(The new city of Detroit sign that residents are not happy with)
Day 1: Round 1 — Thursday 8pm
Day 2: Rounds 2-3 — Friday 7pm
Day 3: Rounds 4-7 — Saturday 12pm
Helpful Mock Drafts
THE DEGENERATE MOCK DRAFT
The NFL Draft is one of the most entertaining sporting events to bet on. As a kid, I always wanted to attend it live at Radio City when the old format (which I preferred) was rounds 1-3 all day Saturday, then rounds 4-7 on Sunday. Now the NFL changes the locations each year, and round 1 is it’s own primetime event held on Thursday. You can choose to be your own expert, or you can follow the experts. We’ve included some of the best when it comes to mock drafting (see above). If you have a hunch on a player or team selection, go for it.
Two years ago, I made the largest wager of my life (see above) on the NFL Draft. The year before that, I made the second largest wager of my life (Kyle Pitts UNDER 5.5 draft position). Basically what I’m saying is, I fucking love betting on the NFL draft. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything I truly LOVE this year. It feels very unpredictable given how many QB’s are in play, and what I really mean by that is trades could mess up your entire plan. I’m treading lightly, but still leaning into a few players I like as potential sleepers.
The format we’ve elected to go with this year is breaking down the top 10 picks, and including some of our favorite bets outside of it. We also have Steak and Degens mock. If you are tailing, please do so with caution and responsibly!
Chicago Bears — Caleb Williams (no point in breaking this down)
Washington Commanders — Early indicators pointed to Drake Maye as the favorite going to DC, but just this week the odds have shifted significantly to Jayden Daniels. One thing we know for sure is that Washington absolutely needs a QB after trading Sam Howell. I have a very tough time seeing them go with another UNC prospect, despite it being an entirely new regime. The juice is too rich for our blood to get involved.
New England Patriots — It’s a new day in New England. If it were me walking the halls, I’d be singing “ding dong the witch is dead”. Look I get it, Belichick is in the Pats hall of fame, is one of the best coaches of all time, and probably shouldn’t be criticized…but I’m going to criticize. He was in full control of the Patriots in the post-Brady era, and he burned that place to the fucking ground. From failed hires like Joe Judge and Matt Patricia, to consistent swing and miss draft with picks like Sony Michel, N’Keal Harry and Mac Jones. They gave Nelson Agholor $22M for Christs sake! Jerod Mayo takes over. A former defensive player and maybe a defensive minded guy, and the one thing the Patriots had going for them was their defense. The Pats will likely go QB or WR if they don’t trade out. The market is telling us Drake Maye is their guy, but still not in the realm of something we’d consider making a wager on.
Arizona Cardinals — We are ALMOST out of the “predictable” stretch of draft picks. We think we know, but there’s still a chance we don’t. Again it’s just that nothing is really speaking to us in terms of a wager. It appears the Cardinals are sticking to Kyler Murray at QB, so they’ll likely add to his support staff with a guy like Marvin Harrison Jr whom most are saying is the most elite WR in the draft. Although, there has been a ton of late steam on Malik Nabers lately, but not enough to suggest that he’d go ahead of MHJ. There is definitely a chance that the Cardinals could trade back as well and settle with Nabers or an O-lineman. The issue with betting this draft is that trades are heavily anticipated, but I think the Cardinals would be fools to pass on MHJ.
Los Angeles Chargers — This is where things MIGHT start to get interesting! If you’re not tapped in on Twitter, let me try to get you up to speed. So Antonio Brown has been on a generational run and recently started an account called the CTESPN. Get it? Hilarious. Anyway, he’s been posting newsworthy tweets about the NFL Draft, and recently tweeted some rumors that the Chargers were in talks with the Vikings to trade them Herbert, which would then lead to the Chargers drafting JJ McCarthy. This saw the odds shift on Chargers to draft a QB from +25000 to +900 at DraftKings. Personally, I don’t think there is any way in hell the Chargers are drafting anything other than an Offensive Lineman, and they sure as shit aren’t trading Herbert. You think Jim Harbaugh left Michigan to go to LA and rebuild with a rookie QB? Not buying it, but great content. My favorite bet of the NFL Draft was the Chargers to select an OL with their first pick (-175). I think they’re going with Joe Alt out of Notre Dame. Unfortunately due to the rumors and odds move, all Chargers futures bets have been taken off the board. Damn you AB! The only way I can play this now is Joe Alt to go 5th which is +275.
