How to Bet on the NFL Draft 2026: Best NFL Draft Betting Sites in April

How to bet on the NFL Draft

With over 20 states offering NFL Draft betting, betting on the event has never been easier. The first thing you'll want to do is sift through the betting sites available in your state, then determine which is the best for you. After that, simply follow these steps and you'll be betting on the NFL Draft in no time.

Register online

After you choose the best NFL betting site for you, you'll need to register for an account. This is done by clicking a button that says "Sign Up" or something similar. After clicking, you'll be asked to submit relevant information, such as your full name, birth date, address, and social security number. All of our best sportsbooks are regulated in the states where they're legal, so you'll never have to worry about your personal information being unsafe.

Deposit and claim a bonus

After signing up, you'll place a deposit. Make sure to review our best sportsbook promos to ensure you follow the correct steps to claim the welcome bonus at your preferred sportsbook. Sometimes, you need to opt in, place a minimum bet, or meet other terms and conditions.

Once you've deposited and claimed your bonus, all that's left for you to do is place your wager and watch the NFL Draft.

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

1. BetMGM 🦁

BetMGM is the best option for betting on the NFL Draft, thanks in large part to the generous welcome promo of up to $1,500 First Bet Offer. Just use our promo code {{bonus/betmgm-sportsbook/bonus_code/*/*/*}} to unlock the bonus bets.

BetMGM has plenty of variety when it comes to NFL Draft markets, competitive odds, and more. Unlike some sportsbooks that only let you pick No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 overall, BetMGM lets you bet up to the 8th overall pick, and there are plenty of other props available as well.

2. Caesars 🏛

Caesars has a way of ensuring that its welcome bonus is one of the most unique, and during the NFL Draft, bettors can take advantage of a {{bonus/caesars/bonus_text/*/*/*}} bonus with promo code {{bonus/caesars/bonus_code/*/*/*}}.

You won't find any NFL Draft props unique to Caesars, but there is no shortage of standard bets and props available. Bettors can wager on what position a team will select with their first pick, how many players will be drafted from each college conference, and who will be selected as Mr. Irrelevant.

3. bet365 🟢

bet365 is one of the few sportsbooks that gives bettors a choice when they sign up. New users can select one of two welcome bonuses: a $1,000 First Bet Safety Net or a {{bonus/bet365/bonus_text/*/*/*}} promo. In some states, only one of these promos is available, but if you're in a state eligible for both, you get to pick which you want. You won't need to use a bet365 bonus code to claim this promo. Just click our exclusive link to get started. 

When it comes to available markets, bet365 does lag behind some of the competition, but being able to select which bonus works for your NFL Draft betting desires is a major perk of this sportsbook. As Draft Day draws closer, look for more markets to become available via the operator.

4. FanDuel 🔵

At FanDuel, NFL Draft bettors will find no shortage of available markets. For example, last year FanDuel offered a special for +2000 odds. This special was designed by Bill Simmons of The Ringer, and it was his prediction of how the first four picks of the Draft would go.

If you're new to FanDuel, you're in for one of the best welcome bonuses in the business: {{bonus/fanduel/headline/*/*/*}}. All you need to do is sign up and make a minimum deposit and wager of $5 or more. If your bet wins, the Bonus Bets are yours. 

5. Fanatics 🧢

New users at Fanatics Sportsbook can take advantage of two generous welcome offer options, which vary from state to state. In most parts of the US, claim their primary {{bonus/betfanatics/headline/*/*/*}} offer. In New York, the primary offer is 10 x 100% Profit Boost Tokens. No Fanatics promo code is required.

Fanatics is available in almost all of the same states as the other major players, such as BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings, so if sports betting is legal in your state, then there's a good chance Fanatics is available.

For the NFL Draft, Fanatics is offering markets comparable to competitors. Being that the sportsbook is also an apparel company, it may offer some unique promos as the NFL Draft gets closer.

