NFL free agency winners and losers from a betting perspective
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The NFL's free-agency period is still ongoing, but the first week provided most of the fireworks for teams looking to compete next year. It also left enough time for some to lose their luster in bettors' eyes.
Here are five winners and three losers from a betting perspective after the first week of free agency.
Winners
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are the biggest winners after luring Tom Brady away from the New England Patriots. Their title odds moved to 14-1, which is tied for the fourth-shortest price among Super Bowl favorites, and they're likely not done, either. Some of the top remaining free agents may flock to Tampa Bay now that Brady's in town.
Indianapolis Colts
It wasn't as flashy as the Brady signing, but the Colts found themselves a new quarterback in Philip Rivers, who helped tighten their Super Bowl odds from 40-1 to 20-1. As of Monday, Indianapolis ranks first in PFF's "improvement index" by wins above replacement after this month's moves, which also included trading for All-Pro lineman DeForest Buckner.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals made a few under-the-radar deals and one giant splash this month, with the latter being their trade with the Houston Texans for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Outside of Brady, Hopkins is arguably the most valuable player any team added this offseason, and the odds reflect that; Arizona went from 80-1 to 40-1 to win it all.
Buffalo Bills
Many of the Bills' moves during free agency were quiet - save for trading a boatload of picks for star receiver Stefon Diggs - but the team amassed talent around the edges while mostly keeping its starting unit from a year ago intact. Brady's exodus from the AFC East is also a significant boon for Buffalo, which enters next year as a legitimate contender for the division crown.
New York Giants
You're likely not betting on the Giants to win the Super Bowl, but maybe you should after a busy free-agency period. Two marquee signings - cornerback James Bradberry and linebacker Blake Martinez - addressed gaping holes in last year's disastrous defense. Few teams improved as much as New York did, which went from 80-1 to 50-1 to win it all.
Losers
New England Patriots
It's not just about Brady, as the Patriots also said goodbye to key linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins Sr., and did little to fill the gaps left by those three major departures. There's a reason New England's odds moved from 12-1 to 30-1, and even that price feels short without another move at quarterback.
Houston Texans
The Texans are losers with a capital "L" after giving away Hopkins to the Cardinals, and they also lost top defensive lineman D.J. Reader to the Cincinnati Bengals after a year in which their defense was already disappointing. Houston opened 30-1 but has seen its odds balloon to 80-1, which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of the team's offseason activity.
Los Angeles Rams
Whether you think Todd Gurley was worth the money (he wasn't), it's hard to say the Rams are better after losing a former All-Pro who still amassed 1,064 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago. They also parted ways with three of their top defenders from 2019. The exodus may not be over, either, so stay away from their current 40-1 price.
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.