CLEVELAND — The 2023 NFL Draft is just days away.
And while they'll have to wait even longer than usual to make their first pick, it will be a busy weekend for the Cleveland Browns.
As of Monday afternoon, the Browns currently lay claim to eight picks in the upcoming draft, beginning in the third round with the No. 74 overall selection. Cleveland previously traded its first-round pick in the deal to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans and its second-round pick as a part of the swap to acquire wide receiver Elijah Moore from the New York Jets.
With 73 players set to be selected before the Browns make their first pick, it's even tougher than usual to project which position Cleveland will be targeting. Still, that hasn't stopped oddsmakers from trying, with BetOnline releasing betting odds which position the Browns will pick first -- whether it be at No. 74 or elsewhere due to a trade.
The odds are as follows:
- Wide Receiver -175
- Defensive lineman +200
- Cornerback +600
- Safety +2000
- Offensive lineman +5000
- Linebacker +6000
- Running back +7500
- Quarterback +10000
- Kicker/Punter/Long snapper +20000
For the betting initiated, Cleveland's odds suggest that the Browns are likely to use their first selection on a wide receiver. The -175 betting line means that a bettor would need to risk $175 to return a $100 profit, while a successful $100 wager on the position with the next highest odds -- defensive lineman at +200 -- would return a $200 profit.
That the Browns are so heavily favored to select a wide receiver first comes as somewhat of a surprise, considering that they already traded their second-round pick as a part of the package to acquire Moore. In addition to Moore, Cleveland also signed veteran Marquise Goodwin this past offseason and is set to return a wide receiving corps that includes Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones and David Bell.
Defensive line, however, stands out as a glaring position of need for the Browns, with the team still lacking depth at defensive end and defensive tackle. It also wouldn't be a surprise to see Cleveland prioritize its offensive line, another position where depth is a need.
The 2023 NFL Draft begins with the first round on Thursday, April 27 and will continue with the second and third rounds on Friday before concluding with rounds four-seven on Saturday.