NFL Draft: Team Needs and Odds by Division
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The NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and if you’re monitoring reports, plenty of potential smokescreens are being thrown around, including the draft position of Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Previously rumored to go No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers, some reports indicate that he might fall out of the top three.
Who knows what’s real anymore?
We will look through all this noise and examine the NFL Draft from a betting angle.
At DraftKings Sportsbook, there are bets where you predict which position will be drafted by each team, filtered by division.
Here, we’ll provide the best bet for the “Position of Team’s First Drafted Player” draft prop going through each division.
AFC East
New England Patriots
Owning the No. 14 overall pick, the Patriots could go in multiple directions. As we’ve seen in years past, it isn’t easy to know precisely what head coach/general manager Bill Belichick is thinking. Still, the team has some glaring needs heading into the draft.
The depth chart shows that the team could upgrade the offensive line, secondary, and receivers.
At No. 14, the Patriots could have their pick of most of the offensive line class. A few teams ahead of them could go that route, namely Peter Skoronski, and the New York Jets, who pick just before them, could go there, too.
Based on the number of tackles in the class, this feels like where the Patriots will end up unless a talent like cornerback Christian Gonzalez falls to them.
Best Bet: Offensive Lineman (+250)
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins don’t have a selection until No. 51 overall because of their Tom Brady tampering, which cost them the No. 21 overall selection.
Still, at that spot, there will be plenty of talent on the board.
The Dolphins are still starting Austin Jackson at right tackle, which needs to be addressed. However, at this point in the draft, it’s doubtful that there’s a prospect available that they could plug-and-play over him.
The one player that sticks out is Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who would add a ton of speed to an already fast offense. However, he’s generating some first-round buzz, so it’s not likely he’ll fall to No. 51.
The team lost Mike Gesicki in free agency and traded away Hunter Long, leaving Durham Smythe as the starting tight end.
Iowa’s Sam LaPorta or Georgia’s Darnell Washington would be excellent selections.
Best Bet: Tight End (+250)
Buffalo Bills
Forever on the cusp of winning the next Super Bowl, the Bills pick at No. 27 overall. As we saw last season with cornerback Tre’Davious White missing time, the team gets thin at the position quickly with injuries.
Their starters are White, Dane Jackson, and nickel back Taron Johnson.
At this point in the draft, the Bills could have their choice of cornerbacks Deonte Banks, Emmanuel Forbes, Cam Smith, and even DJ Turner.
However, adding a guard like Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence is also in play.
Given the odds disparity, taking a chance on cornerback here is worth a play.
Best Bet: Cornerback (+2500)
New York Jets
Going chalk isn’t always the most profitable wager.
Still, the worst-kept secret in this draft seems to be the Jets adding an offensive lineman at No. 13 overall.
The Jets will likely have a chance at taking Paris Johnson Jr., Broderick Jones, or Darnell Wright to help protect Aaron Rodgers, who should land with the team soon.
Best Bet: Offensive Lineman (-260)
AFC West
Los Angeles Chargers
If he’s not already off the board by this point, this is where we can start discussing Texas running back Bijan Robinson. There’s a disconnect between the Chargers and running back Austin Ekeler. Robinson would be a great addition in the backfield alongside him or as an outright replacement. However, the team could add a receiver to complement the often-injured Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, which, as we saw last year, might be worth a look.
At this point in the draft, receivers like Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison, and Quentin Johnston could be available.
That is the most logical position the Chargers will target.
Best Bet: Wide Receiver (+125)
Kansas City Chiefs
With the final pick in the first round, there will be a plethora of that next tier of edge rushing talent available, such as Will McDonald, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edtomiwa Adebawore, BJ Ojulari, and draft invitee Keion White.
Best Bet: Defensive Lineman/Edge (+150)
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders' pick will be widely debated up until draft day.
Do they trade up to get a quarterback? Do they stand pat at No. 7?
If they stay at No. 7, do they take a quarterback if one falls? If one doesn’t fall, what direction do they go?
Even with Jimmy Garoppolo on the roster, the Raiders could still be able to trade up to No. 3 overall, especially if C.J. Stroud is still available.
Let’s assume they stay at No. 7, and three quarterbacks fall. They could take a quarterback like Will Levis, but plenty of defensive talent will still be left.
Of that defensive talent, they could have their pick between cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Christian Gonzalez, which would immediately bolster their defense.
