It was a matter of when and to who, not if, the Chicago Bears would move the first overall pick in this spring's draft.
We now have both answers, as Chicago moved the top pick to the Carolina Panthers earlier this month in exchange for two first-round picks, two seconds, and 25-year-old receiver D.J. Moore.
The question of for who? was seemingly answered after NFL Draft odds were reposted, with Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud moving from +450 pre-trade to -150, then -225, and then -350 within an hour of the deal.
With less than a month to go until draft day, here's a look at the updated 2023 odds to go first overall on April 27.
2023 NFL Draft odds: Odds to go first overall
| Player | Position | Odds to go first overall |
|---|---|---|
| CJ Stroud | QB | -330 |
| Bryce Young | QB | +225 |
| Anthony Richardson | QB | +750 |
| Will Levis | QB | +3,500 |
| Will Anderson | LB | +15,000 |
| Bijan Robinson | RB | +20,000 |
| Tyree Wilson | LB | +20,000 |
| Christian Gonzalez | CB | +20,000 |
| Quentin Johnson | DE | +20,000 |
| Paris Johnson | OT | +20,000 |
| Lukas Van Ness | DE | +20,000 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of March 28, 2023.
Favorite to go first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft
CJ Stroud (-330)
While Bryce Young edged out Ohio State signal-caller CJ Stroud for the Heisman in 2021, Stroud may get one back in this year's draft.
In his second season as the Buckeyes' starter, Stroud was excellent, throwing for 3,688 yards and 41 touchdowns to just six interceptions. While not as mobile as his Bama counterpart, it may not matter following Stroud thoroughly impressing the Panthers' brass at Pro Day last week.
CJ Stroud launching DIMES to Jaxon Smith-Njigba at his Pro Day ????
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) March 22, 2023
Panthers’ Frank Reich and Josh McCown were quick to meet up with Stroud directly after his throwing session.
The Buckeyes QB put on a SHOW today.
(Via CodyWins25/TW) pic.twitter.com/AjLrEgml74
Bryce Young (+225)
The 2022 Heisman winner was unable to defend his Heisman or take his Crimson Tide back to the natty, but he did little to shake his status as one of the draft's biggest prizes.
Young was superb in his second full season as the Tide's starter, finishing with 3,328 passing yards and a 32:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio as a junior.
Anthony Richardson (+750)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson has been the focus of some pretty wild line movement, moving from as high as +10,000 to +350 in a matter of weeks before settling at +750.
Richardson's passing numbers merely jump off the page, but his mobility combined with insane athleticism as a runner (654 rushing yards, nine rushing TDs) means he's got a ton of upside.
NFL Draft betting trends
• Quarterback is the most important position on the football field and while most first overall selections have played QB, quarterback hunters have been in high demand as well. With Walker's selection yesterday, four of the last 16 No. 1-overall picks were pass rushers.
• All but two of the last 15 NFL Drafts have seen an offensive lineman get picked in the Top 10, with 2022 being no different as Ikem Ekwonu, Evan Neal, and Charles Cross went sixth, seventh, and ninth.
List of first overall NFL Draft picks
| Year | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Travon Walker | DE |
| 2021 | Trevor Lawrence | QB |
| 2020 | Joe Burrow | QB |
| 2019 | Kyler Murray | QB |
| 2018 | Baker Mayfield | QB |
| 2017 | Myles Garrett | DE |
| 2016 | Jared Goff | QB |
| 2015 | Jameis Winston | QB |
| 2014 | Jadeveon Clowney | DE |
| 2013 | Eric Fisher | OT |
| 2012 | Andrew Luck | QB |
| 2011 | Cam Newton | QB |
| 2010 | Sam Bradford | QB |
| 2009 | Matthew Stafford | QB |
| 2008 | Jake Long | OT |
| 2007 | JaMarcus Russell | QB |
| 2006 | Mario Williams | DE |
How to bet on the 2023 NFL Draft
Sportsbooks will post odds for the player to go first overall in the draft as soon the previous year's draft is over. Once the college football season begins in September, these odds could change weekly depending on how players are performing as well as the evaluations of trusted draftniks such as Mel Kiper Jr.
In addition, this NFL futures bet may also take into account the team needs of the worst team(s) in the NFL.
After the NCAA football season is over, NFL Draft odds will solidify after key events such as the underclassmen declaration deadline, the NFL Scouting Combine and pro days. In the weeks leading up to the draft, sportsbooks will offer more NFL Draft prop bets.
Understanding NFL Draft odds
The odds to go first overall in the NFL Draft will typically look like this:
- CJ Stroud +135
This means that if you placed a $100 bet on Stroud, you would win $135 if the Buckeye QB goes first overall in 2023. When you get closer to the draft and there is a general consensus on who will go first overall, you might see a player with a minus sign (-) ahead of his odds, like this:
- Bryce Young -450
This means that you'd have to bet $450 to win $100 on Young being drafted first overall.
Above we have posted the American odds for the 2023 NFL Draft. However, these are easy to convert to decimal odds or fractional odds with our odds converter tool.
Get more NFL Draft betting tips and strategies with our draft betting guide.
NFL Draft FAQs
Georgia defensive end Travon Walker went to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 1 overall.
Among the top prospects are three Top-5 finishers in Heisman voting last year, including winner Bryce Young.
