With two full weeks of the NFL preseason officially wrapped, it’s time to dive into the key fantasy football takeaways we can use to better inform our 2026 season.
Be sure to check out how this updated information affects our Depth Charts, Rankings, and Projections as we continue to make updates throughout the next few weeks heading into Week 1.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
LINEBACKER
Mack Wilson and Jack Gibbens didn’t play in this game, solidifying their spots at the top of the depth chart.
Cody Simon and Karson Sharar started this game, with Simon playing just the first two drives before his day was done.
Sharar stayed in the game for several more drives with Simon out of the game.
Simon can be safely avoided in redraft, and dynasty managers can either drop him for Gibbens if available, or another potential starter heading into 2026.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, Walter Nolen, and Baron Browning didn’t play in this game.
There’s likely to be a three-man rotation at the EDGE position in Arizona this year, with Sweat leading the way once again.
If either one of Collins or Browning can separate from the other in terms of playing time, there should be some sleeper value to be targeted there in deeper leagues.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Budda Baker and Andrew Wingard didn’t play in this game.
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson’s starting/breakout potential appears to be toast at this point, barring an injury to one of the actual starters.
Wingard can still be had for free in the majority of IDP lineups, and should be targeted in deeper leagues.
ATLANTA FALCONS
LINEBACKER
Divine Deablo didn’t play in this game.
Kendal Daniels got the start and the green dot again this week.
JD Bertrand started the game next to Daniels before getting banged up after just one snap, when he rotated off for Harold Perkins Jr. for the rest of the first drive.
Bertrand was able to return for the second drive and played every snap of that one next to Daniels.
The third drive saw Bertrand split time with Perkins next to Daniels.
Both Daniels and Perkins’ days were done after that third series.
The main thing to note here is that Christian Harris didn’t get into the game until the fourth defensive series when both Daniels and Perkins were done for the day, which should indicate that Harris is not going to be a starter come Week 1, which is that much better for Daniels’ chances of being named a starter next to Deablo.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Samson Ebukam, Brandon Dorlus, Za’Darius Smith, and Cameron Thomas didn’t play in this game.
Zach Harrison and Azeez Ojulari were the starting edge defenders in this game, and even with Jalon Walker’s injury and James Pearce’s suspension, aren’t likely to play IDP-relevant snaps early in the season.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Jessie Bates, Xavier Watts, Billy Bowman Jr., and the rest of the starting corners didn’t play in this game.
Sydney Brown and DeMarcco Hellams were the starting safeties, with Brown getting the starter’s “rest” treatment first in this one as he appears to be third on the depth chart now behind Bates and Watts.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
LINEBACKER
Roquan Smith, Teddye Buchanan, and Trenton Simpson didn’t play in this game.
Dominic DeLuca and Jay Higgins were the starters at linebacker.
Buchanan is nearly fully recovered from a torn ACL suffered late last year, though if he’s unable to go in Week 1, then Simpson will be his replacement until he’s ready.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Trey Hendrickson, Nnamdi Madubuike, Calais Campbell, and Tavius Robinson didn’t play in this game.
This is the second week in a row where the starters were held out, including Robinson, while Mike Green and Zion Young got the start with the backups.
Robinson appears to be ahead of Green on the depth chart, though the 2025 second-round pick looked good in this one with two pressures and a sack on 13 pass-rush attempts.
With Robinson likely ahead of Green on the depth chart for now, it seems that the second-year breakout might have to wait until Year 3 before Green really becomes a viable starting IDP option.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, and the starting cornerbacks sat this game out.
K’Von Wallace and Keondre Jackson were the starting safeties, though they’ll be of no interest for IDP barring a Hamilton or Starks injury.
BUFFALO BILLS
LINEBACKER
Terrel Bernard didn’t play in this game.
Last week, the Bills rotated Kaleb Elarms-Orr and Dorian Williams alongside Bernard, as they appeared undecided about who should be the LB2 come Week 1.
This week felt much more decisive as Elarms-Orr started the game next to Keonta Jenkins, playing an every-down role through the first two drives before his day was done.
Dorian Williams only came on once Elarms-Orr’s day was over, playing next to Joe Andreesen through the rest of the first half.
Andreesen and Jenkins played in the second half after Williams was done.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, Michael Hoecht, and Ed Oliver didn’t play in this game.
Rookie second-round pick T.J. Parker got the start on the edge in this game after a solid showing with the backups last week, which resulted in a sack.
Parker played the first half, 11 pass-rush snaps, and generated one pressure for a 72.3 PFF pass-rush grade.
He won’t likely be an IDP option as a rookie behind Rousseau and Chubb as the clear starters, but if he can work in on occasion and hone his skills, he has the potential to develop in time for his Year 3 or 4 season.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Cole Bishop, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Dee Alford didn’t play in this game.
Geno Stone and Damar Hamlin were the starting safeties in this game and are the expected backups to the starters Bishop and Gardner-Johnson to start the year.
Jordan Hancock worked as the primary slot defender with the starters, with Alford and Gardner-Johnson out of this one.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
LINEBACKER
Devin Lloyd didn’t play in this game.
Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace continue to battle for the LB2 role in this defense, as both players started this game through the first four defensive drives.
Cherelus operated as the lone every-down linebacker while Wallace did rotate off on one third-and-long.
Cherelus appears to be the favorite to start next to Lloyd Week 1, and should be added in non-shallow formats in place of Wallace were it makes sense.
Jackson Kuwatch and Isaiah Simmons operated as the next men up once Cherelus and Wallace were done for the day.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jaelan Phillips, Derrick Brown, and Ter’Shawn Wharton didn’t play in this game.
Princely Umanmielen and Pat Jones II started this game.
Jones missed the first preseason game due to illness, while Umanmielen had a nice day, but he was able to get back in time for this one and potentially push for that second starting EDGE spot.
Jones and Umanmielen both played 13 defensive snaps each, with Jones even landing a sack in this one.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Tre’Von Moehrig and Nick Scott both started at safety, further solidifying Scott’s spot ahead of Lathan Ransom on the depth chart.
Jaycee Horn didn’t play in this game, so Chau Smith-Wade moved from his usual slot role among the starters to play exclusively outside in Horn’s absence.
CHICAGO BEARS
LINEBACKER
T.J. Edwards, Noah Sewell, and Keyshaun Elliott didn’t play in this game.
D’Marco Jackson and Devin Bush were the starters, playing the entire first drive (14 snaps) before their day was done.
Jack Sanborn played only in base packages with the starters.
Edwards and Bush are set to lead the way this year, though Jackson should be monitored as the next man up should something happen to Edwards and/or Bush.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Austin Booker didn’t play in this game, though most of the starters did, so he could be managing an injury.
Montez Sweat played 10 of 14 snaps on the first drive with Dayo Odeyingbo as his running mate on the other side.
If Booker isn’t healthy, Odeyingbo could get a decent-sized workload that would make him relevant in non-shallow IDP formats.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Dillon Thieneman and Cam Lewis got the start for the second-straight week, solidifying their spots in the starting lineup.
Xavier Woods didn’t come into the game until Thieneman and Lewis were done for the day, as was the case last week.
Thieneman’s usage looked very encouraging for IDP as he lined up in the box for 50% of his 14 snaps, while also getting two more snaps on the edge and one in the slot, playing just four deep snaps (29%).
Fellow rookie Malik Muhammad continues to work as the primary starting nickel defender in place of the injured and injury-prone Kyler Gordon.
Gordon’s likelihood of getting healthy before Week 1 continues to drop, which should make Muhammad an enticing option in CB-required formats, considering his role in Dennis Allen’s defense.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
LINEBACKER
Barrett Carter, Oren Burks, and Demetrius Knight Jr. didn’t play in this game.
Carter and Knight remain the expected starters heading into the year, with Carter set to wear the green dot once again.
After Burks as the LB3, the Bengals truly don’t have many options at linebacker with Swayze Bowman and Shaka Heyward starting this game.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The entirety of the Bengals’ expected starters along the defensive line sat this game out, including Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Myles Murphy, and Shemar Stewart.
2023 second-round pick Isaiah Foskey started this game and played every defensive snap, which is not something you typically see in a preseason game.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Bryan Cook, Jordan Battle, Kyle Dugger, and the projected starting corners all didn’t play in this game.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
LINEBACKER
Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams didn’t play in this game.
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Nathaniel Watson, and Winston Reid started this game at linebacker with the Browns leaning heavily into base personnel with all three linebackers playing every snap of the first drive together.
The second drive saw Watson come off the field, which allowed Mascarenas-Arnold to finish his day following that drive and look like the third linebacker behind Schwesinger and Williams.
Reid and Watson remained in the game much later.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jared Verse, Isaiah McGuire, Alex Wright, Mason Graham, and Maliek Collins didn’t play in this game.
Wright didn’t play after he suffered a torn Achilles in one-on-one drills on Thursday, which will require season-ending surgery.
The Browns will look to McGuire and, potentially, newly signed Derek Barnett to support the pass rush alongside Verse.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman didn’t play in this game.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren started next to Donovan McMillon at safety.
Dynasty managers will likely need to be patient with the emergence of McNeil-Warren for IDP, as Hickman is now in the final year of his contract and is set to at least start the season at safety next to Delpit.
DALLAS COWBOYS
LINEBACKER
DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters didn’t play in this game, marking the second week in a row that we haven’t seen them in the preseason.
There have been reports of a rotation at linebacker in Dallas, though it appears that Overshown and Winters are at the head of that rotation, if it exists.
Rookie Jaishawn Barham made his debut in this game, getting the start next to Shemar James.
Barham played into the second quarter in a near-every-down role, as he did come off for a short stint on the third series, being replaced by Curtis Robinson and Justin Barron before coming back into the game.
Barham should be considered the favorite for the Cowboys’ third linebacker spot, and if there is a true rotation with any of the starters, then he would get more work than expected in his rookie year, though still not likely enough to be IDP-relevant.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Rashan Gary, Quinnen Williams, Von Miller, and Donovan Ezeiruaku didn’t play in this game.
