With 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 coming out of this third and final week.
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, Jack Gibbens, and Cody Simon didn’t play in this game.
Owen Pappoe and Karson Sharar started at linebacker, with neither player likely to factor in for IDP this season barring multiple injuries at the top of the depth chart.
Wilson and Gibbens are the expected starters, with Wilson wearing the green dot and Gibbens likely to rotate off in certain situations, specifically, obvious passing downs.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, Baron Browning, Walter Nolen, and the rest of the expected Cardinals’ DL starters didn’t play in this game.
IDP managers need not concern themselves with the likes of the starting DLs in this game, which includes BJ Ojulari and Jonah Williams.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Budda Baker, Andrew Wingard, and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson didn’t play in this game.
Baker and Wingard remain the clear expected starters at safety, with Wingard coming at a much lower price in drafts for those looking to grab a startable IDP safety at a deep discount.
ATLANTA FALCONS
LINEBACKER
JD Bertrand was the lone Falcons linebacker that didn’t play in this game.
Divine Deablo is back healthy and got the start with the green dot in this game.
It was rookie Harold Perkins Jr. who got the first snap next to Deablo to start the game, though Kendal Daniels replaced him on the very next snap.
Perkins then played the two consecutive third-down plays to close out that first drive.
The rookie duo continued to rotate next to Deablo on the second drive, with Daniels playing the first two snaps before the rotation began.
Deablo’s day was done by the third defensive series, which saw Daniels take over the green dot again while Perkins and Christian Harris rotated in that second spot, which continued for three more defensive series before Daniels and Perkins were done for the day.
The main takeaway here is that Deablo will be the green dot as expected, but the LB2 role figures to be a pretty heavy rotation between the rookies, making either Daniels or Perkins deep-league targets only.
Daniels holds more upside as the next man up to wear the green dot, should anything happen to Deablo to cause him to miss time, but he’ll remain ranked just outside the top-50 IDP linebackers heading into Week 1.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Za’Darius Smith didn’t play in this game.
Samson Ebukam and Cameron Thomas started this game at EDGE, playing all available snaps through the first two drives of the game.
With Jalon Walker done for the year and James Pearce Jr. suspended for the first eight games, it looks like Ebukam and Thomas are set to begin the year and get decent volume for deeper IDP formats.
The Falcons acquired Gervon Dexter Sr. from Chicago, and he should factor into the starting interior rotation next to Brandon Dorlus.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Jessie Bates and Billy Bowman Jr. didn’t play in this game.
With Bowman’s status for Week 1 still up in the air as he’s battling back from a torn Achilles, rookie Avieon Terrell worked as the primary nickel defender.
Terrell could end up with a decent role for CB-required formats if Bowman Jr. isn’t ready for Week 1.
With Bowman Jr. seemingly avoiding the PUP list, he should be back relatively soon.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
LINEBACKER
Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, and Teddye Buchanan didn’t play in this game.
Buchanan’s availability for Week 1 is still up in the air as he pushes to return from a torn ACL.
The fact that Buchanan is as close as he is bodes well for him getting back into non-shallow IDP lineups, but in the meantime, Simpson should work as a fill-in option in those same formats.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Trey Hendrickson, Tavius Robinson, Mike Green, Zion Young, and Nnamdi Madubuike didn’t play in this game.
Madubuike is recovering from a neck injury that also puts his Week 1 availability at risk, though he at least appears close.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, and the Ravens’ starting corners didn’t play in this game.
BUFFALO BILLS
LINEBACKER
The Bills didn’t play their starters in this game, which included Terrel Bernard and potentially Dorian Williams.
Williams was clearly behind rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr last week, but Elarms-Orr started this game while Williams had the day off with the starters.
Whether this was due to the team giving the rookie more planned reps, or if they’ve gone back to Williams as a starter, isn’t fully clear, but it’s at least a dent in the armor of Elarms-Orr as the preferred LB2 in Buffalo.
Williams has been unable to hold a starting role before, and considering the team’s uncertainty that they’ve shown this preseason, I’d still likely prefer Elarms-Orr in drafts, but for the early part of the year, we may have to see more Williams at first.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, and Ed Oliver didn’t play in this game.
Rookie second-round pick T.J. Parker has put together a solid preseason in limited action.
He started this one, playing every snap of the first three drives before his day was done.
Parker delivered a 91.5 PFF pass-rush grade in this game, finishing the preseason with a very strong 87.4 pass-rush grade, four pressures, and a sack on 37 pass-rush snaps.
DEFENSIVE BACK
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Cole Bishop, Dee Alford, and Christian Benford didn’t play in this game.
Geno Stone and Damar Hamlin were the starting safeties in this game as they are the most likely backups at this point, should they make the final roster.
Neither player needs to be rostered in IDP this year.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
LINEBACKER
Devin Lloyd didn’t play in this game.
The Panthers signed free agent linebacker Bobby Okereke on Sunday, essentially solidifying that LB2 role, which was previously between Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace.
Cherelus and Wallace started this game and played together through the first three drives.