Best Bet: Cornerback (+175)
Denver Broncos
There are no odds listed for the Broncos. The team’s first selection isn’t until No. 67 overall.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts
There are no odds listed for the Colts. Selecting No. 4 overall, the lack of odds could indicate a foregone conclusion that the team will draft a quarterback.
Houston Texans
There are no odds listed for the Texans. This is a bit more interesting than the Colts, as there seems to be a discussion between a quarterback and Will Anderson at No. 2 overall.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Whenever I run a mock draft, I keep landing on Alabama’s safety/defensive back, Brian Branch. He would be an immediate upgrade to their secondary, who’s an excellent tackler and provides great versatility.
The odds on safety for the Jaguars offer plenty of value. Depending on a single player isn’t a great strategy, but it’s hard to imagine the team passing on him if he's there.
Best Bet: Safety (+2000)
Tennessee Titans
With the No. 11 overall pick, the Titans have been pegged as a potential sleeper team to move up to No. 3, but that would require a lot of draft capital. That said, there could be a chance that a quarterback is available at No. 11. NFL Network’s Peter Schrager had the Titans taking Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker at No. 11 overall in his latest mock draft, so there’s potential for that.
In this spot, however, the Titans will likely have their choice of any of the receivers and based on the betting odds, that’s a good direction to go.
Best Bet: Wide Receiver (+800)
Check out Gambling.com's NFL Mock Draft
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
After signing Odell Beckham Jr., there’s a sense the Ravens could pass on a wide receiver with their first pick. There are some lower-tier options available in the second round, too.
The position the Ravens desperately need to target is cornerback, and there should be plenty of options here at No. 22.
Best Bet: Cornerback (-120)
Pittsburgh Steelers
The two positions the Steelers should zero in on are cornerback and offensive lineman, which — you guessed it — are the top two positions by betting odds.
A popular selection here is Joey Porter Jr. It’s a position of need, and his dad played for the team.
However, with so much offensive line depth, the Steelers should be able to nab one, like Darnell Wright, to help protect Kenny Pickett.
Best Bet: Offensive Line (+120)
Cleveland Browns
There are no odds listed for the Browns. They don’t pick until No. 74 overall.
Cincinnati Bengals
While they have Irv Smith and Devin Asiasi, the Bengals are a prime candidate to take Michael Mayer or Dalton Kincaid should one fall there. However, the position I keep coming back to is the defensive interior, as they could get Mazi Smith, Bryan Bresee, or potentially Calijah Kancey if teams are scared off by his size.
Thankfully, the odds also factor in edge rusher, which isn’t exactly a need, but a possibility even with Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson.
Best Bet: Defensive Lineman (+750)
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NFC East
New York Giants
Per the DraftKings Sportsbook odds, the Giants will likely take a receiver here. If they do, it would have to be a receiver with some size to complement their current roster. There’s a possibility TCU’s Quentin Johnston could fall, or we get a reach with Ole Miss’s Jonathan Mingo.
However, this is a great spot to add a guard to help protect quarterback Daniel Jones. There are many options in this range, like Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence, TCU’s Steve Avila, or Syracuse’s Matthew Bergeron, who can also play tackle in a pinch.
Best Bet: Offensive Lineman (+380)
Dallas Cowboys
If Bijan Robinson is gone by the time the Cowboys pick, they could pivot to Gibbs. The Cowboys seem content with their tight ends, so we’ll go with a running back here to replace Ezekiel Elliott.
Best Bet: Offensive Lineman (+380)
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are a team with an embarrassment of riches at multiple positions. General manager Howie Roseman loves to stack up defensive line depth, which could be a possibility here, especially if Georgia’s Jalen Carter is there at No. 10. However, the one position the Eagles could upgrade immediately would be running back. They brought in Rashaad Penny for just over $1 million, but adding Bijan Robinson would make the Eagles' roster more star-studded.
Why not? Let’s swing the bat here.
Best Bet: Running Back (+850)
Washington Commanders
When you look up and down the Commanders roster, there’s a lot of talent here, especially along the defensive line. The team could use some secondary help, however.
At No. 16 overall, they’ll likely pick any of them not named Christian Gonzalez or Devon Witherspoon. On the other hand, the team could look to add more weapons to set quarterback Sam Howell up for as much success as possible. The Commanders are -140 to go cornerback and +600 to go tight end, which could be used on Utah’s Dalton Kincaid — Logan Thomas wouldn’t stop them from going in that direction.
However, the chalk seems right here, considering the cast of players that will be available.
