NFL Futures: 10 Smart Picks Before the Kickoff

NFL Futures 2025: 10 Smart Picks to Make Before the Season Starts 

 

As training camps near and preseason looms, the opportunity to secure valuable positions in the NFL futures market becomes increasingly attractive. NFL Betting lines are still fluid, and injuries or depth chart shifts haven’t yet distorted the prices. 

For savvy bettors, now is the time to target favorable NFL Odds across win totals, NFL prop bets, and award predictions. While the buzz of the NFL Draft has cooled, the ripple effects of roster changes and coaching shifts are still unfolding, creating early angles that may not be available once the regular season begins.

Here are 10 futures bets worth strong consideration based on scheduling trends, statistical projections, and offseason movements.

 

Davante Adams Over 925.5 Receiving Yards (-115)

Adams ended 2024 on fire, totaling 576 yards over his final six games. That pace equates to over 1,600 yards in a full season. Now with the Los Angeles Rams, he replaces Cooper Kupp and pairs with breakout receiver Puka Nacua.

The Rams’ offensive system has supported multiple productive receivers in the past. Kupp posted 710 yards in 12 games last season (a 1,006-yard pace), while Nacua had 990 in 11 games. Matthew Stafford’s arm and high-volume passing attack set Adams up for another 1,000-yard season.

Clearing the 925.5-yard threshold should be well within reach.

 

Denver Broncos Over 9.5 Wins (+110)

Bo Nix led a surprising Denver Broncos playoff run in 2024, and the team improved even further this offseason. The additions of tight end Evan Engram and running backs RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins strengthen a balanced offense around the second-year QB.

Defensively, Denver was dominant last year: second in fewest yards per play (5.0), third in points allowed (19.0), and No. 1 in red zone defense (44.4% touchdown rate). That elite unit improved further with the arrivals of Jahdae Barron, Talanoa Hufanga, and Dre Greenlaw.

If the defense remains elite and Nix progresses, a 10-win season is within reach.

 

Bijan Robinson to Lead the NFL in Rushing Yards (+1100)

Bijan Robinson quietly finished third in rushing yards last season, piling up 1,456 yards as a rookie. With Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley commanding the spotlight, Robinson enters 2025 as a strong value pick to lead the league on the ground. His +1100 NFL futures are enticing considering the Falcons’ strategic position.

Under quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who took over late last season, Robinson’s usage spiked. In Weeks 16 through 18, Robinson logged 354 rushing yards across three starts. If that pace held over a whole year, he’d finish with over 2,000 rushing yards. 

Even more encouraging, Robinson averaged 22.3 carries per game in that span, up from 16.9 carries over the previous 14 weeks. With Penix still easing into his role, the run game should remain the focal point.

Additionally, several experts rank Atlanta’s rushing schedule as the seventh-weakest in 2025. Everything points toward a heavy workload and statistical explosion for Robinson.

 

New England Patriots to Make the Playoffs (+148)

Following a complete franchise overhaul, the New England Patriots have quietly positioned themselves for a playoff push. New head coach Mike Vrabel inherits a vastly upgraded roster. Key defensive additions include Milton Williams, Carlton Davis, and Robert Spillane. On offense, the Patriots landed Morgan Moses at correct tackle and traded for veteran wideout Stefon Diggs.

Their NFL Draft yielded potential Week 1 contributors: Will Campbell (No. 4 overall) starts at left tackle, while Day 2 picks TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams should make early impacts. Quarterback Drake Maye, now in his second year, has the tools and upgraded support to thrive.

With the second-easiest schedule in the league, New England’s home slate alone could net six or seven wins. A few road victories beyond that, and the Patriots could find themselves in the postseason.

 

Mike Evans Over 925.5 Receiving Yards (-114)

The betting market has undervalued Mike Evans, a model of consistency. He’s topped 1,000 receiving yards in every season of his 11-year career, setting an NFL record. His total for 2025 sits at 925.5 yards, a surprisingly modest figure considering his past performance.

Even in limited seasons, Evans has cleared that threshold. He tallied 1,004 yards over 14 games in 2024 and 1,124 yards in 15 games in 2022. Throughout the entire campaign, he averages well over 1,100. A slight injury dip still keeps him within striking range of 926 yards. There’s strong value here, with only modest output required to clear the mark.

