The NFL Draft takes place April 29–May 1, 2021 and will return to some form of familiarity. Last year’s draft happened two months into the COVID-19 pandemic and was relegated to Zoom– removing all in-person aspects like fans, hugs, and the like. Thankfully, the 2021 draft will return fans and in-person drafting when it takes place in Cleveland, Ohio. The Greater Cleveland Sports Console is taking protocols from Super Bowl LV in Tampa and the NBA Playoff Bubble in Orlando to hold a safe draft that’s as close to normal as they can get.
With the central focus shifted off the virus, it’s time to take a look at this year’s draft pool. We’re here to give you positional rundowns, including who the favorites are to be drafted where and what players are generating league buzz.
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Sports Betting Odds To Go #1 In 2021 NFL Draft. Player Position BetRivers FanDuel BetMGM DraftKings; Trevor Lawrence: QB-2000-6000-3000-2000: Zach Wilson: QB +800 +3000 +3500 +800: Justin Fields. December 8 Though Lawrence’s Heisman odds are fading, his odds to go first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft remain at an average of -625, just slightly longer than the -750 he was listed at a month ago November 12 Fields’ odds have faded from +280 to +725, still the second-best odds on the board. Sportsbooks have put up a massive amount of NFL draft odds on the betting board and we bring you some of the more intriguing prop bets being offered with the 2020 NFL draft set to begin at 8:00 p.
The 2021 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and the betting market has begun to open on props for the three-day event. Trevor Lawrence is the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick - -5000 at. View NFL futures odds for which team will pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Easily see which sportsbook offers the best sports betting odds.
NFL draft odds: First WR drafted
There’s a trio of immensely talented receivers at the top of draft boards and– similar to last year’s draft– any one of them could be the first receiver off the board. The odds-on favorite is LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase (-167), who sat out the 2020 season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Behind him is Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith (+140) and Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle (+700). Chase has been hailed as the most “pro ready” of the three and was the winner of the Fred Biletnikoff Award (nation’s best receiver) in 2019.
Other first-round-potential receivers include Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman and Florida’s Kadarious Toney. It would be a major shakeup for either of those players to be the first of the position off the board.
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How to bet on first WR drafted
One of the most common NFL Draft prop wagers are those that involve betting on which player will be the first drafted at each position. To find these wagers in an online sportsbook, click the NFL tab to navigate toward the 2021 Draft section. Once there, click on “First Pick by Position” to view the players in the market and their corresponding odds.
NFL Draft: 2021 WR profiles
Ja’Marr Chase, LSU: Chase was one of the best receivers in 2019 but did not play in 2020 (opt out). He pulled in a staggering 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns (both SEC-season records) on just 84 receptions in LSU’s prolific system, averaging over 21 yards per reception. He has the ideal combination of speed, route-running, and hands that makes him an excellent pro prospect and the favorite to be picked first. The one knock on Chase that keeps him from being the runaway favorite is that his numbers came in a record-breaking system under Joe Brady and he had the benefit of catching passes thrown by Joe Burrow (both a Heisman winner and multi-record setter); there’s no film on Chase without those two factors in place.
Regardless, the player that Chase is makes him a top-10 overall prospect and he’s expected to go in the top 10. He’s been mocked as early as third overall to the Dolphins (though Miami is a likely candidate to trade down), fourth to the Falcons, and almost no later than sixth to the Eagles. While not at the top of their needs list, Chase could go fifth to the Bengals and be reunited with his college quarterback. He could also be targeted by teams via a trade-up, though not many teams at the top aren’t in need of a receiver. Bottom line: don’t expect him to be on the draft board past the sixth or seventh picks.
DeVonta Smith, Alabama: It may come as a surprise to some that the Heisman Trophy winner is not only not the favorite to be selected first overall, but isn’t even the favorite to be the first picked in his position group. Smith had a terrific season in the wake of the injury to counterpart Jaylen Waddle, lighting the college football world on fire along the way. The main worry with Smith is his frame– he sits at about 175 pounds– but his ability to make tacklers miss and his grittiness in traffic make up for any insecurities there.
Whether he was a product of an Alabama system and volume (due to Waddle being out) remains to be seen, but is a point often found in scouting reports. Smith will be an early-first round pick for certain, it’s just a matter of where? He’s in the conversation at the number three pick to Miami (though they are a strong trade-down candidate) and also to teams like Philadelphia (6), Detroit (7), and the New York Giants (10). If there’s one player that could see a first round slide, Smith is a likely candidate; teams seem to be higher on both Chase and Jaylen Waddle.
