The Falcons are less than a couple of weeks from the NFL Draft, and there’s a consensus among mock drafts about who will be the top pick — Dallas Turner.
The Alabama product was made in a laboratory, bred to play football. He’s a physical specimen that, if he realizes his full potential, could dominate the league. It also simultaneously fills Atlanta’s biggest need, one that’s been an issue for what seems like a lifetime.
To even further the narrative, the overwhelming betting favorite was Turner to be the No. 8 pick last week. As of 4/10, he was a +150 favorite to go to Atlanta, followed by Laiatu Latu at +600, Jared Verse at +750, and Quinyon Mitchell at +750.
However, they’ve undergone a massive shift over the course of a week. According to DraftKings’ new odds, Dallas Turner is still the favorite but has dropped to +210 odds with Latu moving up to +350, Verse to +500, and Rome Odunze to +550.
Betting markets are fickle and can be affected in various ways, so there shouldn’t be a wave of overreaction to this, but it’s certainly not a nothing burger.
Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot have been quite adamant about being open to anything with the No. 8 pick, and that would make sense given the Falcons’ track record of taking the best player available.
It’s also impossible to overlook the Falcons pressing need for a pass rusher. Right now, the edge unit is quite pitiful with a lot more hope and prayers than anything.
In that same breath, reaching for needs in the draft can create problems. We’ll see how the betting markets move for the Falcons as we get closer to the NFL Draft.
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Photographer: Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire
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