Malachi Lawrence and James Houston got the start, with Lawrence just playing the first drive before his day was done.
Lawrence was able to generate pressure on that drive and could push for a move up the depth chart if he’s able to deliver on his first-round draft capital in Year 1.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Jalen Thompson, Caleb Downs, and Malik Hooker, as well as the expected starting cornerbacks, didn’t play in this game.
DENVER BRONCOS
LINEBACKER
Drew Sanders didn’t play in this game.
Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad got the start once again, and as expected, are the primary options heading into Week 1.
Strnad came off the field for two defensive snaps on that first drive, as he continues to be a deep-league option only for IDP.
Karene Reid and Jordan Turner were the next pairing at linebacker ahead of Red Murdock and Taurean York.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, and Jonathon Cooper got the start in this game, playing the first two drives with the rest of the starters.
Cooper isn’t quite a safe bet just yet for IDP, as he does hold the potential for suspension due to several off-field issues this offseason.
For as long as he’s not suspended, he’s at least a startable IDP option in non-shallow formats.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Ja’Quan McMillian was the starting nickel corner once again this week, though he was used sparingly with the starters.
The Broncos opted for a lot more five-man defensive fronts, which led to McMillian playing just 37% of the defensive snaps through the first two drives with the starters.
Jahdae Baron came on with the backups, playing both wide and in the slot, though the 2025 first-round pick does not appear likely to factor in as an IDP-relevant piece again this season.
DETROIT LIONS
LINEBACKER
Jack Campbell, Jimmy Rolder, and Damone Clark didn’t play in this game.
Derrick Barnes and Devin White started with Malcolm Rodriguez coming on as the third linebacker in base packages.
Barnes played every snap of the first three drives of the game while White played the entire first half (four drives).
Each time Rodriguez rotated in with Barnes and White on the field, Barnes moved to the edge, his primary role last season alongside Campbell and Alex Anzalone.
While Barnes got the starter’s “rest” treatment first in this game, it’s looking like he’ll be the safer bet to start next to Campbell, though he’ll still likely get usage on the edge like last season, specifically when White comes on the field, as Rodriguez did in this one.
Rodriguez played into the second half alongside Trevor Nowaske, which should indicate that he is now behind White on the depth chart.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Aidan Hutchinson, Payton Turner, and Alim McNeil didn’t play in this game.
After both D.J. Wonnum and Derrick Moore sat out last week, they were the starters at EDGE this week.
Both players landed a sack in the first half, though Wonnum was given the starter’s “rest” treatment first, as he’s expected to get the most work after Hutchinson to start the year.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, and Thomas Harper didn’t play in this game.
Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox got the start, and after last week when Clark got the starter’s “rest” treatment over Harper while Joseph, Branch, and Maddox didn’t play, this week it was Maddox who got rested first before Clark.
With Branch and potentially Joseph as well expected to miss the start of the year, Maddox is looking like the first man up to replace one at safety, while Clark would be the second option should both starters miss time.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
LINEBACKER
Zaire Franklin and Edgerrin Cooper started this game.
Both players played every snap of the first two drives of the game before their days were done.
We’ve yet to see an instance of Cooper (the non-green-dot linebacker) rotating off in certain packages, so all looks good for now, though it is just the preseason and we’re not out of the woods yet.
The concern is that defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has not used two full-time linebackers in any of his recent tenures with different teams.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Dani Dennis-Sutton and Javon Hargrave didn’t play in this game.
Lukas Van Ness is the only settled starter at EDGE with Micah Parsons sidelined for at least the first four games of the season.
Van Ness has failed to be an effective IDP through his first three seasons in the league, though he’ll likely see enough volume to be an option in deeper formats for now.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Javon Bullard didn’t play in this game.
Kamal Hadden started at outside corner and worked in the slot with Bullard not available.
Keisean Nixon and Brandon Cisse were the other starting corners, though Cisse only played the first drive while Nixon and Hadden remained in the game after that.
It’s looking like the Packers starting corners in Week 1 will be Nixon and Cisse with Bullard in the slot.
HOUSTON TEXANS
LINEBACKER
Azeez Al-Shaair, Henry To’oTo’o, and E.J. Speed did not play in this game
As was the case in the first preseason game, fourth-round rookie Wade Woodaz started alongside Marte Mapu and Jake Hummel.
Woodaz managed an 80-yard pick-six off of Fernando Mendoza on that first drive, though it didn’t really change his standing for how the team planned to deploy him in this game.
The first drive saw Woodaz and Hummel as the every-down linebackers with Mapu rotating off in non-base personnel.
That rotation changed later in the game as Woodaz didn’t play on the second drive, which could have had more to do with him having to run the entire length of the field just minutes prior, as Hummel and Mapu worked as the every-down linebackers with Jamal Hill as the rotational base linebacker.
The Texans played a lot of Woodaz, Hill, and Aiden Fisher for the rest of the first half after Hummel and Mapu’s day was done at the conclusion of the first quarter, signifying that they got the starter's “rest” treatment first.
