Antonio Brown's next team odds: Where will he play?
Antonio Brown's days as an Oakland Raider may be over, but the drama surrounding the star receiver is far from done.
On Saturday, the Raiders granted Brown's wish and released him after voiding nearly $30 million of his guaranteed money on Friday. Brown is eligible to sign with any team starting at 4:01 p.m ET.
Oddsmakers didn't waste time posting odds for which team will employ Brown next, with no surprise at the top of the board. Here are the odds for Brown's next team with analysis on the clubs that stand out:
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 2-1 |
| Washington Redskins | 3-1 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 6-1 |
| Buffalo Bills | 7-1 |
| Houston Texans | 10-1 |
| Denver Broncos | 10-1 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 10-1 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 10-1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 10-1 |
Brown hadn't even hit free agency before rumors circulated of the Patriots potentially making a play to acquire the enigmatic receiver. This move makes sense on the surface because Bill Belichick has a history of acquiring star receivers who come with off-the-field risks, such as Randy Moss and Josh Gordon.
Is Brown worth the headache? Maybe for New England, but not for bettors. Laying 2-1 odds against the field is hefty, especially since Brown showed his preference for dysfunction (Oakland) over stability (Pittsburgh) by demanding a trade this offseason.
He also may not want to subdue his outspoken nature in New England.
Houston Texans (10-1)This is actually solid value on the Texans, a team that's shown a relentless approach while adding talent in recent weeks. The only complicating factor here is money, as Houston shipped star Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle for financial reasons.
If Brown is content with a cheaper "prove it" deal, head coach Bill O'Brien will likely welcome him with open arms. The Texans already field a star wideout in DeAndre Hopkins, but they've struggled to find a consistent No. 2 receiver. If Brown is willing to share the limelight - and he wasn't with former teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster - this is a great value for both Houston and bettors.
Arizona Cardinals (10-1)The Cardinals made a concerted effort to provide new head coach Kliff Kingsbury with offensive firepower this offseason, drafting Kyler Murray and four pass-catchers in April, and signing wideout Michael Crabtree and tight end Charles Clay as free agents.
Adding Brown would be the ultimate trump card for Kingsbury's aerial assault, and the move would likely please Arizona's young QB, too. Murray worked out with Brown in January, and the two exchanged friendly banter after facing off in Week 2 of the preseason. The signs are there to take a long shot on the Cards.
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.
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