 

San Francisco 49ers to Win the NFC West (+175)

Amid offseason praise for the Rams, the 49ers remain the most complete team in the NFC West. Key departures, including Deebo Samuel, Dre Greenlaw, and Charvarius Ward, have raised questions, but the core remains solid.

Quarterback Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams, and Nick Bosa form the spine of a veteran-laden unit. Kyle Shanahan remains one of the NFL’s most creative play-callers, and their 2025 schedule is the league’s easiest.

Given the strength of their remaining roster and coaching continuity, San Francisco is well-positioned to reclaim divisional supremacy.

 

Rashee Rice to Win Comeback Player of the Year (+1400)

Rashee Rice offers significant long-shot value in the CPOY market. Despite missing most of last season with a leg injury, Rice is expected to be fully ready for training camp.

When healthy, Rice dominated. He averaged 96 receiving yards across three complete games in 2024, including two 100-yard performances and 9.7 targets per game. Over a full season, that pace would have resulted in 136 receptions, 1,632 yards, and 11 touchdowns.

While repeating that stat line is unlikely, Rice could emerge as Patrick Mahomes’ top target. With the Kansas City Chiefs primed for another top-seed run, Rice could earn CPOY recognition if he returns to form.

 

Miami Dolphins Under 6.5 Wins (+170)

Despite holding the ninth-easiest schedule by opponents’ combined 2024 record, the Miami Dolphins face significant internal challenges. Their quarterback depth is shaky behind Tua Tagovailoa, with Zach Wilson and rookie Quinn Ewers offering minimal security. Tagovailoa’s injury history, including a 2-4 record during absences last year, casts further doubt.

Miami’s late-season slate is brutal. Leading into their Week 12 bye, they face the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Commanders, all 2024 playoff teams. Head coach Mike McDaniel’s squad is 4-14 against playoff opponents since he took over. After the bye, things only worsen: three cold-weather road games await (Jets, Steelers, Patriots), environments where Tagovailoa has never won, holding an 0-7 record in his coldest starts.

To reach eight wins and hit the standard over (set at 8.5), Miami would likely need to start 8-0, which is highly improbable. At +170, the under on 6.5 wins offers a sharp alternative angle.

 

Dak Prescott to Throw for 4,000 Yards (+130)

When healthy, Dak Prescott consistently surpasses 4,000 passing yards. In 2023, he threw for 4,516 yards over 17 games. He logged 4,449 yards in 2021 (16 games) and 4,902 yards in 2019. Even in an injury-shortened 2024 season, Prescott was on pace for 4,203 yards had he played the full slate.

Dallas’ running game remains uncertain, and the passing offense has been bolstered with the arrival of George Pickens opposite CeeDee Lamb. That positions Prescott for a high-volume air attack. While his line is available at 3,850.5 passing yards at +100, taking the +130 on 4,000+ offers better value for bettors confident in his health.

 

Bengals to Miss the Playoffs (+130)

Cincinnati Bengals’ offense remains elite with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, but last year’s numbers raise red flags. The Bengals lost two games despite scoring 38 or more points,  tying an NFL record. They also had six losses while scoring at least 25 points, again tying a league-high mark. Such inefficiency suggests structural issues.

Their pass rush also faces uncertainty. Star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks, remains in a standoff with the front office. First-round pick Shemar Stewart hasn’t resolved the edge pressure gap. If Hendrickson departs, this one-sided team may struggle to stop opponents, regardless of their offensive output.

 

Taking Advantage of the NFL Futures

Locking in futures bets during the NFL’s quiet period provides an opportunity to capitalize on mispriced markets before public action influences NFL futures. With training camps just around the corner, now is the time to make well-informed decisions based on historical trends, roster upgrades, and betting line movement. 

Whether it’s backing Prescott’s return to form, projecting a playoff surge in New England, or fading a fading Dolphins squad, these ten futures picks align statistical logic with betting value.

Stay ahead of the curve, and use these NFL Futures lines wisely to build a profitable NFL Betting portfolio before the 2025 kickoff.

 

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