2026 NFL Draft Props: Best Bets (Fantasy Football)
Kyle and I have taken on the NFL Draft over the last handful of years from a wagering perspective and spent several DFS Podcasts last offseason talking about the Draft from a prop betting perspective. Overall, this was a great learning experience and a ton of fun! We’re taking the plunge early this year and will be sure to update this article with each bet we personally make. Of course, we’ll also be talking about the NFL Draft on multiple DFS shows when the podcast returns in April, so make sure you’re subscribed on your favorite podcast platform.
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off in late April. As the days and weeks go by, more and more NFL Draft props will become available across a variety of books. We recommend shopping around for the best lines and prices whenever possible. You can also get alerted in our Discord if you’re a FootClan or UDK+ subscriber whenever we add to our betting card.
General Strategy and Thoughts
- Betting NFL Draft props will not make you rich – This is a relatively soft market and honestly, a bit of a niche market. Books are very willing to take on thousands and thousands of dollars (even millions at times) on NFL lines and totals because they’re extremely efficient lines and Vegas knows they’re going to win in the long term. Most books will set a limit on the amount of money you can place on a prop bet and that includes the NFL Draft.
- This market is fluid and is sure to change – Unlike NFL spreads and totals, where we may only see things shift by a point or two, the odds and values of these props will change drastically over a couple of months. We recommend viewing this process as a market and being willing to adjust as necessary. At times, it might even make sense to bet the same prop but with a different player, if you think the market has moved enough in the wrong direction.
- Build a portfolio – It’s certainly possible to win a few wagers if you’re only betting a handful, but because this market is so fluid, there’s going to be inefficiencies all over the place. For example, there might be value in a bet right now in February that no longer has value in April. Similarly, new information might become available in March that wasn’t available in February, and now the bet you just placed a month ago looks off. Don’t get take lock – adjust!
- Be sure to shop around at multiple books if you’re able – If you live in a state with legalized wagering that offers multiple books, be sure to try to find the best odds, prices, and even types of wagers that are available. Because this is a niche market, it’s difficult for books to wrap their heads around a market that might adjust day to day and week to week by the time mid-April gets here.
**Lines accurate at time of publishing**
1. First WR Drafted: Carnell Tate (-115)
Sportsbook: BetRivers
Date: 3/2/26
Analysis: There’s a consensus ‘big three’ in this class at the wide receiver position with Tate, Makai Lemon and Jordyn Tyson all having their supporters across the league. It’s not out of the question that Lemon or Tyson hear their name called before Tate, but given Tate’s Ohio State pedigree and ability to play as a true X receiver and stretch the field vertically, we think he’s the most likely candidate to go inside the top-10. Lemon was primarily a slot WR at USC, and as Kyle noted on Twitter, the vast majority of slot-heavy players are not drafted inside the top-15. As for Tyson, a few NFL scouts have noted that Tyson’s injury history could push him down the board for some teams. PFF’s Trevor Sikkema and Yahoo!’s Nate Tice both had Tate inside their top-10 in their most recent post-combine mock while Daniel Jeremiah had Tate as his seventh overall player in his top-50 rankings.
1st Round WRs over Last Decade with 67+% of their routes in final year occurring in the slot pic.twitter.com/QTJtR5qNcJ
— Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg) February 23, 2026
2. U4.5 Corners Taken in Round 1 (-235)
Sportsbook: Bet365 and DraftKings (-255)
Date: 3/26/26
Analysis: Heavy juice here but we think this closes closer to -350 or -450. There are three Round 1 locks at the corner position this year based on consensus mocks and Big Boards: Mansoor Delane, Jermod McCoy and Aveion Terrell. It’s possible a fourth corner is taken in the late 20s, but most NFL scouts and evaluators have Colton Hood as a fringe first rounder while Brandon Cisse, Chris Johnson, and DeAngelo Ponds are viewed as second round talents. Happy to fade a fifth corner, even at these odds.
