NFL Draft Projections 2023: Updated Order, Odds and 1st-Round Predictions
The 2023 NFL draft is only days away, but things haven't gotten much clearer at the top. The Carolina Panthers have yet to tip their hand about the No. 1 overall selection, and things get even murkier after that.
"Nobody knows. Nobody is giving out information," Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said, per Mike Chappell of Fox 59 Indianapolis.
The first few picks on Thursday night will heavily influence how the rest of Round 1 unfolds. That reality leaves plenty of intrigue for draftniks to enjoy, but it's also a stark reminder that things probably won't go as anyone expects.
How might things unfold this Thursday? Let's dive into the current draft order, the latest draft buzz and betting odds, and make some educated guesses for Round 1.
Latest First-Round Odds and Prop Bets
1 of 3
No. 3 Draft Pick
C.J. Stroud +230 (bet $100 to win $230)
Tyree Wilson +250
Anthony Richardson +350
Will Anderson Jr. +380
Will Levis +800
Jalen Carter +1400
No. 4 Draft Pick
Will Levis +110
C.J. Stroud +220
Anthony Richardson +380
Will Anderson Jr. +450
Tyree Wilson +1000
Paris Johnson Jr. +1500
Who Will Be Drafted Earlier?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba -550 (bet $500 to win $100)
Jordan Addison +400
Who Will Be Drafted Earlier?
Will Levis -380
Anthony Richardson +285
Total Quarterbacks Drafted in First Round
Over 4.5: -115
Under 4.5 -115
Total Tight Ends Drafted in First Round
Over Two -380
Under Two +285
Total Wide Receivers Drafted in First Round
Over 3.5 -120
Under 3.5 -110
*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Latest Draft Buzz
2 of 3
The betting odds start with the third overall pick, suggesting insiders have a good idea of what will happen at No. 1 and No. 2. The rumor mill has spun off a few hints, though nothing is definite.
The Panthers are believed to be eyeing Alabama's Bryce Young with the top pick.
"It would be no short of a shock within the NFL right now if Bryce Young does not go No. 1 overall to Carolina," NFL Media's Tom Pelissero said on NFL Network.
That meshes with the fact that Young is not high among the favorites for the third pick.
While the Houston Texans desperately need a new franchise quarterback, they may be leaning in a different direction at No. 2. Instead of a signal-caller like Ohio State's C.J. Stroud or Florida's Anthony Richardson, the Texans might target the best defensive prospect on their board.
"In texts and calls with scouts, coaches and even agents throughout the past week, I couldn't find one person who truly believes the Texans will select a QB there," ESPN's Matt Miller wrote.
Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. is the top-ranked defender and No. 1 overall prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's draft board, but that doesn't mean he can be penciled in as the No. 2 pick—assuming Houston isn't thinking quarterback anyway.
Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson is gaining a lot of pre-draft momentum.
"I will not be surprised if, in the Edge category, Tyree Wilson is picked ahead of Will Anderson. I particularly will not be surprised if Houston—whether at two or through a trade-down if the Texans don't take a quarterback—takes Wilson over Anderson," ProFootballTalk's Peter King wrote.
Young, Stroud, Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis are the quarterback prospects widely expected to go in the first round. However, Tennessee's Hendon Hooker appears to be highly regarded by NFL teams and could wind up hearing his name called on opening night too.
"There are plenty of teams that have him third on their list, right below those top two in Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud," NFL Network's James Palmer said on Steve Smith Sr.'s Cut to It podcast.
If there is an early run on quarterbacks, it could push deeper positions—like cornerback and tight end—down the draft and leave top-tier prospects on the board early on Day 2.
Draft Order and Predictions
3 of 3
1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
2. Houston Texans: Tyree Wilson, DL, Texas Tech
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
4. Indianapolis Colts: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
6. Detroit Lions (from Rams): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
7. Las Vegas Raiders: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
8. Atlanta Falcons: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina): Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans): Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
11. Tennessee Titans: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland): Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
13. New York Jets: Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
14. New England Patriots: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
15. Green Bay Packers: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
16. Washington Commanders: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
18. Detroit Lions: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
20. Seattle Seahawks: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
21. Miami Dolphins: FORFEIT
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
22. Baltimore Ravens: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
23. Minnesota Vikings: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee
25. New York Giants: Steve Avila, OL, TCU
26. Dallas Cowboys: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
27. Buffalo Bills: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
29: New Orleans Saints (from SF via Denver): Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
30. Philadelphia Eagles: O'Cyrus Torrence, OL, Florida
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visiting ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visiting OPGR.org (OR), or calling/texting TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
