NFC West Divisional Check In

Now that the draft is behind us and rosters are mostly set, it’s a great time to shift focus to futures markets in search of betting value. In the past, tying up money for months came with an opportunity cost. But with the rise of new platforms that offers interest in futures positions, betting on futures can be a more worthwhile investment than ever.

We'll go division by division, highlighting the most valuable bets. While not every team will get a full breakdown, we’ll touch on each as we work through the board.

San Francisco 49ers

Central Question: Will the 49ers' Scheme Return to Form?

The 49ers’ 2024 season fell short of expectations, undone by a mix of injuries, inconsistent special teams play and missed opportunities. Most notably, the once-dominant skill position group that had defined Kyle Shanahan’s offense regressed. Brandon Aiyuk missed most of the season, Deebo Samuel never looked like himself and rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall, who spent much of the year working his way back after being wounded in an offseason shooting, only began to find his footing in the final weeks.

That diminished supporting cast had a clear impact on Brock Purdy and the offense overall. The 49ers’ signature scheme, long known for turning mismatches and motion into explosive plays, never quite found its rhythm. The big question heading into 2025 is whether a healthy group of weapons and a retooled supporting cast can reignite one of the NFL’s most creative offensive systems.

While Brock Purdy’s PFF grade remained consistent with his previous seasons, the underlying numbers suggest the 49ers’ offense wasn’t operating at the same level in 2024. His expected points added (EPA) per play dropped to a career low, pointing to a broader decline in offensive efficiency, even if his individual performance within the system held steady.

In areas where we can quantify the influence of the scheme, the numbers reveal some erosion. The rate of perfect coverage faced by the 49ers declined for a third straight year — still among the best in the NFL, but trending in the wrong direction — and Purdy faced more disrupting events than in seasons past. More troubling, he was significantly less effective against perfect coverage than in previous years.