NFL Draft & Free Agency News
Scott Morris | March 11, 2024
The 2024 NFL offseason is off and running, teams are getting things in place (or at least trying) ahead of this coming season. Free agency really starts to grab the headlines (it officially begins this Friday) over the next few weeks, leading to next month’s draft in Detroit.
It’s still extremely early to make firm predictions about conference winners or a Super Bowl LIX pairing in New Orleans, but those odds are now available. Some teams have already improved their rosters, while others not quite. There’s the issue of working around the salary cap as well.
There has already been movement, with quarterback Russell Wilson, ex of the Denver Broncos, going to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he signed for the league minimum $1.21M. He took this deal because he will be making $45M from the Broncos in guaranteed money. Also in NFL news, former New England Patriots’ quarterback Mac Jones is expected to be dealt to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It wouldn’t be a reach to see other skilled-position players to fill out change-of-address forms.
Here’s a look at some of the leading future betting odds currently available, with some that stand out over the others…
LVIII to LIX?
While the NFL seems to be extremely hard to predict, there are some teams appearing to always be among the contenders. The Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in the latest Super Bowl, and the odds suggest the teams in LVIII could again meet in LIX.
Both the Chiefs and Niners currently have co-favored betting odds set at 6-1 (+600) to win the next title inside the Superdome, according to Super Bowl LIX odds.
Each team will be aggressive this offseason, but both retain cores that figure to win.
The Baltimore Ravens, though failing as the top seed in the AFC last season, are listed at 9-1 (+900) to win the Super Bowl LIX.
Odds are double figures after that, including…
- Buffalo Bills 11-1 (+1100)
- Cincinnati Bengals 12-1 (+1200)
- Detroit Lions 12-1 (+1200)
The Cincinnati Bengals, decimated by injuries last season, were not in the postseason mix. Buffalo and Detroit appear to be set at all the “important” positions on the roster, but still can improve this offseason.
Chiefs in AFC
The Kansas City Chiefs have advanced to the AFC title game every year with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, doing so on the road last season. Until some team knocks them off that perch, KC is the cream of the conference.
Kansas City is the current 3-1 (+300) favorite to win the AFC. Quarterback Lamar Jackson (reigning NFL MVP) and the Baltimore Ravens are the 9-2 (+450) second choice.
There are fans of the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills as well, each listed at 6-1 (+600).
Niners in NFC
Despite losing the Super Bowl last season, the San Francisco 49ers are shorter right now (9-4, [+225]) to win the NFC than the aforementioned Kansas City Chiefs are to take the AFC, as per NFL conference odds.
The Detroit Lions, who squandered a sizable lead in the NFC title game a season ago, are 5-1 (+500), while East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys are each at 7-1 (+700). It will be interesting to see if Motown was a one-season wonder under coach Dan Campbell.
While those four teams are assumed to be the frontrunners, the Green Bay Packers (10-1, [+1000]), Los Angeles Rams (14-1, [+1400}] and a trio of teams at 20-1 (+2000) are getting at least some support.
Allowing the dust to settle after both the free-agent frenzy and the draft before making any future bets is probably the way to go. However, if you’re fixated on an under-the-radar team, there’s nothing preventing a wager if the odds are enticing.