Jaylen Waddle, Alabama: Before suffering a season-ending ankle injury, Jaylen Waddle was on pace to put up DeVonta Smith numbers and potentially win the Heisman Trophy himself. In six games, Waddle hauled in almost 600 yards and four touchdowns at over 21 yards per reception. As the Alabama passing offense continued to evolve, eventually turning Smith into a production machine, it’s worth wondering what statline Waddle could have finished with.
He’s a bit bulkier than Smith (weighing 182 pounds at 5′ 10″) and is comparably fast to him, often flat out winning foot races en route to a touchdown. Waddle was capable of putting up numbers while sharing the pie with dynamic receivers like Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, and DeVonta Smith (not to mention dynamic running backs Josh Jacobs and Najee Harris). Though his Vegas odds to be the first receiver drafted are the lowest between him, Smith, and Chase; Waddle sits atop many draft boards as the best receiver available and he could be great value when betting who will be taken first.
2022 Nfl Draft Odds
Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: Rashod Bateman almost didn’t play in 2020, initially opting out of the season before changing his mind. He did eventually pass on the Gophers’ last few games, announcing his re-opting out in late November. Bateman shared the field with now-Bucs receiver Tyler Johnson in 2019, still putting up over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns. He thrived at Minnesota with pristine route running and excellent technique. Bateman would work best in the NFL in a system like Johnson landed in– a vertical offense with a competent quarterback.
Mock drafts don’t necessarily have Bateman landing in that ideal system, with the receiver landing somewhere near the back of the first round. Teams that could take interest in him include the Colts (21), Jets (23), or Ravens (27). While projected as a first-round talent, Bateman could fall into the early second, which many analysts do project; however, he could also be taken as high as the late teens by teams like Washington or Chicago. It’d be a surprise to see him drafted ahead of any of the aforementioned receivers, though.
Kadarius Toney, Florida: Another year, another Florida speedster to enter the NFL. Kadarius Toney is a 4.4-second 40-yard dash kind of guy who is featured prominently in the slot. He was utilized in the run game and was a multi-sport athlete in high school, making Toney especially dangerous with the football in his hands. He’ll likely find a niche in the NFL as a WR3 and slot guy in an up-tempo offense that airs the ball out. However, his role as a speedy slot guy doesn’t mean he’s undersized; Toney sits taller than Waddle and weighs just 10 pounds short of Chase.
Toney’s best landing spots include Kansas City (31), New Orleans (28), and Green Bay (29) at the end of the first round, though it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him slip into the second round. The Chiefs are an especially-dangerous landing spot for Toney, though Kansas City might be looking more into offensive linemen at that spot. Teams in the early second round that could grab Toney include Jacksonville (33), the New York Jets (34), or Detroit (41).
Rondale Moore, Purdue: Moore has been one of the most exciting players in the country for years and, potentially, Purdue’s most explosive players ever. He routinely terrorized good teams like Ohio State while showing he can single-handedly take over a football game (2018). The biggest question mark surrounding Moore is his durability; the receiver missed most of 2019 due to a recurring hamstring issue and another three games in 2020 due to a “lower body” injury. The second injury sent Moore’s draft stock into free fall, pushing him from initially a high first-round pick to a solidly Day 2 guy.
Whoever pulls the trigger on Moore is getting a major question mark with lots of risk. He’s extremely versatile, playing significant snaps from every receiving position to special teams to running back and Wildcat. Should Moore hold up physically, he could turn into one of the most explosive players in the NFL among guys like Tyreek Hill and Saquon Barkley.
Terrace Marshall, Jr., LSU: In the absence of Ja’Marr Chase, Terrace Marshall Jr. quickly became the favorite target of the LSU Tigers’ offense. He led the team in both receptions (48) and touchdowns (10) in just seven games. Marshall was excellent out of the slot but also saw plenty of time split out wide; he’s also one of the tallest receivers in the class at 6′ 3″. While he wasn’t burning defensive backs with blazing speed, Marshall is a big, physical target who’s excellent at the catch point. He has a good feel for soft spots on the field and has great vision after the catch.
