The sporting action is largely geared toward basketball during this time of year, but for gridiron diehards, the 2024 NFL Draft can't come soon enough.

With the annual event taking place in Detroit this time around, football's draft day (April 25th-27th) is just one month away. As always, there are myriad looming questions and storylines to dive into. Still, this draft is tougher to gauge than most. The opening round is projected to be quarterback-heavy.

Naturally, FanDuel Sportsbook has you covered with various NFL Draft betting markets. For the sake of this article, let us see who are the most likely candidates to be drafted eighth overall.

At the moment, the Atlanta Falcons hold pick No. 8. Can we use that information to our advantage here?

We know Atlanta is currently motivated by recent changes. Raheem Morris returns to the franchise as head coach while quarterback Kirk Cousins recently joined the Falcons on a four-year, $180 million contract.

Of course, the following odds are not dependent on Atlanta making the selection but on which specific player is chosen at that (No. 8) spot.

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

2024 NFL Draft Eighth Overall Pick Odds

Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama (+135)

At FanDuel Sportsbook, Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner is a substantial favorite (+135 odds) to be selected with the eighth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. That is in line with NFL.com draft analyst Bucky Brooks' thoughts, which reflect Turner going eighth overall and first among defensive players.

Given ATL's recent retooling on offense, they can absolutely benefit from a certified gamewrecker like Turner. Through three years playing for head coach Nick Saban, Turner amassed eye-popping numbers. Turner will officially head to the NFL with 22.5 sacks and 32.5 total tackles for loss in his college career.

At 6-foot-3, 247 pounds, Turner dazzled at the annual NFL combine in Indianapolis. There, the explosive pass rusher posted incredible scores in the 40-yard dash (4.46 seconds), broad jump (10-foot-7) and vertical leap (40.5 inches). That is the sort of talent that will allow Turner to be a Day One contributor in the NFL.

A native of Ft. Lauderdale, Turner spent his entire collegiate career in Tuscaloosa. Seemingly, heading to Atlanta would be a fit for Turner. The Falcons can use a boost along the defensive line. They were 20th in rushing yards allowed (118.2 YPG) last year while ranking 21st in total sacks (40).

Even if Atlanta were to trade the No. 8 overall pick, Turner very well could be the best available player at this spot. Several quarterbacks are sure to be off the board by this point. Since ATL has their guy at signal-caller, I think it is likely the Falcons stand pat and take Turner if he is there.

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo (+800)

Here is a physical defensive back with pro-level size. After four seasons shining for the Toledo Rockets, 6-foot, 195-pound cornerback Quinyon Mitchell was twice named First-team All-MAC.

Atlanta has seen some shuffling in the defensive backfield in recent years, but the current group is fairly sound. In 2023, they ranked 11th in yards allowed per passing attempt (6.8) but managed only eight interceptions on the year (tied for the third-lowest total). Alongside All-Pro secondary-mates Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell, Mitchell would be a complementary choice for the Falcons.

Mitchell was another player to score favorably at the 2024 NFL Combine. His 40-yard-dash time of 4.33 seconds was lightning fast (T3rd). His ability to high-point passes is supported by a 38-inch vertical jump. From there, Mitchell did well to log 20 bench-press reps, which was the most among all cornerbacks.

Similar to the aforementioned Turner, drafting Mitchell gives Atlanta an NFL-ready starter. However, FanDuel Sportsbook's market indicates eight-to-one odds for Mitchell to be selected eighth overall. Admittedly, there could be value there. If a team ahead of the Falcons decides to make a pick on defense, that could leave Mitchell as Atlanta's top available option -- and he should be a good one.

Jared Verse, DL, Florida State (+850)

Staying on D, Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse is another gamewrecker who will almost certainly have his name called in the first round.

Verse might not offer quite the same athleticism as Bama's Turner, but the two-time All-ACC selection boasts a bigger frame. At the combine, Verse was measured at 6-foot-4, 254 pounds. His broad-jumping skills were on par with Turner's, but Verse especially excelled on the bench press. There, he displayed brute strength, leading all defensive ends with 31 reps.

A native of Berwick, Pennsylvania, Verse did not transfer to Florida State until 2022. From there, he was a dominant force for the 'Noles. Verse was a beast off the edge, logging nine sacks in each of his seasons in Tallahassee.

Although not as fast as Turner, Verse did play tight end in high school. With that, he can be trusted in scheme coverages when necessary. Verse has also displayed quick defensive processing and intuitive play recognition. Being that he was an Engineering major at FSU, that sort of checks out. Additionally, Verse is seen as a high-character and respected teammate -- he earned the Bobby Bowden Leadership Award in 2023.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.