Last season was billed as the biggest in NFL history. With a 17th game added to the schedule, the 2021-22 season certainly lived up to the hype. The league has kept the ball rolling so far this offseason with star players being traded seemingly every week. With the 2022 NFL Draft still three weeks away, there is plenty of time for more player movement.
With so many transactions in such a short amount of time, it can be easy to miss major offseason storylines. But fear not, we break down all of the biggest NFL offseason moves below. Also, we will take a look at some NFL future odds from the best NFL sportsbooks. Offseason NFL betting odds are a great way to make real money wagering on the NFL.
NFL Offseason Recap So Far
Super Bowl 56 was one of the best NFL championship games in recent history. Both the Bengals and the Rams were fan favorites throughout the playoffs. After LA triumphed in the big game, it took a while for the NFL offseason frenzy to begin.
The delay in the action was largely due to teams waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision about his future. When the reigning back-to-back MVP announced he would be staying in Green Bay, the flood gates opened.
Hours after the news of Rodgers’ contract extension was announced, Seattle announced it would be trading Russell Wilson. The team that won the Wilson sweepstakes was none other than the Denver Broncos. Denver was rumored to be Rodgers’ favored destination if he left Green Bay. With number 12 staying put, the Broncos pulled the trigger on trading for Russ.
Adding Wilson to a talented roster instantly helped Denver’s betting odds in a crowded AFC. The move shortened the Broncos Super Odds from +3300 to +1200. Unfortunately for Denver, they were not the only team in the AFC to make a major trade.
Between the Davante Adams, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, and Tyreek Hill trades this month, 7 total first-round picks were traded 👀
That’s the most first-round picks traded in a single month in the Common Draft era 😲#NFL #Browns #BroncosCountry #RaiderNation #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/6kiM49MYze
— BetUS Pro Football (@BetUSProFB) March 28, 2022
The Chargers traded for Khalil Mack and the Raiders added Davante Adams. LA also added to its defense by signing DB JC Jackson. Both moves are big reasons why the AFC West could see all four teams in the division go to the playoffs.
Elsewhere in the AFC, the Bills signed future Hall of Famer Von Miller to a massive contract. Adding the veteran pass rusher helped Buffalo stay on the shortlist of Super Bowl favorites. Cleveland greatly improved its championship odds by acquiring Deshaun Watson. Indianapolis became the betting favorite to win the AFC South after they traded for QB Matt Ryan.
Plenty of talented players have moved to the AFC in recent weeks. All of the player movement has greatly impacted NFL future betting odds. In the NFC, the biggest news of the offseason so far involved the GOAT. After an extended break from pro football, Tom Brady announced he would be returning for his 23rd NFL season.
2022 NFL Season Predictions
This year’s NFL offseason has been one of the more active ones in recent memories. After all the recent trades, many fanbases are hoping they have done enough to compete for a Super Bowl. With many of the big names already dealt, the next big offseason event is the NFL draft.
The draft, Super Bowl 57, and even divisional standings all represent great NFL betting opportunities. NFL future bets are a great way to get in on the action while we wait for next season. For the best NFL futures odds make sure you are using one of our highly rated online sportsbooks. Keep reading for a breakdown of some of the NFL prop bets you can wager on during the offseason.
1st Overall Draft Pick
Each season, the NFL draft offers teams hope for restocking their rosters with young talent. Wagering on the NFL draft is a great way to stay involved with sports betting during the offseason. One of the most popular NFL draft prop bets is wagering on which player will be selected first overall.
According to the best online NFL sportsbooks, Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson (-300) has the best odds to be picked first. The Jaguars have the number one pick, and they already have their franchise QB in Trevor Lawrence. Adding a pass rusher like Hutchinson could go a long way toward building a competitive roster.
With the 1st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select ______ pic.twitter.com/PKbSHVnihO
— BetOnline.ag (@betonline_ag) April 6, 2022
Of course, there are plenty of other options for the Jags as well. Georgia DE Travon Walker (+325) has shot up draft boards as of late. Walker now has the second-best odds to be the top pick. Oregon stand-out DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (+2500) has seen his odds fade after leaving the combine early.
