The 2024 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and NFL Draft prop bets are heating up as the first round approaches.

When the first round begins Thursday night, many analysts are predicting a major run on quarterbacks to start the draft. In fact, fans can take advantage of some solid odds at FanDuel for the first 4 overall picks in the draft to be QBs.

If that scenario plays out, it will be the first time in the history of the NFL Draft that the first 4 picks have all been QBs. It is not a far-fetched outcome with most mock drafts projecting Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye to come off the board as the first 3 picks in some order.

However, the QB situation is not the only positional prop bet worth considering. ESPN Bet and DraftKings both have some interesting odds for the number of first-round picks from specific positions, and we’ll take an in-depth look at 3 of those odds below. (And be sure to get in on Thursday’s action with Tradition’s top Ohio betting apps.)

Total DL & edge rushers in the 1st round (Over 6.5 +190; Under 6.5 -250 via ESPN Bet)

  • First-round locks: Dallas Turner (Alabama), Laiatu Latu (UCL), Byron Murphy II (Texas), Jared Verse (Florida State)

When it comes to the draft, the most important positions traditionally revolve around the quarterback. That involves QBs themselves, offensive tackles (for protection) or pass rushers (to get after the QB).

This year is no different, but with a number of elite wide receivers earning first-round grades, it will be interesting to see if the defensive side of the ball is able to hit the over 6.5 number for defensive linemen and edge rushers selected. With +190 odds, it’s worth the gamble.

At the end of the day, nothing can be ruled out in terms of the draft, but it feels safe to label Turner, Latu, Murphy and Verse as first-round locks based on projections. That means there are just 3 additional players needed to hit the over on this bet.

Penn State’s Chop Robinson is another player likely to be drafted in the first round with an explosive skill set, and Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton has the added ability to rush the passer from the interior.

For those who look to mock drafts for insight, ESPN’s Jordan Reid projects the under on this prop bet to hit with 6 DL and edge rushers in his first round. Meanwhile, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter is projecting the over with Mizzou’s Darius Robinson the player to make this bet hit late in the first round.

Without a difference-maker at middle linebacker in the first round, I feel safe projecting the over here, even if it requires a team reaching a bit for a player who may have a second-round grade.

Total OL in the 1st round (Over 9.5 – 190; Under 9.5 +150 via ESPN Bet)

  • First-round locks: Joe Alt (Notre Dame), Olu Fashanu (Penn State), JC Latham (Alabama), Troy Fautanu (Washington), Amarius Mims (Georgia)

Protecting the QB comes at a premium price, so teams with a firm grasp on their QB situation are always prone to look for a difference-maker at left tackle. That thought lends itself to a large group of first-round locks, but it is the question marks outside of that group to monitor here.

Revisiting the mock drafts referenced earlier, Reid has 9 offensive linemen projected in the first round. Reuter also comes in under the 9.5 number while projecting just 8 offensive linemen in the first round.

The big key to this number comes back to the wide receiver group. A deeper than usual pool of receivers with a first-round grade could lead a few teams to reach for a receiver they may not otherwise get a shot at, pushing some of the offensive line group further down the board.

Considering the under 9.5 is listed at +150, it’s an angle certainly worth hammering ahead of Thursday.

Total offensive players in the 1st round (Over 21.5 +150 via DraftKings)

With 32 picks in the first round, one side of the ball accounting for 20+ picks is largely unheard of in recent history. In fact, in the past 6 years, the most offensive players to come off the board in the first round is 18.

Here are the number of offensive players selected in the first round each year going back to 2018:

  • 15 – 2023
  • 16 – 2022
  • 18 – 2021
  • 18 – 2020
  • 14 – 2019
  • 17 – 2018

Taking the over 21.5 number has some risks, but it’s one worth taking. 4 quarterbacks are first-round locks, and the combination of Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. continues to be mocked at various positions.

Along with those QBs, there looks to be a group of at least 6 receivers who could come off the board in the first round. Then, there’s the aforementioned offensive line group that could produce 9 players in the first round.

Some of the thinking here also comes back to teams taking a reach, even if a player is graded lower on most draft boards. It is not unheard of for a “run” on a particular position to lead to teams reaching for a position they otherwise would not go after.

With a deeper QB and receiver group than normal, look for the offensive side of the ball to dominate Thursday’s first-round selections.