NFL Player Props Guide: Passing Yards, Anytime TD, Rushing Attempts & More

NFL player props offer a fun alternative to traditional point spread and moneyline betting. Instead of picking which team will win, you can wager on how individual players will perform in specific statistical categories.

From passing yards and rushing attempts to receiving touchdowns and receptions, this guide explains the key NFL player prop markets you'll find at sportsbooks and what they mean for bettors.

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What Are NFL Player Props?

NFL player props are bets on individual player performance metrics, instead of traditional team betting lines. Player prop bets are one of the most popular betting types across the NFL.

An example of an NFL player prop bet could be betting on Patrick Mahomes to have over 245.5 passing yards vs the Las Vegas Raiders, or Saquon Barkley to have over 70.5 rushing yards vs the Dallas Cowboys.

Player prop bets don't hinge on the result of the game, but focus on individual player milestones and performances.

Popular NFL Player Prop Bets

The most popular NFL player prop bets include anytime touchdown scorer, passing yards, rushing yards, and receiving yards. See insight into every popular NFL player prop market below.

Passing Yards

Passing yards are a popular prop market in NFL betting. Passing yards are credited to the player who throws a completed forward pass. In almost every case, that player is the quarterback. Typically, quarterbacks are a popular choice when betting on passing yards, because quarterbacks are responsible for the vast majority of a team's passing production.

Passing yards are calculated from the line of scrimmage to where the receiver is tackled, goes out of bounds, or is otherwise ruled down after making the catch.

Passing yard player prop bet example: Patrick Mahomes Over/Under 250.5 Passing Yards vs Denver Broncos

Passing Touchdowns

Passing touchdowns are another popular NFL player prop market, also focusing on quarterbacks. A passing touchdown is scored when the quarterback or eligible passer throws a forward pass that is completed in the end zone or caught before the goal line and advanced into the end zone.

For this play, the thrower is credited a passing touchdown, and the receiver is credited a receiving touchdown.

Passing touchdown player prop bet example: Josh Allen Over/Under 1.5 Passing Touchdowns vs Miami Dolphins

Rushing Yards

You can also bet on NFL rushing yards at Fanatics Sportsbook. Rushing yards measure the distance an offensive player advances the ball by running with it on the ground.

Rushing yards can be earned through backward pitches, handoffs, or quarterback scrambles behind or past the line of scrimmage.

Rushing yard player prop bet example: James Cook Over/Under 55.5 Rushing Yards vs New York Jets

Receiving Yards

Receiving yards measure the total distance gained by a pass catcher after successfully catching a forward pass. This stat tracks the total yards a player gains on completed catches and is one of the most popular metrics used in NFL player prop betting.

Receiving yard player prop bet example: Jaxon Smith-Njigba Over/Under 100.5 Receiving Yards vs Los Angeles Rams

Receptions

Receptions are another popular NFL player prop market. A reception (or catch) is recorded when an eligible receiver successfully catches a forward pass from the quarterback and establishes possession while remaining inbounds.

Receptions player prop bet example: Puca Nacua Over/Under 6.5 Receptions vs San Francisco 49ers

Anytime Touchdown Scorer

One of the leading player prop bets for the NFL is anytime touchdown scorer. For this bet, you are simply wagering on a player to score a touchdown at any point in the game. An anytime touchdown bet wins if your selected player scores a touchdown at any point during the game

Fanatics Sportsbook offers anytime touchdown scorer lines for NFL, as well as first touchdown scorer and last touchdown scorer betting options.

Anytime touchdown scorer player prop bet example: Jonathan Taylor Anytime Touchdown Scorer vs Houston Texans

Best NFL Positions for Player Props

NFL player props vary by position, with sportsbooks offering different markets based on a player's role within their team's offense. Knowing which stats are most relevant to quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends can help bettors make more informed wagers.

How NFL Player Prop Odds Work

NFL player prop odds work in the same way as traditional sports betting odds. Each individual pick has either plus or minus odds, indicating how much you'll win on a successful bet or how much you need to wager to win a set amount.

When player props are combined into parlays or Same Game Parlays, the sportsbook automatically calculates the potential payout.

