No question the first round of the NFL Draft is a must-watch every year. No question the intrigue with the Draft always revolves around the quarterbacks. Like last year, there is little consensus among the sportsbooks as to the future homes for the crop of quarterbacks outside of Bryce Young.
The overwhelming favorite to be the first pick and the Carolina Panthers’ starter in 2023 is the aforementioned Young (-2000) and so the sweat appears to begin with Houston and that second pick.
That is where the barrage of questions begins. Who is willing to look to harness the off the chart athleticism but certain inexperience of Anthony Richardson? Is Will Levis more than a product of the pro-style offense he ran at Kentucky? And how does C.J. Stroud drop when the last time we saw him compete, Stroud was dominant against the vaunted defense of the Georgia Bulldogs? The questions make for the possibility some big tickets may cash.
(Watch More: The Stroud Dilemma)
Houston Texans
At the foundation of every conversation about the second pick is the question of whether or not the Houston Texans will be the team making the selection.
If Houston keeps the pick, the current consensus has them leaning defense and either Will Anderson (+200) or Tyree Wilson (+325) over quarterback and specifically, Stroud (+275).
Anderson was the leader of Nick Saban‘s defense the last few years. Nearly twenty years ago, Texans’ Head Coach DeMeco Ryans was the leader of the Crimson Tide defense. The ceiling for the Texas Tech defensive lineman is said to be higher but locking in a leader for the defense could be appealing for the rookie head coach.
Arizona Cardinals
Like the Houston Texans, the Arizona Cardinals would love to trade out of the third pick. If they are able to extricate themselves from the pick, quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (+250) and C.J. Stroud (+250) are favorites to be the play. Interesting that Will Levis (+275) is among the favorites to be the second pick but is a long shot (+1000) to go third.
Indianapolis Colts
The intrigue at the fourth pick is not about position or team. The consensus among the experts is that the Indianapolis Colts will draft a quarterback with the fourth pick. The Kentucky Wildcat jumps to the position of clear favorite (+100) to go fourth overall to the quarterback needy Colts followed by Stroud (+250) and Richardson (+375).
(Read More: Notre Dame’s Mayer Ranked as Top Tight End in NFL Draft)
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks at number five could go anywhere. Pete Carroll‘s squad could take Richardson (+600) or Stroud (+900) knowing they can get out of the Geno Smith contract after one season of his new deal. That said, the books believe Seattle will go defense with their first pick. As a result, the trio of Wilson (+250), Anderson (+250), and Georgia’s Jalen Carter (+400) are the favorites to join the Seahawks.
Enjoy the whispers leaked from NFL front offices and the subsequent changes to mock drafts in the coming days. Pay attention to the shifts in the odds board at the sportsbooks.
Enjoy the NFL Draft and enjoy the sweat.