For the majority of his career, Marshall was buried under Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, but mightily improved his draft stock in 2020. Currently, Marshall is a fringe first-rounder, landing with teams like Kansas City or New Orleans. He won’t go ahead of most guys on this list, but could surprise some should a team fall in love with his size and physicality.
NFL Draft WR history
Here is a list of the first wide receivers taken in each NFL Draft going back to 2010.
| Year | Team | Player | College | Pick (No. overall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Baltimore | Marquise Brown | Oklahoma | 25 |
| 2018 | Carolina | DJ Moore | Maryland | 24 |
| 2017 | Tennessee | Corey Davis | Western Michigan | 5 |
| 2016 | Cleveland | Corey Coleman | Baylor | 15 |
| 2015 | Oakland | Amari Cooper | Alabama | 4 |
| 2014 | Buffalo | Sammy Watkins | Clemson | 4 |
| 2013 | St. Louis | Tavon Austin | West Virginia | 8 |
| 2012 | Jacksonville | Justin Blackmon | Oklahoma St. | 5 |
| 2011 | Cincinnati | AJ Green | Georgia | 4 |
| 2010 | Denver | Demaryius Thomas | Georgia Tech | 22 |
NFL Draft betting strategy and trends
Last year’s draft class looks a lot like this year’s draft class, and it can be used to project what 2021 will look like. A class ago, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, and CeeDee Lamb were a trio well above the rest of the group that were all projected to be picked in the top half of the first round. Jeudy and Ruggs were, but Lamb slipped to the Dallas Cowboys at 17 despite many scouts ranking him as the top receiver in the class. Could 2021 see a similar fall with Jaylen Waddle?
After those three went, Jalen Reagor went 21st to the Eagles and Justin Jefferson was picked 22nd to the Vikings. Brandon Aiyuk was a surprise, going 25th to the 49ers, rounding out the first round group of 2020. A utility player like Kadarius Toney or Rondale Moore could be a late-first round surprise to a team like New Orleans who loves gadget players. While DraftKings Sportsbook doesn’t currently offer an over/under prop on receivers drafted on Day 1, it wouldn’t be surprising to see as low as four and as high as seven receivers taken this year.
More NFL Draft betting guides
The offseason is traditionally the portion of every sport’s calendar when hope springs eternal for both teams and fans. The NFL, with its well-publicized free agency and draft periods, is certainly no exception.
After COVID-19 turned the 2020 edition of the player selection lottery into an all-virtual event, this year’s NFL Draft is scheduled, at present, for a return to relative normalcy. It is set to unfold on location, April 29-May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.
With events like the Senior Bowl and Super Bowl progressively in the rearview mirror, prospect rankings and mock drafts are already picking up plenty of steam.
Below, you’ll find the updated draft order and the top needs of each of the teams picking in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
2021 draft order
| Pick | Team | 2020 Record | Draft Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 1-15 | QB, DL, TE |
| 2 | New York Jets | 2-14 | QB, WR, CB |
| 3 | Miami Dolphins (from Houston) | 10-6 | WR, OL, S |
| 4 | Atlanta Falcons | 4-12 | RB, LB, QB |
| 5 | Cincinnati Bengals | 4-11-1 | DL, LB, TE |
| 6 | Philadelphia Eagles | 4-11-1 | OL, WR, RB |
| 7 | Detroit Lions | 5-11 | S, DL, OL |
| 8 | Carolina Panthers | 5-11 | TE, DL, CB |
| 9 | Denver Broncos | 5-11 | DL, CB, RB |
| 10 | Dallas Cowboys | 6-10 | DL, LB, OL |
| 11 | New York Giants | 6-10 | OL, WR, LB |
| 12 | San Francisco 49ers | 6-10 | LB, OL, CB |
| 13 | Los Angeles Chargers | 7-9 | WR, TE, LB |
| 14 | Minnesota Vikings | 7-9 | CB, DL, WR |
| 15 | New England Patriots | 7-9 | DL, WR, QB |
| 16 | Arizona Cardinals | 8-8 | WR, TE, OL |
| 17 | Las Vegas Raiders | 8-8 | DL, LB, WR |
| 18 | Miami Dolphins | 10-6 | WR, OL, S |
| 19 | Washington Football Team | 7-9 | WR, OL, QB |
| 20 | Chicago Bears | 8-8 | QB, WR, RB |
| 21 | Indianapolis Colts | 11-5 | QB, WR, CB |
| 22 | Tennessee Titans | 11-5 | DL, LB, CB |
| 23 | New York Jets (from Seattle) | 2-14 | QB, WR, CB |
| 24 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 12-4 | OL, RB, WR |
| 25 | Jacksonville Jaguars (from LA Rams) | 1-15 | QB, DL, TE |
| 26 | Cleveland Browns | 11-5 | S, LB, WR |
| 27 | Baltimore Ravens | 11-5 | WR, S, CB |
| 28 | New Orleans Saints | 12-4 | TE, WR, OLB |
| 29 | Green Bay Packers | 13-3 | RB, WR, DL |
| 30 | Buffalo Bills | 13-3 | RB, OL, LB |
| 31 | Kansas City Chiefs | 14-2 | LB, WR, S |
| 32 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 11-5 | RB, CB, WR |
2021 NFL Draft odds
Stay tuned for NFL Draft betting odds, including:
- First Drafted: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, CB
- No. 1 overall pick
- No. 2 overall pick
- No. 3 overall pick
- Over/under draft number for top players
- And more!
