Vegas has expanded the betting options to include a number of prop bets for the 2017 NFL Draft. While fans will not be able to place wagers on specific players, there are a plethora of options ranging from players getting drafted from a particular conference to the number of quarterbacks that will be selected in the first round. While you cannot bet on the specific team where a players will land, there are a number of prop bets with over-under numbers for some of the top prospects. For example, the over-under for Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is 12.5. If you take over 12.5, it means you are betting Watson will not be selected with one of the first 12 selections. The under means you are taking Watson to be selected inside the first 12 picks. Nevada Gaming Chairman A.G. Burnett explained the stipulations to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It has to be something that makes us comfortable from a regulatory standpoint,” Burnett told the Las Vegas Review Journal. “Most importantly, that the outcome of the event can’t be affected by a bet that is placed.” All odds listed are courtesy of OddsShark. Heavy is here to walk you through the best bets for the NFL Draft by making a few predictions for Thursday's first round. Fans can also check out Heavy's latest mock draft for help on additional prop bets. Click the arrow on the right side of the middle of the page to see Heavy's top predictions and bets for the 2017 NFL Draft. (Getty)
No. 5 Joe Mixon Will be Drafted Before the 47th Pick
Prop Bet: Over (-145)/Under (+115) pick 46.5
Go With the Under: Mixon has been the player with the biggest amount of scrutiny in the 2017 NFL Draft. During the summer of 2014, before his freshman year at Oklahoma, Mixon punched a woman in the face and the incident was caught on tape. It was not released until December 2016. The video has caused some teams to take him off their draft board completely. That said, all it takes is one team that is willing to take him and deal with the backlash. As some have pointed out, if a team is willing to take him with a 6th round pick there is no point in not taking him in the first two rounds as fans are going to be upset no matter where he gets selected. The Eagles and Chiefs are two teams who have been linked to Mixon. The Giants could be another fit if Mixon is on their board. Either way, it looks likes Mixon will go late first to early second round. (Getty)
No. 4 T.J. Watt Will Get Drafted in the First Round
Prop Bet: Round 1 +100/ Field -130
Go With Round 1: In my latest NFL mock draft, Watt goes off the board at 28 to the Cowboys. Watt could start to get looks from the Redskins at 17. The Lions, Dolphins, Raiders and Steelers are a few other teams that could be fits for Watt. He had 11.5 sacks last season at Wisconsin and is one of the top edge rushers in this draft class. With the value of pass rushers who can get to the quarterback at a high rate, it would be surprising to see Watt go through all of Day 1 without getting selected. Smart money is on J.J. Watt's younger brother getting drafted in the first round. (Getty)
No. 1 There Will Be at Least 3 Running Backs Selected in the First Round
Prop Bet: Over 2.5 (-300)/Under 2.5 (+240)
Go With the Over: This class was once labeled the year of the running back. What has happened in the pre-draft process is the backs have all been picked apart. I still believe NFL teams are high on at least four running backs. Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey look to be going inside the top ten picks. Look for Dalvin Cook to not fall below the Giants at 23. This already puts the number at three without considering Joe Mixon who could slip into the end of the first round to a team that is comfortable with him on their board. The over-under has been set at 2.5 players, and we think the over is a safe bet. (Getty)
NFL Draft Predictions 2017: Odds & Best Prop Bets