Many have speculated that Jacksonville could take one of the top O-Line prospects with the first pick. Adding protection to protect the face of your franchise is never a bad move. NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu (+1000) has the best odds of any offensive lineman to go first overall. Ekwonu is just ahead of Alabama’s Evan Neal (+1200) according to the oddsmakers at BetOnline.
The Jaguars have a lot of holes to fill on their roster. If they plan on building through the draft, they could trade back to get a bounty of picks. A team trading up to a number one would likely signal a QB coming off the board first. According to BetOnline, Liberty’s Malik Willis (+2000) has the best odds to go first overall. Pitt’s Kenny Pickett (+6600) has the second-best odds among the QB prospects.
NFL Bet: Aidan Hutchinson Is the First Pick in the Draft (-300)
Most Improved Team
More and more we are seeing teams go all-in in hopes of winning a Super Bowl. Two years ago, the Buccaneers signed a 42-year-old free agent QB and won it all. After watching Tampa Bay hit it big with Brady, LA did the same thing after trading for Matt Stafford. Going from fringe playoff team to Super Bowl champion is hard to beat.
The 2020 Bucs and 2021 Rams are certainly good candidates for “Most Improve Team” in their respective years. In 2022, I think there are four teams that could make similar leaps. I think the team with the best chance to go from worst to first resides in Colorado.
Denver Went All in When They Traded for Russell Wilson
The former Seahawk QB will, hopefully, give the Broncos an answer at the most important position in football. Russ will be surrounded by weapons on offense that are better than he had with Seattle. Denver lacks a DK Metcalf-caliber receiver, but the depth at the WR position more than makes up for it.
The Broncos’ defense is playoff-caliber and will finally have production on the other side of the ball to match. Denver’s moves have put it in a position to win now. According to BetOnline, the Broncos (+1800) are tied for the 8th-best odds to win the Super Bowl. They are also listed at +285 to win a very competitive AFC West.
Outside of Denver, there are a few other teams that I think could make the leap. Staying in the AFC, I think the Jaguars could also make the jump. After being the worst team in the NFL two years in a row, even getting close to a .500 record would be a massive improvement. BetOnline has Jacksonville’s over/under set at 6 wins.
Over in the NFC, I think there are two teams who could make major leaps. Minnesota has a new HC, but the division is weaker now that Rodgers cannot throw to Davante Adams. Average QB play from Kirk Cousins combined with a strong run game could push the Vikings to a division crown.
New Orleans is also a team to keep an eye on. They have two first-round picks now and could trade up for a new QB. Of course, they would also need to resolve the issues surrounding WR Michael Thomas and RB Alvin Kamara.
Most Declined Team
For teams to move up, that means other teams have to move down. Every year, roughly half of the previous season’s playoff teams will miss the post-season. Whether it is due to injury, retirements, or bad roster moves, a handful of teams will take a step back. The draft still offers hope for many teams, but some teams need it more than others.
The biggest team in danger of falling off a cliff in my opinion is Pittsburgh. Big Ben never returned to form after his season-ending elbow injury in 2019. Still, he did enough to get the Steelers to the playoffs each of the last two seasons. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, the rest of the division seems to have left them behind.
Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Deshaun Watson are three of the best young QBs in the league. Watson is likely to be suspended, but the Steelers will still have to face Jackson and Burrow twice next year.
AFC North Starting QBs:
Bengals: Joe Burrow
Ravens: Lamar Jackson
Browns: Deshaun Watson
Steelers: Mitchell Trubisky pic.twitter.com/nzELjEoxpm— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 18, 2022
If Pittsburgh cannot hit on a QB in the draft, it will be a long year in the Steel City. BetOnline has the Steelers (+750) with the longest odds to win the AFC North. Pittsburgh (+6600) has the longest Super Bowl odds of any playoff team from last season.
