NFL Draft Betting: Kentucky QB Will Levis Is Climbing the Odds Board Rapidly

Though it's not that uncommon to see a name or two rocket up the NFL Draft board in the days leading up to draft night, the hype surrounding Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis is getting pretty real.

Levis, who averaged 8.5 yards per attempt and maintained a 19-to-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his senior season at Kentucky, is now listed at +250 to be the second overall draft pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to the NFL Draft odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

That's a substantial climb for Levis since the draft season got underway.

Will Levis' Second-Pick Odds History

When the market opened, Levis was +1600 to be the second overall pick -- odds of under 6.0%.

His second-pick odds hit a high-water mark of +3500 (under 3.0%) and then climbed back down as the hype grew.

As of Tuesday afternoon -- two days before the draft -- Levis' odds to be the second overall pick, a pick currently owned by the Houston Texans, are +250 (nearly 30.0%).

Only Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson (+170) has better odds to be the second pick.

Understanding the Will Levis Hype

NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein has referenced some "buzz" surrounding the Texans' interest in Levis.

However, Houston also owns the 12th pick (via the Cleveland Browns), which could be used to trade back into the top 10 if they use the second pick on Wilson or another position.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has mentioned that the team may also trade back from the second pick and could still land Levis.

After all, Levis is ranked 13th on the consensus big board at NFL Mock Draft Database, which aggregates more than 1,000 mock drafts from around the industry.

Then again, the Indianapolis Colts, who hold the fourth pick in the draft, are "fans" of Levis, according to Peter Schrager of FoxSports, via The Pat McAfee Show.

Levis is also +800 to be the first overall pick in the draft (11.1% odds), though it's very likely that Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (-1400) goes to the Panthers.

If Houston passes on Levis second overall, the Colts will have a very interesting decision to make, and if Houston does want Levis, they may not be able to risk waiting for the 12th pick or trying to trade back into the top 10.

As a result, Will Levis might be the most interesting name called on Thursday night.

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