The popularity of fantasy sports has helped boost the betting markets on players props at sportsbooks, and with the NFL season coming quick there are a number of sports betting trends and player prop odds available – more than any other season before.
If you’re a fantasy player – either rotisserie or DFS – and pride yourself on finding value beyond the most pricy players on the board, here are some live long shots to top the player props in the 2019 NFL season:
Most passing yards: Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay (12/1)
Winston’s 2018 was limited due to suspension and competition from Ryan Fitzpatrick. However, the Bucs are focused on jump starting the former No. 1 overall pick with the hire of QB-friendly head coach Bruce Arians. Arians is known for his downfield passing preferences and will load up the sidelines with targets for the strong-armed Winston.
He crossed the 4,000-yard mark in his first two seasons only to see those numbers dip the past two campaigns with injuries and suspensions keeping him sidelined. Winston has the passing options to challenge for the top yardage, including Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and a roster of promising tight ends.
Most rushing yards: Derrick Henry, Tennessee (14/1)
Henry finished the 2018 season with a bang, rushing for 585 yards in the final four games, including a 238-yard performance in Week 14. The former Heisman winner hasn’t been the model of consistency during his brief NFL career, but Tennessee’s new offensive coordinator – promoted tight ends coach – Arthur Smith is dedicated to a physical attack headlined by the downhill power of Henry.
After that late season outburst, Henry finished 2019 with 1,158 yards on the ground, boasting an average carry of 4.9 yards. The Titans ran the ball on 48.5 percent of their offensive snaps and that load could continue. Behind Henry is Dion Lewis, who is more of a third-down pass catcher than a No. 1 rushing option.
Most receiving yards: Adam Thielen, Minnesota (25/1)
Thielen had a breakout season in 2018, amounting almost 1,400 yards receiving on 12.2 yards per catch and earning his place as one of the best route runners in all of football. Those numbers came in what many considered to be a down year for QB Kirk Cousins, who struggled in the Vikings offense – which eventually led to the firing of John DeFilippo and the hiring of replacement offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski.
The early results look good for Minnesota, which has excelled in the passing game this preseason. Thielen does share catches with fellow WR Stefon Diggs, and his production was slowed by injury late in the 2018 season, but he’s emerging as the top target in the Twin Cities.
