Who were the winners and losers in this year's NFL Draft? The reality is that we won't know those answers for a few years, but we do know which teams helped themselves the most in terms of the impact on their future odds in Las Vegas.


The Saints have seen their future odds go from 80/1 to 45/1. (Getty)
Not many teams have seen their numbers adjusted, but in a few cases, the moves have been drastic. We're talking about the Saints and Cardinals, and to a lesser extent, the Broncos.

New Orleans opened at 80/1 to win Super Bowl XLI, but that number has steadily diminished during a busy off-season. First, the Saints brought in Sean Payton to replace Jim Haslett following a tumultuous year in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Next, they solved their quarterback issues by signing Drew Brees to a monster free-agent contract.

Those moves caused a moderate stir in Who Dat' Country, but New Orleans went into a serious frenzy when Reggie Bush fell into its lap with the No. 2 pick in the draft. Since then, ticket sales -- and expectations -- have gone through the roof in the Crescent City, while most sports books have shifted the Saints' number to 45/1.

Bush is one of the most hyped players to come out of college in recent years. The only blemish to his credentials are a lack of size, causing some scouts to question whether or not he can take the punishment a running back absorbs by carrying the ball 25 times a game.

In that regard, the Saints could be the perfect fit for the electrifying USC product. That's because they already have a bruising back in Deuce McCallister, who is expected to be ready for training camp after tearing his ACL last year.

Micah Roberts, the Race and Sports Book Director at Palace Stations in Las Vegas, is one expert who feels like the Saints hit the jackpot with Bush.

Roberts told VegasInsider.com, "The draft didn't have much bearing on our futures except for Reggie Bush joining the Saints. Brees gives them a chance to win already. When you add a player like Bush to a team that already has a decent offense, well, they are going to be fun to watch.

"I can see Bush getting 15 carries a game and 5-7 catches out of the backfield, and that's if McCallister is healthy. If something happens to Deuce, Reggie Bush is going to bust loose big time."

Another team that's seemingly on the rise is Arizona, which will (belatedly) move into a new facility this season. Cardinals Stadium is a $450-million complex with a retractable roof that'll draw more fans, who have traditionally stayed away from games because of the intense heat at Sun Devil Stadium.

Dennis Green's team already had the league's best combination of wideouts in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Now it will have a new stadium and a new running back after picking up a huge score in free agency with the signing of Edgerrin James, who has toughness, attitude and 9,226 career rushing yards to his credit.


What else has Arizona done? Perhaps -- just perhaps -- it will have a new quarterback after Matt Leinart became the Aaron Rodgers of the 2006 Draft, tumbling from a possible No. 1 selection to the No. 10 slot. The Cardinals have veteran Kurt Warner in place as the starter, but his propensity for injuries could force Leinart into the mix as a rookie. Nearly all rookie QBs struggle (sure, Ben Roethlisberger is a recent exception), but Leinart will be well prepared after running USC's pro-style offense.

Only time will tell if Leinart will become a starter this season, but it's a given that his college teammate, second-round selection Taitusi Lutui, will be starting at one of the offensive guard spots in Week 1. Leonard Pope went to the Cardinals in the third round and he could also be a rookie starter. Pope, a huge target at six-foot eight, is blessed with Ben-Coates-like ability, but he struggled at times with drops while playing in the SEC at Georgia.

The Cardinals, who opened with 60/1 odds to win the Super Bowl, have seen that number reduced to 40/1.

Roberts told VI, "Arizona will be much improved with Edgerrin, but Leinart did nothing to that number. He'll likely get some time in as a rookie because of Warner's brittle nature."

Another team that Roberts has had on his radar is Denver, which made noise with its acquisition of WR Javon Walker from the Packers.

"I think the Broncos have made major strides -- and at a relatively cheap price -- with the trade for Javon Walker," Roberts said. "Over the years, Denver has wasted a bunch of draft picks on WRs that don't pan out. This is guy is proven, he can get open and catch the ball, something that has eluded Ashley Lelie every year."

Denver opened at 15/1 and has been moved to 10/1 at most betting shops.

**B.E.'s Bonus Nuggets**

--Sportsbook.com is listing odds for 19 individuals to become the NFL's next commissioner to replace Paul Tagliabue. Roger Goodell is the 1/2 favorite, followed by Falcons GM Rich McKay's 2/1 odds. Longshots include Steve Largent (40/1), Gene Upshaw (50/1), Bill Clinton (150/1), and Condoleeza Rice (200/1).

--One last positive tidbit on the Saints: I think they got a steal in the second round with the selection of safety Roman Harper out of Alabama. He could be a starter right away after enjoying an outstanding collegiate career.

--You think the Cardinals needed a new stadium? Look at it this way, they haven't lifted the television blackout for a home game since September of 2000.

--Nice move by the 49ers to pick up Trent Dilfer to serve as Alex Smith's back-up at QB. On the flip side, what are the Browns thinking? They seem to have made solid improvements to their overall personnel, but does Romeo Crennel really feel comfortable with Charlie Frye as his signal caller, especially without a proven veteran behind him? Smells like a serious issue to me.

--You might have a valid point if you call me out as a homer with this assessment, but I think Atlanta's 30/1 odds to win the Super Bowl look extremely attractive. Yes, the defense had issues galore last year, but this unit will have an entirely different look next season.

John Abraham was acquired in a trade, while Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker were signed as free agents. With LB Edgerton Hartwell returning from the Achilles' injury that caused him to miss much of last year, and the addition of second-round pick Jimmy Williams out of Virginia Tech, the Falcons could have five new starters.

With Abraham on one side, look for Patrick Kerney to return to his 2004 form when he went to the Pro Bowl. Kerney faced too many double-teams last year with Brady Smith missing most of the season. With DT Rod Coleman drawing double-teams on the inside, the Kerney-Abraham combo could produce serious sack numbers.

--The Falcons have 11/4 odds to win the NFC South at Sportsbook.com. Carolina is the 4/5 'chalk.' The Saints are at 6/1.

--If you agree with me that the Falcons will be improved, but aren't necessarily thinking the Super Bowl, you can go with an alternative wager, albeit for a less-lucrative return. The 'over/under' total for Atlanta's wins is eight at Sportsbook, with bettors required to lay a minus 120 price on the 'over.'

--If I'm a Texans fan, Charley Casserly can't get out of town soon enough. Too bad it's a month too late.