Betting Odds for the Top 3 Picks in the 2023 NFL Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place in Kansas City, Missouri from April 27 to April 29 and there are already plenty of rumblings as to who will go No. 1 overall.
The Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick, but with a young and promising quarterback in Justin Fields, it seems evident that the team from the Windy City will trade out, generate more draft pick value, and allow another team to get their top guy.
The next two picks after the Bears belong to the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals.
Below, we’ll look at some of the more popular online sportsbooks—FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, BetMGM, and Caesars—to see what betting odds they have available for these top three selections, provide some background on them and how they relate to the NFL and betting on the sport, and conclude with our predictions for the first three picks.
Let’s dive in.
2023 NFL Draft Odds – Top 3 Picks
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FanDuel currently has draft prop odds available for the No. 1 overall pick, the first quarterback taken, and the first wide receiver taken. We’ll focus on the No. 1 overall pick.
● Bryce Young: -170
● CJ Stroud: +350
● Anthony Richardson: +750
● Will Levis: +900
● Will Anderson: +1100
● Jalen Carter: +2600
FanDuel Sportsbook is widely considered one of the leading NFL betting sites. In fact it, has multiple partnerships within the NFL, including the Washington Football Team, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, and Buffalo Bills.
Welcome Bonus: 20% Deposit Bonus Up to $1,000
Like FanDuel, the only odds available for a specific pick is the No. 1 overall pick.
● Bryce Young: -160
● CJ Stroud: +380
● Will Levis: +500
● Anthony Richardson: +650
● Will Anderson: +650
● Jalen Carter: +1600
On top of partnerships with the NFL, particularly with its sportsbook and daily fantasy platform, DraftKings Sportsbook is partnered with multiple NFL teams, including the New York Giants, Washington Football Team, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, and more.
Welcome Bonus: $1000 Risk-Free Bet
There are currently no draft props available at BetMGM.
Welcome Bonus: $1250 Risk-Free Bet + 1000 Tier/Reward Credits
Caesars Sportsbook has odds available on the No. 1 overall pick as well.
● Bryce Young: -150
● CJ Stroud: +225
● Will Anderson: +500
● Anthony Richardson: +600
● Will Levis: +600
● Jalen Carter: +1000
Caesars Sportsbook has numerous NFL partnerships with the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and more.
2023 NFL Draft: Projecting Top 3 Picks
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Georgia defensive lineman—and a player with an outside shot at the No. 1 overall pick—Jalen Carter has been issued a couple of arrest warrants and didn’t meet with reporters at the NFL Combine.
Also, as mentioned, the Bears have the No. 1 overall pick but have been long rumored to deal the pick. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Bears are “leaning toward” trading the pick. This makes sense with teams like the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, and potentially the Detroit Lions all needing a quarterback and all picking inside the top 10.
This information is important when it comes to projecting the first three picks.
Indianapolis Colts – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (trade with Bears)
The Bears ultimately decided to trade the pick and do so by trading down the No. 4 spot with the Colts. Colts owner Jim Irsay has gone on record saying that he likes Young, who’s drawn some criticism due to his measurables—he’s right around six feet tall and weighs under 200 pounds. Nonetheless, the Colts have a long history of getting high-caliber quarterbacks despite their last few seasons. Irsay has had enough of the Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan’s of the world—he has Chris Ballard trade up and get their guy.
Houston Texans – CJ Stoud, QB, Ohio State
With new head coach DeMeco Ryans coming over from the San Francisco 49ers and that Kyle Shanahan scheme, Stroud is a player that profiles well for it as an excellent passer from the pocket and has some mobility. There are some red flags with Stroud, such as how he reacts when things break down around him, but if Ryans can create a system that depends on Stroud’s accuracy and getting the ball out quickly, he’ll be fine.
Las Vegas Raiders – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky (trade with Cardinals)
Levis is coming off a not-so-good final season in Kentucky, but again, it was Kentucky, so scouts may overlook some of that in favor of his freakish tools. He has a rocket for an arm and all the prototypical quarterback measurables you’d want. The Raiders are a prime candidate to nab Aaron Rodgers. Still, with so much uncertainty surrounding that situation, McDaniels could advocate for trading up to get his future quarterback, that possesses a lot of NFL-ready intangibles.
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