NFL awards usually go to the usual suspects. Mahomes. Garrett. Parsons. Chase. The stars of the league dominate headlines and trophy cases.
But every season, new names break through. Whether it is a player in a better system, a rookie landing in the right spot, or a former prospect finally putting it all together, the futures market always has room for surprise value.
With a loaded draft class and plenty of players stepping into expanded roles, the 2025 season brings real opportunity for longshot bets across MVP, Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
My fellow Sandman Sports writer Tyler Hedmann recently broke down his picks for Offensive MVP and Rookie of the Year and followed it up with his take on Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year ). The good news is, we see things differently. So consider this your alternate viewpoint.
Here are the names I think are worth watching before the odds shift.
Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Jordan Love (+2500)
Love quietly had a strong 2024 campaign, throwing for 3,389 yards and 25 touchdowns while playing through an early-season MCL sprain. He finished with the fifth-best QBR in the NFL, and his chemistry with the young Packers offense continues to grow. In 2023, he topped 4,000 passing yards. If he stays healthy and Green Bay takes another step forward, Love is a breakout MVP candidate with legit value at this number.
Matthew Stafford (+3700)
Entering his 17th season, Stafford often gets overlooked, but the Rams are not acting like a team in rebuild mode. They added Davante Adams to a receiving group that already features Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, giving Stafford an elite trio of weapons. If Sean McVay’s offense returns to 2021 form and the Rams contend in the NFC, Stafford will be right in the thick of the MVP conversation. The price is generous for someone with that ceiling.
Jahmyr Gibbs (+10000)
It is rare for a running back to win MVP, but Gibbs is the kind of player who could make a run at it. In 2024, he matched Saquon Barkley’s touchdown production and averaged nearly identical yards per carry, despite getting significantly fewer touches. With a new offensive coordinator in Detroit and David Montgomery likely to cede more work, Gibbs could emerge as the featured weapon in one of the league’s most explosive attacks. At this price, he is worth a flyer.
Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROTY)
Luther Burden III (+4000)
Burden enters a crowded but promising Bears offense alongside DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. With Caleb Williams settling into year two and Ben Johnson calling plays, the offensive identity is still taking shape. That uncertainty creates opportunity. Burden is an All-SEC talent with elite run-after-catch ability and should carve out a role early. If the volume is there, he can pop.
Cam Skattebo (+8000)
Skattebo made national noise in the College Football Playoff but had already delivered a monster season with 1,700 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns. His physicality and goal-line instincts make him a red zone threat from day one. He will share the backfield with Tyrone Tracy, but Skattebo has been productive in every system he has played in. He brings a unique style that could stand out fast and rack up counting stats.
Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROTY)
James Pearce Jr. (+1900)
Pearce entered last season as a projected top-five pick. While his final year at Tennessee was quieter than expected, he still finished his college career with 19.5 sacks and constant disruption. Atlanta added linebacker Jalon Walker in the draft, which may draw attention away from Pearce, but that could work in his favor. If he gets favorable matchups and capitalizes early, he has the skillset to finish with double-digit sacks and win this award.
Jack Sawyer (+10000)
Sawyer boosted his stock during Ohio State’s national title run and now lands in Pittsburgh, a defense that fits his style. A physical, instinctive player with high football IQ, Sawyer brings leadership and playmaking potential. If he can get on the field early, and Pittsburgh often finds ways to rotate rookies in, Sawyer has the tools to stick. At this number, the upside is too big to ignore.
Parting Shot
Futures betting is all about timing and opportunity. The stars will get the headlines, but the real value lies in finding ascending players in the right systems with a clear path to impact.
Whether you are looking for a big return or a smart edge before the season kicks off, these longshots are worth watching. Every year, someone off the radar makes a leap. These are the names that could do it in 2025.
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