Very few sporting events hold the level of ceremony and intrigue as the NFL Draft, with all of the franchises able to potentially change their fortunes through the players they recruit.
College football is arguably as big as the NFLin terms of popularity in the US, with schools across the land using football to promote their institutions. As the breeding ground for the next generation of NFL talents, college football is continually producing players ready to make the step up to the professional game and with hugely lucrative contracts at stake, the theatre of the NFL Draft always makes for compelling viewing.
Traditionally, the draft works on the basis of the team that finished bottom of the league the season prior, has the first draft pick in the next campaign.
Outside of those regulations, there is also the option for teams to trade their place in the draft rankings for other players during the season – making the whole event a fascinating spectacle, for NFL fans of every team.
Taking place at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas, the draft will capture the imagination of the American footballing fraternity at the end of April and there is plenty on the line for every side picking their draft picks and for those players waiting to join an NFL team.
Being the first round draft pick carries a place in American sporting history and there are a whole host of names in the running to be chosen first in 2023.
The Houston Texans will be the first side to take a punt in the draft in Kansas and there has been plenty of speculation as to who they will opt for.
It was a largely forgettable campaign for the Texans, who finished 3rd in the AFC South table last year, winning only 4 of 17 games played and clearly, change is needed.
Being able to cherry pick their player from the college system has the potential to revolutionise their fortunes in 2023 and there are a whole host of names in the mix to be the number one NFL draft pick this year.
Currently topping the betting to be number one pick is Michigan Wolverines defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who has been a stand out performer in the college football sphere for a few seasons.
There are plenty of holes in the current Houston Texans roster and Hutchinson would certainly go a long way towards fixing their defensive issues and at +250 with current betting offers, Aidan Hutchinson is currently the favourite to be chosen as the first pick. Offensively, the Texans have had issues too and there are plenty of draft options out there to bolster their attacking strength.
University of Alabama have plenty of exciting talents in their side, with offensive tackle Evan Neal arguably the brightest of them all.
At over 2 meters tall and weighing 350 pounds, Neal is one the most intimidating physical presences in college football, something that is sure to translate well into the NFL.
Neal has also been well backed to be snapped up first by the Texans and at +270, he would be a serious asset next season and beyond.
Whilst Neal and Hutchinson look set to battle it out to be number one pick, the draft often throws up surprises and for those chasing value, backing Ikem Ekwonu to be the first pick for the Texans at +850 represents a strong outside bet.