2026 NFL Draft Betting Guide: Where, When, How You Can Wager Today?

Apr 7th, 2026 12:20 PM EDT

The NFL Draft takes place in Pittsburgh from April 23-25. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza remains the overwhelming favorite to go first overall at -20000 at FanDuel. That means you’d have to wager $200 to win $1 on him going number one. But before you bite at that ridiculous price, check out 2026 NFL Draft Betting Guide to learn when, where, and how you can wager and/or trade on this spectacle.

The woebegone Las Vegas Raiders own the top pick. The Raiders come complete with part-owner Tom Brady and current veteran QB Kirk Cousins. Mendoza will definitely like that. That means the would-be rookie gets a long runway before taking the reins full time at Allegiant Stadium.

As the NFL Draft approaches, would-be bettors will see their digital and social feeds flooded with potential trades – real and imagined.

Ohio State LB Arvell Reese currently stands at -310 as the projected No. 2 overall pick by the New York Jets in our 2026 NFL Draft Betting Guide.

Then things get complicated.

What To Know Before Betting On The NFL Draft

Legal betting on the NFL Draft began in Nevada in 2017. In 2026, bettors in 31 states and Washington D.C., can legally wager on the event, with some books offering dozens of betting markets.

However, NFL Draft betting rules vary by state and sportsbook. Each entity has its own regulations and house rules. Bettors can wager on which player will be picked at a specific spot, which team will select a certain player, or what positions teams will prioritize. Some sportsbooks expand their offerings depending on operator guidelines, while others scale back due to the Draft's typically low profit margins.

Best Strategies for NFL Draft Betting

Timing is everything when wagering on the NFL Draft. In general, the earlier you bet, the better — as books will pull markets once news of trades or picks breaks or because of other unforeseen circumstances.

“Get your bets in beforehand because there are a lot of rules about when can offer picks,” says Fanatics Trader Ethan Useloff. “If you’re looking to get a bet in. Get it when see it offered.”

Johnny Avello, Director of Race and Sports at DraftKings, recommends betting on what you know — like the needs of your favorite team.

“If you know that the Miami Dolphins need an offensive lineman, and you know that's the way they're pointing, then look at that market. This is a good way to go because you’ve got a good feel for your team,” Avello said.

NFL Draft Betting On Prediction Markets

There's a new wrinkle this year in our 2026 NFL Draft Betting Guide. Multiple prediction markets offer trades on the NFL draft. Kalshi, for example, has 31 different draft-related markets. Those are focused on both players being selected at a certain spot in the draft. And on which team will draft a specific player. More than $1 million has been traded in its No. 1 overall pick market, which opened last July.

Mendonza trades at 98% after opening at 4% last summer. He spike initially to 38% on September 24. His surge began following Indiana’s win over Ohio State in the Big Ten title game as he crossed the 50% threshold. He hit 62.9% after Indiana roasted Alabama in the Rose Bowl. And he crossed 85% after the Hoosiers wrecked Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl.

Other prediction markets offering NFL Draft trades include Novig, Fanatics Market, FanDuel Predictions, DraftKings Predicts and Robinhood.

How Do Prediction Markets Work For The NFL Draft?

Unlike sports books, prediction markets offer derivative contracts that can be traded at any time – if there is someone else on the other side willing to trade. The price is set by whatever traders are willing to pay for any given position, and not by the house.

Kalshi and other prediction markets face multiple lawsuits and cease desist orders. A federal appeals court Monday ruled that New Jersey could not prohibit Kalshi from offering sports-event contracts because it is regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Corporation and not via a state-by-state basis. Meanwhile, a judge last week ruled that a temporary restraining order issued by Nevada against Kalshi will remain in place until April 17.

How To Watch The 2026 NFL Draft

The Draft will air live on NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes. Streaming options include NFL+, FuboTV, and ESPN apps

When & Where Is The 2026 NFL Draft

The main stage and Draft Theater will be located on the North Shore outside Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Additional festivities, including the free NFL Draft Experience, will be centered at Point State Park.

2026 NFL Draft Schedule

(All Times Eastern)

Round 1: Thursday, April 23 – 8 p.m.

Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 24 – 7 p.m.

Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 25 – Noon

Which Player Is Getting The Most Betting Interest?

Most betting doesn't occur until Draft Day, according to John Ewing at BetMGM.

His book recently shared these odds and splits on picks No. 1-5. These numbers will likely move between now and draft day.

Draft Picks 1-5

1st Pick

Favorite: Fernando Mendoza -10000

Highest Ticket: Fernando Mendoza 15.4%

Highest Handle: Fernando Mendoza 35.1%

Biggest Liability: Ty Simpson

2nd Pick

Favorite: Arvell Reese -350

Highest Ticket: Arvell Reese 14.4%

Highest Handle: Arvell Reese 28.8%

Biggest Liability: Fernando Mendoza

3rd Pick

Favorite: David Bailey +200

Highest Ticket: Jeremiyah Love 19.5%

Highest Handle: Jeremiyah Love 42.6%

Biggest Liability: Jeremiyah Love

4th Pick

Favorite: Jeremiyah Love +135

Highest Ticket: Rueben Bain Jr. 21.8%

Highest Handle: Rueben Bain Jr. 30.4%

Biggest Liability: Rueben Bain Jr.

