Why Kentucky's Will Levis is Rising on Betting Boards to Go No. 1 in NFL Draft

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Bryce Derouin

Last Updated: Apr 25^th, 2023

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Will Levis was a part of the biggest odds movement on Monday when the Kentucky QB went as low as -160 at Caesars Sportsbook to be the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft.

Now, Levis is seeing his odds change with the top overall pick.

What is shaking up the NFL betting sites regarding Levis?

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Will Levis Numbers Making Dramatic Moves

On Monday night, Levis was +5000 to go No. 1 on PointsBet Sportsbook. By Tuesday morning, Levis was +500 on the same sportsbook.

DraftKings Sportsbook saw the odds change in just an hour, with Levis at +4000 at 6 a.m. ET before falling to +400.

Despite the massive movement on Levis, Alabama’s Bryce Young remains the favorite to be the first pick. But Young did see his odds shift with the Levis changes, with Young going from -2000 to -1500 at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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Will Levis Attributes and Why he's Moving Up

Draft analysts consider Levis to have one of the biggest ceilings of this QB class.

He might have the second-strongest arm of the QB prospects, behind only Florida’s Anthony Richardson. The velocity he’s able to get on his passes allows him to throw the ball through tight windows down the field. His ability to attack down the field is what has allowed his draft stock to rise.

Levis battled through a turf toe injury at Kentucky to complete 65% of his passes for 2,416 yards and 19 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.

Before you make your NFL wagers, check out Gambling.com's NFL picks page

Reddit the Reason for Odds Spike?

It’s early, so it remains uncertain what exactly is the cause of Levis rising up the odds board so quickly, but it could be because of a random Reddit post from user SaleAgreeable2834, who stated Levis is “telling friends and family Carolina will in fact take him on Thursday.”

An internet post on a social media forum is the furthest thing from credibility, but the fact this was enough to set off the books shows how weary they are of getting beat in draft betting markets.

NFL draft betting is the stone cold best. Stuff like this Reddit post from “SaleAgreeable2834” is swinging lines massively. What a world. pic.twitter.com/uhrA8D460A
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) April 25, 2023

Check out Gambling.com's NFL Mock Draft

Precedent for Odds Changes in Draft

There is a precedent for an odds change in a professional sports league draft and actually turning out to be correct.

Last year, on NBA betting sites, Paolo Banchero’s draft odds for the top pick in the 2022 draft fall from +2000 on June 9 to +175 and +200 on draft night.

Banchero wound up going No. 1 to the Orlando Magic, but the main difference between the Banchero and Levis’ shifts was Banchero’s move was because of betting activity.

Sportsbooks adjusted the odds on Banchero after money continued to pour in on him. At Caesars, Banchero drew 43% of the tickets and dollars among all NBA Draft first-pick bets — the most in each category.