2024 NFL Draft Preview: Best First-Round Predictions, Props, Odds, and Picks

Before getting to the best 2024 NFL Draft props and picks, be sure to check out BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from NFL draft odds to early Super Bowl markets and everything in between.

Thursday is a big night in the football world as it marks the beginning of the 2024 NFL Draft. The iconic annual event will be held at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI as hundreds of college prospects take the next step to becoming professional players.

One day away. pic.twitter.com/P2nrFLERfS

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2024

Even though there aren’t any games for another few months, NFL bettors can still get in on some action at the draft. Most major sportsbooks host a plethora of draft markets, ranging from who’ll be drafted first overall to when a specific player will be selected.

There’s a lot to take in ahead of Thursday night, which is why Betting News is here to help. Let’s check out some of my favorite 2024 NFL Draft odds, props and picks and other important information you need to know this week.

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2024 NFL Draft Order for Round 1

The 2024 NFL Draft for the first round is up to date as of 10:22 a.m. ET on Wednesday, April 24. 

1. Chicago Bears (via CAR)
2. Washington Commanders
3. New England Patriots
4. Arizona Cardinals
5. Los Angeles Chargers
6. New York Giants
7. Tennessee Titans
8. Atlanta Falcons
9. Chicago Bears
10. New York Jets
11. Minnesota Vikings
12. Denver Broncos
13. Las Vegas Raiders
14. New Orleans Saints
15. Indianapolis Colts
16. Seattle Seahawks
17. Jacksonville Jaguars
18. Cincinnati Bengals
19. LA Rams
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
21. Miami Dolphins
22. Philadelphia Eagles
23. Minnesota Vikings (via CLE > HOU)
24. Dallas Cowboys
25. Green Bay Packers
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
27. Arizona Cardinals (via HOU)
28. Buffalo Bills
29. Detroit Lions
30. Baltimore Ravens
31. San Francisco 49ers
32. Kansas City Chiefs

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2024 NFL Draft: First-Round Props, Odds, & Picks

All 2024 NFL Draft odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Wednesday, April 24. 

First Overall Pick Odds

• Caleb Williams, USC (-50000)
• Jayden Daniels, LSU (+3300)
• Drake Maye, UNC (+4000)
• Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State (+10000)
• J.J. McCarthy, Michigan (+10000)
• Michael Penix Jr., Washington (+15000)
• Bo Nix, Oregon (+15000)

Unsurprisingly, USC’s Caleb Williams is heavily favored to be taken first overall by the Chicago Bears on Thursday. The highly touted quarterback prospect has been the consensus No. 1 selection for the last few years and his joining the Bears seems all but guaranteed after they traded Justin Fields away this offseason.

This market offers very little value, so I’d avoid it altogether if I were you.

NFL Draft First Overall Pick Prediction: Caleb Williams (-50000) — But avoid this market

Second Overall Pick Odds

• Jayden Daniels, LSU (-500)
• Drake Maye, UNC (+325)
• J.J. McCarthy, Michigan (+1000)
• Caleb Williams, USC (+10000)
• Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State (+10000)
• Michael Penix Jr., Washington (+15000)
• Bo Nix, Oregon (+15000)
• Malik Nabers, LSU (+15000)

The Washington Commanders are drafting second overall and looking for their franchise QB, too. Jayden Daniels is the current favorite (-500), which I agree with. The LSU signal-caller has the potential to terrorize the NFL for years to come with his promising combination of passing and mobility.

JAYDEN DANIELS TAKES OFF FOR 85-YARD TOUCHDOWN 🔥 (via @LSUfootball)
pic.twitter.com/TeH48SGISk

— Overtime (@overtime) November 12, 2023

NFL insider Albert Breer recently reported that rival teams are under the impression that Daniels is going to Washington, meaning I’d be surprised if he wasn’t a Commander once the 2024 campaign begins.

NFL Draft Second Overall Pick Prediction: Jayden Daniels (-500)

Third Overall Pick Odds

• Drake Maye, UNC (-300)
• J.J. McCarthy, Michigan (+425)
• Jayden Daniels, LSU (+450)
• Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State (+2500)
• Caleb Williams, USC (+10000)
• Joe Alt, Notre Dame (+10000)
• Michael Penix Jr., Washington (+10000)
• Malik Nabers, LSU (+10000)
• Bo Nix, Oregon (+15000)

Here’s where things get interesting. While BetOnline’s third-overall pick odds favor UNC QB Drake Maye to be taken by the New England Patriots, I’m predicting that Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy will end up in Foxboro instead.

The Patriots have been linked to McCarthy ever since he ascended the pre-draft rankings following March’s combine. It’s at the point where experts theorize that New England could draft the 21-year-old gunslinger due to his being a Michigan product, just like Tom Brady.

Let’s also not forget that it was just last month when Sportskeeda‘s Tony Pauline reported that the Patriots’ scouts weren’t that high on Maye. After leading the Wolverines to a National Championship, don’t be surprised if the Pats view McCarthy as the catalyst to help them return to the Super Bowl picture.

NFL Draft Third Overall Pick Prediction: J.J. McCarthy (+425)

Will the 49ers Draft Luke McCaffrey?

• Yes (+100)

One prop that I like a lot concerns the San Francisco 49ers potentially drafting Rice QB-turned-WR Luke McCaffrey. McCaffrey — a projected third/fourth-round pick — is the younger brother of Christian, who’s the 49ers’ No. 1 running back and one of the top rushers in the league today.

I think there’s a solid chance that the younger McCaffrey ends up in the Bay. The 49ers head into the 2024 NFL Draft with 10 selections, including four in Rounds 3 and 4, giving them more than enough ammunition to add the Highlands Ranch, CO native.

Given that San Francisco could be looking for more wideout depth if Brandon Aiyuk is traded, all signs point to the McCaffrey Bros. teaming up on the 49ers this fall.

Will the 49ers Draft Luke McCaffrey: Yes (+100)

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Who Will Be Traded First During 2024 NFL Draft?

• Brandon Aiyuk, SF (+200)
• Alvin Kamara, NO (+300)
• Courtland Sutton, DEN (+400)
• DeAndre Hopkins, TEN (+500)
• Tee Higgins, CIN (+600)
• A.J. Brown, PHI (+800)

The first round of the NFL Draft isn’t only about the prospects being selected. After all, blockbuster trades have become a big part of the draft experience, proven by the Green Bay Packers trading Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets on Day 1 last year.

Several big-time players have been involved in trade rumors leading up to Thursday. But when it comes to which of those names will be moved first, I’m going with Tee Higgins (+600).  49ers general manager John Lynch made it clear that he isn’t interested in trading Aiyuk while the Broncos “do not plan to trade” Courtland Sutton. With discussions surrounding Alvin Kamara and DeAndre Hopkins quieting down, Higgins being moved makes the most sense.

This Tee Higgins touchdown is the definition of win at all costs.

Still not sure how he managed to get the ball across the goal line 🤯 pic.twitter.com/9sCp0ApQd6

— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) April 19, 2024

Even though Higgins sees himself playing in Cincinnati next season, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. Teams will likely be blowing up the Bengals’ phone for his services and GM Duke Tobin might have a tough time saying no if he’s offered a haul. The Bengals’ 2023 campaign was quite disappointing and they could use all the draft help they can get to come back stronger.

A Higgins trade is still somewhat of a long shot but I see there being a better chance of it happening on Thursday than the oddsmakers imply.

First Player Traded During 2024 NFL Draft: Tee Higgins (+600)

Mr. Irrelevant 2024 Draft Position

• Quarterback (+350)
• Defensive lineman/end (+500)
• Offensive lineman (+600)
• Wide receiver (+750)
• Cornerback (+900)
• Linebacker (+900)
• Running back (+1000)
• Safety (+1000)
• Kicker/punter/long snapper (+1000)
• Tight end (+1200)

The title of “Mr. Irrelevant” goes to the final player selected in any given NFL Draft. Receiving the moniker doesn’t always spell disaster, though, as the 49ers’ Brock Purdy (2022) proved by becoming one of the league’s best quarterbacks during the 2023 season.

When it comes to predicting Mr. Irrelevant 2024’s position, I’m going with QB again. Three of the last 12 Mr. Irrelevants were quarterbacks, which is only matched by tight ends during that stretch. The New York Jets currently hold this year’s final pick and it wouldn’t surprise me if they took a swing on a signal-caller considering that Rodgers likely only has a year or two left in the tank.

With all odds in this mark being plus options, you can’t go wrong with the most obvious option.

Mr. Irrelevant 2024 Position: Quarterback (+350)

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2024 NFL Draft FAQ

When is the 2024 NFL Draft?

• The 2024 NFL Draft begins with Day 1 on Thursday, April 25. Day 2 will take place on Friday before the three-day event ends on Saturday.

Where is the 2024 NFL Draft?

• The 2024 NFL Draft takes place at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI. It’s the first time that the Motor City is holding the event.

What time is the 2024 NFL Draft?

• Day 1: April 25 @ 8 p.m. ET
• Day 2: April 26 @ 7 p.m. ET
• Day 3: April 27 @ 12 p.m. ET

How can I watch the 2024 NFL Draft?

• All three days of the 2024 NFL Draft can be viewed on ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN Deportes, ABC, and the NFL Network.

How to Bet on the 2024 NFL Draft

• All major online sportsbooks — including BetOnline — feature a wide variety of 2024 NFL Draft markets, odds, and props. You can find them on the trusted sportsbooks below: