NFL OPOY futures: We're not sheepish about Lamb

Nothing quite as dissatisfying as a preseason tie, and that's what we were subjected to last night. We're not feeling overly confident in any of the backup QB situations tonight to place a wager, so instead we turn back to the futures market in the NFL to stake a few more investments in some season-long awards.

Two 'Player of the Year' bets for 2023

CeeDee Lamb: +3500 to win Offensive Player of the Year (FanDuel)

Offensive Player of the Year has been a wide receiver's award over the past few years, with three winners in the past four seasons. If you're looking for some value in this market at this position, CeeDee Lamb is an intriguing choice at +3500.

Lamb was sixth in the NFL last season with 1,359 receiving yards, hauling in nine touchdowns. His 156 targets were fourth-most in the league, the exact type of volume we need to be seeing if we're to place a bet on him winning OPOY.

Lamb is an elite receiver, he just needs to take a leap in Dallas' offense. He's Dak Prescott's top option, and with solid receivers around him, Lamb should have his share of one-on-one matchups to exploit. The path is there for a big fourth season.

Sauce Gardner: +1500 to win Defensive Player of the Year (FanDuel)

Cornerbacks don't typically win this award, but that would have also applied to the Defensive Rookie of the Year market ahead of 2022, and Gardner had no issue bringing that home.

Gardner's calling card is his shutdown ability, and he brought that strength right to the NFL and immediately slotted in as one of the best corners in the NFL. He topped the league in forced incompletion rate and pass deflections, and he was able to shut down the opposing team's top receiver on a weekly basis.

Anchoring one of the NFL's better defenses, and on a team with serious postseason aspirations, another dominant season from Gardner should put him in the running to win DPOY by season's end.

In the news ...

Rory McIlroy, Brian Harman first-round leaders at BMW Championship — Through one day at Olympia Fields, it's McIlroy and Harman each at five-under. McIlroy is currently +280 to win, while Harman is 14-1. It's a log jam at the top, as 11 golfers all shot a -3 or better on Thursday. Consider some value on Rickie Fowler to finish in the top 5 at +240. Fowler has been one of the more consistent golfers over the past few months and had himself a strong opening round.

Spain-England meet in Women's World Cup final Sunday — It's down to two in the Women's World Cup: Spain and England. Spain is the extremely slight favorite at -115 but books are pitting this at a near toss-up with England at -110 to win the Cup. Yardbarker's own Alyssa Clang hopped into the match to give her thoughts, an article worth a read. Clang is liking the over, set at 2.5 (+150). The average goals scored in the past five World Cup finals is 3.6, and both England and Spain have been pouring on the goals this tournament. We're in to root for some scoring here.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll