2023 NFL Draft Betting: Ex-Longshot Paris Johnson the New Betting Favorite to Go No. 3 Overall

For months, Paris Johnson has not been among the candidates expected to be in play when the Arizona Cardinals pick at No. 3 overall.

But just a day before the NFL draft, the Ohio State left tackle has zoomed to the top of the board. Johnson is the new betting favorite at +225 odds to be the No. 3 pick, according to DraftKings.

Johnson wasn’t even listed with betting odds to go third for multiple weeks, but has now surpassed every other candidate.

The reason? NFL Network analyst Mike Garofolo reported that Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray has told people in the building that he really likes Johnson and would advocate the pick.

FWIW word is Kyler Murray likes Paris Johnson a lot and has let that be known inside the #AZCardinals’ building. Johnson visited there recently. https://t.co/qxsDYrR9wT

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 24, 2023

I have independently verified Murray’s interest in Johnson, and it’s not the first time he’s suggested a prospect to the Cardinals’ front office.

When ex-general manager Steve Keim was at the helm, Murray advocated for offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs and center Creed Humphrey, along with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The Cardinals didn’t draft any of them but they all became stars.

Murray also pushed for the addition of veteran tackle Trent Williams when he was available for trade in 2020. Williams, the consensus best left tackle in the NFL, went to the 49ers for a third- and fifth-round pick.

Arizona has a new regime, and it’s unknown how much stock GM Monti Ossenfort will put in Murray’s preference, but it has certainly affected the betting markets.

Here are the odds for the No. 3 overall pick, as of Wednesday afternoon.

• Paris Johnson +225
• C.J. Stroud +275
• Will Anderson +330
• Tyree Wilson +400
• Will Levis +1000
• Anthony Richardson +1000
• Jalen Carter +1100
• Devon Witherspoon +2000
• Peter Skoronski +2500
• Christian Gonzalez +3500
• Bryce Young +5000
• Darnell Wright +5000
• Bijan Robinson +5000
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba +5500
• Broderick Jones +6000
• Zay Flowers +8000
• Myles Murphy +8000
• Quentin Johnston +10000
• Lukas Van Ness +10000
• Will McDonald IV +10000
• Tanner McKee +10000
• Brian Branch +10000
• Hendon Hooker +10000

Cardinals left tackle D.J. Humphries is under contract for three more seasons and is on a lucrative deal, so it’s unclear how the offensive line would be sorted if Johnson is selected.

Humphries has played right tackle in the past, while Johnson also has flexibility to play guard.

Arizona is reportedly interested in trading down, so Johnson could also be a target later in the first round if the Cardinals move back.

Edge rushers Will Anderson and Tyree Wilson are seen as viable candidates to be selected by Arizona, which badly needs help in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

If a quarterback goes No. 3, the assumption would be a team traded up to nab him. Stroud is the favorite among the signal-callers, while Richardson and Levis could also be options. 

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, but there is a lot of uncertainty after that, as these betting odds reflect.