Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

2023 NFL Draft Betting Predictions: Defensive Linemen Odds

by Matt Zitt - 4/26/2023

NFL Draft betting predictions defensive linemen odds Bryan Bresee

Last year’s defensive line class was one of the weakest in recent NFL Drafts. Only makes sense that 2023’s class follows up with one of the better classes, with three heavy hitters at the top of the board. Two pass rushers have been drafted with the No. 1 pick since 2014: Jadeveon Clowney (2014, Texans) and Myles Garrett (2017, Browns). In two of the last three drafts, pass rushers went second in the draft behind a quarterback: (Nick Bosa and Chase Young). With all three teams at the top of the draft board needing defensive line play, there’s no reason to think at least two won’t come off the board in the first three picks.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

DL Favorites Analysis for the 2023 NFL Draft

Will Anderson (Alabama)

If eligible last year, he very well could have been the No. 1 selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. During his sophomore campaign, he recorded an insane 31.5 tackles for a loss and 19.5 sacks. He followed that up this past season with 15 sacks and 36 QB hurries. He is a freak of an athlete and should be selected in the top three to five picks of the 2023 NFL Draft. The two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year has had meetings with the Bears and Texans.

Jalen Carter (Georgia)

An MCL injury forced Carter to miss five games in 2022, but he is still as ferocious as they come for a defensive lineman. On 308 snaps as a junior he produced 25 total pressures, which included 17 QB hurries, five QB hits, and three sacks. He also tallied 18 tackles, seven assists, and 20 stops. He earned 2022 Associated Press & Coaches’ All-SEC First Team and was a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award as the nation’s top lineman. Carter has elite quickness and impressive lateral speed able to shadow backs in the run game. The NFL rumor mill heated up with the Steelers potentially trading up to the number nine selection if Carter is available. Legal accusations involving a driving death of a teammate and staffer in January could make Carter slide down the draft board.

Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech)

Starting this past season, Wilson was not on anyone’s radar to be a top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Now, he may become a top five selection and jump Carter. An injury sidelined him for the end of the collegiate season, but he looks back to form. Playing on a mediocre Texas Tech defense, he finished his senior campaign with 37 tackles, 15 assists, and 32 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied a massive 50 total pressures, 32 QB hurries, 10 QB hits, and eight sacks. Early rumors have Wilson going by pick six and most likely will not fall outside the top ten.

Myles Murphy (Clemson)

Fresh off a First-team All-ACC selection, Murphy should be picked in the top 20 of this year’s draft. NFL scouts are most impressed with his speed-to-power with the leg drive to push blockers back. Rated a 5-star recruit out of high school, Murphy saw action in 12 games as a freshman. His productivity has increased every single season, earning him numerous ACC honors. In 2022, the junior tallied 23 tackles, 10 assists, 34 total pressures, and six sacks. He has mainly been tied to the Raiders, Falcons, and Patriots throughout the draft process.

Bryan Bresee (Clemson)

Bresee’s draft stock has been falling for an athlete with such skill and potential. Once thought to be a guaranteed top-10 pick, some NFL insiders see the Clemson product falling out of the first round altogether. In 2022 as a junior, Bresee played in nine games and saw over 300 snaps. He finished the campaign with 21 total pressures as a pass rusher, which included 15 QB hurries and two sacks. He has been tied to the Steelers and Bengals as possible destinations in the 2023 NFL Draft.

DL Predictions for the 2023 NFL Draft

First defensive lineman drafted: Will Anderson

Jalen Carter drafted in the top 10: Yes

Get NFL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

Most Recent NFL Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers