The 2023 NFL Draft is set to begin on Thursday, April 27 at 8:00 PM ET, when the first round will get underway. The second and third rounds will follow on April 28, beginning at 9:00 PM ET, while the remaining rounds will take place on Saturday, April 29, beginning at Noon ET.

With the first round nearly upon us, it’s time to get into some of the props and our expert’s NFL Draft Round 1 picks, with odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

NFL DRAFT ROUND 1 BEST BET: Over 14.5 total defensive players selected in the first round (+100 at Caesars Sportsbook)

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2023 NFL Draft Predictions for Thursday’s Round 1

The conversation around the NFL Draft has been largely dominated by which quarterback will be taken first overall. A few weeks ago, it seemed legitimately up in the air as to whether former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young or former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud would be taken with the first pick. 

However, the odds have since placed Young as the overwhelming favorite to be taken with the first pick. This now places a lot of intrigue on who will follow Young, which teams will trade their first round pick and more.

With that out of the way, let’s get into our expert’s NFL Draft Round 1 picks and explain how you can get $1,250 in first-bet insurance when signing up at Caesars Sportsbook today using our promo code ATOZFULL.

Best NFL Draft Bets: Total Offensive & Defensive Players Drafted in First Round

The top of the draft should be dominated by quarterbacks and offensive lineman. According to most mock drafts, at least half of the first 10 picks are expected to be offensive players. With at least four virtual locks in the opening 10 picks, we’ll need to decide if 11 or more offensive players will be selected in the remaining 22 picks.

The middle of the first round is where defensive players take over for a bit, as most mock drafts have edge rushers, interior lineman and players in the secondary getting picked by playoff hopefuls. And based on the projected mock drafts, the needs of last year’s contending teams mostly revolve around defense, including the Chiefs, Eagles, Jaguars and Bills.

Most major outlets project around 15 or 16 offensive players to be selected on Thursday, so at +100 odds, there is value in backing the under 16.5 position. Given that we think there will be 16 or fewer offensive players selected in the first round, it only makes sense that we also target the over 14.5 defensive players selected at +100 odds for our NFL Draft Round 1 picks at Caesars Sportsbook.

How to Tail our Picks With Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code ATOZFULL to Get $1,250 Worth of Bet Insurance

No matter which of our 2023 NFL Draft Round 1 picks catches your eye, or even if you have an entirely different sporting event you’re looking to wager on, now is the time to join Caesars Sportsbook. By signing up today using Caesars Sportsbook promo code ATOZFULL, you’ll automatically enroll in their sign-up bonus for $1,250 worth of first-bet insurance.

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Latest Betting Odds & Lines for the 2023 NFL Draft Powered by Caesars

Caesars Sportsbook has released lines and props for the 2023 NFL Draft. Below are some of the most popular offerings.

To be the #1 overall selection: Bryce Young (-2400), CJ Stroud (+1500), Anthony Richardson (+2500)

To be the #2 overall selection: Will Levis (-120), Tyree Wilson (+330), Will Anderson (+380), CJ Stroud (+550)

To be the #3 overall selection: Tyree Wilson (+270), CJ Stroud (+270), Will Anderson (+350), Anthony Richardson (+550), Will Levis (+1000)

To be the #4 overall selection: Will Levis (+120), CJ Stroud (+210), Anthony Richardson (+300), Will Anderson (+1100)

To be a Top-5 selection: CJ Stroud (-1000), Tyree Wilson (-550) Will Anderson (-480), Anthony Richardson (-125), Jalen Carter (+380)

Before the Draft gets underway, make sure you sign up at Caesars Sportsbook today using promo code ATOZFULL to get $1,250 worth of first-bet insurance to use on any of our NFL Draft Round 1 picks, or a market of your choosing.

What Time Does the NFL Draft Start?

As we outlined at the top of this piece, the 2023 NFL Draft is set to begin on Thursday, April 27 at 8:00 PM ET, when the first round will get underway from Kansas City. The second and third rounds will follow on Friday, April 28, beginning at 9:00 PM ET, while the remaining rounds will take place on Saturday, April 29, beginning at Noon ET.

The first round will be televised nationally throughout the weekend by NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and can be heard nationwide on Westwood One Radio, SiriusXM NFL Radio, and ESPN Radio.

But before any of the action gets going, be sure to follow (or fade) our NFL Draft Round 1 picks at Caesars Sportsbook, using our special promo code ATOZFULL to get $1,250 worth of first-bet insurance today.

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.