NFL Futures Bets To Fatten Your Bankroll

Hassler Mitch Garrett took the time to look at some futures bets for you to entertain and make some some money....

Who’s Got The Juice?

Are you looking to spread around some spare cash on a few futures before the NFL season kicks off tonight? Come sip some Hassler Kool-Aid and get your fix of the good Juice!

NFC East

New York Giants (+500)

I’ll be clear, I think the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles will more than likely remain atop the NFC East standings come the end of the year, but if you’re looking for some good Juice The G Men could be your ticket. At a Juicy +500 there’s some good money to be made in what is normally a competitive division. The Giants were abysmal last year without OBJ and any sort of running game. Enter Saquon Barkley. The number 2 pick in the 2018 draft is flush with potential and in a situation where many teams won’t be able to stack the box against him this year. Returning Odell Beckham Jr. and one of last year’s rookie standouts Evan Engram at tight end should help to keep defenses honest and provide some room to run for Barkley. Eli Manning has a few good years in him still behind a revamped offensive line and free agent acquisition, tackle Nate Solder. The offense will surely look better this season, but can the defense hold the high-powered offensive units of the NFC East in check?

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks (+500)

Another situation where Hasslers can find some good Juice, which is what these articles are all about. Sure, the Rams are a damn good unit but at -170 to win the division that’s not worth putting money on in the event you lose. Too much to put up for too little gain. So there’s some value here with the Seahawks also sitting at that big +500 number. There’s no more Legion of Boom like there was in the glory days for these Seattle Seahawks, but Earl Thomas has rejoined the team after his holdout and they have Russell Wilson who is seemingly able to win at least 5 games a year by himself. Seattle seems committed to getting back to the offensive style that lead to much of their success a few years ago, and that’s pounding the ball through a dominant running game. Seattle spent their first round pick on proficient collegiate produce Rashaad Penny, in addition to bringing in run-first minded Brian Schottenheimer. Seattle is getting younger and losing the household names that helped propel them to a Super Bowl birth in the not-so-distant past. Will the infusion of new blood help Carroll and the Seahawks get back on track? Might be worth taking a flier if you’re not sold on Jared Goff or Jimmy G to lead their teams to the top of this division.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons (+185)

The Falcons are a tick behind the Saints (+155) and above the Panthers (+275) to take home the NFC South crown. The Saints probably aren’t going anywhere but I think the Falcons has a slightly better draft and that’s why I’m giving them the edge. Adding Calvin Ridley in the first round of the draft to an offense that already boasted several weapons does not hurt. This team is one I’m thinking about putting a Super Bowl future on because I’m getting that weird feeling Matty Ice is in for a career defining season. He could end up falling short and disappointing per usual, and that feeling could just be gas, but I like what this Atlanta team has on both sides of the ball and I think they’re finally recovered from that disaster of a meltdown against the Patriots in Super Bowl LI.

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings (+115)

This could very well be the most intriguing division in football this year and that’s the reason why I think the Vikings are getting some mildly favorable Juice here. I foresee the teams in this division beating each other up which will lead for some intriguing football down the stretch. In the end, the Vikings superior defense (which only got better this offseason) and the addition of Kirk Cousins to finally solidify the quarterback spot in Minnesota will prove to be the difference.

AFC East

There’s no juice to be had. This is the Patriots division until TB12 and Belichek finally retire. Not taking any fliers here. Or bet huge on the Patriots for meager return and hope Brady doesn’t blow out his knee again.

AFC West

Los Angeles Chargers (+140)

Enter in a Super Bowl sweetheart of bettors everywhere. While I’m not quite ready to anoint the Chargers as the team to beat in the AFC, I do like them a lot to win the West at +140. With the next best odds at +275 I thought about featuring Kansas City but leaned towards LA purely because I think they’re the more balanced team, with a defensive unit that might take some people by surprise this year. While Joey Bosa isn’t much of a secret anymore, they’re seemingly under-the-radar solid at every level on defense and have the perennial fantasy football sleeper at QB, Phillip Rivers, who needs to hit that Super Bowl bonus in his contract at some point in his career just to feed all 45 of his kids.

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars (+165)

For how well the Jaguars played last postseason I was kind of surprised they come into this year with good juice to win the division - slightly better than Houston at +195. Sure Deshaun Watson is back and presumably heathy, but he’s coming off another ACL injury (suffered one in 2014 at Clemson) which is never a good thing for a quarterback who utilizes their mobility as a big part of their game. The Jaguars defense is absolutely filthy as we all know, the questions lie in their offense. Can Bortles at least be decent with no real receiving threats? The top two of which he had departing this offseason in Robinson and Hurns. Will Fournette stay healthy? They may need to rely on their defense to score all their points but at least they’re relying on a top 3 unit.

Indianapolis Colts (+550)

HOMER ALERT!!! It’s ok to have a soft spot for your squad. The Colts are picked to finish dead last in the AFC South but I do have some unbiased optimism for Indy with Andrew Luck finally back under center. The first point is just that, Andrew Luck is back. (Man that feels good to say). This team is built around Luck and his mere presence on the field can make a even a garbage Ryan Grigson roster an AFC title contender. This team does lack depth across the board and are fairly young or inexperienced on the defensive side of the ball which are obviously areas of concern. On the brighter side Captain Andrew Luck returns behind what should be a much improved offensive line and with a stable of capable running backs to help take some heat off the Colts signal caller. They have some promise at safety with Geathers and Hooker along with some fresh optimism at linebacker with rookie additions Skai Moore and second round pick Darius Leonard. If Luck stays healthy this team could surprise some skeptics and make noise in the crowded AFC South.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens (+325)

If you believe the whispers sounding Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers could be without their dynamic dual threat running back for potentially the first 10 weeks of the season. That completely changes the look of this Steelers offense, not to mention the ringing criticism by some of Bell’s teammates and the riff that could fester in the locker room. If you’re tenuous about the Black & Gold’s situation there’s another team in AFC North that boasts one of the leagues top defenses and AN ELITE QUARTERBACK in Joe Flacco. So the guy might not have the prettiest stat line in the league but he has won a Super Bowl and knows what it takes to Captain a team at the highest stage. The Raven offense should be much improved after the additions of wideouts John Brown and Michael Crabtree, plus the athletic rookie Hayden Hurst at tight end whenever he’s able to return from injury. Add that to what should be a more solidified run game and a perennial power on defense, Baltimore could be good money should the situation in Pittsburgh continue to spiral downhill.

Bonus Content:

Offensive Rookie Of The Year

Saquon Barkley (+165)

Not really diving deep by taking the odds-on favorite here but at the Juice it is why not? Barkley figures to absolutely dominate the touches right out of the gate and should play all three downs with an occasional sub in from Johnathan Stewart as the rookie learns. The volume will certainly be there and they will rely on him early and often to shoulder the load of the running game.

Defensive Rookie Of The Year

Derwin James (+1400)

Here’s a guy who could have, and probably should have, gone top 5 in this past April’s draft but fell all the way to 17th overall and the Chargers (who got an absolute gift). James is an elite athlete and one of the most physically gifted football players of this rookie class. He brings a combination speed, size, athleticism, and versatility (he tested as both a safety and corner at the draft) to this Charger defense that already doesn’t have an issue with defensive playmakers. Having a good deal of talent surrounding him to cover any possible rookie mistakes, a defensive guru in coordinator Gus Bradley, and being a natural playmaker should all lead to James putting together an impressive rookie campaign. Don’t pass on this potential Juice and look silly like so many of the teams that passed on him this spring.

Super Bowl Winner:

Minnesota Vikings (+1100)