There's no better time than the preseason to put your money where your mouth is and wager on your takes for the 2024 NFL season.
The latest: Which team will win the Super Bowl and who will go home with hardware? I'll share my thoughts on all that and more below.
Check out my seven best NFL futures bets to make before the season starts.
NFL futures bets
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Eagles to win the Super Bowl (+1,200): Spoiler alert: The Philadelphia Eagles are winning it all in 2024.
This roster is absolutely loaded. General manager Howie Roseman was busy addressing this team's weaknesses in the offseason. The secondary fell apart down the stretch, but that unit looks much better now.
Philadelphia poached C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the Detroit Lions and he'll make a difference at safety.
There's plenty of competition at cornerback, too, as the Eagles used their first-round pick on Quinyon Mitchell and the 40th overall selection on Cooper DeJean.
The offence was stacked already with Jalen Hurts under centre and A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith at wide receiver, but it has a completely different element with Saquon Barkley at running back.
It's hard to poke any holes in this roster. Even though this line continues to shorten, I'm still buying Philadelphia at this number.
Conference championship picks
Eagles to win the NFC (+600): I'm doubling down on Philadelphia.
It's easy to forget that this team is only one year removed from a Super Bowl appearance. Yes, the Eagles struggled down the stretch but there's no reason why their odds should be longer than the Lions (+550) and more than twice as long as the San Francisco 49ers (+250).
The latter is especially puzzling considering their offseason. San Francisco has lost key defensive linemen in Chase Young, Randy Gregory, Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw.
Additionally, Brandon Aiyuk's status is anything but certain while All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams continues to hold out.
Falcons to win the NFC (+1,300): I'm drinking the Atlanta Falcons Kool-Aid.
There's no ignoring the fact that this team has had some of the worst quarterback play and coaching in the NFL.
Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke are as bad as it gets and having Arthur Smith at the helm didn't help anybody.
Despite these issues, the Falcons managed to remain competitive in the division. Now, they're primed for a breakout campaign.
Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. represent significant upgrades. Cousins will serve as the starter but Penix is one of the best backup options in the league.
The roster has talent on both sides of the ball and should win a lacklustre NFC South as it stares down the easiest schedule in the league, according to Sharp Football.
NFL futures bets: Top MVP picks
Josh Allen to win MVP (+900): Allen has knocked on the MVP door several times but this is his best opportunity to win the award.
The Buffalo Bills quarterback has finished second, third and fifth in voting over the last four seasons. He's consistently one of the league's top talents but has yet to claim the honour.
The reason why this year serves as his greatest chance to win the award is because of the roster around him.
Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are gone, leaving Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir as his top wide receivers.
It's a downgraded receiver room and Allen will receive plenty of credit if he's able to prop it up.
The defence is also depleted with starters Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde and Tre'Davious White gone and Matt Milano out with a torn bicep.
Allen will receive plenty of MVP buzz and be a frontrunner for this award if he can lead Buffalo to a fifth consecutive AFC East title.
Hurts to win MVP (+1,400): Like Allen, Hurts is going to fill the stat sheet and finish the year with some gaudy numbers.
The Eagles QB threw for 3,858 yards and 23 touchdowns last season and added 605 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. All of those except for his rushing yards total were new single-season bests.
This offence is poised to be better than ever, too. Barkley and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore are significant upgrades to the unit.
I have high expectations for Philadelphia in 2024. Hurts will certainly be an MVP contender if his team is among the best in the NFL.
Best NFL futures bets: Offensive Player of the Year
CeeDee Lamb to win OPOTY (+1,000): Lamb's odds are lengthening slightly because of his contract holdout.
I doubt his impasse with the Dallas Cowboys leaks into the regular season which is why I'm happy to wager on him at 10-to-1.
Lamb finished third in voting for this award a season ago. A slow start dampened his totals but he was exceptional from Week 6 onward.
The All-Pro caught 108 of his 146 targets for 1,391 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his final 12 games. That was a seismic jump from 27 receptions, 358 receiving yards and one touchdown through the first five weeks.
The Cowboys' offensive plans still revolve around the passing attack. Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle lead one of the league's most underwhelming running back rooms, which means Dak Prescott is going to drop back a ton.
Lamb should be busy once again with a similar group of receivers returning for 2024.
Ja'Marr Chase to win OPOTY (+1,000): Chase is also waiting for a new contract but he's in a great spot for 2024, too.
A healthy Joe Burrow is the key to this wager. The Cincinnati Bengals QB appears ready to go after missing seven games last year due to injury.
There are also plenty of available targets in this offence. The losses of Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon have freed up the fourth-most targets in the league (259).
Chase had a strong 2023 campaign despite being without his long-time running mate. He set new career highs in targets (145) and receptions (100).
His yards and touchdowns understandably didn't follow suit as the offence's efficiency tapered with Burrow sidelined.
Expect Chase to reach new heights with Burrow back and the superstar talent entering his age-24 campaign.
Picks made as of 4:03 p.m. on 08/15/2024.
