2022 NFL Futures Odds & Picks: Best Bets to Win Super Bowl LVII
The dust has settled on the 2022 NFL Draft. And just like every other year, we have prematurely assigned winners and losers as well as draft steals and draft busts.
Projecting what these athletes will become years from now is practically an exercise in futility. But the draft does provide some clarity as we enter the slow period before training camp ramps up. Obviously, the rosters we see in early May won’t be exactly the same come Week 1. There will be trades, surprise cuts and injuries.
But for the most part, we know what these NFL rosters will look like heading into the summer. That gives bettors an opportunity to pounce on value before the rest of the betting public starts thinking about the 2022 season.
Using the new info at our disposal, here are some best bets to win the Super Bowl.
Check out all of our updated consensus odds to win Super Bowl LVII >>
All odds come from DraftKings Sportsbook
Indianapolis Colts (+2200)
The Colts had a productive draft despite not having a first-round selection. Indianapolis wound up with four picks on day two, and general manager Chris Ballard did a great job of filling needs. The Colts added two young pass catchers in Cincinnati receiver Alec Pierce and Virginia tight end Jelani Woods. They bolstered the offensive line with offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann. And perhaps my favorite pick of their draft was their final third-round pick, Maryland safety Nick Cross.
All of these additions will help boost a Colts team that finished 13th in offensive DVOA and eighth in defensive DVOA. Indianapolis also upgraded at quarterback, replacing Carson Wentz with Matt Ryan.
Ryan could absolutely follow in Matthew Stafford’s footsteps and go on a Super Bowl run in his first year with a new team. Matty Ice can be incredibly conservative at times, but he’s still competent. Indy’s 2021 season literally cratered because of Wentz. With a great offensive line and running game backed by Jonathan Taylor supporting him, there’s no reason for Ryan not to be an improvement under center.
Defensively, the Colts possess plenty of talent upfront with DeForest Buckner, Yannick Ngakoue and Darius Leonard manning the front seven. Indianapolis is hoping new free agent signee Stephon Gilmore can be the shutdown corner on the outside they need to pair with star slot corner Kenny Moore. New defensive coordinator Gus Bradley should have plenty to work with in making this unit a beast to play against.
Winning the division is entirely manageable, if not probable. The Tennessee Titans got worse during the draft, as it felt like the team put more emphasis on better positioning itself for the future. And I don’t suspect the Jaguars or Texans are ready to pose a serious threat.
Nobody will want to see Jonathan Taylor and this defense in December. And Ryan has a Super Bowl appearance (and should have a championship) on his resume. The AFC is loaded with star quarterbacks, but Indianapolis has the talent to get through Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, or Joe Burrow and go all the way.
Los Angeles Rams (+1000)
The defending Super Bowl champions are poised to repeat and continue to find creative ways to double down on winning now despite having limited cap space and draft capital.
The Rams added six-time Pro Bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner and Pro Bowl receiver Allen Robinson in free agency. Wagner will immediately strengthen the weakest point on the L.A. defense. If Robinson can stay healthy, he could ball out now that he’s playing with a competent starting quarterback.
The Rams didn’t have a pick in the first two rounds, but made seven selections on day three to replenish the roster with young talent. The Rams will one day have to rebuild, but they are poised for another long run in 2022. Backing any team to repeat in today’s NFL is a tall task, but it’s one this Rams team is built to handle.
Check out our latest best bets to make the Super Bowl >>
Buffalo Bills (+650)
Betting the favorite is no fun, but it really feels like 2022 could be the year the Bills bust out.
Heck, Buffalo probably would’ve won the Super Bowl if they could’ve finished the final 13 seconds of their AFC Divisional Round loss to Kansas City.
Buffalo entered the spring with arguably the best roster in the league and it only got better during free agency and the draft. While the length of the Von Miller deal is questionable, there’s no doubt that Miller will make an immediate impact in 2022. And frankly, that’s all that matters to Buffalo right now.
Buffalo spent the rest of free agency inking short-term deals to bolster the roster depth. The Jamison Crowder signing could be a savvy one, as he could be a great weapon out of the slot. With Tre’Davious White coming off a torn ACL and Levi Wallace leaving town, the Bills wisely addressed the secondary by selecting cornerback Kaiir Elam in round one. They also added a potentially dynamic tailback in James Cook. And while drafting punters isn’t sexy, the Bills might have made a major improvement to their special teams by adding San Diego State punter Matt Araiza.
The Bills have talent all over the field and Josh Allen could be poised for his biggest year yet. It wouldn’t stun me if he finished as the league’s MVP. The rest of the AFC East is improving, but Buffalo is the clear-cut best team in the AFC.
Indianapolis is higher on the list because of their value they offer. But the Bills have the talent, coaching and quarterback to reach the promised land.
Philadelphia Eagles (+3500)
Let’s wrap up with a wild card. Philadelphia is the ultimate long-shot team with a ton of upside and risk.
The Eagles made some noise on the first night of the NFL Draft, acquiring star receiver A.J. Brown via trade and inking him to a $100 million extension. Philadelphia’s most notable free agent signing was pass rusher Haason Reddick, who should bolster the team’s pass rush. I also really liked what Philly did in the draft, adding dominant defensive tackle Jordan Davis, as well as linebacker Nakobe Dean. An Eagles defense that ranked 25th in DVOA should only get better.
The biggest question I have is quarterback Jalen Hurts. This will be a pivotal season for the dual-threat quarterback. Hurts possesses traits of being a Lamar Jackson light, but he was exposed in last year’s playoff loss. Hurts needs to grow as a pocket passer and improve his field vision and reads. He’ll have no excuses now that he has Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert as his primary weapons.
Philadelphia’s season will hinge upon Hurts. If he develops, they could contend for the NFC. If he struggles, the Eagles could be looking for a new QB early in next year’s draft.
Honorable mentions
The Minnesota Vikings also present some value at 45/1, even though they might not have the upside to win it all. A change in management with Kevin O’Connell replacing Mike Zimmer should offer a refreshing new approach. The offensive talent is legit. If the offensive line and secondary can improve, the Vikings could be in the running for the NFC North crown.
The price on the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos at 16/1 is a little too short for my liking. There’s no doubt both teams are armed with plenty of talent. But both teams have to get through their own division, then likely get through Buffalo, Cincinnati, Baltimore and/or Cleveland to get to a Super Bowl. I like both teams, but don’t love their current price.
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