NFL Draft Odds Favor Bryce Young 1st Overall at -155 Odds
- Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is the -155 odds-on favorite to be the first player chosen in the NFL Draft
- Kentucky QB Will Levis has seen his NFL Draft odds odds shorten from +1000 to +700 since this betting market opened
- The first round of the NFL Draft will be held Saturday, April 29
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young continues to hold forth as the betting favorite to go first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, the fact of the matter is that there’s been plenty of action on other players since this betting market opened in the NFL Draft odds.
Young is at set as the -155 chalk in the NFL Draft odds, others are also proving to be popular plays with bettors. And for the most part, those players are also QBs.
2023 First Overall Pick NFL Draft Odds
| Players (School) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Bryce Young (Alabama) | -155 |
| CJ Stroud (Ohio State) | +340 |
| Will Levis (Kentucky) | +700 |
| Jalen Carter (Georgia) | +750 |
| Will Anderson (Alabama) | +1500 |
| Anthony Richardson (Florida) | +1500 |
| Paris Johnson (Ohio State) | +10000 |
| Peter Skoronski (Northwestern) | +10000 |
| Bryan Bresee (Clemson) | +10000 |
| Myles Murphy (Clemson) | +10000 |
| Lukas Van Ness (Iowa) | +10000 |
| Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) | +10000 |
Kentucky Wildcats QB Will Levis has seen his betting line shorten significantly. His opening odds were +1000. Currently, Levis is the third betting choice at +700, behind Young and Ohio State’s CJ Stroud (+340). There’s also been some speculation about Florida Gators QB Anthony Richardson jumping up into the top slot. He’s currently sitting as the co-fifth betting choice at +1500. Odds as of February 23 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Young Has All the Tools
Last season, Young threw for 3,328 yards and 36 touchdowns against just five interceptions. His QBR was an impressive 86.2, good for sixth in the nation.
The Alabama QB was the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner. He’s also a Maxwell Award winner and a two-time All-American selection.
I WAS WEARING FOUR INCH HEELS https://t.co/20m6CPy3qc
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) February 15, 2023
In just two years as the starter for the Crimson Tide, Young assembled numbers that see him leaving as the school’s #2 all-time passer in terms of yards (8,356) and touchdowns (80). He gets high marks from football personnel people for his accuracy as a passer and for his football IQ.
At just six foot and 194 pounds, there are concerns about Young’s physical tools, though.
Levis a Lightning Rod for NFL Draft Pundits
The intense action on Levis isn’t surprising. Perhaps no 2023 NFL Draft prospect is getting more positive and negative attention than the Kentucky QB. Since this betting market opened in the NFL Draft odds, he’s garnered more than 20% of bets and in excess of 30% of handle.
Some view the 6-foot-3, 232-pound Levis as a parallel to Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen. At Wyoming, Allen’s college numbers weren’t overly impressive, but his physical tools certainly were.
Will Levis notched (17) rushing touchdowns during his college career. pic.twitter.com/DAPYbezIen
— Michael Rimmer (@avl_mike) February 23, 2023
The Levis detractors see him as the second coming of Zach Wilson. At Brigham Young, Wilson vaulted to the second pick of the 2021 NFL Draft following a spectacular pro day performance but hasn’t panned out as an NFLer.
Certainly, there’s cause for concern when studying the numbers put up by Levis. In six games last season against ranked opponents, he never threw for more than 230 yards in any game. He was 59th in the NCAA in QBR (60.9).
His two-season numbers as a starter were 5,232 yards and 43 touchdowns. Compare that with Young, or Ohio State’s Stroud (8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns), and there’s really no comparison.
Could Richardson Offer Value in NFL Draft Odds?
Florida’s Richardson has also seen his stock rising since also opening with a betting line of +1000. Richardson is a double threat with his arm or his feet. However, his passing game tends to be radically erratic.
He’s capable of making big plays, but consistency is a quality that so far has eluded him.
Bears Are the X-Factor for 1st Overall Pick
It’s the Chicago Bears who hold the first overall pick. With Justin Fields already under center, they aren’t in need of help at QB.
Finishing last in the NFL with 20 sacks, they desperately need help with their pass rush. Chicago is also thin along the offensive line and at receiver.
Does that mean the Bears will go off the board and take a defensive lineman like Georgia DT Jalen Carter (+750) or a linebacker like Alabama’s Will Anderson (+1500)?
No, more likely it means that the Bears will be trading the #1 pick to garner more draft capital in order to fill their many needs. And the team acquiring the pick – quite possibly the Houston Texans, who have selections #2 and #12 to barter – will be taking a QB.
And that QB will be Young.
Pick: Bryce Young (-125)
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An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