Best NFL Draft betting sites
2021 NFL Draft prospects
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Seen as one of the most “foolproof” quarterback prospects in recent memory. No true holes in his game and brings elite size at 6-foot-6. Considered a lock for the top overall pick and an ideal fit for the Jaguars in that spot.
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Possesses above-average arm, accuracy and football IQ and comes off spectacular junior season during which he compiled 3,692 passing yards, a 33:3 TD:INT and 10 rushing touchdowns. Was not quite as productive across 18 games in his first two seasons, but is widely considered the second-best QB prospect behind Lawrence.
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Put together one spectacular season with the Tigers, a 2019 sophomore campaign during which he produced an 84-1,780-20 line across 14 games, before sitting out 2020 to focus on preparing for an NFL career. Chase has only average size at 6-feet, 208 pounds, but he’s extremely explosive and considered by many analysts to still be the top WR in this year’s class.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Considered 1-A to Chase in many draft circles after a prolific Crimson Tide career that saw him produce a combined 185-3,112-37 line over his last two season. Smith also became the first receiver to garner the Heisman Trophy since Desmond Howard in 1991, and despite some standard concerns about his 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame, his abundant collection of positives make him a likely top-10 pick.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Smith’s Crimson Tide position mate is similarly slight in size (5-foot-10, 182 pounds) but possesses even better speed. Waddle was nowhere near as productive as Smith at the college level, but with YPCs of between 17.0 and 21.1 during his three college campaigns, his ability to strain a defense is unquestioned.
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Likely to be the third QB taken behind Wilson, Fields brings impressive size and athleticism at 6-foot-3, 228 pounds. His stock may have arguably been even higher after a junior season during which he racked up 3,757 total yards and 51 total touchdowns while committing just three turnovers. However, his junior 2020 campaign included a personal-best 70.2 percent completion rate and 9.2 YPA, and the 21-year-old’s mobility gives him an extra, coveted dimension.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Considered a prototypical pass-catching tight end with plenty of room for development at just 20 years of age, Pitts compiled 97 receptions, 1,499 yards and 17 touchdowns over his last two seasons in Florida. At 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, the raw tools to eventually evolve into a formidable blocker are seemingly there, his routes and downfield chops are expected to pay immediate dividends.
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Widely considered likely to be the first offensive lineman off the board despite sitting out the 2020 season due to COVID precautions. Sewell left a lasting impression with a 2019 sophomore campaign that saw him garner the Outland and Morris trophies, as well as First-Team All-Pac-12 and Unanimous All-American honors. With a 6-foot-6, 325-pound frame and elite athleticism for a left tackle, he’s also considered a top-10 prospect.
How to bet on the NFL draft
In the coming months, more and more prop bets will be released to give bettors action on the 2021 NFL Draft. The most common bet type is for who will be the First Overall Pick, but due to the widespread expectation of Lawrence having this honor locked up, bettors should be willing to look elsewhere rather than chasing the unlikely longshots here.
Bet options will focus on the top prospects, especially at the skill positions. Their potential landing spots, as well as their draft spot, will be available betting options by early April. Additionally, bets will separate players by position and look at who will be the first QB, WR or RB to be taken.
