We are in a sports desert, but DraftKings is doing its best to provide interesting action for New Hampshire sports bettors.
Among the site’s most interesting prop bets are the lines it has going for NFL QBs and the NFL Draft, which is scheduled to be an all-remote affair.
The QB Trio: Dalton, Newton, and Winston
Labeled “QB Next Team Specials,” DraftKings is offering lines for where Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, and Jameis Winston will take their first snap in the 2020-2021 season.
Andy Dalton: Jags Lead the Way
As of April 4, DraftKings has the Jacksonville Jaguars as the most likely landing spot for the angle-faced red-head from Cincinnati.
The Jaguars’ current QB roster consists of rookie breakout Gardner Minshew II and former Pittsburgh Steelers backup Josh Dobbs. General sentiment across the league is that Minshew isn’t a lock for a long-term role with the Jaguars, although the fan base may beg to differ. Minshew’s backwoods persona—mustache and all—made him a league sensation.
Oddsmakers seem to agree with league experts, though, considering the +250 line for Dalton to land in Northeast Florida.
Interestingly, the Bengals are the second most-likely team for Dalton (+300) and the Vikings are the least likely candidates at +25,000.
Cam Newton: Bound for the Bolts
The Los Angeles Chargers QB room is, by most standards, underwhelming. The Bolts have a serviceable QB in Tyrod Taylor, and while the fleet-footed Taylor is a master of ball security, he’s got a reputation for being timid with downfield throws and unable to lead a team with his arm.
Behind Taylor is second-year Easton Stick, whose claim to fame at this point is that he played at the same school Carson Wentz did: North Dakota State University.
DraftKings currently has a +150 line for Newton going to the Chargers, +300 for Newton to take his first snap with the Jags and a +25,000 line for him being under center with the Minnesota Vikings.
Jameis Winston: Jags All-in on the 30/30 Man
With a 2019 stat line of more than 5,000 passing yards, 30 TDs, and 30 INTs, Jameis Winston is a polarizing player if there ever was one. His own coach made light of Winston’s Jekyll-and-Hyde performance, saying in a press conference that if Tampa Bay could win with Winston, ”we can definitely win with another one, too.”
DraftKings’ lines favor the Jags (+250) and the Chargers (+500), while marking the Cleveland Browns as the long-shot at +25,000.
Note: DraftKings will void bets on a player if the player isn’t on a roster “for the 2020 season’s opening kickoff.”
The NFL Draft: Burrow the Favorite to Go No. 1
In addition to lines on which QBs will take a snap on which teams, DraftKings is giving you the chance to put money on which player will go first overall in the draft, who will go second and what the exact outcome will be for the first three picks.
Most experts agree that LSU QB Joe Burrow will go first and Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young will go second. DraftKings’ lines say Burrow, Young and Ohio State DB Jeffrey Okudah are the most likely 1-2-3 combo, with the second most-likely scenario being Burrow and Young followed by Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa.
Other interesting draft-day bets include which position Mr. Irrelevant (last pick of the draft) plays. The past five final picks have been:
• 2019: Caleb Wilson, TE, Arizona Cardinals
• 2018: Trey Quinn, WR, Washington Redskins
• 2017: Chad Kelly, QB, Denver Broncos
• 2016: Kalan Reed, CB, Tennessee Titans
• 2015: Gerald Christian, TE, Arizona Cardinals
Non-NFL Betting Options: A Barren Landscape
Other available options (among many) for New Hampshire bettors include Belarus Premier League soccer—Minsk is at the top of the table after two matches—and futures on the World Series champ as well as the winner of the 2021 Professional Darts Corporation World Championship (Michael van Gerwen is the clear favorite at +163).