There are two teams in the NFC that I think could rival Pittsburgh’s potential decline. The first is the Packers, who traded away one of the best WRs in the league. Green Bay has been the number one seed the last two years and now could struggle to win their division.
I also think the Seahawks are in for a rough year. Last year the time struggled to win when Wilson was out due to injury. Now, unless they take someone in the draft, they will go into the season with Drew Lock under center. Seattle fans at least had hope last year that things would turn around when Russ came back. Now, the 12s have to watch a 70-year-old Pete Carrol try to rebuild the team.
Winner of the AFC West
The NFL offseason so far has been one of the crazier ones in recent memory. One division seems to have taken things to another level. The AFC West now arguably has the best collection of QBs of any division. To add to the excitement, the Chargers and Raiders also traded for all-pro level talent.
Who’s winning the AFC West next season? pic.twitter.com/8T0vwzFY83
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) March 28, 2022
One of the best offseason NFL futures bets is to pick the division winner. For these NFL prop bets, it can often be better to wager early before clear favorites emerge. Let’s take a closer look at some NFL betting odds for the AFC West division winner.
Kansas City Chiefs
Every team in the AFC West has been involved in a major trade this offseason. The Chiefs are the only team that traded away a star player. Kansas City sent Tyreek Hill to Miami in exchange for five draft picks. The move could help KC compete for Super Bowls long-term but will make it harder this season.
Despite the loss of Hill, the Chiefs (+175) still have the best odds to win the division, according to BetOnline. Kansas City has two first-round picks that they can use to help retool their defense. Finding a replacement for Hill is also necessary. They signed WRs Juju Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but neither is a true number one option.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers focused on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. They traded for former all-pro LB Khalil Mack and signed CB J.C. Jackson. LA was less than a minute away from a tie that would have sent them to playoffs. A much-improved defense should help the Chargers finally get over the hump.
aINT that the truth pic.twitter.com/TrfGxWHAMW
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) April 5, 2022
Justin Herbert and the Chargers have shown they can compete with the Chiefs for a division crown. The oddsmakers at BetOnline seem to agree. LA (+215) has the second-best NFL future odds to win the division. A division title would secure the Chargers’ first playoff appearance in the post-Philip Rivers era. Personally, I like LA to break through and win the division this season.
Denver Broncos
Despite what recent history may suggest, it is hard to win a Super Bowl with a new QB. Denver also has a first-time HC in Nathaniel Hackett. As a result, the Broncos (+285) only have the third-best odds to win the AFC West. I have no doubt that Wilson can make Denver a title contender, but it could take a year or two.
In addition to trading for Russ, the Broncos also signed pass rusher Randy Gregory. Assuming he can stay away from off-the-field issues, Gregory should improve an already top-10 defensive unit. Second-year RB Javonte Williams appears to be in line to take over the lead role. With Melvin Gordon now a free agent, Williams will have to shoulder more of the load in year two.
Las Vegas Raiders
Lastly, we have the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders were a playoff team last year and they traded for one of the best WRs in the league, Davante Adams. However, BetOnline has Las Vegas (+500) with the longest NFL betting odds to win the division.
.@DCarr8 was a little too excited to talk about the possibility of @derekcarrqb winning MVP 😂 #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/ZIxXdilH9t
— NFL Total Access (@NFLTotalAccess) April 5, 2022
Part of the reason to doubt the Raiders is their new HC. Josh McDaniels struggled his first go-around in Denver. Also, the Raiders added Chandler Jones in free agency, but they lost other important depth players on defense. Even if they do not win the division, Las Vegas should be in contention for a playoff spot.
NFL Bet: LA Chargers Win the AFC West Division (+215)
MVP Award
Another popular NFL prop bet is wagering on who will win the MVP award. According to BetOnline’s NFL futures odds, there is a three-way tie for the shortest MVP odds. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Justin Herbert are all listed at +750 to win the award.
