The 2024 NFL Draft is history, so teams are getting ready for minicamps and off-season workouts over the next two months. However, as teams continue to evaluate rosters, they might consider adding a free agent or two to bolster their rosters; will any moves make Ohio sportsbooks take notice?
One of the top free agents still available is receiver Tyler Boyd. The veteran caught 513 passes for 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns in eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. This this week, USA Today rated Boyd as the 11th-best free agent remaining and the second-best receiver available behind only Odell Beckham Jr. Here are the teams BetOhio.com believes are the most likely destinations for Boyd.
Tyler Boyd Next Team Odds
Team | Odds | Percent Chance |
Detroit Lions | +450 | 18.2% |
Los Angeles Chargers | +500 | 16.7% |
Kansas City Chiefs | +700 | 12.5% |
San Francisco 49ers | +700 | 12.5% |
Miami Dolphins | +1000 | 9.1% |
Pittsburgh Steelers | +1000 | 9.1% |
The Field | +400 | 20.0% |
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Why Lions And Chargers Make Most Sense
Many experts through Detroit needed a secondary receiver in last week’s draft, but the Lions chose not to spend a pick on a rookie. The team already has standout top WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta, who is coming off a very promising rookie season. However, giving quarterback Jared Goff a veteran third option could make a very good offense even more dangerous.
After 2023, when they earned a division title for the first time in 30 years last year and their first playoff victory in 32 years, the Lions are among the favorites to compete for the Super Bowl this season. At bet365 Ohio Sportsbook, they’re the co-fourth choice on the futures board at +1200, the same odds as the Bengals and Buffalo Bills.
The Chargers traded two top receiving threats in the offseason, dealing Keenan Allen and Mike Williams to the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, respectively. Under new coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers drafted Ladd McConkey early in the second round. Josh Palmer, 24, and Quentin Johnston, 22, are the leading receivers coming back from last season. They only accounted for 76 receptions and 1,012 yards combined in 2023. Boyd would provide the Chargers with a veteran presence in the locker room and a reliable target for Justin Herbert.
Los Angeles finished 5-12 last season, mainly because of injuries. Can Harbaugh lead a quick turnaround? At FanDuel Ohio Sportsbook, the Chargers’ total wins for next season are set at 8.5. Odds to exceed that number are -144, while the under is priced at +118.
Other Potential Landing Spots
Of the other teams on our board, Cincinnati fans would likely be the most heartbroken if Boyd were to sign with either the Chiefs or the Steelers, two of their biggest rivals. Kansas City already signed Marquise “Hollywood” Brown this offseason, but the Chiefs may still have a need, as reports indicate Rashee Rice could be suspended for half of the 2024 season because of legal issues.
Can KC become the first franchise to win three straight Super Bowls? BetMGM Ohio Sportsbook has the Chiefs as the favorite to win next year’s big game, with odds of +550.
The 49ers, BetMGM’s second choice at +600 to win the Super Bowl, could be an option if the team trades Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel before training camp.
About Tyler Boyd
Boyd turns 30 in November. His production waned in recent years after Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase arrived. But even as Joe Burrow’s third option, Boyd caught 67 passes last season. The Pennsylvania native’s 10 yards per catch average in 2023 was a career low, but that could also be attributed in part to the Bengals’ penchant for short throws early last season as Burrow was still recovering from a calf strain.
Primarily a slot receiver, Boyd typically isn’t considered a big deep threat. Over the past three years, just 26 of his 192 receptions have gone for 20 or more yards. But he is an above-average run blocker, which is a valuable skill even if it might be hard to quantify for Ohio sports betting apps customers.
USA Today photo by Kareem Elgazzar
