The NFL draft began with a whirlwind of offense and an unprecedented flurry of quarterbacks. It ended with downtown Detroit a crowd-filled main character and the ritualistic handing out of grades. Here’s what to know:
The Falcons misread their hand. Atlanta paid for two great benefits when it signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency. First, it elevated the Falcons’ floor and ceiling in the short term, making them the favorite to win the ever-scuffling NFC South. Second, and maybe most important, it bought them time to figure out their long-term quarterback situation. They could win now and deliberate later. Cousins may not be elite, but he could provide a baseline and allow for patience. Stability was the entire point.
