Over the past three years, Roger Goodell and company have tried to make the NFL Draft more fun. They’ve rotated the venue, opened things up to the fans more, and they have even allowed the players invited to the draft to choose walk-up songs to be introduced to.
For the first time ever, there will be betting on which artists will have their music played when players come up to the stage to be introduced to the world. Let’s break down whether or not we will hear certain artists during the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Thanks to Dan Hanzus for making this easier by cataloging players’ walk-up songs at the 2015, 2016, and 2017 NFL Draft.
2018 NFL Draft Walk-Up Songs Prop Betting Odds (Courtesy of BetDSI)
Drake song is used as a walk-up song for any NFL Draft Rd 1 selection
Yes -200
No +150
No +150
There might not be a current rapper as iconic as Drake. He is such a household name that he even smashes record when he’s playing video games. He has a long list of hits, and it seems likely that at least one of the 22 players taking the stage will use one of his songs. Two players walked out to Drake songs in 2016 and three players used songs by the talented artist in 2017. Drake had an album come out in 2016 and has another slated to come out in two months, so his music is still very fresh.
Future song is used as a walk-up song for any NFL Draft Rd 1 selection
Yes -250
No +200
No +200
Although Future may not be as well-known to most of America as Drake, he is considered more likely to have a song played at the draft. Future is the only artist to have had at least two draft picks use his songs when they come on stage for each of the last three drafts. He is one of the hardest working rappers in the business with five albums released over the past four years. That gives athletes a lot of choices to pick from if they want to use his work.
Lil Wayne song is used as a walk-up song for any NFL Draft Rd 1 selection
Yes -200
No +150
No +150
Few rappers have been popular for as long as Lil Wayne has. Tunechi has been at it for two decades now and is still one of the first names brought up when you ask the average person to name rap artists. His popularity may have faded a bit in recent years, but he is still considered a favorite to have a song played at the draft. Lil Wayne has not had an athlete use one of his songs since 2015, but he runs a sports agency and has signed multiple prospects that will be selected this year.
Kendrick Lamar song is used as a walk-up song for any NFL Draft Rd 1 selection
Yes -300
No +240
No +240
Kendrick Lamar might be the most popular rapper in America right now. It doesn’t take long to hear his music on the radio no matter where you live, and that has made him the biggest favorite to have a song played in Dallas. Even though he has only had one athlete use one of his songs for their walk-up, DeShone Kizer in 2017, it’s hard to imagine that we don’t hear one of his hits on Thursday night.
Cardi B song is used as a walk-up song for any NFL Draft Rd 1 selection
Yes -115
No -115
No -115
The oddsmakers are a little more skeptical about the next two artists on this list. Cardi B is extremely popular right now, but she is still relatively new to the scene. Her single ‘Bodak Yellow’ was a huge hit when it was released in June 2017, and she has been one of the most listened to artists since that point. However, she has never had one of her songs used at the draft. It will be interesting to see whether or not one of the 22 draft invitees uses one of her hits.
Kodak Black song is used as a walk-up song for any NFL Draft Rd 1 selection
Yes -115
No -115
Yes -115
No -115
Kodak Black has had at least one of his songs used at each of the last two drafts. Yet the oddsmakers consider it a toss-up whether or not we hear the south Florida rapper on Thursday night. Kodak Black has been in a lot of trouble with the law over the past year and is currently locked up. His music is still very popular though, and he was able to release an album and two mix tapes last year.