People will also be able to bet on how many of a certain position will be selected in the first round, or overall. Prospects may also be pitted head-to-head for who is the first to be selected.
How NFL draft odds work
Now that you know what to bet for the 2021 NFL Draft, you need to know how to bet. Like with betting the moneyline or the spread for games, you’re generally deciding between only 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.
When betting a prop such as who will be the First Overall Pick, each option listed is given odds based on their likelihood to go first overall. As noted above, Trevor Lawrence is a heavy favorite and has odds of -3335 at DraftKings Sportsbook. This means a $100 bet would return a profit of just $3. These are very low, or short odds. Unless you have a large bankroll to support making big wagers, it’s probably best to look elsewhere.
Be sure to shop around, as the odds for each player can vary considerably from sportsbook to sportsbook.
2021 NFL Draft details
Where is the 2021 NFL Draft?
The 2021 NFL draft was originally set to take place in Cleveland, Ohio. However, due to the threat of coronavirus across the world, the location of the draft is still up in the air. It could be held online as it was in 2020.
When is the 2021 NFL Draft?
Thursday, April 29 through Saturday, May 1
- Round 1: Thursday beginning at 8 p.m. ET
- Rounds 2 and 3: Friday beginning at 7 p.m. ET
- Rounds 4-7: Saturday beginning at 12 p.m. ET
How to watch the 2021 NFL draft
The entirety of the 2021 NFL Draft will be broadcast across ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, as well as streamed on NFL.com for the third straight year.
How the NFL Draft works
Determining draft order
The draft order for spots 1 through 20 is determined by the reverse order of the standings at the conclusion of the regular season. Barring trades (discussed below) the team which finishes last will make the first pick of each round, while the Super Bowl champions will make the final selection of each round.
Spots 21 through 32 go to playoff teams, with the order being determined by which round teams are eliminated from the postseason, plus their regular-season record. The Super Bowl champion is given the final pick of each round, so long as they haven’t made any trades.
Tiebreakers
Teams which finish with the same regular-season record (i.e. 4-12, 10-6) will have their order decided by tiebreakers, based on the first of these scenarios which results in the teams having a different record:
- Head-to-head, if applicable
- Best record against shared opponents (minimum of four)
- Strength of victory over all games
- Best league ranking in points scored and points allowed
- Best point differential
- Net touchdowns
- Coin flip
The teams involved in the tiebreakers will alternate which team chooses first in each round, with the tiebreaker awarding the higher pick for Round 1.
Compensatory draft picks
Based on the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, the league can assign up to a total of 32 “compensatory free agent” picks. These allow teams that have lost free agents to recoup losses through the draft. Picks are made at the ends of the third through seventh rounds. Each team can have as many as four additional picks, and these have been eligible to be traded since 2017.
Timing
Each team has up to 10 minutes to make its pick in the first round. That time drops to seven minutes for Round 2, five minutes for Rounds 3 through 6 and four minutes for Round 7. If the clock expires before a team makes its selection, they are able to make the selection later but the next team is able to select the desired player.
Trades
All draft picks are eligible to be traded in exchange for other picks, future picks and active NFL players at any point up until that draft slot. Both teams must phone in a trade with the same information for league approval when trades are made during the draft.
Player eligibility
Players are draft eligible if they have been out of high school for at least three years and have used up their college football eligibility before the start of the next college season. They’re eligible only in the year after they finished their college eligibility. Underclassmen and players who graduated before using their full college eligibility may request league approval for early entry to the draft.
Supplemental Draft
2020 Nfl Draft Odds
Players who had their eligibility change following the given year’s NFL draft are eligible for the supplemental draft in July. Teams must bid on players by saying which round they’d select a given player and if no other team bids on the same player, his right are awarded to that team, or they’re awarded to the highest bidding team. The team will lose a pick in the same round in the ensuing year’s draft.
NFL draft history
Nfl Draft Odds Teams
Over the last five NFL drafts, a quarterback was selected first overall four times. Browns DE Myles Garrett in 2017 was the lone exception. The fewest number of quarterbacks taken in the first round was two (2015) and the most were the five taken in the 2018 draft. To date, six quarterbacks selected with a No. 1 pick have led their team to a Super Bowl title. The most quarterbacks selected in a single draft since it was cut to seven rounds was in 2004 when 17 QBs were selected.