The 2023 NFL Draft betting market changed dramatically on Monday. For one, the odds on Bryce Young to the Carolina Panthers at No. 1 overall spiked from -350 to -1800 at DraftKings Sportsbook. How does that impact Will Anderson odds to the Houston Texans for the subsequent pick? Let’s dive in.
Click on any of the following NFL draft odds to place a wager.
FREE NFL Draft Pick’em Contest! Make your picks in our NFL Draft challenge and compete for $150 in prizes.
When Did Will Anderson Odds Adjustment Begin?
Just like other sports, the NFL draft betting market quickly accounts for any and every report that surfaces. Keep in mind, Young was priced at +275 to go first overall just three weeks ago. The market is occasionally ahead of the most influential news breakers as well, which occurred with Paolo Banchero’s NBA draft odds in June.
This time, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller noted that unless Cal McNair — the Texans chairman and chief executive officer — demands for Houston to draft Ohio State product CJ Stroud, they’ll likely nab the aforementioned Anderson with the second overall pick. Granted, Miller pegged Anderson as the most notable prospect ahead of the 2022-23 college football season. However, his stance stemmed from the quarterback prospects surrounding Young.
“There is a belief around the league that Houston has eyes for Bryce Young and isn’t sold on the other Round 1 QBs,” Miller said. “… But I know the Texans love edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., the team’s top-ranked prospect overall, and he could land with the Texans. Stay tuned.”
As a result, Will Anderson odds for the second pick have fallen to as low as +140 after sitting at +500 on Wednesday. Hence, he’s the favorite to head to Houston at both DraftKings and FanDuel. The vig on his draft position (O/U 3.5) also plummeted from -285 to -120 — in regards to the over.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport countered the Anderson steam, though, expressing that the Texans will use the No. 2 pick on their “quarterback of the future.” Notice how Rapoport didn’t go as far as naming Stroud in the clip below.
Analyzing Will Anderson Odds Movement
Considering Texans first-year coach DeMeco Ryans is a defensive-oriented mastermind, thanks to his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, Miller’s report may have legs.
Anderson is even projected to be the most valuable non-QB selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, accounting for positional value based on current contracts. At the NFL combine, the 253-pounder tallied an official 4.6-second 40-yard dash with a pronounced 1.61-second 10-yard split.
But Miller’s report could very well wind up as smoke in hindsight. That theoretically opens the door for Tyree Wilson or Will Levis at No. 2 overall. If Levis is truly Houston’s guy, it can’t afford to take Anderson in hopes that Levis is around for the No. 12 pick. The Texans received that selection in the Deshaun Watson trade.
The above notion emanates from the Indianapolis Colts’ connection to Levis. They’re the current favorites to snag him with the No. 4 overall pick. Additionally, Levis has the shortest odds to go No. 2 overall at Caesars (+180).
Below are the most significant betting markets for Will Anderson odds. We’ll keep tabs on them as the week progresses.
No. 2 Overall Pick Odds
Will Anderson Draft Position Odds
Continue the discussion in The Lines’ free Discord sports betting channel — with nearly 4,300 members talking NFL draft strategy and news daily.