Woodaz even worked as the base personnel rotational third linebacker next to every-down linebackers Hill and Fisher in the second quarter.
For now, Jake Hummel may get the first nod as the team’s LB3 with Speed expected to miss significant time, but despite Woodaz’s great game, he hasn’t locked down that role himself just yet.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, Sheldon Rankins, and Tommy Togiai didn’t play in this game.
Newly-signed Jadeveon Clowney got the start in this one, alongside Dylan Horton with Logan Hall and Mario Edwards Jr. on the interior.
Clowney recorded two pressures on his 12 snaps and should be considered a lock for that third EDGE spot in this defense.
Rookie second-round pick Kayden McDonald came in on the second defensive drive of the game, playing 21 total snaps, and registering a sack.
McDonald will have to contend with Rankins and Togiai for playing time, so he’ll remain just a DT-required league stash for now.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Jalen Pitre, Calen Bullock, Kamari Ramsey, and M.J. Stewart didn’t play in this game.
Ramsey was the highest-graded rookie IDP in preseason Week 1, per PFF, though he didn’t suit up for this game, which was somewhat interesting considering that Reed Blankenship was active and played the first 11 defensive snaps of this game.
Blankenship played only about two-and-a-half drives in this game before his day was done.
It’s possible that Blankenship only played with the backups since the team was without four safeties in this game, and he didn’t play last week, so potentially just getting reps.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
LINEBACKER
Akeem Davis-Gaither didn’t play in this game.
Jaylon Carlies and Austin Ajiake started this game at linebacker, though they rotated the first four drives by pairing with CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher playing the second drive.
Allen and Boettcher ended up playing two consecutive drives on the fourth and fifth series, though that was likely because their drives tended to be shorter than Carlies/Ajiake’s drives in the first half.
Allen and Carlies started the second half together, though Allen played just the first three snaps of the third quarter before his day was done and he was replaced on that drive by Ajiake.
Boettcher and West Weeks were the next starters after Carlies and Ajiake were done for the day.
This linebacker corps is a hot mess at the moment, and we haven’t even seen how Davis-Gaither will factor in yet.
There could be a rotation to start the season, as has been the case in camp with Allen missing a large chunk of time due to injuries, which makes this group one to potentially wait on in drafts.
Davis-Gaither might be the safest bet early in the year, though as Allen gets healthy and acclimated to the defense, specifically the first-team defense, he should emerge as the LB1 there for IDP.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Laiatu Latu, DeForest Buckner, Arden Key, and Grover Stewart didn’t play in this game.
Michael Clemons and JT Tuimolaoau started this game on the edge, though there shouldn’t be much of an IDP expectation outside of Latu and Buckner.
DEFENSIVE BACK
A.J. Haulcy, Cam Bynum, Justin Walley, Charvarius Ward, and Sauce Gardner all didn’t play in this game.
That’s the expected starting secondary, and it would have been nice to at least see a hint of how Lou Anaroumo plans on deploying his safeties, but it looks like we might have to wait until Week 1 for that.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
LINEBACKER
Foyesade Oluokun and Jack Kiser didn’t play in this game.
Branson Combs and Ventrell Miller were the starting linebackers, with Combs wearing the green dot.
Miller came off the field on the first third down of the game, with Combs operating as the lone linebacker, in which he generated a pressure and forced an incompletion on the play.
Combs and Miller both played every down of the next series together before their days were done.
Jahlani Tavai and Amari Burney came into the game next.
It’s possible that Combs has surpassed Miller on the depth chart, though with Miller playing his usual role, and Combs operating as Oluokun’s direct replacement in this game, it’s also possible that Combs was just a placeholder while Miller got his usual/expected work.
Either way, both are worth rostering in deeper formats for now, and once we have clarity in Week 1 or earlier, the starter can be kept while the other is dropped.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, and Dennis Gardeck didn’t play in this game.
The Jaguars are incredibly thin at defensive end, as Gardeck isn’t a true starting option in that role should Hines-Allen or Walker miss time.
B.J. Green II and Danny Strigow were the starters in this one, though neither is IDP-relevant.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Travis Hunter, Antonio Johnson, Eric Murray, Jourdan Lewis, and the rest of the expected starting corners didn’t play in this game.
Hunter is the clear top option to roster for IDP (as long as your league registers him as a CB and allows offensive points), while the rest can be treated as usable DBs in non-shallow formats.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
LINEBACKER
Drue Tranquill didn’t play in this game.
Jeffery Bassa joined Nick Bolton in the starting lineup, playing an every-down role together through the first two drives.
Bassa remained in the game after Bolton’s day was done.
DEFENSIVE LINE
George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah started this game.
Anudike-Uzomah has reportedly been having a nice camp after missing all of last season, and as was the case last week, he appears to be the front-runner to start along with Karlaftis on the edge.
Anudike-Uzomah even had a very effective game as a pass rusher, earning a 90.6 PFF pass-rush grade to go along with five total pressures and a sack on 16 pass-rush attempts.
Anudike-Uzomah is looking like a potential sleeper option for the 2026 season if he can keep this job locked down.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Alohi Gilman and Chamarri Conner didn’t play in this game.
Christian Roland-Wallace appeared to get the nod ahead of Kader Kohou for the starting nickel role.
Roland-Wallace played between Nohl Williams and Mansoor Delane with the starters, and played an every-down role, splitting time in the slot and at safety.
Fourth-round rookie Jadon Canady also got in work in the slot ahead of Kohou’s first appearance, which should signify that the starting slot role is potentially out of Kohou’s reach for the early part of the year.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
LINEBACKER
Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker didn’t play in this game.
Tommy Eichenberg and Cody Lindenberg started this game.
Eichenberg is looking like the clear LB3 in this defense, and potential next man up in case of injury, as he played just 17 snaps in this game compared to Lindenberg’s 40.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Maxx Crosby and Kwity Paye didn’t play in this game.
After playing the first drive last week, Paye sat this one out, which left Malcolm Koonce and Patrick Johnson as the starters for the Raiders at EDGE.
Not that there was any question about it, but it seems pretty clear that Paye will start the year next to Crosby and could be a fine volume-based play for non-shallow IDP formats.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Jeremy Chinn, Isaiah Pola-Mao, and Taron Johnson didn’t play in this game.
Rookie second-round pick Treydan Stukes started this game at safety alongside Tristin McCollum after Stukes played almost exclusively in the slot last week behind Taron Johnson.
Dalton Johnson rotated in as the nickel defender on the early drives while Stukes was lined up at safety.
Stukes played mostly safety in the first quarter, but exclusively in the slot in the second quarter when Dalton Johnson and McCollum played safety.
Stukes looks like he has multiple paths to snaps as a rookie, serving as the primary third safety/next man up and as Taron Johnson’s potential replacement at nickel if needed.
Stukes remains a taxi stash in dynasty, if you’re into holding DBs, but it’s encouraging to see multiple paths to playing time in Year 1.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
LINEBACKER
Daiyan Henley and Denzel Perryman started this game after both sitting out last week.
Henley operated as the clear every-down linebacker while he was in the game, though Perryman rotated off the field for two snaps, being replaced by Troy Dye in obvious passing situations.
This would indicate that Perryman is really only going to be an option in deep IDP formats, while Dye is at least the next man up in case of injury.
Dye and Del’Shawn Phillips operated as the linebackers once Henley and Perryman were done for the day.
Junior Colson added another nail to his coffin, as he came in after Dye and Phillips, signifying that the coaching staff is not even toying with the idea of Colson as a starter.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Khalil Mack and Akheem Mesidor didn’t play in this game.
Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree started at EDGE, each playing the first drive (83%).
Mack and Mesidor are both expected to start ahead of Dupree, though it’s worth noting that Dupree found some success in this game, generating two pressures and an 89.3 PFF pass-rush grade.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Derwin James, Tarheeb Still, and Donte Jackson didn’t play in this game.
It’s possible that Jackson is pushing for a starting outside corner spot, as Cam Hart started this game but rotated out on the first drive in favor of Avery Smith.
It’s unclear whether Hart was banged up and needed a breather, or if the team isn’t sold on him as a starter.
Hart came back in and finished the first drive before his day was done.
Elijah Molden and Tony Jefferson were the starting safeties, with Jefferson playing an additional drive.
Nikko Reed got the first looks as the team’s nickel defender with James not playing.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
LINEBACKER
Nate Landman, Omar Speights, and Shaun Dolac, among others, didn’t play in this game.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a name you recognize amongst this Rams’ preseason Week 2 lineup.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and many more potential starters didn’t play in this game.
There’s no chance that the Rams will play any IDP-relevant options in the final week of the preseason.
DEFENSIVE BACK
You guessed it; none of the expected starters or even their immediate backups played in this game.
It would have been nice to see maybe one series with even some of the starters, but we should know by now that that’s not how the Rams do things.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
LINEBACKER
Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson didn’t play in this game.
Jacob Rodriguez manned the green dot for the first drive only, before his day was done.
As expected, Dodson will start the year next to Brooks, though the expectation is that Rodriguez will eventually take over.
Kyle Louis got in some work on the first drive along with Ronnie Harrison as well, and ahead of Willie Gay Jr., which wasn’t the case last week.
Louis had some interesting usage this week, which you’ll see more of in the defensive back section for Miami.
Trey Moore suffered an injury after just two snaps and didn’t return to the game.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Chop Robinson, Zach Sieler, Josh Uche, and Clelin Ferrell didn’t play in this game.
David Ojabo and Max Llewellyn started at EDGE, though they didn’t show much in their opportunities, playing about half the game.
DEFENSIVE BACK
As noted last week, rookie first-round cornerback Chris Johnson looks like he should have real IDP value as the team’s full-time starter.
Johnson once again split his snaps outside and in the slot with the starters, which should provide decent value in CB-required formats.
Dante Trader Jr. didn’t play last week and looked like his role as a locked-in starter was set; however, he was active this week and didn’t start the game as rookie Michael Taaffe and Zayne Anderson got the nod.