6. DraftKings 👑

To take advantage of the {{bonus/draftkings/bonus_text/*/*/*}} offer at DraftKings, all you need to do is sign up and place a bet of {{bonus/draftkings/minimum_wager/*/*/*}} or more, minimum -500 odds. If your bet wins, you'll then earn {{bonus/draftkings/bonus_total/*/*/*}} in Bonus Bets. This is one of the simplest and most lucrative welcome bonuses in the industry.

DraftKings is offering plenty of NFL Draft markets, including the position of the player drafted first by every team in the league. DraftKings is also offering Draft Matchups and Position Totals, so no matter how you want to bet on the Draft, DraftKings has something for you.

All NFL Draft promos

There are no tailored promos for the NFL Draft at this time. We will update this page if event-specific promos become available. Additionally, you can play the SBR NFL Draft Challenge.

NFL Draft betting odds 2026

After winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy and leading the Indiana Hoosiers to a National Championship, QB Fernando Mendoza is the consensus favorite to go first overall at the 2026 NFL Draft.

Check out the latest NFL Draft odds to get a head start on the 2026 NFL Draft.

🏈 2026 NFL Draft Odds

This year, the first-overall selection belongs to the Las Vegas Raiders. Here are the latest odds for who they will select first at the 2026 NFL Draft, which takes place from April 23-25, 2026.

2nd Overall Odds

The second-overall pick belongs to the New York Jets this year. Here's a look at who they're primed to take.

3rd Overall Odds

Drafting third overall will be the Arizona Cardinals. If they aren't taken earlier, the Cardinals are expected to go for Texas Tech's David Bailey or Ohio State's Arvell Reese.

Odds last updated April 22, 2026. Odds will shift as the draft gets underway. Check your preferred sportsbook for the most up-to-date numbers.

NFL Draft odds explained

There are many types of bets available for the NFL Draft, including Pick Number, Draft Position, Draft Matchups, and more. Most of these types of bets will have one or more players with odds of +100 or better, while everyone else will be considered an underdog.

Because the NFL Draft isn't a game, there is often enough information shared within media circles to get a very good sense of who will be picked in the early first round. This makes it difficult to pick an upset, though crazy things almost always happen on Draft Day.

Where and when to watch the NFL Draft 2026

The 2026 NFL Draft will be held live from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from April 23-25. Round 1 begins on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Rounds 2 and 3 run starting at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, while Rounds 4 through 7 go at Noon ET on Saturday.

The 2026 NFL Draft will air live on television and be streamable live through various streaming platforms. Here are all the ways you can watch the 2026 NFL Draft:

• ABC
• ESPN
• ESPN2
• NFL Network
• ESPN Deportes
• NFL+
• YouTube TV
• Hulu + Live TV
• Sling TV
• fubo

Choosing an NFL Draft betting site

Not all sportsbooks are created equal when it comes to betting on the NFL Draft. You'll want to make sure that you have taken everything into account to ensure you get the best experience possible.

Legal considerations

Only use one of our best sportsbooks when wagering on the NFL Draft. If you use an offshore sportsbook, then you could end up losing out on your winnings. If this happens, it can be hard to retrieve your funds because offshore sportsbooks aren't regulated.

Make sure you're picking a site that is legal in your state. If there are multiple, consider signing up at more than one sportsbook, as there is no limit to the number of best sportsbook promos you can receive.

User interface

A smooth user experience is one of the most important aspects of selecting the best sportsbook. Our top sportsbooks all have solid user interfaces that are easy to navigate and clearly outline how to bet on the NFL Draft and what markets are available.

Payout speed

Once your bet hits, you'll want to make sure you get paid in a timely fashion. Most sportsbooks will payout within 24 hours. If a sportsbook takes more than a few days to payout, then it may be worth looking elsewhere. Here's a full list of the best online sportsbooks for payouts.

