For the fourth time in five seasons, the Atlanta Falcons won exactly seven games, missing the postseason yet again in 2022. The Falcons haven’t been good enough to compete, but not bad enough to tank, sticking them in a so-close purgatory. 

Second-year QB Desmond Ridder is set to take over as the Week 1 starter with Marcus Mariota now out of town. There are myriad ways to upgrade the team heading into 2023, but the biggest splash could come at the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson has used his resources of NFL contacts developed over 20 years covering the league and the NFL Draft to create his hypothetical NFL futures odds on who gets selected No. 8 overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Atlanta Falcons 1st Round Pick Odds (No.8)

Who Will The Atlanta Falcons Take In 2023 NFL Draft?

The Falcons had a bottom-10 passing defense and did something about it in free agency, inking safety Jessie Bates, who last year was the Bengals’ leader in tackles and interceptions. The Falcons still need help, especially at cornerback. No. 8 could be a fruitful spot to be picking the draft’s top corner. 

In a draft with three to four first-round level cornerbacks, Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez is the unquestioned No. 1. He’s a plug-and-play standout who can handle the more physical WRs of today’s NFL. Atlanta has issues in a lot of key spots, and drafting Gonzalez at No. 8, paired with the Bates signing, would shore up one of the biggest areas of need. 

That is, if the Raiders don’t scoop up Gonzalez at No. 7. If they do, that could push another key player with future Pro Bowl potential down to the Falcons at No. 8. 

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Jalen Carter's Odds To join Atlanta Falcons

All across the defensive line, the Falcons didn’t get it done in 2022. They helped themselves in free agency by stealing away Saints standout DT David Onyemata. They can completely overhaul, and turn a key weakness into a top-level strength, with the addition of Georgia DL Jalen Carter. 

If the Bears hadn’t traded away the No. 1 overall pick to the QB-hungry Carolina Panthers, there is a real chance Carter would have been selected by Chicago. He’s been compared to Aaron Donald – right there should be enough. His strength and speed is a rare combination for the position. 

The only thing holding Carter back might be himself. He was involved in a fatal car race incident, the latest example of off-the-field issues that followed him through school. With the top four picks potentially going QB-QB-QB-QB, and Edge rusher likely going in two of the next three spots, Carter could fall all the way to No. 8 and would be a huge pickup for the Falcons. 

RELATED: New Orleans Saints NFL Draft Odds For 2023

If Gonzalez and Carter are both gone by the time the Falcons are on the clock, it might mean a QB remains on the board. Florida’s Anthony Richardson turned heads with a stellar NFL Combine performance, but his lack of success or experience is a question mark. Kentucky's Will Levis could go as high as No. 2 or be sitting here at No. 8. Is Atlanta all-in on Ridder or would the team welcome a competition? 

Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson and Clemson edge Myles Murphy are the Nos. 2-3 at their position; either would be a boost to a team in need of pass rushers. If Wilson, the No. 2 edge, falls to No. 8, he won’t get to No. 9. 

The Field is led by Joey Porter Jr., the CB out of Penn State who would be a reach, but not a huge one, at No. 8, or Nolan Smith of Georgia, another edge rusher that could be a quick impact. 

Complete list of Falcons 2023 Draft Picks

• Round 1 (Pick 8)
• Round 2 (Pick 44)
• Round 3 (Pick 75)
• Round 4 (Pick 110, from TEN)
• Round 4 (Pick 113)
• Round 7 (Pick 224, from LV)
• Round 7 (Pick 225)

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