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Every year, Detroit Lions fans eagerly await the highly anticipated NFL Draft.
Nevertheless, it is an occasion that may cause perplexity among sports bettors in Michigan.
Although Michigan sportsbooks provide ample odds and markets for bettors, there remains a lack of clarity regarding the time restrictions associated with betting on the NFL Draft.
Before you begin speculating on who the Lions might select at the 6th overall pick, it would be wise to familiarize yourself with the rules and limitations for the draft night.
New rules on NFL Draft live betting in Michigan
When can you place bets on the NFL Draft is not as much about what, but rather the biggest question.
In previous NFL Drafts, bettors from Michigan were required to place their wagers by Wednesday night at midnight. However, last year, Michigan had to halt NFL Draft betting once the events of each day commenced. Consequently, the betting for the first round concluded at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Fortunately, bettors in Michigan will enjoy increased flexibility for the NFL Draft in 2025.
According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, wagers on an approved player draft will be accepted only if the following conditions are met:
- All pre-draft bets relating to the entire draft must be placed and agreed upon before the first pick/selection is made. For instance, if you wish to bet on the number of players to be drafted from school X throughout the entire draft, your wager must be made prior to the first pick/selection.
- In order to place bets on specific rounds, such bets must be made and accepted before the first pick/selection of the earliest round included in the bet. For instance, if you want to bet on whether player X will be drafted in the second round, you must place the wager before the first pick/selection of the second round. Similarly, if you want to bet on whether player Y will be drafted in the third or fourth round, you need to make the wager prior to the first pick/selection of the third round.
- Before the announcement of pick/selection No. 23, it is necessary to make and accept pick-specific or selection-specific offerings that relate to the pick/selection two steps before the relevant pick/selection. For instance, if you want to place a bet on whether position X or player Y will be chosen as pick/selection No. 25 in the draft, you must make the wager before pick/selection No. 23 is announced.
This year, bettors will have the opportunity to place live bets during the draft for pick-specific wagers. However, it is important to note that these bets can only be placed two picks in advance.
All bets that pertain to the entire draft must be placed before the first selection is made.
What NFL Draft bets can you make in Michigan?
The MGCB does not provide an explicit list of all the betting options available for the NFL Draft.
The NFL Draft is listed as an approved event for placing bets in the MGCB’s Sports Wagering Catalog.
As you explore the online sportsbooks in Michigan, you will come across various markets for:
- Probabilities of being selected as the top pick, second pick, and so forth.
- Predictions for the draft positions of certain players
- Predicting position totals in the first round of the draft with Over/Under.
- Chances of being chosen within the top 10
- Chances of being selected in the initial round
- The prediction is for the number of players from a conference who will be chosen in the first round.
- Which player will be drafted first in the head-to-head matchups?
- Is Mr. Irrelevant going to play on offense or defense?
- What positions will specific teams focus on in their draft specials?
- Draft exact order parlays
Michigan has an abundance of betting options, without a doubt.
Detroit Lions hold four NFL Draft picks in first two rounds
The Detroit Lions have a lot riding on this year’s NFL Draft.
The Lions enter the NFL Draft with a total of nine picks, including two picks in both the first and second rounds.
- In the initial round, the team secured the No. 6 overall pick, which was acquired from the L.A. Rams.
- Round 1: Pick number 18
- Second Round: Pick No. 17, 48th overall
- In the second round, with the 55th overall pick (acquired from Minnesota), the team selects number 24.
- In the third round of the draft, the 81st overall pick was awarded to the team with the 18th selection.
- In the fifth round, the 152nd overall pick is represented by No. 18.
- In the fifth round, we have the 159th overall pick (acquired from Atlanta), slot number 25.
- In the sixth round, the team acquired the 183rd overall pick from Denver.
- Round six: Pick number 17, 194th selection in total.
Devon Witherspoon favored to be taken No. 6 overall in NFL Draft
With regards to this year’s NFL Draft, Detroit possesses a variety of positional needs, which grants the Lions flexibility in making their early picks.
Detroit’s approach this week may be impacted by the recent suspension of Jameson Williams for six games, despite defense likely being a focal point.
Devon Witherspoon, the cornerback from Illinois, is currently the frontrunner at Michigan sportsbooks to be chosen as the sixth overall pick. With odds usually hovering around -130, Witherspoon holds the top spot. Following closely behind is Jalen Carter, the defensive tackle from Georgia, with odds of approximately +300.
According to John Maakaron from All Lions, Detroit is anticipated to focus on bolstering their secondary. However, Maakaron wouldn’t be opposed to witnessing a surprising choice of a talented running back.
According to Maakaron, the Detroit Lions have a great opportunity to improve their defense in the first round of the draft. With the 6th pick, it is likely that they will focus on strengthening their secondary. The trade of Jeff Okudah opens the door for general manager Brad Holmes to target either Devon Witherspoon or Christian Gonzalez with that pick. However, Maakaron suggests that if the Lions want to make a big move, they should consider adding running back Bijan Robinson to their offense, especially with the suspension of wide receiver Jameson Williams.
Currently, odds for the No. 18 pick are unavailable. Maakaron predicts that the Lions will use their second selection to bolster their defensive front.
“Having likely addressed their secondary in the early rounds of the draft, the Lions should now focus on bolstering their defensive line. It is crucial for Detroit to prioritize stopping the run and putting pressure on the quarterback from the interior of their defensive line in 2025,” he emphasized. “The team struggled with giving up significant yards on the ground, which hindered their ability to start games on a positive note. Bryan Bresee would be an excellent fit for the Lions’ culture and a strong choice at the 18th pick. Alternatively, Lukas Van Ness or Myles Murphy could also be valuable additions to enhance Detroit’s defensive line, which has rapidly become a team strength.”
Mock drafts target defense for Detroit Lions in NFL Draft
Our Detroit Lions Draft Guide examines several mock drafts, providing insights on the anticipated selections for the No. 6 and No. 18 picks during Thursday night’s draft.
Both choices are a bit disorganized.
Some of the top contenders for the No. 6 position are Will Anderson, an edge rusher from Alabama, Tyree Wilson, a defensive end from Texas Tech, as well as Carter and Witherspoon.
In the mock drafts, Pittsburgh’s defensive tackle Calijah Kancey is frequently chosen by Detroit at the 18th spot. Additionally, Maryland’s cornerback Deonte Banks, Penn State’s cornerback Joey Porter Jr., and Robinson are other notable names that frequently surface.
