Picks for Offensive, Defensive POY

As the NFL season rapidly approaches and we count down to next Thursday's kickoff game between the Ravens and Chiefs, there's still time to make bets on next year's future.

In this article, I will share my favorite values ​​in the offensive and defensive Player of the Year futures markets.

The odds can vary widely, so be sure to shop around.

NFL Offensive Player of the Year Odds

Best Value: Bijan Robinson (+2000, BetRivers)

After the Falcons selected Bijan Robinson with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 draft, expectations were high for his rookie season.

But Atlanta's offense didn't fare much better, finishing 27th in EPA/Play, largely due to some of the worst quarterback play in the league and a coach who consistently neglected his most talented players.

Despite these offensive issues, Robinson still ranked in the top six at the running back position in targets, receptions and receiving yards.

He has made just under 30% of the team's passing plays from the slot or wing, the most of any qualified back, highlighting his excellent pass-catching potential.

Robinson will now join an offense led by Kirk Cousins, who ranked fourth in EPA (expected points added) + CPOE (completion percentage above expectations) last year before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.

The Falcons also hired new offensive coordinator Zach Robinson.

A protégé of Sean McVay, Robinson said he will be the focal point of the offense and wants to find “creative ways to get him the ball, like the Niners are doing with Christian McCaffrey.”

The Offensive Player of the Year award has been presented to the division winner every year since 2012, and the Falcons, who some say could finish the season with the NFL's best regular season record, are the favorites to win the NFC South this season.

Robinson checks all the boxes, including dual-threat rushing and receiving ability and sky-high touchdown potential, and is ready to capitalize on the elite talent that made him a coveted player in last year's draft.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds

Best Value: Aidan Hutchinson (+1400, FanDuel)

Aidan Hutchinson had a stellar sophomore season, ranking second in the league with 101 pressures and also finishing in the top five in PFF's pass rush grade and win percentage.

Hutchinson has a wealth of pass-rushing skills, especially his ability to convert speed into power.

Last year, his trademark spin made even the league's best offensive tackles look foolish.

However, Hutchinson's sack numbers were somewhat limited, mostly due to a poor Lions secondary, which ranked 29th in PFF's coverage grade and 25th in pass defensed EPA.

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General manager Brad Holmes addressed this weakness during the offseason, signing Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson in free agency and then acquiring Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the draft.

The Lions should have significantly improved their secondary play.

Hutchinson had 101 pressures last season, finished with just 11 sacks and a 10.9% conversion rate.

Compare that to players like Myles Garrett (17.4%), Micah Parsons (15.5%), Nick Bosa (14.7%) and TJ Watt (23.2%), and Hutchinson clearly has room for improvement in Year 3.

The Lions are ranked in the top five in Super Bowl odds at most sportsbooks and should continue to attract attention with five primetime games this year, the second-most in the NFL.

If Hutchinson can produce some signature moments along the way in a 15-sack season for one of the league's best teams, his 14-1 odds would be incredible value.