New York Giants — If you ask me, the Giants need everything. They’re a bad team and paying a bad QB in Daniel Jones. I personally would trade back for as many picks as possible if I was in charge. Most mocks have them taking Malik Nabers, but I don’t think a WR is the smartest move. Steak and I both are taking a long-shot with this, but assuming that the Giants stay put, we say they make a monumental move and select QB JJ McCarthy (+550). Now don’t get me wrong - I am NOT high on JJ at all. I’m not sure I’d even take him in the first round if I was a GM, but this is about what you expect other teams to do. I think there’s a chance the Giants are starving for a fresh face and to inject some hope into their fanbase with a fresh start. at QB. They are paying Danny Dimes for one more year, so perhaps JJ can groom for a bit before they officially move on.
Tennessee Titans - This is where I’m shooting my shot. The Titans appeared to be in a rebuild mode going into next season with young QB’s Malik Willis and Will Levis. I personally think both are ass, but they will likely give Levis a legit shot this year and next. In order to give him the best chance to succeed, they need to beef him up with some weapons. Tennessee went out and overpaid (my opinion) for WR Calvin Ridley in the offseason. He will team up with Deandre Hopkins, who’s getting up there in age, and Treylon Burkes who’s been disappointing. The Titans could certainly use some help on the O-line, and new coach Brian Callahan’s dad, Bill Callahan, is the O-line coach. So there’s probably a little influence on going that route. But I’m going to take a shot here on TE Brock Bowers (+1600). We see talented TE’s becoming more and more prevalent after Mahomes/Kelce paved the way with their success. Most mocks have the Titans taking a WR or OL, which I could totally see, but I also think this is good chance to take a shot in the dark.
Atlanta Falcons — The dirty birds got their QB in Kirk Cousins, and they seem to loaded with weapons on the offensive side of the ball with Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts. One would have to imagine having hired a defensive minded coaching in Raheem Morris, that they’re going with someone on that side of the ball here. This draft isn’t necessarily loaded with defensive talent, but there are still a few studs at both DB and D-line. While the secondary could use help, I think the Falcons need to address the pass rush. If you’re not putting pressure on the opposing teams QB, then you probably aren’t winning many football games. Their top two sack leaders from last year are currently free agents. The mocks show Alabama DE Dallas Turner as the top guy in this position. He was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, so I’m going to trust he’s legit. However, I really can’t say I’m that familiar with him. A guy I am familiar with is DE Jared Verse from Florida State. When I did my research for College Football futures, I remember reading that people around FSU expected him to declare for the Draft last season, and were pumped he stayed another year. Every time I had an FSU game on, I noticed this guy on the field. He’s a beast, and I think he’s being slept on. Maybe a team won’t take him first, but I gotta take a chance on it. Give me Jared Verse UNDER 15.5 draft position and to be the first DE/DL taken (+600)*
*These odds have shifted significantly in the WRONG direction. Something must’ve come out about Verse because his position is now at 17.5. The bets I have on him are “donations” as the kids would say.
Chicago Bears — After getting their QB with the first overall pick, it’s now likely that the Bears will use their second to add a weapon. I think they could use some help on the O-line or beef up their improving defense, but I’d totally understand wanting to snag one one of these elite receivers. My mock has either Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze available here, and I’ll side with the juice that Nabers will be the second receiver taken.
New York Jets — I will never forget being in the MetLife Stadium on the night Aaron Rodgers went down. Probably the most electric atmosphere I’ve ever experience only lasted about 3 minutes. Then the life got sucked out of New Jersey harder than a made guy at the Bada Bing! (hope you get the Sopranos reference). I’ve seen mock drafts show the Jets taking Brock Bowers, but I just vehemently disagree with that choice. Not that I don’t like Brock, but their offensive line is TERRIBLE. I’ll pay to see the Jets not address it with the 10th overall pick. The way I’m playing this is Jets first draft choice to bet OL (-115), and I’m also going to sprinkle them taking Olu Fashano (+425) the giant OT out of Penn State.
RECAP:
Chargers to draft O-LINE with first pick (-175)
Number 5 overall pick to be Joe Alt (+275)
Number 6 overall pick to be JJ McCarthy (+550)
Titans to draft Brock Bowers (+1600)
Jared Verse UNDER 15.5 Draft Position (+140)
Jared Verse first DE/DL drafted (+600)
Jets to draft O-LINE with first pick (-115)
OTHER FUN BETS:
Vikings to draft Michael Penix Jr (+425)
Raiders to draft Spencer Rattler (+425)
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