The 2023 NFL Draft is less than two months away. However, the NFL Combine just came to a completion and the odds for the draft have been updated at BetAnySports (BAS). The biggest question in most NFL drafts is who will be selected with the first pick. In some drafts, there is zero question about the top pick, but in other drafts, it is a real question and a genuine matter of uncertainty. This draft leans much more toward uncertainty. There is no stone-cold lock for the top pick for reasons we will explain below.
Bryce Young Odds To Go First Overall At BAS: -200
It is hardly a guarantee that Bryce Young will go at No. 1, for the simple reason that the Chicago Bears have the No. 1 pick and do not need a quarterback. They have Justin Fields as their quarterback of the present and the future. Will the Bears take an elite defensive player at No. 1, or will they trade the pick?
The prevailing line of thought right now is that the Bears will try to find a trade partner and get some compensation for the No. 1 pick, collecting more assets that they can use to build around Justin Fields. The question then becomes, “Which team will trade up with Chicago to get the top pick?” One would assume that team will take a quarterback, but will that team want Bryce Young?”
Until we get the answer to that question, it’s really hard to pin down the odds on these top picks. Every NFL team has a different scouting department and therefore a different read or angle on various prospects. Bryce Young has great mobility and pocket presence, but not size. One would think that a team with an established offensive line is more likely to take Young, whereas a team with serious deficiencies on the offensive line might take C.J. Stroud because Young’s lack of size and heft will be viewed as an acute concern.
You would need to study the other NFL teams before fully assessing this situation. The Houston Texans are No. 2 in the draft. If they pick, they would probably take Stroud, since their offensive line is not that great and they might get spooked by Young’s lack of height.
C.J. Stroud Odds To Go First Overall At BAS: +300
The Ohio State quarterback might not be the first name listed on any odds list, which means he might be
really good value as a possible candidate for a first pick. C. J. Stroud and Young both played well in their
college football bowl games, but Stroud played well against eventual national champion Georgia and
probably made the bigger, better draft statement. Stroud might be the best pick relative to what the
listed odds are.
Anthony Richardson Odds To Go First Overall At BAS: +400
The Florida Gator quarterback wowed everyone at the combine with his 40-yard dash and vertical jump.
He is a freak athlete, an unusually big and strong quarterback with ridiculous speed. He is the most
impressive physical specimen in this draft class. He certainly has risen up a lot of boards and made
himself a lot of money. However, he is not an accurate passer. A top-10 quarterback? Yes. Number one?
No. Stroud and Young will both be picked before Richardson for that reason.
Will Anderson Odds To Go First Overall At BAS: +1500
The Alabama linebacker is the choice for anyone who thinks a defensive player will be picked at No. 1. If the Bears do not trade away their pick, Anderson makes the most sense as the guy they will land on.
However, since it seems likely that Chicago will trade the top pick, Anderson probably won’t be the No.
1 pick.
