Meet Esten McLaren, Our Content Manager
Esten McLaren
Content Manager
17+ Years ExperienceEsten is the Content Manager for Covers.com. He has been in the sports betting industry since the legalization of mobile sports betting in New Jersey. In writing and personal betting, Esten focuses on golf and the NFL, while dabbling in futures bets across all major North American sports, looking for edges with value picks and long shots. His favorite markets to research and bet include golf outrights and NFL touchdown scorers.
Esten hunts for pricing differences and player skill sets against the opponent (or golf course). DraftKings is his go-to sportsbook and first stop for most betting markets, as it is often first-to-market with golf odds each week and next year's futures odds.
Esten's previous stops include time with GolfWeek. He previously worked in the fantasy sports industry with FNTSY Sports Network, theScore, and USA TODAY, where he started to build his NFL and golf betting experience. Esten graduated from the College of Sports Media with a diploma in Radio and Television Sports Broadcasting. He has appeared on FNTSY Sports Network, VSiN, and VSiN's Long Shots podcast, where he correctly called Will Zalatoris as the winner of the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship. An annual staple bet has now hit twice in a row with Rory McIlroy's consecutive Masters wins.
Esten views sports betting much like golf and advises beginner bettors to compete against themselves rather than worrying about what others may or may not be doing based on social media claims.
What makes Esten McLaren an expert?
Esten started betting on golf and futures markets the day he was legally allowed. He watches the PGA Tour weekly — and never watch LIV Golf. Esten follows the NFL, NHL, and MLB very closely, while keeping eyes on everything from college football to F1.
Experience
Covers.com
- Content Manager
- April 2026 - Present
SportsbookReview.com
- Content Manager
- July 2025 - April 2026
- Senior Publishing Editor
- December 2021 - July 2025
- Publishing Editor
- October 2021 - December 2021
SportsbookWire.com
- Editor
- April 2018 - October 2021
theScore
- Editor
- June 2015 - April 2018
FNTSY Sports Network
- Editor
- March 2013 - June 2015
Education
Esten finished a three-year Biological Sciences degree at the University of Guelph before pursuing his true dream at the College of Sports Media with a diploma in Radio and Television Sports Broadcasting. Esten followed his passion for fantasy sports (and sports betting) out of school.
University of Guelph
- Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)
College of Sports Media
- Diploma (Radio and Television Sports Broadcasting)
15+ years in sports betting
Esten has been betting on sports ever since he was legally allowed, and is nearing two decades.
Almost 20+ years in writing
Though Esten started his professional career in video editing, he was part of several "just-for-fun" sports blogs throughout school, and quickly pivoted to writing.
Cross-media
Esten has created content for web pages, blogs, newspapers, magazines, and social media. He's been a guest on several VSIN programs.
Diverse experience
Esten's sports betting acumen isn't limited to just the popular North American sports. He has a special passion for the niche and novelty markets, and he covered the 2025 papal conclave extensively.
How does Esten stay up to date?
Esten is plugged into X/Twitter throughout the day (@EstenJMcLaren), following teams, leagues, beat reporters, and prominent and trusted national sources. He also enjoys digging for stats that can help support
Data Golf
Data Golf is the trusted source for everything from Strokes Gained statistics, to course history, to player profiles. It's a necessary resource for understanding weekly golf odds, why they move, and why they can (drastically) differ from course to course.
Football Guys
Football Guys is my first stop each week when looking to bet NFL player props — including anytime touchdown scorers. Follow along with player playing time and usage via weekly snap counts and red-zone targets, whether you're looking for value picks or favorites to fade.
Covers Prop Projections
Want some help assessing the lines? Our prop projections are here to help you handicap the players you want to bet. Scout out differences between the projections and prop lines to see where the expected value lies. We have you covered for each game every day from the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
Q&A with Esten
How did you get into sports media?
I grew up wanting to be a play-by-play broadcaster for the NHL. From there, I grew fond of the daily (friendly) conversations and debates that revolve around sports. Anything's up for debate in sports betting, and there's a case to be made for (almost) any pick.
Do you play any sports?
I played — or at least attempted to play — nearly every sport through high school, reaching my heights as a soccer right back. As my body has aged (and decayed), I'm most likely to be found on a golf course and am particularly fond of the curling rink.
Who are your favorite sports teams?
The Ottawa Senators of the NHL were my first true love, albeit regrettably. Madden 2003 drew me to the Atlanta Falcons for every reason by Michael Vick (I swear!). And the Toronto Blue Jays have brought nearly equal fond memories and frustrations. But I'd rather cheer for a Rory McIlroy major win.
What do you love most about sports betting?
I love the added interest that sports betting can bring to any matchup, especially when you're out watching the game with friends. Player props can make even the most lopsided matchup interesting until the final whistle or buzzer.
Consider a variety of different takes, opinions, and analysis before making your informed decision on any bet you want to make. There is (almost) always two sides to be entertained in any bet. Weigh the pros and cons in Covers' free picks.
Esten's areas of expertise
Esten specializes in NFL, golf, and futures betting markets.
NFL Betting
Esten has followed the NFL for over 20 years. Though he's long been stuck with the Atlanta Falcons, he's more than happy to jump ship to the newest fun and trendy team for short spurts. He follows news, playing time and usage when looking for edges in touchdown scorer markets.
Golf Betting
Esten's true love is golf, and he bets weekly (if not daily) on the PGA Tour. Majors are like the Super Bowl, and he advocates for betting on next year's Masters all year long in order to get the best possible value ahead of tournament week.
Futures Betting
The best way to bet on sports is to watch sports, and catch the sportsbooks when they're sleeping. He loves to avoid the favorites in hopes of cashing a long-shot ticket.
Esten's memories
🚀 Big wins
I can't remember the last time I didn't bet on Rory McIlroy to win the Masters. Persistence has finally paid off, with the Northern Irishman going back-to-back at Augusta National Golf Course. Though this is one of the few exceptions I'll make it to betting on a favorite, the existence of Scottie Scheffler has helped to inflate the betting odds for McIlroy and the rest of the world's top golfers in major championships. I bought myself a new TV with my winnings from his 2026 green jacket.
🤮 Bad beats
Nobody knows bad beats like a golf bettor. Tee shots in the woods, approach shots in the water, putts to win lipping out, sailing past or wide right of the cup, or coming up two feet short. Don't even get me started on the any number of times a golfer I've bet to win outright has withdrawn during the first round (or after their first tee shot).
Esten's Articles
It's not just Esten doing the research
Kyle LaRusic
Betting Analyst
Kyle LaRusic joined Covers in 2020 with a Holland College diploma in Journalism and a Mount Saint Vincent Degree in Public Relations. Stints at Amherst News and the Cape Breton Post helped sharpen his skills in a newsroom setting, while working for MSVU and Dalhousies athletic departments landed Kyle in his comfort zone. Kyle has been an avid bettor for over five years, starting with just one Sports Interaction account before discovering both the beauty and importance of price shopping. bet365 and Pinnacle are his go to books, but accounts at 10+ sportsbooks give him an array of options. Rusty will bet on anything under the sun as long as theres value and good reasoning behind it, but NHL and NFL are his two favorite leagues to watch and wager on especially with friends. Kyles biggest tip for any bettor is simple: gamble responsibly. Only bet what youre willing to lose and make sure to install a proper bankroll method to keep track of your ROI. If youre still dwelling on the amount you lost the next day, its time to decrease your spending.
Read More
John Middlekauff
Betting Analyst
John Middlekauff is a former NFL scout who worked for the Philadelphia Eagles before transitioning into media. Hes now the host of the popular 3 and Out podcast, where he shares insider analysis and sharp commentary on football and the NFL landscape.Catch John every week during the NFL season with Joe Osborne on the Covers YouTube channel.
Read More
Ryan Gilbert
Betting Analyst
Ryan Gilbert brings the passion and pain of being a Philadelphia sports fan. After graduating from Monmouth University with a finance degree, he now uses his statistical background to find inefficiencies in betting markets. With past stops at NHL.com, NBC Sports, and currently at Covers, Ryan's hot picks blend well with the cold ice of a hockey rink.
Read More
