The NFL Draft has come and gone, meaning we’ll soon be entering the quietest months of the league’s annual calendar. That doesn’t have to force sports bettors into silence, though. Even though nothing is happening on the field, there’s still much going on behind the scenes, and oddsmakers are always adjusting to the latest happenings around the league.
That makes this “quiet period” one of the best times to start betting on the upcoming season. Savvy fans are already making roster predictions and simulating the campaign. And if you’re looking for maximum potential value, the time is ripe to get in before the NFL schedule drops in the middle of May.
Knowing this, we combed through the available futures markets at the industry’s best offshore sportsbooks to find the best bets you can make today. Anything can happen between now and February, but some things feel far more likely than others, and oddsmakers haven’t adjusted for everything just yet.
Best NFL Futures to Bet Today
With the Super Bowl still several months away, there’s no better time than the present to lock in these NFL futures bets. Odds are current as of Monday, May 4 and provided by BetOnline.
Baltimore Ravens: Win AFC North (-115)
The AFC North is undergoing drastic changes. Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh, longtime coaches of the Steelers and Ravens, are out. Mike McCarthy and Jesse Minter replaced them. For the first time in a long time, the division will look very different.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t constants, though. And the Ravens, following a down year, look poised to reclaim their crown atop the standings.
There are too many questions surrounding the Steelers and Bengals, and the Browns are the Browns. Baltimore has what it needs to improve on both sides of the ball, though a healthy Lamar Jackson is truly all this team needs to be competitive in the division.
None of the matchups with Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, or Cleveland will be easy. They never are. But there’s an edge about this Ravens team that their rivals are missing. I would bet this line up to -150.
Carolina Panthers: Under 7.5 Wins (-140)
The Panthers were a pleasant surprise in 2025, going 8-9 and winning a dreadful NFC South. They didn’t go out quietly, either, falling 34-31 to the Rams in the playoffs. It was a high note for a franchise that hasn’t experienced many lately.
Initially, I was inclined to bet the over on this line based on how last season’s campaign went. One look at Carolina’s 2026 opponents, though, is enough to throw me off.
The Panthers get their usual six games against their NFC South rivals, but they’ll also take on all four NFC North and AFC North teams, plus the winners of the NFC East (Eagles), AFC West (Broncos), and NFC West (Seahawks). Based on last year’s records, only four of Carolina’s 17 games will come against opponents that earned fewer than eight wins in 2025.
This bet is fairly juiced at -140, but I can’t see a reality in which the Panthers find that much success against such a brutal schedule.
Chicago Bears: Make the Playoffs (+105)
Oddsmakers are treating the Bears like a one-and-done, but is that fair? The NFC North admittedly underperformed in 2025 – looking at you, Lions – but Chicago proved that it can compete with the NFL’s best, nearly knocking off the Rams in the Divisional Round.
The defense clearly still needs work. The Bears ranked 23rd and gave up 42-plus points in three separate games. First-round pick Dillon Thieneman should immediately improve the secondary, though, and fourth-rounder Malik Muhammad could be a steal.
Ultimately, though, I have a hard time counting out Chicago on account of its offensive talent. Ben Johnson is an excellent coach, and he has a strong core at his disposal in Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, and a backfield featuring D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
I’m counting on consistency here. The NFC North is crowded, but the Bears have proven to be just as capable of winning it as the Packers and Lions. Even if they don’t win the division, they’ll have a decent shot at getting in as a wild card thanks to matchups against the AFC East and NFC South.
Buffalo Bills: Win Super Bowl LXI (+1100)
If we’re looking for value, the Bills are the way to go at +1100. There are some questions here: Former offensive coordinator Joe Brady is replacing Sean McDermott as head coach, Pete Carmichael is taking Brady’s old spot, and Jim Leonhard is in as defensive coordinator.
Aside from the changes on the sideline, Josh Allen should feel comfortable with a familiar, albeit upgraded group of playmakers around him. DJ Moore is the new WR1, and he’s expected to lead a receiving corps that also features Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, and Keon Coleman.
James Cook is also coming off a career-best season in which he logged over 1,900 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns. His 1,621 rushing yards were the most in the NFL, and he went for over 100 yards on the ground 10 times, including once in the playoffs.
The defense is the main concern, and it needs to be great for the Bills to establish themselves as a top Super Bowl contender. Their sustained success is a great sign, though, and one would have to assume that they’ll get over the hump eventually, right?
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Final Thoughts
Not all futures markets are worth betting. Often, these are lottery tickets that promise high payouts and give the illusion of being easy predictions. There are exceptions to the rule, though, and knowing when to lock in your bet is a big part of the equation.
The bets we’ve highlighted here are those that aren’t likely to offer higher payouts after the season begins. Taking advantage of these odds now means giving yourself the best shot at a big win, and potentially at a fraction of the cost.
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
