2023 NFL Draft: Prediction, Draft Order, Player Odds & Picks for NFL Draft

Even when there are no games to watch, the NFL is always making sports news headlines. Following the blockbuster trade for Chicago’s coveted No. 1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers, draft season is in full swing with rumors and predictions.

There could be a bidding war brewing for the last top pick available for a quarterback-needy team, that being the Cardinals at No. 3 overall. Do they hang on and pick the best defender in this class, or do they move down for the type of haul the Bears got?

Let’s break down the 2023 NFL Draft order as of today and make a few picks to earn some cash on the highly anticipated event.

2023 NFL Draft Order

2023 NFL Draft Prediction & Picks

First Tight End Selected Pick: Michael Mayer | +125 at DraftKings

Mayer is by far and away the top tight end in this year’s class after a stellar career at Notre Dame. He’s everything teams are looking for in the modern NFL at the position, as he was easily his alum’s top receiving threat last season.

With the way tight ends have surged in recent years due to players like Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Mark Andrews, this position is being increasingly valued. As a result, Mayer is likely to be taken in the first round and should be the first tight end off the board.

Last season, Mayer had 67 receptions for 809 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He is a constant threat in the red zone and compiled 17 contested catches in his 2022 campaign. His traits will be attractive to teams in the mid to late first round.

Our primary threat here is fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid, who has seen his draft stock rise over the last few weeks. However, I’ll take Mayer’s consistency as the top prospect all year at plus money here.

First Wide Receiver Selected Pick: Jaxon Smith-Njigba | -130 at DraftKings

A few months ago, the top receiver prospect was TCU’s Quentin Johnson, who does figure to have a solid chance of being the top player selected at his position. Following the NFL Combine though, that spot went to Smith-Njigba and I don’t believe teams are looking back.

There are question marks around Johnson’s ability to separate in the NFL, as he made much of his money on contested catches downfield with his body. There have been a number of highly-drafted receivers with similar traits that did not pan out in the pros, so teams may be skeptical of taking Johnson so high.

Smith-Njigba, on the other hand, played in the slot primarily in college and has the speed and separation traits that are so sought after in the NFL these days. Last offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars paid over $20 million per season for slot wideout Christian Kirk, who at the time had never had a 1,000-yard season in his four seasons as a pro.

In the 2021 season, Smith-Njigba had 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. That is going to make NFL teams very excited come April.

NFL Draft Longshot Pick: Philadelphia Eagles to Draft Bijan Robinson | +750 at DraftKings

Our longshot pick is going to be looking at the Eagles, who are likely to let Pro-Bowl running back Miles Sanders walk in free agency. This pick is contingent on them doing so.

The Eagles have a plethora of free agents who are a higher priority to re-sign than Sanders, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. They are also due for a monster extension for Jalen Hurts, who had an incredible season in 2022.

Thanks to some masterful trade work from general manager Howie Roseman, the Eagles have the No. 10 overall pick from the Saints. While that may be a little high to select a running back, they could slide back a few spots and take Robinson from there.

Robinson’s arguably the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley and given the importance of the rushing attack for the Eagles offense, this would be a home run pick.