National Football League

2024 NFL Draft best bets and odds

Updated Apr. 24, 2024 5:47 p.m. ET

Chris Fallica

FOX Sports Wagering Expert

Sam Panayotovich

FOX Sports Betting Analyst

Jason McIntyre

Co-Host of THE HERD and FOX Sports Betting Analyst

Patrick Everson

FOX Sports Betting Analyst

Geoff Schwartz

FOX Sports Betting Analyst

The NFL Draft is finally here, and if you are looking for a one-stop shop for the odds and best bets, we have you covered.

Caleb Williams has dominated the headlines leading up to draft day, as he's the heavy favorite to go No. 1.

Jayden Daniels is another player to watch. The LSU quarterback's odds to be selected second have shortened considerably over the past several days, and he's now projected to be taken in that slot by the Washington Commanders.

If you're looking for some guidance on how to place your wagers on this year's draft, we're providing some help from the pros.

Our FOX Sports betting experts — Chris "The Bear" Fallica, Sam "Sammy P" Panayotovich, Geoff Schwartz, Jason McIntyre, Patrick Everson and Will Hill — are here to lay out their favorite wagers on where the biggest names will be drafted.

Let's dive into their picks.

CHRIS "THE BEAR" FALLICA

Joe Alt to be selected with the fifth pick (+475, bet $10 to win $57.50 total)

There’s been so much noise about the Chargers taking a WR at five, but I don’t see it.

Justin Herbert is your team's biggest asset. You need to protect your most important piece.

The best way to do that is to grab the best tackle in the draft who will perform at a high level for years.

It makes far too much sense to take an OL here and then address wide receiver at the top of the second round in what is a deep receiver draft. Do you really think Jim Harbaugh’s first pick will be a wideout after his soliloquy on the importance of an OL?

I guess there's a chance the Chargers could trade back, but Alt is the safest, most productive pick in this spot.

Colin's QB comps: Williams-Mahomes, Nix-Brees and Maye-Herbert

PATRICK EVERSON

Under 4.5 quarterbacks selected in the first round (+240, bet $10 to win $34 total)

The Over/Under on quarterbacks selected in the first round is 4.5. At DraftKings, Over 4.5 is a substantial favorite at -300, with Under 4.5 at +240.

Considering four QBs could go within the first five picks, it seems like at least one more — Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix — would get scooped up over the final 27 picks of the first round. The odds certainly say so.

But there are also mock drafts — including this one from Fox Sports — showing just four QBs going in the first round. So I’m gonna jump on the plus money with Under 4.5, and hope that only Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy go in the first 32 picks.

It could be a long 27 picks, but it’ll be a fun prop to sweat out.

SAMMY P

Kool-Aid McKinstry Under 28.5 (+100, bet $10 to win $20 total)

It's never a dumb idea to draft a defensive back from Alabama. Those guys usually enter the league with a bang and make an impact right away. McKinstry's combination of size and speed makes him an ideal Day 1 selection and there are multiple teams in the low-to-mid 20s that could easily reach for another talented Nick Saban disciple.

GEOFF SCHWARTZ

Byron Murphy II to be first defensive player drafted (+170, bet $10 to win $27 total)

I got a text from someone else who I trust in NFL circles about Murphy being the first defensive player drafted. So, I made the wager. Everyone's talking about it.

I think there's got to be some truth to it.

JASON McINTYRE

Drake Maye to be selected with the second pick (+425, bet $10 to win $52.50 total)

Maye is currently +425 to go second, a spot we've been discussing him in for more than a year. Now that Washington has offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who worked with a mobile QB in Kyler Murray, the masses seem to think Jayden Daniels is a better fit. Hmmmm. When was the last time a team drafted that high and picked a QB to fit their OC? Teams change OCs the way adults change their socks. I'm more than happy getting plus money at Maye here and fading the scuttlebutt.

J.J. McCarthy Over 5.5 (+120, bet $10 to win $22 total)

Will someone really trade up to No. 3, 4, or 5 for ... the fourth-best QB in the draft? The trades will be fast and furious as players come off the board. There hasn't been as much info leaked this year ahead of the draft, so even the teams are in the dark about what's happening. I like McCarthy. I had him in the top 10 back in November. However, I think the Vikings can stay put at their spot and still get him.

Terrion Arnold to be selected in the top 10 (+900, bet $10 to win $100 total)

I will admit that this is a long shot. But keep an eye on Chicago taking a shot at the long, talented Alabama cornerback who would be a potential star opposite the elite Jaylon Johnson. It would give coach Matt Eberflus another piece to a potentially improved defense. The Falcons, Eagles and Titans have all expressed significant interest.

WILL HILL

Rams draft QB with their first selection (+2500, bet $10 to win $260 total)

The best time to take a quarterback is when you don’t need one. You’re not desperate, and you don’t have to overpay or overdraft. That’s the position the Rams are in now. They don’t need a quarterback, but they probably will soon.

Matthew Stafford is entering his 15th year in the league and has dealt with numerous injuries, leading to speculation that he could soon join his former teammate Aaron Donald in retirement. Also, if you have a young child, let them know they are about to witness something for the first time in their lives, as the Rams for the first time since 2016 will have a first-round pick!

After years of being "all-in" and trading their picks for experienced players, the Rams have the 19th pick in the draft. Perhaps that pick is used to set the team up with their future quarterback, as their current one will be 37 by season’s end.

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