2023 NFL Draft Odds: What bets should you be making on the offensive linemen?
Offensive linemen are always a hot commodity when it comes to the draft, so you can definitely count on hearing plenty of names called in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. But who will end up being the first one selected? There isn't a clear-cut answer this year, which makes this an interesting betting market. Let's get into it here.
Who will be the first offensive lineman selected?
| Paris Johnson Jr. |
-450 |
| Peter Skoronski |
+500 |
| Darnell Wright |
+700 |
| Broderick Jones |
+1000 |
| Anton Harrison |
+5000 |
| O'Cyrus Torrence |
+7000 |
The best bet here is to either go with Johnson or Jones. Skoronski is very good, but scouts seem to view him as a guard. It's going to be hard for an NFL decision maker to justify taking him very early, if that's the case. Johnson and Jones seem like the best bets to be starting left tackles at the next level. With that said, it might be worth throwing two units on Johnson and a smaller play on Jones. NFL teams seem to like Jones more than the mock draft community does.
(Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook: Updated April 27 at 11:00 a.m. PT)
Paris Johnson Jr. scouting report
The Ohio State product is the favorite to be the first offensive lineman drafted, but it is a weak crop of hogmollies this draft cycle. He started every time his sophomore and junior season in one of the best offenses in the country and his versatility to play guard or tackle should excite coaching staffs, along with the athleticism in his 6-foot-6, 313-pound frame.
Peter Skoronski scouting report
Skoronski went through all the combine testing and had one more bench press rep than Johnson. He also ran a quality 40-yard dash in 5.16 seconds with a 10-yard split of 1.75 seconds, so he showed the ability to be a guy to pull along the line and get out and be a lead blocker. The fact that he’s viewed more as a guard and less as a tackle at the next level could push him down the board a bit, but he has good technique and fits well into a running scheme.
Darnell Wright scouting report
Wright was a four-year starter for Tennessee and really took his game to another level as a senior. At 6-foot-5 and 333 pounds, he has great size and should slot in as a very good right tackle somewhere. Wright is a beast when it comes to run blocking, and he'd be a bit better in pass protection on the right side — or kicked somewhere inside. One thing that scouts will love about him is that he completely dominated Will Anderson Jr. when Tennessee beat Alabama last year.
Broderick Jones scouting report
Jones looks the part of an NFL left tackle and blew people away at the NFL Draft Combine. A good argument can be made that he has the most upside of any lineman in this class. Jones held up very nicely in pass protection in his first year as Georgia's left tackle, but he's viewed as something of a developmental prospect — at least at the most important position on the line. Will a team reach on him to invest in the tools and potential? We wouldn't rule it out.
Anton Harrison scouting report
Harrison was very good as a run blocker at Oklahoma, but his pass protection left a lot to be desired. However, the two-year starter at left tackle does have the potential to start on the blind side down the road. He just needs to land with the right coaching staff, as there is definitely a chance Harrison will clean up his technique.
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