Longtime oddsmaker Ed Salmons approved of the Raiders’ draft, which featured three receivers in their first four picks — Henry Ruggs, Lynn Bowden and Bryan Edwards.
NFL
The number of NFL draft props and amount of money wagered on them increased exponentially at Nevada sportsbooks in the fourth year they were allowed to take bets.
The Green Bay Packers were the biggest loser, in the opinion of Westgate sportsbook vice president of risk Ed Salmons and Sunset Station sportsbook director Chuck Esposito.
As of Friday afternoon, William Hill had taken 623 wagers on Mr. Irrelevant, the title bestowed each year on the last pick of the NFL draft.
Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette, the Raiders’ second selection at No. 19, was a heavy favorite (-550) not to be taken in the first round.
Wagering on the NFL draft in Nevada has been dominated by sharp bettors since sportsbooks were allowed to take wagers on the event in 2017.
With the NFL draft taking center stage Thursday on an otherwise barren sports landscape, Las Vegas sportsbooks have posted a record number of props on the event.
The aftershocks of the deal that reunites Rob Gronkowski with Tom Brady reverberated at Circa Sports, where Tampa Bay’s odds to win the Super Bowl dropped from 15-1 to 11-1.
The Alabama quarterback is the -130 favorite at William Hill to be the third QB drafted after opening at 7-1 and over his draft position of 5½ is -160 at Circa Sports.
But odds posted at offshore sportsbooks are stacked against the college football season starting Aug. 29 and the NFL opening Sept. 10 as scheduled.
Circa Sports has posted 2020 NFL MVP odds on 87 players, ranging from 5-1 on favorite Patrick Mahomes to 500-1 on eight wide receivers and a tight end.
Circa Sports has posted odds on 87 players to win The Associated Press’ NFL MVP award. Patrick Mahomes is the 5-1 favorite, and Lamar Jackson is the 6-1 second choice.
Circa Sports posted odds on the Raiders’ first pick in the NFL draft and several other unique draft props. Receivers Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb are the favorites.
The Buccaneers have finished with a losing record in eight of nine years. Tampa Bay’s season win total soared from 8½ to 9½ at Circa sportsbook after it signed Tom Brady.
Las Vegas bookmakers welcome more wagering but worry about a watered-down product when the NFL expands from 12 to 14 playoff teams beginning this season.