Unless you are a professional football scout, the NFL Scouting Combine can be rather monotonous. But at least one internet sportsbook is trying to jazz up the event by offering prop bets on this pre-draft showcase of 300 hot NFL prospects. BetOnline, for one, is spreading several performance-based wagers, as well as offering bets on specific players.
The annual get-together of invited former college players perform a series of mental and physical tests that team personnel use to rate their draft status. The weeklong bootcamp is held annually at the end of February at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Some tests include physical fitness staples such as the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, bench press, and broad jump. Athletes also undergo interviewing by team scouts, with draft position potentially in the balance.
Quarterbacks Center Stage
This year six quarterbacks could be taken in the first round. USC’s Sam Darnold has been rumored to be the No. 1 pick, which is held by the Cleveland Browns. Other signal callers that could get snapped up quickly are UCLA’s Josh Rosen, Wyoming’s Josh Allen, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.
Their tests begin on Saturday, but Darnold already told officials he will not throw, saying he instead will focus on the psychological tests and team interviews.
Two QBs who will be on the field are Rosen and Allen, and one available bet is on how they compare in the 40-year dash. Allen is the -220 favorite to run a faster race than Rosen, who is at +180.
Jackson might have the most to prove this week. The former Cardinal is expected to be taken in the first round, but some experts have him as a second rounder. Oddsmakers believe he will wow with his speed. He is a -125 pick to run the 40 faster than 4.45 seconds and a -105 to run slower.
Another player at that position is South Florida’s Quinton Flowers. He is projected to go in the later rounds, but could improve his standing with a good combine. BetOnline has a bet for his 40 time. The faster than 4.58 seconds is a +100 and the slower than 4.58 seconds is -130.
Weightlifting Prop Bets
Offensive and defensive linemen will be exhibiting strength, and three bets are available on their weightlifting abilities. One is will any of them produce 40 or more repetitions in the bench press. A Yes bet is +180 and a no is -230.
Another prop is the over/under of reps with the number set at 38.5. The over and under are both at -115. The last category is whether the most will come from an offensive or defensive player. An offensive player is -105 and a defensive one is -125.
The weight is 225 pounds and the record for the most reps is 51 by Justin Ernest in 1999. That doesn’t translate to success on the field. Ernst wasn’t drafted and signed with the New Orleans Saints. He never made the team and his NFL career never materialized.