“Between Bets” is an article series revealing our staff’s best wagers across the NFL, NASCAR and PGA Tour. This week’s bet features our favorite NFL Draft odds for where Texas running back Bijan Robinson will land.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
NFL Draft Odds: Which Team Will Draft Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas Longhorns)?
Atlanta Falcons (+750)
I can already hear the joyful cheers from fantasy managers as everyone’s RB1 joins tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London in Atlanta under head coach Arthur Smith. Atlanta recently addressed needs in their offensive line and their secondary by signing free agents like safety Jessie Bates and right tackle Kaleb McGary. Don’t be surprised if the former Titans offensive coordinator, now head coach Smith, gets his next Derrick Henry, drafting Bijan Robinson with the eighth overall pick, sitting at +750 in the NFL Draft odds.
Atlanta knows they won’t be getting one of the first-round quarterbacks where they’re sitting in the Draft, which is likely why they brought in Taylor Heinicke to compete with Desmond Ridder for the starting spot. To most, Ridder has a lot to prove a lot to be viewed as the long-term quarterback in Atlanta. A quarterback battle between Heinecke and Ridder might be a great opportunity to kick the tires on a young quarterback currently on the roster and possibly set up the franchise for a top quarterback in 2024.
In the last few drafts, the Falcons have checked the boxes in the first round, rebuilding a young talented offense. With Pitts and London on the roster, they could add the third puzzle piece in 2023 by going running back.
Where will Bijan Robinson be drafted?
odds via @DKSportsbook pic.twitter.com/FQgWtGlabA
— SportsBettingDime (@SBD) February 24, 2023
The Falcons finished third in total rushing yards last season (2,718 yards) yet only had a main running back core of now 32-year-old Cordarrelle Patterson and fifth-round rookie Tyler Allgeier. Allgeier did impress last season, racking up over 1000 yards as a rookie. However, he was always meant to be the RB2 behind Patterson if he didn’t miss time rehabbing a knee injury. At this point, Patterson is a focal point of Atlanta’s offense, but he won’t be able to lace up forever.
Smith might not care about you hitting on these enticing NFL Draft odds, but he does still drool all over the same players who the football nerds love. Sometimes when placing a bet, it’s easy to overthink all the variables. The variable that I want to put my money towards is a run-first offense, not hesitating to take a generational running back like Robinson on a rookie salary without even having to trade up to get him.
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