4 NFL teams worth buying ahead of free agency
The 2021 NFL league year begins in a few days, which means the frantic rush of free agency is almost upon us. A year ago, we saw quick and decisive changes to the title oddsboard as teams such as the Buccaneers, Bills, and Colts reinvented themselves with trades and free-agent signings.
That sort of offseason frenzy will almost certainly happen again this year, given the talent of the free-agent pool and the uncertainty at quarterback across the league. Here are the current title odds and a few teams worth targeting ahead of free agency.
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +500 |
| Buffalo Bills | +700 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +800 |
| Green Bay Packers | +800 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +1100 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +1400 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +1400 |
| New Orleans Saints | +1500 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +1500 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +1700 |
| Cleveland Browns | +2000 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +2000 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +2500 |
| Tennessee Titans | +2500 |
| Miami Dolphins | +2800 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +3000 |
| Chicago Bears | +3500 |
| New England Patriots | +3500 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +3800 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +4000 |
| Carolina Panthers | +4500 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +6000 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +6000 |
| Washington Football Team | +6000 |
| Denver Broncos | +7000 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +7000 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +7500 |
| New York Giants | +7500 |
| New York Jets | +7500 |
| Detroit Lions | +12500 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +15000 |
| Houston Texans | +15000 |
Never bet against Colts general manager Chris Ballard, who somehow has nearly $50 million to play with in free agency - easily the most among 2020 playoff teams.
Indianapolis already made one big splash by trading for former Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, a move that shortened the team's title odds. More moves could be on the horizon. This year's free-agent class is loaded with talented pass-rushers, which was an issue for the Colts a year ago. So was wide receiver, another position that boasts plenty of available talent.
Miami Dolphins (+2800)The Dolphins blossomed a year early in 2020, winning 10 games behind a rookie quarterback and a roster cobbled together with new additions. Now, they have another projected $30 million in cap space to fill in the gaps.
Tua Tagovailoa will likely be this team's starter in 2021, though Miami has the assets to make a run at Deshaun Watson if it desires. The Fins are well-positioned to target elite weapons - Kenny Golladay, anyone? - to surround either signal-caller or bolster their offensive and defensive lines.
Chicago Bears (+3500)I've been hyping the Bears as offseason values since they opened at 50-1 in early February. This price adjustment suggests the market feels the same way, but I'd still buy at this price ahead of what could be a monumental offseason.
Chicago used its franchise tag on star receiver Allen Robinson, who was easily the most valuable player primed for free agency. Mitchell Trubisky's fifth-year option was declined, as the front office still has ambitions of trading for a top-tier quarterback. If the Bears come up empty in the QB market, this ticket will be of substandard value. But if they land one, you'll be very glad you bought early.
Carolina Panthers (+4500)The Panthers are also potential buyers in the Watson sweepstakes and are quietly building toward a playoff-caliber roster after a 5-11 season. Carolina's offense showed legitimate upside with Teddy Bridgewater despite missing star Christian McCaffrey for all but three games in 2020. Improvements along the O-line could unlock this unit's full potential.
Where much of Carolina's roughly $25 million in projected cap space should go, though, is on defense. The Panthers have been longing for an impact linebacker since Luke Kuechly's retirement after the 2019 campaign, and they have a clear opportunity to acquire one. If that side of the ball is adequate next season, this team's outlook will be dramatically different in 2021.
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
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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