Another draft, another class loaded to the brim with defensive line talent. Last year was largely regarded as the most talented DL draft class in some time, but this year’s top of the class easily match that group. While QB might be the position that comes off the board first, true disruptors like Alabama’s Will Anderson, Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson and Georgia’s Jalen Carter will be impactful Day 1 starters. Below, we’ll look at NFL Draft odds for defensive linemen, including edge rushers and interior players.
NFL draft odds: First DL drafted
Sportsbooks will post markets for the first defensive lineman taken soon. For players like Anderson, Carter and Wilson, you can find odds for them to be picked first overall now. When first DL markets become available, find them here.
You can find odds to be the first defensive player taken in the draft, of which defensive linemen top the board.
Teams picking early in the first round in need of defensive line help include:
- Arizona Cardinals (No. 3)
- Seattle Seahawks (No. 5)
- Las Vegas Raiders (No. 7)
- Atlanta Falcons (No. 8)
- Chicago Bears (No. 9)
How to bet on first DL drafted
One of the most common NFL Draft prop wagers are those that involve betting on which player will be the first drafted at each position. To find these wagers in an online sportsbook, click the NFL tab to navigate toward the 2023 Draft section. Once there, click on “First Pick by Position” to view the odds.
NFL Draft: 2023 DL profiles
Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
Anderson may have been the top pick in last year’s draft, should he have been eligible. Few pass rushers accomplished what Anderson did in his three seasons with Alabama. As a sophomore, he recorded a ridiculous 31.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks. He’s a freak athlete with an unstoppable motor and lauded as a high-character prospect, having been a captain with the Tide. For many, Anderson is the best prospect in this draft.
Anderson met with the Bears and Texans. He likely won’t have many top 30 meetings given the surefire nature of both his NFL potential and his likelihood of going in the top three or five picks.
Tied teams: Cardinals, Bears
Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Last year, Wilson wasn’t on anyone’s radar to be a first-round pick, much less a top pick. To casual followers, Wilson may be a surprise top-five pick in this draft, possibly jumping Carter. Hidden on an average Texas Tech defense out in Lubbock, Wilson was a problem. He recorded 14 tackles for a loss and seven sacks for the Red Raiders last year, but missed the end of the year with an injury. Early winds blowing strongly suggest Wilson will be gone by pick six.
Having met with a litany of top-10 picking teams, Wilson likely doesn’t fall past that mark. Many odds boards and mock drafts now feature Wilson going ahead of Jalen Carter.
Tied teams: Bears, Falcons, Raiders
Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia
The successor to Jordan Davis became one of the most-feared football players in college football. Carter was a true game-wrecker inside compared to Warren Sapp. He stands a monstrous 6-foot-3, 310 pounds and is an accomplished competitive weightlifter. After the success of the Eagles’ defensive line, with a young game-wrecker inside and veteran pass rushers complementary, teams may look to Carter to establish that formula. He’s rated inside the top three on almost every big board and almost certainly won’t make it past pick three or four.
Serious legal accusations arose during the NFL Combine for Carter. A warrant was issued for his arrest in possible connection with the driving death of a teammate and staffer in January. Until that’s cleared up, Carter’s odds of being the first DL picked are going to slide.
Tied teams: Bears
Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Block out the recent streak of Clemson defensive linemen picked highly in the NFL Draft. Myles Murphy breaks those stereotypes as a much more refined NFL prospect. However, with the rise of player stock like Broderick Jones, Tyree Wilson, and Paris Johnson, Murphy may become a value to a team picking outside of the top five. Don’t expect him to slip past 16, though.
Murphy met with the Falcons, Patriots, and Raiders at the Combine. The Saints also had a top 30 visit with him, although the consensus doesn’t see Murphy falling that far.
Tied teams: Raiders, Falcons, Patriots
Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
Bresee’s draft stock is falling. Once thought to be a top-10 pick, some radical mock drafts from insiders put Bresee outside of Round 1. Partly due to being an interior defensive lineman – rarely a premium position – and partly due to other prospects just impressing more often. He also struggled with injury throughout his Clemson career. To many, Bresee might be a head-scratching faller down the board on Day 1.
Tied teams: Steelers, Bengals
NFL Draft DL History
Here is a list of the first DL taken in each NFL Draft going back to 2010.
| Year | Team | Player | College | Pick (No. overall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Jacksonville | Travon Walker | Georgia | 1 |
| 2021 | Miami | Jaelen Phillips | Miami | 18 |
| 2020 | Washington | Chase Young | Ohio State | 2 |
| 2019 | San Francisco | Nick Bosa | Ohio State | 2 |
| 2018 | Denver | Bradley Chubb | NC State | 5 |
| 2017 | Cleveland | Myles Garrett | Texas A&M | 1 |
| 2016 | San Diego | Joey Bosa | Ohio State | 6 |
| 2015 | NY Jets | Leonard Williams | USC | 3 |
| 2014 | Houson | Jadeveon Clowney | South Carolina | 1 |
| 2013 | Miami | Dion Jordan | Oregon | 3 |
| 2012 | Kansas City | Dontari Poe | Memphis | 11 |
| 2011 | Buffalo | Marcell Dareus | Alabama | 3 |
| 2010 | Detroit | Ndamukong Suh | Nebraska | 2 |
NFL Draft odds, strategy and trends
Last year’s defensive line class was one of the weakest in recent draft cycles. That’s naturally followed up by one of the best, with three heavy hitters at the top of the board. Two pass rushers have been taken first overall since 2014: Myles Garett (2017, Browns) and Jadaveon Clowney (2014, Texans). In two of the last three drafts, pass rushers went second behind a quarterback (Nick Bosa, Chase Young).
With all three teams at the top of the draft in serious need of pass rushers, there’s no reason to think at least two won’t come off the board in the top three picks.