2023 NFL Draft odds: Who will be the No. 1 pick?

April 12, 2023 05:49 PM

Bryce Young heavily favored to go first overall on April 27

When the Carolina Panthers traded up to get the No. 1 pick on March 10, there were no longer any questions as to which position would get called first. However, the decision between Bryce Young and CJ Stroud lingered into mid-April. However, on April 17, it was reported that Young canceled all of his other pre-draft interviews, which seems to signify that he'll be a Carolina Panther and doesn't need to speak to anyone else.

Odds to be the No. 1 Pick (DraftKings)

(odds as of April 17, 1:30 p.m. PT)

Bryce Young -2000
CJ Stroud +900
Anthony Richardson +1500
Will Levis +4000

Richardson and Levis get charity mentions here, as Young and Stroud have been the consensus top-two picks for quite some time. Both have been favored, but recent betting action has really favored Young and our own Michael Lombardi believes that Young should absolutely be the No. 1 pick.

Bryce Young scouting report

Young is undersized for the position by NFL standards at 5-foot-10 and change, but this is not uncharted territory with a No. 1 overall pick. The Arizona Cardinals took Kyler Murray first overall back in 2019 at the same height. For his collegiate career, Young racked up 80 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions and fits the mold of the modern-day NFL QB as a guy that can move and make all the throws on the run. He won the 2021 Heisman Trophy and finished sixth in 2022 while battling a midseason injury.

CJ Stroud scouting report

Stroud has a big arm and is more of a prototypical pocket passer than Young, but there are some questions about his mobility to avoid the rush. He seemed to quell some of those concerns with his display in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Georgia, but it may simply be a matter of preference for the Panthers. Stroud posted an 85/12 TD/INT ratio over two seasons as the starting QB for Ohio State with absurd amounts of talent at the wide receiver position.

Mock drafts favor Bryce Young to go No. 1

Draft betting markets are heavily influenced by scoops from NFL beat writers and mock drafts. At this point, you’re going to find a lot more mock drafts with Young going No. 1 than Stroud. It has also been suggested that the Panthers front office and ownership favor Young. GM Scott Fitterer was with the Seattle Seahawks for 20 years in various roles, including the Director of College Scouting when the team drafted Russell Wilson. As a small quarterback, he worked out okay.