2023 NFL Draft Rumors: Numerous teams only have one receiver with first-round picks

With the 2023 NFL Draft just weeks away, there are many questions to analyze. Where will the top quarterbacks end up and where will star running back Bijan Robinson end up? Another question has to do with the wide receivers.

With talent like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston and Zay Flowers there will certainly be teams looking for a first-round wideout, but how many leave on opening night? Jim Nagythe executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl — and certainly someone familiar with drafting matters — believes we may not see a run on wide receiver in the first round of this year.

Nagy says while on the phone in the league over the past few weeks, he’s found that the NFL overall isn’t nearly as high as the media in this year’s wide receiver class. While most mock drafts feature four or five or even six first-round wideouts, Nagy says he’s spoken to numerous NFL teams that only have one prospect with a first-round grade. That player is Smith-Njigba.

According to Caesars Sportsbook, the over/under line for the number of wide receivers drafted in the first round is 4.5. The under might seem tempting now, but the juice makes it practically not worth it. Over 4.5 WRs drafted on opening night are +240 while unders are -300.

CBS Sports NFL Draft Expert Ryan Wilson latest mock draft has only three wide receivers in the first round: Smith-Njigba against the Houston Texans in a sham trade with the Tennessee Titans at No. 11, Johnston against the Baltimore Ravens at No. 22 overall, and USC’s Jordan Addison against the New York Giants at No 25