It’s never too early to start loading up on those NFL futures bets. Call your shot before the NFL Draft on who you think might win the Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year Awards. Is it your favorite player’s year, or do you have your eye on someone else? Let’s dive in and take a look at both Player of the Year futures bets.
2026 NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Jahmyr Gibbs (+1000)
Jahmyr Gibbs reminds me so much of Christian McCaffrey. The way he can run and catch the ball, and his explosiveness. Now, the Knuckles to Gibbs’ Sonic has departed with David Montgomery. Opening things up to be all Jahmyr Gibbs out of the backfield. If there’s going to be a year he opens up and blows away the competition like McCaffrey has done so many times. This is the year. Gibbs tacked up over 1,800 all-purpose yards in 2025.
Justin Jefferson (+1800)
Buy the stock while it’s down! Justin Jefferson is a perennial favorite for this award and the 2022 winner. Last season was brutal. NINE just wasn’t him. On top of that, Max Brosmer was throwing him the ball. The team traded for Kyler Murray, and I believe Kyler will get the nod as the starting quarterback in 2026. Kyler has his own handful of problems, but he’s a good enough quarterback that he may thrive in this system and can definitely get the ball to Justin Jefferson the way the star deserves. This number is too good to pass up for a 26-year-old wide receiver who is right in the middle of his prime.
Omarion Hampton (+5500)
The Los Angeles Chargers are one of my favorite teams in 2026 when it comes to both betting and fantasy. They’ve been building; it’s year three of Harbaugh and Herbert. Now, former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, an offensive genius, is their offensive coordinator? This offense will be humming in 2026. Hampton showed flashes as a rookie before injury struck. He’s likely to have this backfield to himself for the most part. I can easily see this Chargers team being a threat for the #1 seed in the AFC, and Hampton being a huge part of that success. At 55/1, this is one of those players I’m calling my shot on.
2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Will Anderson Jr (+800)
The other team I’m super high on going into 2026, the Houston Texans. This is one of the most elite defensive units we’ve had in the NFL, and it’s gone slightly under the radar so far. Not this year. Led by Will Anderson Jr, this defense will be in the spotlight in 2026. Anderson heads into his fourth year in the league, and he’s gotten better each year thus far. Last season, the pass rusher grabbed 12 sacks, 54 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. All were career highs!
Jared Verse (+1600)
Speaking of young players on really good teams who have broken out, and could take that next step. Let’s look at the Los Angeles Rams Jared Verse. The versatile linebacker for the Rams recorded a career high 7.5 sacks last season, while forcing three fumbles and securing 58 tackles, 35 of which were solo. This Rams team is all in. Last time they had that mentality, a defensive star in Aaron Donland helped get them there. It’s Jared Verse’s time now.
Christian Gonzalez (+3000)
For our long shot, let’s complete the defensive level trifecta and hit a defensive back. There is arguably no better corner in the game right now than the Patriots’ lockdown DB Christian Gonzalez. This Patriots defense proved elite as they carried the team through the postseason and into the Super Bowl. If they can look that good again, it’ll be behind the leadership of this lockdown corner.
