With the NFL combine in the rearview mirror and pro days on the horizon, we're officially on the path to the draft.
The latest: The NFL combine wrapped up recently, causing a bit of movement in the NFL No. 1 pick odds. Even more movement occurred after the Carolina Panthers acquired the pick from the Chicago Bears, making it even more likely a quarterback is selected first.
Check out our NFL No. 1 pick odds for the first night of the draft on April 27.
NFL No. 1 pick odds
Check out the latest odds for the NFL's No. 1 draft pick. Click linked odds to add selection to betslip.
| Player | Odds (March 14) | Odds (March 9) |
| C.J. Stroud | -278 | +250 |
| Anthony Richardson | +275 | +400 |
| Bryce Young | +325 | -150 |
| Will Levis | +3,000 | +1,600 |
| Will Anderson | +5,000 | +1,100 |
| Jalen Carter | +8,000 | +2,000 |
| Tyree Wilson | +10,000 | +5,000 |
NFL odds as of 4:23 p.m. ET on 03/14/2023.
NFL No. 1 pick odds and analysis
The favourite: C.J. Stroud (-278)
Shortly after Carolina's trade with Chicago was announced, Stroud rocketed up draft boards.
Part of it was due to the timing as the deal was made shortly after the NFL combine concluded. The common belief was that Stroud's strong performance at the event spurred the Panthers into action. That, and ensuing reports that Stroud was the team's preferred option at QB.
Update: The "sense around the league" is that the #Panthers will be drafting Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud, according to league insiders.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 10, 2023
(via @josephperson) pic.twitter.com/aDHi92Pq66
But there appears to be a split war room in Charlotte. It was reported that Stroud was new head coach Frank Reich's preferred option while Bryce Young was owner David Tepper's.
To make matters much more confusing, NBC Sports' Albert Breer then reported the opposite, saying the football people want Young but Tepper would rather have Stroud.
Either way, it's clear that Stroud's on Carolina's shortlist. It's hard to justify betting on him at this line, though, considering the conflicting reports.
Other top draft pick candidates
Best value: Bryce Young (+325)
Young's odds have fallen dramatically, flipping from a minus-odds favourite to third among the potential options. For an event as unpredictable as the NFL Draft, though, this is an excellent opportunity to buy low on the QB who's still reportedly being considered by the Panthers.
Many eyes around the NFL began looking toward ex-Alabama quarterback Bryce Young in the winter of 2021 when he edged out Stroud and others to win the Heisman Trophy.
His numbers were similarly strong this past year as a junior, and now Young enters the draft as a highly decorated quarterback from a blue-chip program (and conference). His accuracy is exceptional and he makes very few mistakes, evidenced by his 12 interceptions in 27 collegiate starts.
Young's size is a question mark, as he officially came in at 5-foot-10 and weighed 204 pounds. According to ESPN, that would make him the lightest first-round quarterback taken since at least 2006 and only the third first-round QB under six feet (Kyler Murray, Johnny Manziel).
Those measurements haven't knocked Young down, though, nor did his choice to opt out of the drills portion at the combine.
Player to watch: Anthony Richardson (+275)
Every draft has some swing-for-the-fences players and Richardson is definitely one of those.
After holding +8,000 odds on Feb. 14, Richardson is soaring up the board ahead of the combine. He hit +400 at our last update, and now he's sitting in an even tighter position than that.
Richardson's athleticism was on display in Indianapolis, as he led all quarterbacks in the 40-yard dash (4.43 seconds) and vertical leap (40.5 inches).
Richardson is reportedly one of the QBs Carolina's interested in, according to Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline. Coach Reich also reportedly "loves" the QB, a report that came out after the Panthers met with him at the combine.
The ex-Florida quarterback is far less proven than a guy like Young, as he was only a starter for one season. But in that one season, he led FBS QBs in yards per rush (6.4, which is really impressive when you consider sacks count against QB rushing yards).
Richardson and his arm strength also drew a comparison to Josh Allen from one NFL general manager.
The pre-combine hype has swelled into post-combine hype, and his meteoric rise since last month is impossible to ignore. It's reasonable to envision the dual-threat QB leapfrogging everyone on draft night.