American Odds Explained

American odds are presented as plus (+) or minus (-). Plus odds show how much profit you will win from a $100 wager if your bet wins. Minus odds show how much money you must bet in order to win $100 in profit.

• Plus odds (+) example: You bet $100 on a team to win at +200, if the bet wins, your total payout is $300 ($200 in profit)
• Minus odds (-) example: You want to bet on a team to win at -150. In order to win $100 in profit, you must wager $150 on the team to win. If the bet wins, your total payout is $250 ($100 profit)

How to Analyze NFL Player Props

To be a successful NFL player prop bettor, it's vital that you analyze several factors before placing your wagers. These factors include injury news, key matchups, team tactics and trends, and more.

Matchups and Defensive Tendencies

Analyzing team and player matchups is a key part of finding good value player prop bets. If you're looking to back a player in the anytime touchdown market, but their opponent has a top five defense over the last five games, you may want to look for a better opportunity.

Looking at individual matchups is vital, too. For example, a wide receiver matched up against a vulnerable cornerback may have a strong chance of exceeding their receiving yards total, while a running back facing a defense that struggles to stop opposing rushers could be in line for an increased workload.

Injury News and Player Usage

This is perhaps the most important factor to research and analyze before placing player prop bets. Identifying injury news can help you avoid betting on players that may get limited or no playing time, as well as identify potential value, if a second or third choice player is set to start for example.

Analyzing player usage is also vital. When assessing player usage, look at metrics such as snap share, target share, carries, red-zone opportunities, and route participation. These numbers provide a clearer picture of a player's role than traditional box-score statistics alone.

Game Script and Team Pace

Game script refers to how a game is expected to be played. Teams playing with a lead often rely more heavily on their running game to control the clock, which can boost rushing attempts and rushing yards for running backs. On the other hand, teams expected to trail may be forced to throw more frequently, creating additional opportunities for quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends to exceed their passing and receiving props.

Team pace is also important. Fast-paced offenses run more plays, creating additional opportunities for players to rack up yards, receptions, and touchdowns. Teams that rank highly in offensive snaps per game typically offer greater upside for player props than slower-paced offenses.

Common NFL Player Prop Mistakes

There are several common mistakes bettors make when betting on NFL player props, including betting volume and lack of pre-game research.

Overreacting to Recent Performances

One common mistake that bettors make when betting on NFL player props is focusing too much on recent player performances. It's natural to look for players in strong form to bet on, especially when taking an overs bet, but it isn't always the best method.

If a player is playing well and consistently hitting the over in recent weeks, their line will continue to rise, and the value disappears. Focus more on long term averages and performances, and try not to get swayed by recency bias.

Ignoring Injury Reports

Another mistake that NFL player prop bettors make is overlooking injury reports. A player's health can have a major impact on their workload, effectiveness, and playing time, making injury news one of the most important factors to consider before placing a wager.

Check the latest injury reports, practice participation updates, and team announcements before placing any NFL player prop bets. Staying on top of player availability can help you identify value before sportsbooks adjust their lines.

Betting Too Many Props

This is a common mistake, especially when betting on parlays and same-game parlays. The more player prop legs you add to your ticket, the more likely that one prop will miss and cause the entire bet to lose. The more legs you add to your ticket, the lower your chances of cashing the ticket.

Instead, you are better off researching and looking for one or two angles in a game where you can find some value, and placing your player prop bets on a smaller number of picks.

NFL Player Props FAQs

What is an Anytime TD bet?

An Anytime TD bet is when you are wagering on a player to score a touchdown at any point in the game. Bettors can also wager on players to score the first touchdown, last touchdown, or multiple touchdowns in the same game at Fanatics Sportsbook.

Which NFL props are most popular?

The most popular NFL props include anytime touchdown scorer, passing yards, passing touchdowns, rushing yards, and receiving yards.

Can you bet NFL player props live?

Yes, you can bet on live NFL player props at Fanatics Sportsbook. React to game changes in real time and wager live player prop bets across football, basketball, and more.

Does overtime count toward NFL player props?

Yes. Unless otherwise stated in the sportsbook's house rules, overtime statistics count toward NFL player prop bets.

Are player props available for every NFL game?

Yes. Fanatics Sportsbook offers hundreds of player props for regular-season games, playoff games, and the Super Bowl.