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Opening 2023 NFL Draft Odds Favor CJ Stroud as Number 1 Pick

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NFL Football

Updated Oct 6, 2022 · 7:34 AM PDT

Bryce Young
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young throws a pass in the second half the Cotton Bowl Classic in the College Football Playoff national semifinal Dec. 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Syndication The Enquirer
  • Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud is the +200 opening-line favorite to be the first player chosen in the 2023 NFL Draft
  • Alabama QB Bryce Young is the second betting choice at +225
  • Young’s teammate, Crimson Tide defensive end Will Anderson (+330) is the only other player with odds shorter than +1000

Quarterbacks took a back seat in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Only one QB, Kenny Pickett of Pitt, was selected during the opening round.

Apparently, more QBs than that will be off the board in the first two picks of the 2023 NFL Draft if the opening betting line is proven correct.

Ohio State Buckeyes QB CJ Stroud is the +200 betting favorite to be the first player selected in the opening 2023 NFL Draft odds. Alabama QB Bryce Young is the second betting choice at +225.

2023 NFL Draft Odds

Player-Position (School) Odds
CJ Stroud-QB (Ohio State) +200
Bryce Young-QB (Alabama) +225
Will Anderson-DE (Alabama) +330
Paris Johnson Jr-T (Ohio State) +1000
Jaxon Smith-Nijigba-WR (Ohio State) +1500
Phil Jurkovec-QB (Boston College) +1500
Tyler Van Dyke-QB (Miami) +1800
Spencer Rattler-QB (South Carolina) +2000
Will Levis-QB (Kentucky) +2000
Bryan Breese-DT (Clemson) +2500
Peter Skoronski-T (Northwestern) +2500
Eli Ricks-CB (Alabama) +3000
Hendon Hooker-QB (Tennessee) +3000
Anthony Richardson-QB (Florida) +3000
Jalen Carter-DT (Georgia) +3500
Nolan Smith-LB (Georgia) +4000
Justin Flowe-LB (Oregon) +4000
Malik Cunningham-QB (Louisville) +4000
Jaren Hall-QB (BYU) +4000
Trenton Simpson-LB (Cincinnati) +4000
Kayshoun Bouette-WR (LSU) +5000
Josh Downs-WR (USC) +5000
BJ Ojulari-DE (LSU) +5000
Myles Murphy-DE (Clemson) +5000
Kedon Slovis-QB (Pitt) +5000
Brennan Armstrong-QB (Virginia) +5000
Tanner McKee-QB (Stanford) +6000
Kelee Ringo-CB (Georgia) +8000
Ryan Hayes-T (Michigan) +8000
DJ Uiagaleilei-QB (Clemson) +8000
Isaiah Foskey-DE (Notre Dame) +8000
Michael Mayer-TE (Notre Dame) +10000
Bijan Robinson-RB (Texas) +10000
Zion Nelson-T (Miami) +10000
JT Daniels-QB (Georgia) +10000
Sam Hartman-QB (Wake Forest) +10000
Jahmyr Gibbs-RB (Alabama) +10000
Jordan Addison-WR (Pitt) +10000
Brandon Joseph-S (Northwestern) +13000

Odds as of May 7th at DraftKings Sportsbook

The 2023 NFL Draft is slated for April 27-29 at Arrowhead Stadium, home to the Kansas City Chiefs.

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NFL Scouts Love Stroud’s Powerful Arm

In his first year as the starter for the Buckeyes, Stroud threw for 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns. That included a 573-yard performance in Ohio State’s Rose Bowl win over Utah.

He’s equipped with a strong arm, but it’s also accurate. Stroud’s completion percentage was 71.9 and he was only picked off six times.

Stroud will be needing to have another big year, since with only 12 NCAA starts under his belt, his resume isn’t as deep as some other draft-eligible QBs. He’s also battling the stigma of past Ohio State QB failures in the NFL.

Even though he lost receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave to the NFL, Stroud still has Jaxon Smith-Nijigba to target. Another highly-rated 2023 NFL Draft prospect, Smith-Nijigba actually led Ohio State last season with 95 receptions, nine for TDs. If you are looking to wager on Ohio State, check out these Ohio sports betting apps ahead of the launch in early 2023.

Young And Restless

Unlike Ohio State, Alabama’s QB history in the NFL is rich. There was Bart Starr, Joe Namath and Kenny Stabler in the past. Currently, three NFL starting QBs – Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins), Mac Jones (Patriots) and Jalen Hurts (Eagles) – are connected to the Crimson Tide.

Will Bryce Young be the next to be added to this list? The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is only a six footer but an alleged lack of size hasn’t slowed 2019 first overall pick Kyler Murray one bit.

Heisman Trophy winner Young passed for 4,872 yards and 47 TDs last season, against just seven interceptions.

Anderson Might Be Best Player In Draft

For all the greatness that Alabama has brought to the gridiron, there’s one thing the Tide hasn’t turned up in 84 years – the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Back Harry Gilmer in 1948 remains the only Alabama player to come off the draft board first.

This could be the year that all changes for them. And Young might not be the guy who gets it done.

On pure talent, Crimson Tide edge Will Anderson is the best player available in the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4 , 243-pound defensive lineman is a one-man wrecking crew.

Last season, Anderson led the nation in sacks (17.5), tackles for loss (34.5) and QB pressures (79). He’s an absolute stud.

Often, the player who goes first overall can be impacted by a team’s needs. If the NFL team that ends up picking first #1 is one in need of a starting QB, Anderson won’t be the guy. If not, he most certainly will be.

Either way, at this stage and those odds, it’s worth taking the value.

Pick: Will Anderson (Alabama) +330.

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