2023 NFL Draft Odds: Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Jalen Carter among odds favorites for #1 overall pick

With the 2022-23 NFL season concluding, attention shifts to the NFL draft and the next generation of elite talent entering the league. While we’re still three months away from the 2023 NFL Draft, sportsbooks have already posted odds on who will be picked with the #1 overall pick. As of today, the Bears own first pick after a 3-14 finish, but with so many teams in need of QBs, will Chicago trade lower and acquire more assets?

The betting market seems to think so, as Alabama QB Bryce Young (-135) is the favorite to be picked for the No. 1 spot overall, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. There’s always an outside chance of Chicago picking Young with the No. 1 pick overall, but with Bears general manager Ryan Poles saying he’d have to be “absolutely blown away” to pick a quarterback first, it seems Chicago unlikely to go that route with Justin Fields takes a step in the right direction in his second season.

Who will be the No. 1 pick overall in the 2023 NFL Draft? If you’re interested in getting involved in the NFL Draft futures markets, you’ve come to the right place at Sporting News. Below we’ll break down three of the all-time favorites and two sleepers who could potentially be drafted as No. 1 overall.

2023 NFL Draft #1 Overall Pick Odds: Top 25

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

player	#1 Overall Pick Rates
Bryce Young	-135
CJ Stroud	+250
Jalen Carter	+550
Will Levis	+550
Will Anderson	+750
Luke Van Ness	+10000
Paris Johnson	+10000
Devon Witherspoon	+10000
Anthony Richardson	+10000
Myles Murphy	+10000
Peter Skoronsky	+10000
Bryan Bresee	+10000
Jordan Addison	+20000
Hendon hooker	+20000
Kelee Ringo	+20000
Jaxon Smith-Njigba	+20000
Jaylin Hyatt	+20000
Michael Mayr	+20000
Sesame Robinson	+20000
Quentin Johnston	+20000
Josh Downs	+20000
Tyree Wilson	+20000
BJ Ojulari	+25000
Tanner McKee	+25000
Jahmyr Gibbs	+25000

2023 NFL Draft No. 1 Odds for the full selection: favourites

Bryce Young -135 (implicit probability 57.45 percent)

As we mentioned above, it seems unlikely that the Bears will move away from fields any time soon, especially with so many QB-needing teams on the market (Texans, Colts, Jets, Raiders, etc.). With that in mind, there’s a strong possibility that Chicago will cede top pick to a team in need of a franchise quarterback, making way for Young to be selected as a cornerstone.

Sure, Young is only 6-0, 194 pounds, but his pocket presence and ability to make games off schedule is exactly what teams look for in a franchise QB. Young is going to have a successful NFL career, and even at -135, it’s not a bad way to bet on him to become the No. 1 to deal a unit of your bankroll.

CJ Stroud +250 (implicit probability 28.57 percent)

As the drafting process progresses, there’s certainly a chance a franchise will like Stroud enough to make him the overall winner. The Ohio State product didn’t quite live up to the hype of being the preseason Heisman favorite, but Stroud still earned a trip to New York City for a second straight season (3,688 passing yards, 41 TDs).

Stroud’s last game as a Buckeye against National Champion Georgia Bulldogs was arguably his best collegiate effort (348 passing yards, 4-0 TD-to-INT, 34 rushing yards) and showcased his ability to extend plays with his legs, while he flicked the ball football all over the field. An impressive combine paired with a QB-needy team trading to the first pick could potentially see Stroud holding up the No. 1 jersey alongside Commissioner Goodell in Kansas City.

Jalen Carter +550 (implicit probability 15.38 percent)

Carter currently has the third best chance of going 1st overall, and the most logical way for a +550 ticket on Carter to be in the money would be if Chicago refrained from trading away the pick. Considering the Bears’ pass rush has the fewest sacks (20) this season while boasting the lowest pass rush grade of PFF (52.2), it makes too much sense to have a dominant interior lineman like Carter to add.

We think there’s a better chance of him ending up as a bear than #1 overall. So, with NFL draft prop markets popping up again, betting on Carter becoming a bear seems like a better bet than taking him at +550 No. 1.

2023 NFL Draft No. 1 overall selection: sleepers

Will Anderson +1300 (implicit probability 7.14 percent)

Anderson is another potential pick for Chicago if they stick with the first pick and invest heavily in draft capital in a dynamic EDGE rusher that’s solid against the run and the pass isn’t a bad move.

Anderson finished his junior season with 44 QB pressure, and his versatility makes him a future All-Pro defenseman, making him a top-ranked sleeper.

Peter Skoronski +2500 (implicit probability 3.85 percent)

Putting Skoronski 25-1 follows the same narrative as Anderson, as his shot at being selected with the No. 1 overall pick correlates with Chicago retaining their pick. Any team that lands the first overall pick has several glaring holes, and Chicago not only needs help on defense, but also shore up their offensive line.

The Bears offensive line ended the regular season in last place for adjusted sack rate (13 percent). So it makes sense to add a left tackle who gave up just one sack in his final season with Northwestern.