It’s about that time of year when all the NFL franchises come together for the draft, making big moves and unexpected picks that could make history. That’s right—the 2026 NFL Draft is approaching once again, set to change how rosters are built and which teams emerge as contenders. After all, seasoned fans know anything could happen.
Yet it’s also a chance to participate in NFL Draft betting. Ever since betting went mainstream and sportsbooks became easier to access than ever, the draft is seen as the ultimate kickoff. With a wide range of high-stakes markets, the draft is a chance to practice and get in on the action before a full season of football wagering.
This NFL Draft betting guide will guide you through it all, explaining the logistics of the draft, what to know about crypto sports betting, how to navigate betting, and how to gamble responsibly at crypto betting platforms and casinos.
When and Where Is the 2026 NFL Draft?
NFL Draft 2026 date: April 23–25, 2026
NFL Draft 2026 location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Football fans can officially mark their calendars for April 23–25, 2026. The 91st annual meeting of NFL franchises will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and will be broadcast on popular networks including ESPN, ABC, and the NFL Network. Rather than having a single traditional stadium-only site like past crafts, the league is planning a multi-location, festival-style event with a main draft stage and surrounding areas used for additional fan activities.
The NFL Draft schedule will follow its original multi-day format, with primetime coverage highlighting key rounds. However, a key change to note is the decreased time between picks (from 10 to 8) for the first round.
The NFL Draft is already considered the most exciting offseason event in football, but Pittsburgh is determined to make the 2026 edition bigger and better than ever.
Who’s Favored to Go No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Arguably the most anticipated question of the draft is who earns the number one pick. While many great players weren’t chosen in the first round—or drafted at all, in the case of Kurt Warner and Tony Romo—the selection of the number one pick remains one of the most talked-about moments.
So, let’s go over some top players with the best 2026 NFL Draft odds for the first overall pick. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the current early No. 1 pick favorite is quarterback Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana, who won the Heisman Trophy as a Hoosier player in 2025, marking the first in program history. At 22 years old, he’s already won countless awards, including a Maxwell Award and AP College Football Player of the Year. Then, there’s quarterback Dante Moore, who took a gap year after struggling with consistency at UCLA. He eventually entered the transfer portal and moved to Oregon, becoming the Ducks’ full-time starter in 2025. With +400 odds, Rueben Bain Jr. is the first defensive player on the board, a prospect with a complete package of playmaking ability, size, and sheer athleticism.
Other top prospects include running back Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame and linebacker Arvell Reese out of Ohio State. Peter Woods has also made strides as an interior and exterior defensive lineman, while 6’6”, 285-pound edge rusher Keldric Faulk has the imposing frame and athleticism teams can’t get enough of. While these players might not be in contention for number one, they comfortably remain on the radar as top-20 prospects.
Naturally, odds will ebb and flow, as sportsbooks adjust to the college season trajectory and scouting reports.
NFL Draft Betting Markets Beyond the No. 1 Pick
But after you lock in your early No. 1 overall pick, what now? Beyond that flagship market, there are many other ways to get involved with NFL Draft prop bets. Known in full as proposition bets, these wagers let bettors predict other outcomes like the first defensive player off the board or even totals like how many RBs, QBs, or WRs will be selected in Round 1. Some sportsbooks even offer team-specific draft markets that let you focus on the first players of each position for a single franchise.
As mentioned, though, draft props are known for their volatility, where odds can shift slightly or even dramatically depending on factors like college season progression or injuries. So, while it might seem smart to lock in an early bet, exercising patience and monitoring trends can make a significant difference and improve your edge. If a defensive player suddenly has a breakout game and earns national attention, sportsbooks might adjust the odds for the number one defensive player. It’s about spotting value and finding hidden potential, much like a scout would.
What to Know About Betting with Crypto
Although crypto has become better understood and more widely used for payments—if the provider accepts it—it’s still not as straightforward as using traditional methods like credit cards. However, many NFL Draft crypto sportsbooks offer bettors a range of currencies like BTC, ETH, and LTC to fund their accounts.
But why choose crypto over digital wallets? Some of the crypto sports betting benefits include increased privacy, lower fees, and faster deposits and withdrawals. Because it bypasses traditional banking systems, there aren’t any intermediaries to deal with, and fewer approvals are needed. That means being able to bet and access your winnings much faster.
But there are downsides, like any other method. Cryptocurrency can be volatile because its value can fluctuate, and unlike credit cards, there aren’t any chargebacks or protections if a transaction goes wrong. That’s why it’s so important to gamble responsibly at crypto casinos, choosing reputable platforms and only wagering what you’re willing to lose.
NFL Draft Betting Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re ready to learn how to bet on the NFL Draft, we’ve got the most straightforward walkthrough for beginners right here.
- Pick a sportsbook: Do some research and pick a sportsbook that suits your style, whether traditional or crypto-friendly. It should be a trusted platform with the markets you like to bet on.
- Sign up for an account: Sign up for an account and scour for any bonuses or welcome deals. Make sure you secure your account using any tools available, like two-factor authentication.
- Deposit funds: Once your account is verified, deposit funds into your account using traditional methods or cryptocurrency.
- Navigate to the NFL Draft section: Find your way to the NFL Draft section, which often features props, futures, and specials.
- Understand the odds: Odds in US markets will either display decimal odds (like 3.00) or moneyline odds with a plus or minus sign. Take the time to understand these, as they will determine your potential payout and whether it’s worth the bet.
- Place your wager: When you’re ready, place your wager.
- Monitor and adjust: After you’ve bet, your job isn’t done. You’ll want to be proactive and monitor player performances and the news to help you spot hedging opportunities or value in other markets.
Pro Tips for Smarter Betting
Eventually, you’ll get accustomed to the betting process and feel more confident navigating markets and odds. At this stage, you might want to level up your game with some NFL Draft betting tips:
- Follow team needs throughout the season. Maybe the Raiders are in dire need of a good quarterback, or the Steelers need a WR to upgrade their thin receiver group. Then you can target potential draft props or picks much more effectively.
- Keep an eye on player injury reports and offseason combine results, as they heavily influence betting lines.
- Check out insider mock drafts from experts like Ian Rapoport or Adam Schefter.
- Monitor line shifts after major college games to find value.
- Avoid emotional picks and stick to research, data, and expert NFL Draft predictions.
These draft betting strategies are bound to give you a sharper edge heading into the 2026 draft.
Ready, Set, Bet
Enhanced by betting, the 2026 NFL Draft can be even more chock-full of action than you ever thought it could. Armed with key dates, prop market ideas, and confidence to try crypto betting, all that’s left to do is be patient, do a little research, and stay informed until the draft arrives. Hopefully, this NFL Draft betting summary has given you the strategies and insights to navigate draft betting responsibly and to make better wagers.
FAQs
Who are the best QB prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft?
Top quarterback prospects as of December 2025 include Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, and Rueben Bain Jr. Each brings unique skills to their position and have all been highly regarded by scouts and sportsbooks.
Who is favored to go #1 in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Given the early odds as reported by FanDuel Sportsbook, Fernando Mendoza is -180 to be the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, these odds can shift based on performance, injuries, and team needs.
Who will get the first pick in the NFL Draft 2026?
The team that gets the first overall pick is typically the one with the worst record from the 2025 NFL season.
Can you bet on NFL Draft prop bets with Bitcoin?
Yes. With many sportsbooks offering cryptocurrency as a deposit option, you can wager using Bitcoin and a variety of other crypto, giving you faster deposits and a new level of privacy. Keep in mind that there are drawbacks compared to traditional methods, such as volatility and lack of chargebacks in case you want to dispute a transaction.
