The 2023 NFL Draft odds have been out since the Super Bowl concluded. Although Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has remained the betting favorite to become the first overall pick in April’s draft, there have been some interesting line movements behind him. Most notably, Florida signal-caller Anthony Richardson has been surging up the betting odds list, and bettors are flocking to take a chance on the dual threat being selected with the first pick.
2023 NFL Draft Odds & Trends: Bettors in on Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson moved up to +700 to be selected first overall in the NFL Draft Earlier in the week. Per BetMGM analyst John Ewing, Richardson had the fourth-highest total number of tickets on him being selected first overall last week (13%). Since the latest leap in betting odds, Richardson now has the highest total number of tickets in his favor (23%).
Clearly, bettors are beginning to think sportsbooks know something we don’t while raising their latest lines. Still, Richardson sits behind Young (-120), C.J. Stroud (+325) and Jalen Carter (+600) on the list of betting favorites in the NFL Draft odds. But that’s not to deny Richardson has the talent to become a generational-type player in the NFL.
The Florida quarterback completed his one and only full season under center in 2022-23. He threw for 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions, adding 103 rushes for 659 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
The NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah gave high praise to Richardson when voicing his belief that the QB won’t be available for the Detroit Lions in the middle of the first round.
“When you look at the landscape of the NFL right now and you look at the high-, high-end quarterback play, this gives you an opportunity to take a shot on one of those guys who could be that. He’s not at that level right now, but ceiling-wise, with him and Jared Goff, his ceiling is immensely higher. Jared is a solid, steady player right now, he’s playing winning football, but I think there is a ceiling on him. With Anthony Richardson, you don’t have a ceiling. That’s why I think you’ll see him go (earlier than expected),” Jeremiah said, per Michigan Live.
Sure, the latest NFL Draft odds & trends show that Anthony Richardson is still a long shot to become the first Florida prospect drafted first overall. But the buzz surrounding the quarterback is undeniable. Richardson is one of the most interesting storylines heading into the draft, and don’t be surprised if a QB-needy team goes to great lengths to make him the face of their organization.