5th Pick

Favorite: Sonny Styles +185

Highest Ticket: Carnell Tate 17.1%

Highest Handle: Carnell Tate 20.1%

Biggest Liability: Carnell Tate

Even though the NFL Draft takes place in Pittsburgh this year, those in Pennsylvania will not be allowed to legally wager on any of its outcomes. The Keystone State is one of seven betting states that ban Draft wagers. (Imagn)

Where Can You Legally Bet On The NFL Draft?

The NFL Draft has not been universally embraced by gaming regulators. Of the 39 states (plus Washington D.C,) with live and legal sports betting, seven don’t offer Draft betting. Even though the NFL Draft takes place in Pittsburgh, those in Pennsylvania cannot legally wager on any of its outcomes. The Keystone State is one of seven legal-betting states that prohibit Draft wagers. New York is another.

States Where You Can Bet On The NFL Draft

Here’s a list of the 31 states (plus Washington D.C.) that allow online and/or retail sports betting on the NFL Draft. They are listed with any notable restrictions in our 2026 NFL Draft Betting Guide.

Arizona: All markets must close before the start of the first round and live in-draft betting is prohibited.

Arkansas: No restrictions.

Colorado: No restrictions.

Delaware: No restrictions.

Florida: No restrictions.

Illinois: No restrictions.

Indiana: No restrictions.

Iowa: Markets must close 24 hours before the draft begins. Live betting is prohibited.

Kansas: No restrictions.

Louisiana: No restrictions in parishes that have approved sports wagering

Maine: No restrictions.

Maryland: No restrictions.

Massachusetts: Pre-draft bets must be placed before the No. 1 pick, round-specific wagers before each round, and pick-specific bets at least 2 selections prior.

Michigan: Like Massachusetts, with all bets closing the night before the draft.

Mississippi: Retail only.

Missouri: No restrictions

Montana: No restrictions.

Nebraska: Retail only.

New Hampshire: No restrictions.

Nevada: Wagers on specific players must be placed at least 24 hours before the start of the first round.

New Jersey: No restrictions.

New Mexico: Retail only.

North Carolina: Pre-draft bets must be placed before the first pick, round-specific wagers before each round, and pick-specific bets at least two selections prior.

Ohio: No restrictions in markets approved by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Oregon: No restrictions

Tennessee: Pre-draft bets must be placed before the first pick, round-specific wagers before each round, and pick-specific bets at least two selections prior.

Washington, D.C.: No restrictions.

West Virginia: All markets must close the night before the draft.

Wisconsin: Retail only.

Wyoming: No restrictions.

Legal Sports Betting States Without NFL Draft Betting

Here’s a list of the 7 states that allow legal sports betting but not wagering on the NFL Draft:

Connecticut

Kentucky

New York

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Vermont

Virginia

The Circa Sports Book in Las Vegas. (Alamy Images)

Overall Draft Has ‘Been A Loser’ For Sportsbooks

Avello managed the Wynn sportsbook in Las Vegas when Nevada first permitted Draft betting a decade years ago. One year later, betting expanded to include where specific players would be drafted.

“Since I started doing this, the number of markets has grown immensely. The Gaming Commission didn’t like us taking action on things that weren’t happening on the field,” Avello said. “The Draft has not been a resourceful proposition for books, overall. It's been a loser... Some places have kind of given up doing it. It's just too much work for them for the revenue that they make. But for us, we're full steam ahead with a full slate of options.”

In Las Vegas, the Westgate SuperBook's John Murray said his shop has cut back on draft offerings in recent years.

"We have really scaled back our NFL Draft offerings over the last few years. We offered a reduced menu on Tuesday afternoon/evening, and we saw a decent amount of handle on it but very few recreational customers betting into the numbers," Murray told Bookies.com. "It’s mostly people picking off numbers and/or shopping our number to a number at another sports book in town. It remains an extremely popular talking point, but in terms of betting, we see mostly wise guys play on it and keep our approach to handling it relatively conservative."

How Sportsbooks Set NFL Draft Odds

Setting lines for the Draft is uniquely challenging.

“Everything is connected,” Useloff said. “One decision leads to another, and that’s what makes it tough offering to have as a sportsbook.”

Fanatics uses a combination of internal data and external information to shape odds. The Draft’s fluid nature means traders must be ever vigilant for the latest posts from Adam Schefter or Ian Rapaport – in addition to the company’s bet ticket, which tracks every wager on the site.

“It does come down to where we think action will come while trying to prevent any huge liability,” he said.

Even popular consensus can be overridden if liability becomes a concern.

“The real crux of what we're doing comes down to where do we think bettors are going to end up moving their money towards?”

Odds and limits are set through consensus among traders and the risk team.

“It’s almost like an NFL War Room where someone stands on the table for their guy,” Useloff said.

The final call comes from the head of football trading and the risk team.

“The risk team sets the limits. Those are the folks who say we’re willing to take ‘X’ amount of dollars on ‘X’ individual bets. And the head of football is going to be the one who will be approving all of this.”

What Happens When A Trade Is Made

What happens when a Schefter Bomb drops?

“The first thing we're going to do is pull that market from site to make sure that we have time to have a thoughtful conversation about what is responsible for our company, and what's responsible for the bettors," Useloff said.

Avello says DraftKings is prepared to adjust in real-time.

“We’ve got a lot of eyes on this. We know what’s going on,” he said.