2014 NFL futures betting: Yardage leaders odds and predictions

The NFL's players have begun to hit the field for the preseason, giving fans their first look at game action in six months.

For bettors, wagering on these games is a major roll of the dice. Between not knowing which players will see extended time on the field, if they make it there at all, and relying heavily on unproven backups to decide the outcome of a given game, there are simply too many variables at play.

The alert bettor is more likely to use this time to continue preparations for a profitable season, and that means putting in work before Week 1. It's these early judgements bettors make that can decide whether or not the season will be a success.

Of course, there are wagers to be made at this time of year that will be decided when the games actually matter. Player props are available at most sportsbooks, and they will be the subject of this futures betting article, specifically, yardage leaders for the upcoming season.

Peyton Manning and LeSean McCoy were surely heavily backed last season, but didn't break the bank, whereas those with the foresight to get behind Josh Gordon took home a tidy profit.

Here's a look at odds comparisons for the 2014 leaders in passing, rushing, and receiving yards, with players worth taking a closer look at from each category.

Passing yardage leader odds

Drew Brees +350, The Greek

No one player has benefited more from the NFL's rule changes regarding contact in the secondary than Drew Brees. He's thrown for better than 5,100 yards in each of the last three seasons, and stands alone as the only player to eclipse the 5,000-yard mark multiple times.

The Saints' schedule will see Brees face arguably the worst collective group of pass defenses of any quarterback, and with reports out of New Orleans indicating that Brandin Cooks is the real deal, Brees could be in for his best year yet.

Tony Romo +2500, SIA

Between the addition of Scott Linehan as passing game coordinator and play-caller, and the woeful state of the team's defense, the Dallas Cowboys will be forced to sling the pigskin around quite a bit this season.

Romo's back is a concern entering the year, so he's worth keeping an eye on during the preseason, but if the Cowboys can keep him upright for 16 games he'll surely be in contention to be the passing yardage leader.

Rushing yardage leader odds

Marshawn Lynch +1200, Bovada

Lynch's threat to holdout this offseason had more to do with next season than this one. Lynch is owed $9 million in 2015, and with Christine Michael breathing down his neck, he must see that the writing is on the wall. 

All the talk from the Seahawks' brass of a backfield committee was surely just for show. In what will likely be his final season with the Seahawks, expect the team to run their lead back into the ground, and that will mean a lot of carries for a determined Lynch, who is unofficially (arguably) playing for a contract.

Le'Veon Bell +5000, Bovada

Bell got a late start to the 2013 season, but he still carried the ball 244 times for the Steelers as a rookie. LeGarrette Blount doesn't pose a real threat to Bell's touches, at least not between the 20s, and Dri Archer's role likely won't be significant beyond special teams, meaning the sophomore remains in line for major volume again this season.

Running behind an improved offensive line, Bell has a real shot at a breakout-type season, especially if the Steelers can figure out that they should be leaning on the Michigan State product more heavily than an aging Ben Roethlisberger sooner, rather than later.

Receiving yardage leader odds

Dez Bryant +700, bet365

Bryant is a strong play for many of the same reasons Tony Romo is in the passer category. The Cowboys will be throwing the ball early and often this season, and Bryant steps into the Calvin Johnson-role in Scott Linehan's pass-happy offense.

Bryant has averaged north of 90 receptions and 1,300 yards over the last two seasons. Entering his fifth pro season and playing for a new contract, Bryant could be ready to take his game to another level.

Jeremy Maclin +10000, SIA

Maclin is returning from a significant injury and has never eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in a pro season, but he finds himself stepping back onto the field and into a great situation. 

Maclin will occupy the role that helped rejuvenate DeSean Jackson's career and will be surrounded by a number of unproven pass-catching targets, making him Nick Foles's top option right off the hop. 

A long shot, sure, but the potential payout is too much to pass up.

More 2014 NFL futures betting articles:

AFC East | AFC North
AFC South | AFC West

NFC East | NFC North
NFC South | NFC West

Super Bowl odds | Yardage leaders odds
MVP odds | Win total odds
Super Bowl odds II

Odds courtesy bet365, Bovada, Sports Interaction, The Greek.