2023 NFL Draft: Who Will Be The First Cornerback Drafted? Rankings, Odds & Predictions: Christian Gonzalez leads the class

Photo of Caleb Wilfinger

Caleb Wilfinger

NFL

Show Bio

Deputy Editor for Pickswise with years of experience handicapping and giving out winning picks. Lover of all US sports and Southampton FC. For Caleb Wilfinger media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
Read more about Caleb Wilfinger

The 2023 NFL Draft will be held from April 27-29 in Kansas City, and offers plenty of wagering opportunities. The position battles are extremely intriguing, potentially going in any number of directions near the top of the draft.

But before names start getting called, we have a ton of draft content coming to get you primed. Here we’ll be focusing on draft props surrounding the cornerback position. The odds for this market suggest that there is a clear favorite, but there is still value to be had on the board.

We’ll start by taking a look at the odds, courtesy of FanDuel, before diving into the best bet:

You can bet on the NFL Draft with FanDuel, America’s #1 sportsbook, which has the best odds available and a great sign-up offer where you can get $150 in bonus bets following an initial wager of just $5! Click here to take advantage of this offer and gain access to tons of odds boosts on site.

2023 NFL Draft odds to be the first cornerback drafted

  • Christian Gonzalez (-175)
  • Devon Witherspoon (+175)
  • Joey Porter Jr. (+1000)
  • Brian Branch (+2000)
  • Cam Smith (+5000)
  • Kelee Ringo (+5000)
  • Deonte Banks (+5000)

2023 NFL Draft first cornerback drafted prediction: Christian Gonzalez (-175)

Christian Gonzalez is an intriguing prospect at the corner position. The former Oregon Ducks star tallied 51 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 7 passes defensed in 12 games for the Ducks last season, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors in the process. He’s risen up NFL Mock Draft boards throughout the offseason, as his potential upside of being a lockdown defender for years at the professional level is apparent to scouts and coaches alike. It just so happens that Gonzales fills a massive need for new head coach Jonathan Gannon’s defense, while also giving the Cardinals a foundational player to start building around. Therefore, I could see Gonzalez going to Arizona with the #7 pick. Even if he’s passed over by the Cardinals, I wouldn’t see him falling out of the top 10, especially given the success of the 2022 cornerback class.

You can bet on all of today’s sports over at Caesars, which has a great sign-up offer where you can get up to $1,250 back on your first bet! Click here to sign up for Caesars right now.

 

2023 NFL Draft first cornerback drafted longshot: Joey Porter Jr. (+1000)

After a terrific career at Penn State, Joey Porter Jr. is projected to be a first round draft pick. Of the teams that are in need of a cornerback on the opening day of the draft, it makes sense that the Falcons would take Gonzalez with the 8th pick. However, if the Falcons pass on Gonzalez, that brings up a plethora of teams in the middle of the first round that could choose a different option at cornerback. Both the Commanders and Steelers should be interested in Porter Jr, but Washington has specific needs on the offensive line as well, so I could see them taking a lineman to fill that need.

On the other hand, it would make a lot of sense for the Steelers to draft Porter Jr. After all, he would land on his dad’s former team and Porter Jr. plays a physical style of defensive back that fits the motto and attitude of Pittsburgh’s defense to perfection. He’s certainly the longest cornerback in this year’s draft and a very unique prospect in general. If Gonzalez slips down the board for whatever reason, don’t be surprised if a team takes a chance on Porter Jr’s pedigree a little earlier than you’d think.

You can bet on the NFL Draft with WynnBET, where you can secure $100 in bonus bets by signing up right now and wagering $100. Click this link to get started.

 

Pickswise is the home of free NFL Picks and NFL Odds. Be sure to check out all of our post-Super Bowl offseason coverage as we gear up for the 2023 campaign. 

Pickswise
*
By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy