All articles tagged with #depth chart
With one week left in fall camp, Oregon’s 2026 depth chart is taking shape heading into the Boise State opener, led by Dante Moore at quarterback with buzz around Akili Smith Jr., a developing backfield featuring Brandon Smith, and multiple WR/OL adjustments (Tommy Tofi to guard, LT competition) as the defense and roster cohere around figures like Bear Alexander, Matthew Johnson and Jerry Mixon.
Michael Penix Jr. has been medically cleared, bringing increased clarity to Atlanta’s quarterback depth and Week 1 readiness. With Penix healthy alongside Tua Tagovailoa and Cooper Rush, the Falcons must decide roles and protect the QB3 spot, where Jack Strand has shown potential this preseason. The discussion is informed by the Falcons’ preseason win over the Colts and Penix’s mental and injury-history considerations as roster decisions loom.
Bruce Nolan argues that the WAWW (when and with whom) a Bills player appears in the preseason is a stronger predictor of the team’s depth chart than performance. With two preseason games down, he analyzes battles at CB4 (Kani Walker vs. Toriano Pride Jr.), LB2 (Kaleb Elarms-Orr vs. Dorian Williams), LG (Alec Anderson vs. Austin Corbett), backup center (Sedrick Van-Pran Granger vs. Lloyd Cushenberry), and WR6 (Trent Sherfield, Mecole Hardman, Stephen Gosnell), plus CB2 (Maxwell Hairston vs. Davison Igbinosun). The early read leans toward Walker as outside CB4, Williams as LB2, Cushenberry potentially Week 1 if McGovern isn’t ready, and Sherfield remaining a primary WR6 option, though the final roster depends on the last preseason game against the Steelers.
Despite resting starters, Cincinnati beat Chicago 27-9 in a home preseason game as Colbie Young, Dohnte Meyers, and Josh Johnson led the offense (Johnson 156 yards, 2 TDs; Young with a TD catch; Tanner Hudson also scoring). Evan McPherson was perfect on kicks (2-for-2 FGs, including a 58-yarder) and Al Golden’s defense held the Bears out of the end zone, with Landon Robinson delivering his first multi-sack performance. The outing spotlighted receiver depth (Young, Meyers, Tinsley) and lingering concerns for Cody Ford and Josh Newton, keeping roster battles alive ahead of the regular season.
With Jake Bobo sidelined by a serious knee injury and Tory Horton uncertain, Seattle’s WR depth behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and Rashid Shaheed is in flux. The piece surveys four potential replacements for Bobo—Cody White, Montorie Foster Jr., Ricky White III, and Emmanuel Henderson Jr.—highlighting White’s experience and special-teams value, Foster’s standout training-camp and preseason showing, White III’s college production and early NFL exposure, and Henderson’s elite gunner-style special-teams role as a path to a roster spot or the practice squad.
Jacksonville fell 34-17 to Carolina in Week 2 of the preseason, but several Jaguars depth players impressed: head coach Liam Coen chose to sit starters to limit injuries, while Nick Mullens and Joey Aguilar combined to go 15-of-17 for 195 yards; Ameer Abdullah supplied a strong offensive showing with the starting nod; rookies Josh Cameron and CJ Williams were productive on six targets, and undrafted Trebor Peña and Michael Wortham flashed as potential pieces for the practice squad; Bryan Thomas Jr. applied steady defensive pressure, and Ventrell Miller and Branson Combs earned meaningful snaps in the rotation. On the downside, tight ends Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol were quiet, Carter Bradley struggled, DeeJay Dallas fumbled, and Jabbar Muhammad had some coverage lapses.
Alabama's Week 1 depth chart is taking shape after the final fall scrimmage: Keelon Russell looks like the starting quarterback over Austin Mack, Daniel Hill is the presumed starter at running back with a rotation possible for Riley and Trae'shawn Brown, and the WR/TE/OL groups are starting to lock in roles with Noah Rogers sidelined by injury. Kaleb Edwards and Josh Ford project as the top tight ends, the five-man offensive line is nearing consensus, Kedrick Bingley-Jones appears at DT over London Simmons, Luke Metz is the new Sting linebacker, and Alabama's depth at defensive back and on special teams should see multiple players contributing early. AK Dear's injury could limit his early-season impact, and WR depth remains a question with ongoing health considerations.
With starters out, Cincinnati will evaluate depth in five key areas: return duties (Dohnte Meyers, Charlie Jones and Ke’Shawn Williams) to determine the sixth receiver/role players; Tahj Brooks gets extended running- back reps after Chase Brown and Samaje Perine are sidelined; backups at cornerback and safety face Chicago’s offense to solidify the secondary; Jalen Rivers is in the mix at left tackle as the swing-tackle job remains unsettled; and the game will reveal who dresses and which players survive into the fourth quarter as roster decisions loom for the 53-man limit.
The Detroit Lions released an updated depth chart heading into preseason Game 2 against the Washington Commanders, detailing projected starters and key backups across QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, EDGE, LB, CB, and S, with notes on injuries and who may or may not play. Head coach Dan Campbell indicated some starters could see action, but workloads may shift after multiple padded practices. Goff is not expected to play, while Dobbs and Luke Altmyer will split backup QB reps; Jahmyr Gibbs’s status is unclear as Isiah Pacheco is listed as a back with an MCL strain, and several other backs are dealing with injuries. The receiver group appears set through four main options, with WR5/6 still open, and competition continues across tight end, offensive line, and defensive depth as camp progresses.
In Week 2 of the NFL preseason, the Chiefs visit the Buccaneers after a 20-12 loss to the Rams, with several depth-chart questions on the line: rookie Cyrus Allen targets could rise as he pushes for more looks; fifth-round running back Emmett Johnson is pushing to be the backup behind Kenneth Walker; tight end depth behind Travis Kelce—Noah Gray, Jake Briningstool, Jared Wiley and Tre Watson—will be watched for continued development; the offensive line is shorthanded due to Josh Simmons’ back injury, testing the depth beyond the starters; and rookie corner Mansoor Delane is poised for a possible pro debut as he returns to practice fully. The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. local time in Tampa and airs on KSHB 41.
The Las Vegas Raiders published their 2026 unofficial depth chart ahead of the second preseason game against the Houston Texans. The chart lists projected starters and reserves across offense, defense and special teams and is labeled unofficial and fluid, with Thursday’s 5 p.m. PT kickoff airing on ESPN and FOX-5 Las Vegas.
Patriots held a Sunday walkthrough with no standout; however, depth players drew attention: Lan Larison worked as Drake Maye’s No. 3 RB and top kickoff return option, Jam Miller trailed; Tanner Arkin did not join the indoor starter group; Isaiah Iton rotated with the top DTs in Barmore's absence; Quintayvious Hutchins lined up with the first-team edge; John Saunders Jr. logged starts at safety behind Byard, Woodson and Pettus. Monday's practice is closed to the public.
With starters rested for the Saints’ preseason opener against the Jaguars, the piece spotlights eight players to watch as depth battles take the spotlight and the roster is evaluated.
Jets host the Buccaneers in a preseason opener with three less-obvious storylines: a competitive LB3 battle between Kiko Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball and Mykal Walker that could push a third linebacker into significant snaps; a backup offensive line depth test as players like Max Mitchell, Chukwuma Okorafor, Xavier Newman, Anez Cooper, and Landon Young vie to solidify the second unit; and unheralded camp standouts such as Chase Curtis, Samuel Womack and Jamaal Pritchett getting a chance on a big stage to earn roster or practice-squad spots.
Dallas released its first unofficial preseason depth chart, highlighting several unresolved roster spots as they prepare for Saturday’s game vs. Seattle. The quarterback backup battle between Joe Milton and Sam Howell is open; Javonte Williams and Jaydon Blue lead a tight RB race with Mafah and Abanikanda in the mix. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens anchor the WR corps, but Camden Brown and other youngsters are pushing for spots behind Turpin. Spann-Ford has overtaken Schoonmaker as TE2, while the OL depth centers on LT Guyton and RT Steele with important backups at guard and center. DEF depth shows fluidity at CB and OLB, with Overshown, Williams and James as clear locks and several others vying for snaps. Special teams remain mostly settled but return roles could still shuffle.