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DraftKings Unveils Innovative NFL Futures Markets for Bettors

Jon Metler

Last Updated: August 1, 2023 12:28 PM EDT • 3 min 30 sec read.

With futures shopping in full swing ahead of the NFL season, utilizing the latest NFL odds, it's time to show DraftKings some love and highlight the new creative NFL futures markets they are trading, especially when compared to some of the other best sports betting apps available.

If you follow me on Sportsbook Review or on X, you know that I'm passionate about betting on NBA basketball. During the NBA draft, DraftKings did something really cool: They traded the draft live, and they were the only sportsbook to do so.

Now, during the NBA offseason, DraftKings has taken the lead in posting the 2024 NBA futures odds, whether it's NBA win totals, NBA Finals odds, or even introducing brand new award markets like the Clutch Player of the Year award. If you're constantly searching for when new NBA futures will be posted, DraftKings should be your first stop, because if they haven't posted it, nobody else has.

I know this is supposed to be an NFL article, and I'm getting there. With the NBA in its offseason, I was writing some team previews for the NFL, specifically focusing on the NFC North teams: the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers.

While diving into the futures markets for these teams across our best NFL betting sites, I once again noticed that DraftKings is at the forefront of the NFL futures markets with their trading of creative and unique new markets. This is when I realized it's time to show some love for what's happening at DraftKings with their futures markets.

DraftKings Unveils Innovative NFL Futures Markets for Bettors

I understand what you might be thinking, and if I posted this opinion on X, I can already predict the replies. Let's put that aside for now and focus on the awesomeness of introducing new futures markets, looking at the positives.

For years, I've gathered around a campfire with my friends and advocated for more growth in futures markets. While we've always had the classic NFL MVP and other awards markets, the number of players truly contending for these awards is limited. Certain fanbases can go for years without any futures to back from their favorite teams because they may not be strong contenders for winning the division, Super Bowl, or have players competing in statistical categories like passing yards.

I've always believed there's a significant opportunity for sportsbooks to engage bettors from every fanbase by offering markets where their favorite players or teams actually have a chance to win, regardless of who they root for. DraftKings has taken a step in that direction this NFL offseason, and so far, we haven't seen anyone else attempt to copy them. DraftKings started posting futures markets where you can bet on who will lead each division in passing, rushing, and receiving yards.

This is awesome!

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Let's consider this market as an example. Imagine you're a huge Jacksonville Jaguars fan, and you're thrilled about Calvin Ridley joining Trevor Lawrence this season. Can you truly back Ridley to lead the NFL in receiving yards? Maybe there's an edge, but let's face it, Ridley isn't in the same class of wide receivers as Justin Jefferson.

As a Jaguars fan, you might feel stuck, really wanting to bet on Ridley, but now, with the introduction of this brand new handicap and market, there might actually be a bet for you to place.

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Here's another example: the "most improved regular-season team" market. Once again, futures markets have always been a lot of fun for Super Bowl contending teams, but let's take a closer look at what this market does. It introduces a futures market where fanbases, who are simply hoping for improvement, now have the opportunity to find a wager on their favorite team.

While these markets are fun and exciting, it's crucial to emphasize that you should only buy into them if you can identify an edge and find a probability gap. That being said, as sportsbooks continue to open up new and more markets, they also expose themselves to more errors because they are trying to handle an increasing number of markets. I'm confident that we will witness some sportsbooks attempting to copy DraftKings and setting rogue prices due to the overwhelming volume of markets they need to manage.

Personally, I'm in favor of all these new futures markets because one of your biggest advantages as a bettor is that you can focus on and monitor the odds for one specific market, whereas a sportsbook has to oversee everything they offer. This is why sportsbooks are consistently playing defense, and it's how you can capitalize on spotting errors.

As futures markets become more specific, like betting on who will lead the NFC East in passing yards, bettors who are fans of a particular team, such as the Dallas Cowboys, could have an advantage over sportsbooks due to their in-depth knowledge of the division.

I admire the creativity displayed by DraftKings, and I believe there's plenty of opportunity for more innovation across various sports. 

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Written By:
Jon Metler
Jon Metler is a Sports Betting Analyst at SportsbookReview.com. Having played, coached, and officiated basketball, he immediately turned his attention to the NBA and College Basketball when he entered the sports betting space. Sports betting has been a part of his life for over 13 years, and he specializes in futures markets and player props, particularly in the NBA. In pursuit of value, he keeps a close eye on movements in the betting markets. He believes strongly in analytics and staying ahead of the curve; let the numbers do the talking. A graduate of the University of Windsor with a degree in Sports Studies, Jon enjoys spending time with his dogs when he isn't watching basketball.