Taaffe wasn’t full-time with the starters, however, as rookie Kyle Louis got in plenty of work at safety and in the slot while he was on the field, playing 28% at safety and 56% in the slot on top of his linebacker work.
Trader, meanwhile, didn’t come into the game until late in the first quarter, working behind Anderson, Taaffe, and technically Louis as well.
We have seemingly reached the point where we can avoid the Miami safeties again until we get clarity on the position.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
LINEBACKER
Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson didn’t play in this game.
Ivan Pace started this game alongside rookie Jake Golday.
Pace played every down of the first two drives while Golday played into the second quarter before their days were done.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Dallas Turner, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jalen Redmond, and Levi Drake Rodriguez didn’t play in this game.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Chaz Chambliss got the start on the edge, though they shouldn’t be of interest for IDP this season, barring major injuries to Turner and/or Van Ginkel.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Jakobe Thomas didn’t play in this game.
Cornerback James Pierre was the lone expected starter who got work in this one, playing just the first two drives (seven snaps) before his day was done.
Rookie third-round pick Jakobe Thomas has a shot to be the third safety in Brian Flores’ defense following the departure of Harrison Smith and injury to Jamal Adams.
Flores has leaned into more three-safety looks in the past, so depending on the snap share and deployment, Thomas could end up being a valuable IDP in non-shallow formats.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
LINEBACKER
Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss didn’t play in this game as the clear expected starters.
The backup linebacker spots appear to be up for grabs still as Chad Muma and Khalil Jacobs started this one, though Muma played late into this game in an every-down role.
Jacobs played until the end of the first half as a rotational piece, playing just nine snaps total as the Patriots stayed lean at linebacker through the first two quarters.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Harold Landry, Dre’Mont Jones, Milton Williams, and Christian Barmore didn’t play in this game.
Second-round rookie Gabe Jacas got the start for the second-straight week, playing a total of 37 defensive snaps, generating just one pressure on his 19 pass-rush attempts.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson, and Marcus Jones didn’t play in this game.
Dell Pettus started alongside John Saunders Jr., while Mike Brown didn’t come in until later.
Brown got the start last week, so it seems he’s fallen a bit on the depth chart.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
LINEBACKER
Kaden Elliss, Pete Werner, and Danny Stutsman all sat this game out, as was the case last week as well.
Jaylan Ford and Isaiah Stalbird got the start again as they battle it out for roster spots.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cam Jordan, and the projected interior defensive linemen didn’t play in this game.
Outside of the expected starting three EDGEs, the Saints don’t offer any enticing names for IDP purposes this season.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon, Jonas Sanker, and the starting corners didn’t play in this game.
This was the case last week as well, so it’ll likely be a guessing game heading into Week 1 just how much of a role Sanker will play in this defense as the starting STAR defender.
NEW YORK GIANTS
LINEBACKER
Tremaine Edmunds didn’t play in this game.
Micah McFadden wore the green dot next to Arvell Reese.
Reese played every snap of the first two drives before his day was done.
McFadden played the rest of the first half next to Jack Kelly.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux didn’t play in this game.
Chauncey Golston and Khalid Kareem were the starters at defensive end, though there’s not much room for them to see the field when all the starters are active.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Jevon Holland didn’t play in this game.
Last week was a bit of an odd one for the safety group, as Tyler Nubin’s role seemed somewhat undecided by the new coaching staff.
Nubin stayed on for a few more snaps after Ar’Darius Washington’s day was done last week, but this week, Nubin started alongside Jason Pinnock, who was the third man up in the rotation last week.
Washington didn’t come into the game until the third drive in place of Pinnock, and alongside Nubin again.
This began a rotation to finish out the first half: Pinnock and Washington, Nubin and Washington, and Pinnock and Washington on the final first-half drive.
Nubin is looking like a risky bet to make early at the safety position right now, and even though he’s still likely the favorite to start next to Holland, it’s difficult to ignore the coaching staff’s uncertainty that they’re showing by trying out all these guys for that role.
We’ll get one more week to see how this shakes out, but in the meantime, Nubin will drop a bit further in the rankings.
NEW YORK JETS
LINEBACKER
Demario Davis and Jamien Sherwood were the starters at linebacker, playing the first three defensive series together.
Davis left the game for one play on that third drive, potentially getting banged up, but came back in and finished the drive; otherwise, both players played every-down roles, with Davis wearing the green dot.
Sherwood remained in the game for one more series alongside Marcelino McCrary-Ball before his day was done.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Joseph Ossai and T’Vondre Sweat didn’t play in this game.
Kingsley Enagbare got the start at EDGE along with second-overall pick David Bailey.
It’s looking possible that Enagbare may be the more trusted option by the Jets’ coaching staff over Will McDonald, who didn’t enter the game until the third defensive series.
McDonald has typically been a pass-rush specialist, and with Ossai and Enagbare potentially offering more on early downs, this could be the team signaling to us that McDonald’s role will remain a limited one for IDP, making him a very boom-bust option.
