University of Kentucky senior quarterback Will Levis Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal and USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

NFL Draft odds shift suggests surprise at No. 2 overall

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 4/23/23

The 2023 NFL Draft is just days away, and suddenly, there has been a drastic shift in what oddsmakers expect to happen with the second overall pick.

It is widely assumed that the Carolina Panthers, who traded up to No. 1 last month, will select Bryce Young with the first pick. For a while, most analysts agreed that C.J. Stroud would go to the Houston Texans at No. 2. Not anymore.

As of Sunday, former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis was favored to be taken with the second overall selection in the draft.

Major No. 2 overall pick odds shift at @CaesarsSports. Will Levis is now the odds-on favorite. Is a trade coming?

Will Levis (-140)
Tyree Wilson (+275)
Will Anderson Jr. (+400)
C.J. Stroud (+450)
Bryce Young (20/1)
Anthony Richardson (25/1)#NFLDraft | #NFLDraft2023

— Jaime Eisner (@JaimeEisner) April 22, 2023

The odds were similar at multiple sportsbooks.

THIS IS NOT A DRILL

Will Levis is currently the odds on favorite to be the 2nd pick in the NFL Draft according to @DraftKings pic.twitter.com/5ce16SPp7L

— Lucas Wencl (@LucasWencl) April 22, 2023

That is quite the development. The change may have something to do with the negative reports that have come out recently about Stroud. Of course, it is impossible to decipher which information is accurate and/or was intentionally leaked by certain teams in an attempt to manipulate the draft.

The Texans need a quarterback, so it would be a surprise if they did not take one at No. 2. There is a chance they could trade back, as we know at least one other QB-needy team that is said to be high on Levis.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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