The Arizona Cardinals have the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft and the player most connected to them, if they do not trade it, is Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson.
It has long been assumed that quarterbacks will be the first two picks of the draft and that the Cardinals would either take Anderson or trade back with a team wanting a quarterback.
However, there has been a change in the betting odds.
Anderson is now the betting favorite, having the shortest odds to be selected by the Houston Texans second overall.
DraftKings Sportsbook has Anderson listed at +150 (bet $100 to win $150), the shortest odds for the pick, giving him 40% implied odds of being the pick.
Next are Kentucky quarterback Will Levis and Texas Tech pass rusher Tyree Wilson at +250. Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud at +275 and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young at +950.
Young is the odds-on favorite to be the first overall pick by the Carolina Panthers at -1400 (bet $1400 to win $100), giving him 93.33% implied odds of being selected first overall.
What does this mean for the Cardinals?
It should make the No. 3 pick extremely desirable, as Stroud, Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and Levis would all be available.
It would also make the Cardinals very eager to trade out of the pick, creating a balance of urgency and value.
The first round of the draft is April 27. A trade of the third pick won’t likely happen until the Cardinals are on the clock.
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