Early NFL Draft Odds: Player Matchup Betting Adds New Twist

The early NFL draft odds have several different ways for bettors to get involved in the draft. One way is to bet if a particular player is drafted before another. With this type of betting you don’t really care when a player is drafted. Just as long as he’s drafted before the player he’s matched up against.

Determining certain team needs can give a bettor a bit of an edge. But there are always trades that could throw everything out of sync. Much of this draft could be determined by what the Houston Texans do at No. 2. There’s no shortage of teams wanting the pick and the chance to take C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young.

Matchup No. 1

Will Levis (-175) over Anthony Richardson (+145)

There’s good value on Richardson at +145 over Levis. Richardson has a lot of natural athleticism that can’t be taught, something NFL teams like to see. He had a solid showing at pro day, which can only help. He’s not as polished at Levis at this point in time, but he has tons of potential. It’s hard to picture Richardson sliding down past Indianapolis and Seattle, so Richardson is probably worth a stab at generous odds.

Matchup No. 2

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (-550) vs Jordan Addison (+375)

Smith-Njigba is coming off an injury-plagued season but is still viewed as the top wide receiver in this year’s draft class. He looked good on pro day, which should ease fears over his injuries. Addison is a solid receiver and could be taken a few picks after Smith-Njigba. But he’ll likely be taken after Smith-Njigba, making this one a tough call. If he’s available, Addison will be taken by Minnesota at No. 23, but have to imagine Smith-Njigba will be selected before that.

Matchup No. 3

Drew Sanders (-150) vs Jack Campbell (+120)

This matchup of linebackers is intriguing, as both are likely to fall to the second round. Arkansas’ Sanders is a small favorite in the early NFL draft odds but it’s pretty much a toss-up between the two players. The New York Giants are a potential spoiler here and take Campbell at the end of the first round. But they could also go Sanders if they take a linebacker. There are far worse bets you can make than take Campbell at plus odds.

Matchup No. 4

Dalton Kincaid (-200) vs Michael Mayer (+160)

This one is a matchup of the likely first two tight ends selected and the mock drafts are all over the place. Both range from the middle of the first round to the middle of the second round. Kincaid should be cleared for full contact next month and a strong pro day showing shouldn’t have teams scared off. Both are likely to put up decent NFL player stats but Kincaid is thought to have a little higher upside.

Matchup No. 5

Paris Johnson Jr. (-145) over Peter Skoronski (+115)

Teams will be happy with either one of these guys, who can step in right away. Johnson is viewed as the best offensive lineman in the draft, but it’s not much of a drop, if any, to Skoronski or Broderick Jones. It will be up to each team to determine which player it likes the most. You can make a case for Skoronski, although Johnson is probably the safer bet.

Fans aren’t happy when their team drafts a lineman in the first round. But solid play up front is a key to success. The NFL spreads scouts all over the country to find the best players in the trenches and these are two of the very best.

Matchup No. 6

Devon Witherspoon (-250) vs Christian Gonzalez (+195)

There’s no doubt Witherspoon is a good. But it’s awfully hard to pass up Gonzalez at +195. The difference between the two is minor but Gonzalez may have slightly more potential in the long run. Both can flat out move, Gonzalez ran a 4.38 in the 40 and Witherspoon was clocked at 4.40.

Just as many mock drafts have Gonzalez going before Witherspoon as don’t. But the difference is you’re getting nearly 2-to-1 on the early NFL draft odds with the Oregon cornerback. Gonzalez is worth a play at +195.

Matchup No. 7

Zay Flowers (-500) vs Jalin Hyatt (+350)

A bit of a mismatch here, as Flowers is expected to go in the first round and Hyatt will likely fall to the second round. Still, it’s not easy laying these types of odds on the NFL draft. Flowers met with the New York Giants last week and isn’t likely to fall past them in the first round.

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