95amlzTbATaKdnglGQT6

        2010 NFL Draft odds and betting information

      • 2020 NFL Playoffs odds, betting lines, analysis and insight19Cr8560G0TF5lcqygWyHU

        2020 NFL Playoff betting information and analysis

      • 2020 Oscars betting5oZGalUuNj4TmAasr1svad

        Betting odds, analysis and picks for the 2020 Oscars

      • 2020 World Series odds2kwzw7IsM1mk10hOsgjC1D

        2020 World Series odds

      • Chicago Bears14mPPILYpyg6sOWoQyKyuU

        Chicago Bears Betting

      • Chicago Bulls6NqSjORDhKSioMcWkk2gWg

        Bulls Betting Lines, Odds, Spreads and Wagering Information

      • 2019-20 college football bowl game odds, betting lines, picks3cxNagvYEMQmYugW0gWsmk

        2019-20 college football bowl game odds, betting lines, picks

      • Coronavirus' impact on sports betting3VmLnMFDo8ZCbc3XTTV5RG

        How the coronavirus is affecting the sports betting industry

      • Cubs4W58vIh9IkG6KiMEmOKcwe

        Chicago Cubs odds, lines and betting analysis

      • NBA 2019-20 season betting odds and analysislwSuFryrsiE8ca7XOOfEf

        NBA betting odds, lines and insight for the 2019-20 season

      • Fantasy football news, analysis and advice3YVUyLIiMgcQ88eeoMemaQ

        Fantasy football news, cheat sheets, analysis, and advise

      • Notre Dame Football1mSZTkIc5Gsy68ewWgImaO

        Notre Dame Odds and Betting

      • Super Bowl 54 odds, betting lines, props6hYwYjDkSZnKiRXD8P1XKk

        Super Bowl 54 odds, betting lines, props

      • Super Bowl 55 odds, betting lines, props RpsZWLyCVZ5JyaiDP3l9g

        Super Bowl 55 odds, betting lines, props

      • XFL betting odds, news and analysis3Oso75V3Q44gp8Bxcwiw13

        Betting lines and futures odds for the XFL

      Illinois Sports Betting News, Information and Insight
      Chicago sports betting news, odds and analysis
      <div><div><h3>Download the BetChicago app</h3><p>The latest version of the BetChicago app is available for download, and once you take that step, you’ll be a tap away from the most important news driving the betting market, research and analysis from our editorial team and a line into the knowledge and opinion of some of the country’s biggest and best oddsmakers. </p><p>You’ll also get the up-to-date futures odds, point spreads, moneylines and totals, as well as scores, schedules, matchups and more. </p><p>The app gives you quick access to our <a href="https://betchicago.chalkline.com/">free-to-play contests</a> that offer the chance to win cash and other great prizes. </p><p>Also, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/userregistration">create a BetChicago account</a> to receive email updates and be able to customize notifications, save stories, select your favorite teams and players and more. Download the BetChicago app at<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/betchicago/id1404462108?mt=8"> iTunes</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.betchicago.app&hl=en_UShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/betchicago/id1404462108?mt=8">Google Play</a> today.</p></div></div>
      <div><p>As legalized sports betting expands, so too are the wagering options available to gamblers. Sportsbooks are getting more and more creative in what they’re posting on their oddsboards. While traditional pre-event bets – such as point spreads, moneylines and totals – remain popular, live betting is become a larger part of the sports betting experience.  Also, prop bets aren’t just for the Super Bowl anymore. In fact, there are props to wager on for practically any sporting event around the world.</p><p>Whether it’s on the <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/nfl-betting">NFL</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/college-football-betting">college football</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/mlb-betting/home">MLB</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/nba-betting">NBA</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/ncaa-basketball-betting">NCAA basketball</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/nhl-betting">NHL</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/soccer-betting">soccer</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/nascar-betting">NASCAR</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/ufc-betting">UFC</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/boxing">boxing</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/horse-racing-odds">horse racing</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/tennis-odds">tennis</a>, entertainment or eSports, it’s difficult to win long term betting on sports. That’s why it’s important to read up on the news that impacts the markets, dig deep into advanced statistics and hear from oddsmakers about how and why lines are moving.</p><p>Here at BetChicago, we follow sports betting from a national and even international perspective, but we put a special emphasis on Chicago, Illinois and the Midwest region. That means, for example, if you’re interested in where the futures odds of the <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/bears-betting">Bears</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/cubs-betting-odds">Cubs</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/white-sox-betting-odds">White Sox</a>, <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/bulls-betting-odds">Bulls</a> and <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/blackhawks-betting-odds">Blackhawks</a> stand, look no further. If you want insight and analysis about the betting lines for <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/big-ten-football-betting-odds">Big Ten football</a> or <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/big-ten-college-basketball-betting-lines-odds-trends-predictions">basketball</a> or <a href="https://www.betchicago.com/notre-dame-football-odds-betting">Notre Dame</a> sports, you’re at the right place.</p></div>