Reddit rumor leads to NFL Draft betting frenzy on Will Levis to go No. 1

Nov 12, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) fakes a handoff during the second quarter against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

As if the 2023 NFL Draft couldn’t have more twists?

Early this morning, bettors weighed in on the No. 1 pick market with a flood of money coming in on Kentucky prospect Will Levis to be selected first, not Bryce Young who has reached as high as -2400 in recent days.

Levis, who has gained traction as a candidate to go No. 2 overall, currently held by the Houston Texans, is now the second choice to be chosen No. 1 by the Carolina Panthers. It appears that the steam that generated this significant line move form +6000 to +500 originated from this Reddit post (among other wagers).

Not gonna lie, I get FOMO everytime I see shit like this.

So obviously, locked it in. I have no clue who that is nor what position he plays 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/bltTM9EftI

— Top Cheddar 🧀 (@TopCheddarPicks) April 25, 2023

Big movement in NFL Draft over night.

Will Levis moved from 50/1 to 20/1 to go #1 overall at @PointsBetUSA.

Just moved again to 10/1.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 25, 2023

Here is the updated No. 1 pick market on Tuesday morning, a little more than 48 hours ahead of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

2023 NFL Draft No. 1 pick odds

2023 NFL Draft – Number 1 Overall Pick

Odds updated April 25th, 2023, at 8:59 am

Will Will Levis go No. 1 overall?

After the Panthers moved up to No. 1 overall last month, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud emerged as the odds on favorite to go first, but over the last few weeks, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Young has been the heavy favorite.

With reports that Young is the very likely pick at No. 1, Levis has been climbing mock drafts, with a likely backstop at No. 4 to the Indianapolis Colts, one of the most quarterback needy teams at the top of the draft.

However, over the weekend, Levis became the odds on favorite to be the No. 2 overall pick in betting markets as his stock continues to climb ahead of the first round on Thursday night. Since then, he has moved to +150 to be the second pick but still the favorite in the betting market, but his climb may not be done now that there are murmurs he is in play at No. 1.

It’s worth noting that if this steam was indeed originated from a reddit report with little national reporting confirming it, it may just be books over-adjusting the odds to prepare for an influx in Levis bets due to the frenzy created by something like the reddit post.

While it’s a notable story, Levis’ odds translate to about a 16% chance of being selected.

Buckle up, two days until the draft gets started.