The AFC appears to be loaded with talent heading into next year. So, it should be no surprise that three AFC QBs sit at the top of the MVP betting odds.
Mahomes and Herbert are part of the toughest division in the NFL. Leading a team to a division crown in the AFC West should be enough to win an MVP award. Josh Allen on the other hand was an MVP favorite early in the season last year. However, Allen fell out of the race after consistently struggling in big games.
The player in the NFC with the best MVP odds according to BetOnline is Tom Brady (+950). Brady nearly won it last year, and he was still listed on many NFL betting sites during his retirement. If Brady can perform at a similar level, then he is a good bet at his current NFL futures odds. Brady is slightly ahead of Bengals’ QB Joe Burrow (+1000).
The GOAT is back and he’s looking better than ever 🏈
44 years young 🔥#NFL #GoBucs #TomBrady #GOAT pic.twitter.com/AqkawTVHk0
— BetUS Pro Football (@BetUSProFB) March 22, 2022
Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers (+1400) is in a three-way tie of his own. He has the same NFL futures odds for MVP as Russel Wilson and Deshaun Watson. If Rodgers can keep the Packers in contention for the top seed, he will win MVP again. To do that, he will have to win games throwing to the likes of Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.
The non-QBs with the best NFL futures odds for MVP are Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor. Both RBs are listed at +5000 on BetOnline’s sportsbook. Many people thought that Taylor should have won it last year. A healthy Henry should always be considered a contender for the award. However, as a RB, Henry is more likely to win Comeback Player of the Year than MVP.
NFL Bet: Tom Brady Wins MVP Award (+950)
Super Bowl
The AFC is squarely at the top of the MVP betting odds. BetOnline’s Super Bowl betting odds tell a similar story. Buffalo (+625) has the shortest odds to win Super Bowl 57. With new post-season OT rules, the Bills could have a better chance of getting past the Chiefs this time around. Adding Von Miller in free agency should help out as well.
In the NFC, the team with the best NFL futures odds to win Super Bowl 57 is Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers (+800) have the second-best Super Bowl betting odds overall. With Brady back for another year, it is hard to doubt Tampa’s chances. The team is largely still intact and even added new talent on the O-Line and WR group.
The Chiefs (+975) have the third-best Super Bowl odds according to BetOnline. If Patrick Mahomes and Co. can figure out the offense during the season, they could be dangerous in January. Kansas City is slightly ahead of Green Bay (+1000) at BetOnline’s sportsbook.
LA has plans to run it back 🏆 (via @gmfb)@ShaunOHara60 | @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/JLRq6eznU0
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 1, 2022
Rounding out the top-5 shortest Super Bowl 57 betting odds are the defending champion LA Rams. The Rams should be able to win the NFC West again as two division rivals will likely have new QBs. However, LA nearly lost to Tampa in the playoffs last year after squandering a 24-point lead. Repeating as champs will be a difficult task, but they have the talent to do it.
The other Super Bowl 56 team, Cincinnati, is not even in the top-10. BetOnline has the Bengals’ Super Bowl odds listed at +2200. Cincinnati’s Super Bowl run was a surprise for many reasons, including a porous O-Line. However, the Bengals have done a lot to fix their issues so far in free agency.
NFL Bet: LA Rams Win Super Bowl 57 (+1200)
Conclusion
The 2022 NFL offseason has been one for the history books. Even with all the player movement we have already seen, there are still plenty of big-name free agents available. The NFL Draft is also likely to shake things up in just three weeks’ time. With that in mind, now may be your last chance to lock in the best NFL futures odds.
There are plenty of early NFL betting odds available, including NFL draft prop bets. Many of the best NFL sportsbooks are even offer NFL futures odds on next season. Bets range from NFL MVP, Super Bowl 57 winner, and even divisional winners. I think Brady wins the MVP, but it is the Rams that once again hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Shaun Stack
Shaun Stack, a native of the state of Kansas, has been a lifelong fan of all sports. Shaun has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh Bradford. He began writing for GamblingSites.org in 2021. …
