Falcons still heavy NFC South favorites in post-draft odds

Though most Falcons fans believed they squandered the 8th overall pick when they selected Michael Penix Jr., I’ve remained adamant that no prospect would’ve put them over the top as Super Bowl contenders.

It seems Vegas agrees with me too. Even before signing Kirk Cousins, the Falcons remained in the thick of things in the NFC South. It signaled that oddsmakers believed Atlanta to be bound for a big acquisition at quarterback.

Then, they inked Cousins to a $180 million free agent deal, which vaulted them to the top of the divisional odds. Heading into the NFL Draft, the Falcons remained heavy betting favorites, and that hasn’t changed following the three-day event in Detroit.

Atlanta brought in an eight-man draft class with its most valuable pick not slated to take a snap in 2024 if all things go according to plan. Still, the Falcons remain atop the division in terms of odds, per DraftKings.

• Falcons -130
• Buccaneers +300
• Saints +380
• Panthers +1500

I think this speaks volumes about the field rather than the Atlanta Falcons.

The NFC South is a terrible division, the worst in the NFL as it stands right now. The Falcons, with Arthur Smith and Desmond Ridder, split the season series last year with the Saints and Buccaneers.

Regardless of whether Terry Fontenot addressed the pass rush and defense as a whole or not, upgrading the most important position in the sport was always going to be the biggest difference maker.

However, that shouldn’t necessarily bring about praise. Winning the worst division in football is the expectation. Sights should be set higher, and that’s where the Falcons don’t necessarily stack up with the legitimate Super Bowl contenders.