Best Bet: Cornerback (-140)
Before you make your NFL wagers, check out Gambling.com's NFL picks page
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks
Picking No. 5 overall, the Seahawks will have their chance at getting one of Will Anderson, Jalen Carter, or perhaps Tyree Wilson. There’s buzz around potentially drafting Anthony Richardson, but it’ll be difficult to pass up on elite defensive line talent.
Best Bet: Defensive Line (-250)
San Francisco 49ers
There are no odds listed for the 49ers. They don’t select until almost pick 100.
Los Angeles Rams
There are no odds listed for the 49ers. Their first selection is at No. 36 overall.
Arizona Cardinals
If the Cardinals stay at No. 3 overall, there’s no way this isn’t a defensive lineman. However, several teams could trade up depending on which quarterbacks are taken ahead of them. The Texans could also go with a defensive lineman. If the Texans stick at No. 2 and take someone like Anderson, the Cardinals should get calls for the pick.
My gut instinct tells me this pick gets traded but still inside the Top 10. If this happens, the Cardinals will look to land Witherspoon or Gonzalez to help bolster a secondary that needs an influx of talent.
Best Bet: Cornerback (+155)
NFC South
New Orleans Saints
Of all the teams picking in the first round, the Saints might be the most challenging peg. The cornerbacks likely available here are worth waiting on, as they also have the No. 40 pick. The same can be said for the interior offensive line.
With Derek Carr coming to town, the team could look to add more weapons to go alongside Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara (who may end up suspended), and often-injured Michael Thomas.
If a receiver like Jordan Addison, Zay Flowers, or Quentin Johnston is available, that could make some sense. The team could also look at Mayer at tight end if he’s available.
Of course, we could also have a signature Saints trade-up, which would throw all of this analysis (potentially) out the window.
Best Bet: Wide Receiver (+450)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are another challenging team to figure out because they could draft, quite frankly, anyone. They need as much talent as they can get. The most logical selection would be the offensive line. They couldn’t protect Tom Brady last year, and Baker Mayfield won't be any different.
Best Bet: Offensive Lineman (+175)
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers don’t have any odds listed since it’s assumed quarterback is the selection.
Atlanta Falcons
Even at No. 8 overall, this is a sleeper spot for Bijan Robinson to get drafted. Coach Arthur Smith wants to get that rushing attack going, as we saw last year, and Robinson is the man to get it done.
In addition to No. 8, they have No. 44 overall in the second round. They could land Gibbs here, but No. 44 might be too late.
With Desmond Ridder as the projected starter, a quarterback is also possible if one falls, or they can swing a trade to get to No. 2 or 3 to get Anthony Richardson.
Based on the odds, I’d try my chances with quarterback, especially since it doesn’t seem like Lamar Jackson is headed there any time soon.
Best Bet: Quarterback (+1100)
There are multiple NFL draft prop bet options! Check it out!
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings
This could be the draft where general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah makes a splash and gets his quarterback of the future. Still, with odds of just +400 and starting with a pick in the 20s, the value doesn’t seem to be there.
With Adam Thielen leaving town and Adofo-Mensah’s analytics background, a wide receiver could be the go-to spot here. At this point, players like Flowers, Addison, and Johnston could be on the board.
Best Bet: Wide Receiver (+175)
Green Bay Packers
If the Packers were to draft a wide receiver here, it might be solely to spite Rodgers. That said, we know the Packers are incapable of doing so. However, tight end is definitely in play here. Mayer would be a perfect security blanket for Jordan Love in his first season as a starting quarterback.
Best Bet: Tight End (+200)
Detroit Lions
Picking at No. 6 with three defensive linemen looked at as some of the top players in the draft in Carter, Anderson, and Wilson, it seems likely the Lions look here. That said, they need an interior defensive line more than edge rushers. Can coach Dan Campbell and Carter mesh? It’s unclear. Would you want to play Anderson or Wilson inside? Not sure. Having their pick of Gonzalez and Witherspoon, especially after shipping Jeff Okudah out of town, seems like a safer play.
Best Bet: Cornerback (-150)
Chicago Bears
It’s the top odds, and I’m also thinking it — offensive lineman. Whether it’s Skoronski or Paris Johnson Jr., the Bears desperately need offensive line help. This has to be the pick. However, if you wanted to sprinkle a bit on a receiver at +750 for a Justin Fields/Jaxon Smith-Njigba reunion, I’d understand.
Best Bet: Offensive Lineman (-180)
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