CJ Stroud New Favorite As #1 Pick After Panthers Trade

  • The Carolina Panthers have traded for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
  • C.J. Stroud is favored to be selected first with -325 odds.
  • Stroud’s odds jumped Bryce Young for the shortest odds.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After plenty of speculation surrounding the Chicago Bears and the number one pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, they have opted to trade back with the Carolina Panthers. Following Carolina’s acquisition of the first pick, there was a major shift in the first overall pick odds seeing C.J. Stroud jump Bryce Young for the shortest odds.

First Overall Pick Odds

  • CJ Stroud -325
  • Bryce Young +275
  • Anthony Richardson +400
  • Will Levis +3000
  • Will Anderson +10000

Since January 3, Bryce Young was favored on NFL betting sites with under +100 odds to be selected first.

Immediately following the trade, Young’s NFL Draft odds went from -175 up to +275. As for Stroud’s odds, they were at +200 on January 3 and even went as high as +400 in the coming weeks to the pick being traded before jumping heavily under even.

Why The Jump?

Although both Stroud and Young are two outstanding QBs that are worthy of being drafted first overall, it was reported that Carolina traded up to the first pick with their eyes set on taking Stroud.

Looking at the numbers from their final seasons at the collegiate level, it makes sense as to why the Panthers are leaning toward Stroud as he simply outplayed Young in almost every category. Stroud went for 3,688 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and an 88.9 QBR compared to Young’s 3,328 yards, 32 TDs, 5 INTs, and 86.2 QBR.

As for the fit with the Panthers, Stroud is the typical QB build that the Panthers are used to as he stands at 6’3 and 218 pounds. Previous Carolina QBs have all stood at over 6’2 and around the 220-pound mark.

Young clearly doesn’t fit that build at 6’0, 194 pounds. There have even been concerns from teams around the league surrounding his size.

Keep An Eye On Richardson

While Stroud and Young have taken up all the talk surrounding the top pick, Anthony Richardson should be kept on the back burner as well.

Richardson had a combine performance for the ages with the highest 40-yard dash, third-best 10-yard split, highest vertical, and highest broad jump of all other QBs that participated in the combine. At 6’4 244 pounds, he also fits their preferred QB frame.

Advertising Disclosure

BettingSuperBowl.com may receive a commission from any purchases you make through link on our site. This enables us to offer you the best free content and news about Super Bowl Betting.