Meanwhile, Bailey delivered a pressure and a sack on his five pass-rush attempts in this game and should be the top Jets’ defensive linemen drafted for IDP this year.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dane Belton were the starters at safety in this game, ahead of Andre Cisco and Malachi Moore.
Fitzpatrick’s day ended just short of the conclusion of the third drive, when he was replaced by Cisco, who promptly finished that drive with an interception on just his third defensive snap.
Belton finished out the third drive, playing an every-down role before ceding way to Cisco and Moore as the second-team defense.
Belton now appears to be the expected starter at safety, which is a positive for IDP, after he led the position in Tackles versus Expected last season.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
LINEBACKER
Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell didn’t play in this game.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. got the start in their absence, as they appear to be the clear backups heading into Week 1.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jonathan Greenard, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and more all didn’t suit up for this one.
A.J. Epenesa and Arnold Ebiketie got a chance to start, though neither player generated anything from a pass-rush standpoint, and they’ll just be depth pieces for the Eagles this season.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Cooper DeJean, Andrew Mukuba, and Marcus Epps didn’t play in this game.
Michael Carter II operated as the primary nickel defender in DeJean’s absence.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
LINEBACKER
Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson both started this game, playing all three first-half defensive drives with the starters.
Wilson came off the field on the lone third-and-long on that first drive against the Jets’ first-team offense.
Wilson did not come off the field on third-and-long on the second drive against the Jets’ second-team offense.
I don’t think we should be expecting Wilson to play an every-down role in the regular season, as obvious passing downs are one of the areas we should expect to see him lose snaps.
It’s unclear if there will be any other areas that Wilson loses snaps to other rotational linebackers, as that at least hasn’t been shown this preseason.
Wilson should be drafted more as an LB4, once all every-down linebackers come off the board.
Cole Holcomb and Carson Bruener played the first defensive series once Queen and Wilson were done for the day.
Elandon Roberts rotated with Bruener in the series after that alongside Holcomb.
DEFENSIVE LINE
T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward didn’t play in this game.
Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig were the starters on the edge, playing the first three drives with the starters.
Highsmith was limited to 14 of 19 possible snaps while Herbig played 18 snaps.
Herbig generated two pressures, and if Watt and/or Highsmith miss any time, he’ll be a priority waiver add once again this season.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Jaquan Brisker, Jalen Ramsey, and Joey Porter Jr. didn’t play in this game.
DeShon Elliott and Rayshawn Jenkins were the starting safeties through the first three defensive drives.
Elliott played primarily deep (74%) while Jenkins played just half of his defensive snaps from a deep alignment and 53% in the box, compared to Elliott’s 11% in the box.
We likely won’t know the true planned deployment of the starting safeties until Brisker and Elliott are on the field together, though it at least appears more likely that Brisker could get the more favorable role.
This isn’t ideal for Elliott, but he’s also been a top-tier performer in Tackles versus Expected for several seasons now, and is certainly capable of overcoming an unideal alignment to return strong IDP value.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
LINEBACKER
Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw didn’t play in this game.
Nick Martin, Jaden Dugger, and Garret Wallow started this game at linebacker for the 49ers.
This trio played the entire first half together, with Dugger and Wallow playing every-down roles and Martin frequently rotating off in obvious passing situations.
Martin also stayed in the game into the second half while Dugger and Wallow’s days were done, likely solidifying their spots ahead of the 2025 third-round pick on the depth chart.
Martin played next to Tatum Bethune for most of the second half, which also further reinforces last week’s advice to drop Bethune, for those that have been holding him after his usefulness last year.
Adding to the mess, the 49ers traded for Deion Jones to add to the already crowded linebacker room on Sunday night.
DEFENSIVE LINE
As was the case last week, Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams sat out this game.
After Romello Height and Ogbo Okoronkwo started the game at EDGE last week, this week it was Height and Sam Okuayinonu.
Okuayinonu didn’t play in last week’s game, so the coaching staff playing him over the established veteran Okoronkwo is interesting enough for this depth chart.
Outside of Bosa and Williams, it’s unlikely there will be any IDP value from the 49ers’ EDGEs, but for those super deep leagues, knowing the next man up could be important as both starters are currently not at 100% health.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Malik Mustapha was the lone expected starter at defensive back that didn’t play in this game.
Marques Sigle and Ja’Ayir Brown, who are battling for that second starting spot next to Mustapha, started this game, playing the first four drives of the game.
Upton Stout also played with the starters through the first four drives of the game, though he was only used on 50% of the defensive snaps against the Chargers’ 12-personnel-heavy offense.
While this usage is concerning for Stout’s expected snap increase in Year 2, it’s also worth noting that the 49ers played a much higher rate of base defense (three linebackers) than we’d expect from a regular-season defense, and could be a result of preseason “vanilla” defense tendencies from most teams.
If that usage somehow continues into the regular season, then Stout’s CB1 potential is pretty much dead, but more base defense is not a recipe for success and often just a result of the preseason more than anything.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
LINEBACKER
Ernest Jones, Drake Thomas, and Tyrice Knight did not play in this game.