3. Makai Lemon to be Selected in the Top 10 (+500)
Sportsbook: BetMGM, (+400) on Bet365
Date: 4/1/26
Analysis: More of a dart throw at long odds than a high confidence bet. Lemon is frequently mocked in the teens with an expected draft position of 13.5 according to GrindingTheMocks, yet he has had confirmed Top-30 visits with the Titans (4th), Giants (5th), Browns (6th), Commanders (7th), Saints (8th) and Dolphins (11th). We took Carnell Tate as first WR weeks ago, so this is also a natural hedge. Heck, maybe we can cash both if Lemon does sneak into the top-10!
4. David Bailey 2nd Overall Pick (+350)
Sportsbook: BetMGM, FanDuel (+310)
Date: 4/7/26
Analysis: Right now, the consensus #2 selection is Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see Reese go to the Jets at #2 overall, but with three weeks left before the NFL Draft, we’re comfortable taking a shot on Bailey at these odds. Peter Schrager and Daniel Jeremiah recently did a back-and-forth mock draft and both seemed to lean Bailey at 2.
5. Ty Simpson Draft Position O24.5 (-186)
Sportsbook: BetRivers
Date: 4/8/26
Analysis: Ty Simpson is currently ranked 30th based on Consensus Big Boards on NFL Mock Draft Database. In order for him to go before pick 24, someone is likely going to have to reach and/or trade up. The Jets in theory could take Simpson at 16, but if they’re not willing to take him 2nd overall, we think they pass at 16, too. In theory, the Steelers could grab him at 21, but Aaron Rodgers remains in the mix there, and they have not had a formal visit with the Bama QB. They have, however, met with guys like Talen Green, Cole Payton, and Carson Beck, suggesting they’re more interested in the lower tier QBs. At 24, we have the Browns, who yes, could take QB, but like the Jets, if they’re going to pass on Ty at 6, they’re likely to pass at 24 as well considering the vast majority of their top 30 visits have been with OL and WRs. It’s possible the Cardinals or Jets trade up in R1 to take Simpson, but based on his consensus big board ranking as a 2nd round prospect, the O24.5 here is a strong look. If you’re interested in longer odds, taking U1.5 QBs at (+175) is also worth considering.
6. Chris Johnson to be Selected in Round 1 (+125)
Sportsbook: FanDuel, BetMGM (+115)
Date: 4/14/26
Analysis: Chris Johnson, the cornerback out of San Diego State, is rising late in the process. Initially, he was viewed as Round 2 player for most analysts, but after strong workouts and interviews, he’s now getting late Round 1 buzz. We don’t view Johnson as a Round 1 lock by any means, but at this price, we’re playing him to sneak into the top-32, especially after ESPN’s Jordan Reid ranked him 19th overall in his latest Big Board and Dane Brugler had him 24th overall in The Beast. Peter Schrager appeared on Pat McAfee on Tuesday, April 14 and called Johnson CB3 in this class. Meanwhile, Tony Pauline reported that Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy has been flagged by some teams for medical concerns regarding his knee injury from 2024. With the market currently sitting at O3.5 corners for Round 1 at about (-200) on most books, Johnson is a strong look at these plus odds. In addition, given the report on McCoy’s knee, we also threw a dart on Johnson to be the second corner drafted at Fanatics at (+3000).
7. KC Concepcion to be Selected in Round 1 (-285)
Sportsbook: BetMGM
Date: 4/15/26
Analysis: It’s never fun laying this much juice, but this is an off market price and implies about a 70% probability. In reality, however, KC appears in 90+ percent of Round 1 mocks over the last two weeks. Per GrindingTheMocks, his expected draft position is 24.1, and his consensus big board ranking on NFL Mock Draft Database is 26th. He’s had visits with MIA (11, 30), BAL (14), LAC (22), PHI (23), CLE (6, 24), BUF (26), SF (27), and NEP (31st). He’s also playable at U27.5 for draft position, but given that he’s met with some of those teams picking in the back of Round 1, we’re comfortable laying the juice in order to secure a few more outs.
8. Bet365 Special: 4+ WRs to go in Round 1 (-250)
Sportsbook: Bet365
Date: 4/16/26
Analysis: Again, not fun laying this juice, but these odds are not long enough for this market special. Every reputable mock draft has at least four WRs being taken in the top-32. We know Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon and Jordyn Tyson are locks, so we only need one of KC Concepcion, Omar Cooper Jr. or Denzel Boston.