We have made it. The NFL draft is one day away.
It is one of the more unpredictable drafts in recent memories so I won’t feel bad when only the first pick is correct.
Betting odds courtesy of DraftKings, as of April 26. Here we go.
1. Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Young, Alabama
Young’s odds to go No. 1: -1600
This is the pick, despite the late Will Levis steam.
2. Houston Texans: QB Will Levis, Kentucky
Levis’s odds to go No. 2: +145
I’ll admit an edge rusher seems like a more legitimate option than I once believed, but quarterback is still the most logical choice.
3. Indianapolis Colts (via Arizona Cardinals): QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
Compensation: No. 4 overall pick, No. 35 overall
Richardson’s odds to go No. 3: +1000
With two quarterbacks off the board, Indy might get a little antsy and make a move up to secure Richardson. New coach Shane Steichen just had a bunch of success with dual-threat Jalen Hurts under center, and Richardson could be used similarly.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Edge Will Anderson, Alabama
Anderson’s odds to go No. 4: +500
The Cardinals don’t get a monster haul in a trade down, but they get a second-round pick and the chance to take the best non-quarterback prospect available. Ohio State left tackle Paris Johnson and Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson are considerations, but in the end coach Jonathan Gannon gets a lynchpin pass-rusher for a defense that needs to be revamped.
Some nice odds here for Anderson since Indy has the original pick and is widely expected to take a quarterback.
5. Seattle Seahawks: DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
Carter’s odds to go No. 5: -125
The Seahawks have been willing to take chances on players in the past, and this would fit that line of thinking. Carter has the tools to be the best defensive player in the draft class and Seattle deems it a worthy risk at 5.
6. Detroit Lions: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Witherspoon’s odds to go No. 6: -130
While there is a lot of uncertainty from picks two through five, Witherspoon to the Lions has been mocked a bunch. He is the odds-on favorite to land there.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: OT Paris Johnson, Ohio State
Johnson’s odds to go No. 7: +300
The Raiders could use some help on the offensive line and Johnson has the flexibility to play guard or tackle early on while eventually settling in at tackle.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Edge Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
Wilson’s odds to go No. 8: +650
Atlanta will likely look long and hard at C.J. Stroud or running back Bijan Robinson, but this is good value for a guy that many expect to be off the board within the top three picks.
9. Tennessee Titans (via Chicago Bears): QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Compensation: No. 11 overall, 2023 third-round pick
Stroud’s odds to go No. 9: +4000
The Titans move up a pair of spots to grab Stroud, who would constitute nice value here after many pegged him to be the top overall pick a few weeks ago.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Nolan Smith, Georgia
Smith’s odds to go No. 10: +500
The Eagles have lost some of their pass-rushing studs this offseason and Smith would help replenish that group.
11. Chicago Bears: G/T Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Odds the Bears take an OL with first pick: -175
Chicago trades down again to pick up more draft capital and then makes a heady pick. The Bears are building toward competitiveness quickly, and Skoronski could help right away.
12. Houston Texans: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Odds Smith-Njigba is the first WR drafted: -425
The Texans need help at wideout, and this move would give Levis a legit pass-catching weapon to grow with.
13. Green Bay Packers: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
Odds Flowers is the second WR drafted: +100
Aaron Rodgers kept asking for weapons. It would be pretty funny if Green Bay gets one for Jordan Love after A-Rod’s trade to the Jets.
14. New England Patriots: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Odds Christian Gonzales goes after pick 8: -120
This would be a pretty big drop for Gonzalez, who could very well go in the top-10. If he is here, New England could pounce to replenish the position group after several recent high-profile defections.
15. New York Jets: T Broderick Jones, Georgia
Broderick Jones’ odds of going after pick 14: -215
Odds the Jets take an offensive lineman first: -255
The sportsbooks expect the Jets to address the offensive line, and Jones would be a piece that could solidify the group.
16. Washington Commanders: Edge Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
Odds the Commanders take DL with their first pick: +350
The Commanders won’t pick up Chase Young’s fifth-year option, which means new blood will be needed on the line. This bet might be my favorite of them all, as +350 seems like great value.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
Odds Banks goes before pick 21: -130
Pittsburgh needs some youth at cornerback and Banks is one of the top prospects on the board. Natural fit.
18. Detroit Lions: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
Odds the Lions take Robinson: +1200
Will the star running back last this long? It’s hard to say, but if so, Detroit could pounce.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: T Darnell Wright, Tennessee
Odds the Buccaners take OL with their first pick: +150
As the Buccaneers head off on a rebuild, finding a young tackle opposite Tristan Wirfs would be a great setup for a future quarterback.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Edge Myles Murphy, Clemson
Odds Murphy goes top-10: +1100
The Seahawks found a pair of offensive tackles in last year’s draft, and they could try to upgrade the defensive line in a major way in the first round on Thursday. Major potential here with Carter and Murphy.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Odds Mayer is the first tight end selected: -225
Mayer or Dalton Kincaid? I’ll take Mayer.
22. Baltimore Ravens: DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
Odds Kancey goes in the first round: -400
The Ravens always seem to nail their personnel decisions. Kancey is a polarizing prospect, but if Baltimore takes him I’d feel good about his future.
23. Minnesota Vikings: QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Odds Hooker is a first-round pick: -190
The Vikings may be looking to move up and draft a quarterback. But if Hooker is on the board, I wouldn’t sleep on this selection.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Joey Porter, Jr., Penn State
Odds the Jaguars take a CB with their first pick: +120
The Jaguars need secondary help and Porter is an intriguing prospect.
25. New York Giants: WR Jordan Addison, USC
Odds the Giants take a WR with their first pick: +150
Darren Waller is going to help the offense, but more pass-catchers are needed.
26. Dallas Cowboys: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Odds Kincaid goes after pick 24: +100
Dalton Schultz has moved on to the Texans, so Dallas replaces him with a prospect some believe is the best tight end in the draft.
27. Buffalo Bills: DT Mazi Smith, Michigan
Odds Smith goes in first round: -120
The Bills love strengthening the trenches, and Smith would be a nice pick at the end of the first round.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
Odds the Bengals take a running back first: +850
I wrote about this earlier in the week, as I like the fit here. Gibbs could replace Joe Mixon, saving the team money and giving an electrifying offense even more punch.
29. New Orleans Saints: DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson
Odds Bresee goes before pick 30: +130
The Saints have a very good defense but could use some help on the interior.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: IOL Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
Odds Tippmann goes in the first round: -140
Philly adds a versatile interior offensive lineman near the end of the first round.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
Odds the Chiefs take an OL with their first pick: +200
The Chiefs know that protecting Patrick Mahomes is the most important facet offensively, and Harrison would help soften the loss of Orlando Brown.