Available markets

Market variety is a key factor in determining where to bet on the NFL Draft. Some sportsbooks will only have basic options such as Pick Number and Top 5, while others will allow you to wager on what position a team will draft with their first pick, who will be chosen first between two players, and more. Shop around and make sure you get the markets you want.

Odds and line shopping

Most of the major sportsbooks offer similar markets, so choosing where to wager comes down to which offers the best odds. Shop around and ensure that the bet you place is at the best available price. For example, Ashton Jeanty may be -150 to be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders at DraftKings, but at FanDuel he may be -130. You'd want to wager at FanDuel to get the best bang for your buck.

Where to bet on the NFL Draft

Like sports betting, wagering on the NFL Draft is not legal in every state. Some states don't allow you to bet on the NFL Draft at all, while others will only allow you to at specific in-person casinos.

Here are all 25 states (plus DC) where you can bet on the NFL Draft at an online sportsbook or through one of the best betting apps:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Tennessee
• West Virginia
• Wyoming
• DC

Even in legal states, there are often certain regulations put specifically on the NFL draft, like when you can place wagers or on what markets. Be sure to check in on the rules in your state.

Types of NFL Draft bets

Betting on the No. 1 pick is just one of many ways to bet on the NFL Draft. Picking players to be drafted at particular positions can provide great paydays, but you can also bet on players to get drafted within a range of picks, before someone else, or in a particular round. You can also bet on which position a team will draft first. Here are some of the most popular NFL Draft bet types:

• Pick number
• Draft position
• Top 5
• Top 10
• 1st round
• Draft matchups
• Player drafted by
• Position totals
• College props

NFL Draft betting trends

When betting on the NFL Draft, it's good to know some of the latest trends and how that could impact the draft order this year. Here are three trends you'll want to keep in mind when wagering.

Eight of the Last 10 No. 1 picks are quarterbacks

Since 2015, the first pick in the NFL Draft has been a quarterback nine times. Cam Ward was selected first overall in 2025, making it three quarterbacks in a row selected at No. 1 overall. Interestingly, the two players selected at No. 1 in the last 11 years who weren't quarterbacks were both defensive ends.

Only 7 running backs have been taken in the top 10 since 2015

Ahston Jeanty became just the seventh running back selected in the top 10 since 2015, after the Las Vegas Raiders selected him at No. 6. He and Bijan Robinson make it two running backs in the top 10 in the last three years, after only five were taken in the previous eight.

Wide receivers are trending upward

Despite only four wide receivers being selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, this seems like a blip, not the start of a new trend. After all, in the 2024 NFL Draft, seven wide receivers were selected in the first round, which tied with 2004 for the most ever. In 2023, only four wide receivers were selected in the first round, but in 2022, there were six. Use this information and consider a long-shot wide receiver bet. In this year's Draft, McMillan was +1100 at some sportsbooks on Draft Day to get selected by the Panthers.

NFL Draft betting strategies

Having a strategy for the NFL Draft can be the difference between winning and losing. If you open up your favorite sportsbook during the first round, you may find yourself overwhelmed with all that awaits you. This can lead to you betting on markets without reviewing all that is available, or needing to deposit more cash to place extra wagers that you intended to place from the get-go.

Some strategies to consider include betting multiple players to get selected in the top 5 or top 10, and maybe even taking a long shot with a top 10 pick since trades and other unexpected situations occur on Draft Day.

You could also choose to live bet the NFL Draft rather than betting ahead of time. Using 2025 as an example, let's say Cam Ward was selected first overall, but there was a shock at No. 2, and Shedeur Sanders was selected instead of Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter. You could then check out live odds and perhaps find more favorable lines available for the players who dropped, as sportsbooks adjust to what took place.

At the end of the day, there are plenty of ways to make money betting on the NFL Draft, but it all starts with having a plan. Go into the NFL Draft with a strategy, and be willing to adapt to see what works best for you.