Ladies and gentlemen, the best sports day on the calendar is finally here. After months of debating and analyzing film and stats, we will finally learn where prospects will call home in the 2023 NFL Draft.
This is a life-changing day for these young prospects. Some will add millions to their bank accounts by the end of the week, and they will know which city they will live in as their dreams hopefully come true. It can be a pivotal day for sports bettors as well. Those wanting to bet on the NFL don’t have to wait for August to roll around.
However, the swirling rumors make this a challenge. The NFL Draft odds are moving by the hour, and players like Will Levis are gaining a ton of buzz to go earlier than people expect.
What are the best odds regarding landing spots? Let’s make some picks and predictions for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State Buckeyes)
Position: Wide Receiver
Many expect JSN to be the first receiver taken in the 2023 NFL Draft, and it is easy to see why. He had the best production in 2021, and the only reason he did not produce at the same level was because of an injury. He has the speed and separation skills necessary to thrive as a WR1, but his lack of size will keep him mostly in the slot.
Green Bay is the favorite to take Smith-Njigba after trading up with the Jets. However, I think he will be off the board by the time the Packers make a selection. Also, the Packers are known for having size thresholds, and Smith-Njigba likely won’t meet these.
Destiny: Houston Texans
I like JSN to go to the Houston Texans at No. 12 overall. Houston is losing Cooks, and they will likely have a new quarterback hoping to have a reliable receiver.
With John Metchie returning from a battle with Leukemia, the Texans will already be adding talent at the position. However, we believe JSN paired with Metchie will be a great duo for Houston. This is a place where the value of the player meets the need for the team drafting.
NFL Draft Pick: Houston Texans to Draft Jaxon Smith-Njigba (+550) at Bet365
Will Levis (Kentucky Wildcats)
Position: Quarterback
There is so much buzz surrounding Will Levis going in the top three selections, but I don’t find that likely. With rumors swirling this late in the process, I believe it is likely that teams are leaking interest in hopes of other players falling.
If I had to pick the team most likely to choose Levis, I would choose either the Colts or Raiders. However, I don’t love the value of either of these selections. Because of that, I’m looking at selections later in the draft.
Destiny: Detroit Lions
The value of the Detroit Lions is hard to avoid. Detroit has two picks in the first round, and they don’t desperately need a quarterback. However, they could look to take Levis if he falls.
The Lions are seemingly tied to Jared Goff, but adding a quarterback of the future would be nice.
I also like the value of the Buccaneers and Commanders, but Tampa Bay has a chance to tank for a quarterback next year, and the Commanders seem tied to Sam Howell.
NFL Draft Pick: Detroit Lions to Draft Will Levis (+5000) at Bet365
Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama Crimson Tide)
Position: Running Back
Gibbs is easily the second-best running back in this year’s NFL Draft. I love his upside as a receiver, and his ability to break tackles in open space is elite. He lacks the vision between the tackles to be a true three-down back, but he would make almost any offense better as a rookie.
That’s why I think he will go to a title contender late in the first round or early in the second. He has enough talent to justify this kind of selection if a team thinks they need one more weapon to get over the hump.
In terms of likely landing spots, the Bengals and Bills both need depth at the position. However, they also have other needs of higher priority.
Destiny: Philadelphia Eagles
The fans of the Philadelphia Eagles will be the first ones to tell you that they don’t draft running backs in the first round, but I think that they make an exception in this case. They are picking very late in the first, and they already have a top-10 selection.
In a class with few proven talents, it makes sense to take a player like Gibbs. The Eagles need to replace Miles Sanders with a proven back, and the value is great.
NFL Draft Pick: Philadelphia Eagles to Draft Jahmyr Gibbs (+1600) at Bet365