Chris Paul Jr. and Chazz Surratt started this game and played the entire first half together.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, and Byron Murphy Jr. didn’t play in this game.
Jared Ivey and Brandon Pili started this game on the edge and, even in the case of injury to one of the starters, are unlikely to carry much IDP value.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Julian Love, Nick Emmanwori, and the Seahawks’ starting cornerbacks didn’t play in this game.
Second-round pick Bud Clark started in this game, suffering an injury that required him to get carted off after just one snap.
Unfortunately, it seems like the young safety out of TCU will likely miss his entire rookie year.
Clark was set to start the season as a backup to Ty Okada, with the potential to earn a starting role next season or even work as a nickel defender as needed in Year 1, but this will obviously delay his development at the next level.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
LINEBACKER
Christian Rozeboom and SirVocea Dennis didn’t play in this game.
Alex Anzalone and Josiah Trotter were the starters, playing the first two drives together in every-down roles.
Anzalone wore the green dot, as is expected in-season, though it’s unclear who his top running mate will be as we’ve yet to see Trotter, Dennis, and Rozeboom together this preseason.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Rueben Bain Jr. made his NFL debut in this one, playing just six defensive snaps (first two drives).
Bain rushed the passer on just two of those snaps and was able to generate a pressure and a 90.4 PFF pass-rush grade.
It was also encouraging to see Calijah Kancey get in work coming off a season-ending injury last year.
Kancey also played just the first six defensive snaps of this game before his day was done.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Both Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr. started at safety, while Keionte Scott got the start in the slot, with Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum playing exclusively outside through the first two drives.
Scott played four of a possible six defensive snaps (67%) with the starters, which is typical nickel-defender usage and will likely keep his IDP value in check at times.
Meanwhile, Parrish’s IDP value takes a hit here as he’s moved exclusively outside, and no longer holds that prime usage to raise his production ceiling.
Winfield Jr. and Smith’s usage was decent for both players, though Smith did get the slightly better deployment, as was the case last year.
Smith played 50% of his snaps in the box and just one of six deep.
Winfield Jr. played 50% of his snaps deep.
TENNESSEE TITANS
LINEBACKER
Cody Barton and Cedric Gray were the starting linebackers, as was the case last week and as is expected for Week 1.
James Williams joined Barton and Gray in base personnel with the starting defense, which was the case for 50% of the snaps through the first drive while Barton and Gray played every snap.
Williams did not play on the second drive with Barton and Gray, who once again played every snap.
Barton’s day was done at the end of the first quarter as he was then replaced by second-round rookie Anthony Hill Jr., who also wore the green dot next to Gray.
It’s a bit peculiar that Gray stayed in the game after all the other starters came out, especially when both Hill and Williams were available and also played, but it was only one additional drive, so I’m not panicking, but followers of my rankings know that I have my concerns with the situation, and this is just a little “sus” as the kids might say.
That being said, he’s a fringe LB1 heading into 2026 with no true rotation showing here in the preseason, but we’ll continue to monitor the situation.
Hill and Williams played into the second half together.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jermaine Johnson, Jacob Martin, and even Jeffery Simmons all got work to start this game, playing the first three drives with the starters.
The Titans’ first-team defense struggled against the Seattle backups, so it wasn’t the most encouraging outing for this unit, but we’ll see if they can acclimate to the new defense relatively quickly once the season truly begins.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Kevin Winston Jr. and Amani Hooker started at safety again, playing the first three drives with the starters.
Winston’s usage this week was slightly more encouraging than last week as he played more in the box and closer to the line of scrimmage than Hooker.
This felt like a very basic preseason defense with a lot of base personnel used, and nothing too exotic for the safeties, so I’m not banking on this usage as a template for the regular season.
I still expect Winston to get the more ideal IDP usage and be a strong asset for lineups this season.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
LINEBACKER
Frankie Luvu wore the green dot and started this game alongside Sonny Styles.
Luvu didn’t play last week, and he played only the first defensive series in this game, which lasted all of two snaps.
Luvu and Styles appear to be the locked-in starters at linebacker, as Leo Chenal came on for the second drive.
Styles played the entirety of the first quarter in an every-down role before his day was done.
Chenal played into the second quarter alongside Ale Kaho, though Chenal only played half of that drive before being replaced by Kain Medrano to end his day.
DEFENSIVE LINE
K’Lavon Chaisson, Deatrich Wise, Dorance Armstrong, Drake Jackson, Daron Payne, Tim Settle, and Odafe Oweh all didn’t play in this game.
Javon Kinlaw was the only active defensive lineman in this one that got the true “starters” treatment, playing only the first drive (two snaps) before his day was done.
DEFENSIVE BACK
As indicated last week, Nick Cross and Jeremy Reaves appear to be the starters at safety, with Reaves beating out Quan Martin and Will Harris for the role.
Cross is going to be the preferred option as he’ll likely line up closer to the line of scrimmage, while also coming with the pedigree of finishing as the overall S1 last season.
Reaves will be the much cheaper option for those in need, as he’s not even being drafted at the moment and will likely be free even in deeper leagues.
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