Wallace did not make the Panthers’ 53-man roster.
The Bobby Okereke signing really helped solidify the pecking order amongst this Panthers’ LB corps.
Now that Okereke is with the team, we can target Okereke, likely in non-shallow formats to start.
It’s possible that Okereke doesn’t play an every-down role, as defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has typically run more one-linebacker looks.
Ultimately, the LB2 role should remain steady now at the very least with Okereke in the mix, and he should get up over 80% of snaps at some point sooner rather than later.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jaelan Phillips, Derrick Brown, Pat Jones, and Princely Umanmielen didn’t play in this game.
The team is likely settled on who the starting ED2 will be next to Phillips, and all signs have pointed toward Jones, at least to start the year.
Umanmielen remains a decent sleeper option with greater upside as a pass rusher if he continues to develop in Year 2.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Nick Scott and Trevon Moehrig didn’t play in this game.
The starting safeties are set with rookie Zakee Wheatley and second-year Lathan Ransom locked in as the backups to start the year, as they both played and started this game.
CHICAGO BEARS
LINEBACKER
Devin Bush and D’Marco Jackson didn’t play in this game.
T.J. Edwards has been dealing with a calf injury in training camp, which has kept him from getting in valuable reps.
That’s likely what caused him to start this game, play 12 snaps (and rack up five total tackles) before his day was done.
Edwards and Bush are set to start the year with Jackson as the LB3.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Montez Sweat didn’t play in this game, and neither did Gervon Dexter, who the team traded to Atlanta on Sunday.
The Bears are not exactly strong on the defensive interior, so it was a bit peculiar to see them move on from one of their top options.
DEFENSIVE BACK
After two games of Cam Lewis being treated as the starter ahead of Xavier Woods to replace Coby Bryant, that flipped this week.
Woods now appears to be the front-runner to start the season next to rookie Dillon Thieneman.
Thieneman played 12 snaps in this one, continuing to get the more ideal usage amongst the safety group.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
LINEBACKER
Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight Jr., and Oren Burks didn’t play in this game.
Shaka Heyward and Swayze Bowman were the starting linebackers in this game, as was the case last week.
DEFENSIVE LINE
None of the Bengals expected starters on the defensive line appeared in this game.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Much like the other positions, the Bengals didn’t play any of their expected starters at defensive back in this one.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
LINEBACKER
Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams didn’t play in this game.
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Winston Reid, and Justin Jefferson started this game.
This was a positive development for Jefferson, specifically, who has been behind Nathaniel Watson in previous preseason games.
Not that Jefferson is likely to factor into 2026 IDP lineups, but it’s always encouraging to see a rookie move up the depth chart.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jared Verse, Derek Barnett, Isaiah McGuire, Mike Hall, Mason Graham, and Maliek Collins didn’t play in this game.
The Browns were not risking any more injuries to potential starters after losing Alex Wright for the season, so it was Julian Okwara and Khordae Sydnor at EDGE in this game.
McGuire should get the nod to start in place of Wright this year, though Barnett and Hall should factor into the rotation.
DEFENSIVE BACK
None of the expected starting DBs played in this game.
Rookie second-round pick Emmanuel McNeil-Warren started with the backups in this one.
This just further cements the plan that McNeil-Warren can remain on dynasty taxi squads until he takes over an every-down role from Ronnie Hickman, either later this year or next season.
DALLAS COWBOYS
LINEBACKER
DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters didn’t play in this game.
Jaishawn Barham and Shemar James got the start, along with Marist Liufau, who operated as the LB3 on base downs.
Barham should make a push for the starting lineup; even if not ahead of Overshown or Winters, there’s room for him to get work on base downs and potentially earn a larger role as the season goes on.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Cowboys didn’t play any of their expected starters along the defensive line.
DEFENSIVE BACK
We saw Caleb Downs in Preseason Week 1, but nothing since, as he, Malik Hooker, and Jalen Thompson didn’t play in this game.
Downs is locked in with the starters, though we’ll just monitor his exact deployment in Week 1 to see where he spends his non-slot snaps.
DENVER BRONCOS
LINEBACKER
Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad, and Drew Sanders didn’t play in this game.
Karene Reid and Jordan Turner were the starting linebackers.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen didn’t suit up for this game.
Jonathon Cooper played the first eight defensive snaps of the game, really as the only expected starter to see the field in this one.
The team appeared to be bracing for a suspension for Cooper, and news came down on Sunday that he’s been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, as he awaits that suspension.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, and Ja’Quan McMillian didn’t play in this game.
Jahdae Barron started with the backups, getting work outside and in the slot, though he won’t be an IDP option barring an injury to one of the starting corners this season.
DETROIT LIONS
LINEBACKER
Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Devin White, and Malcolm Rodriguez didn’t play in this game.
Barnes appears to be the LB2 from this bunch at the moment, with White likely to factor in on base downs as the LB3.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Aidan Hutchinson, D.J. Wonnum, and Alim McNeil didn’t play in this game.
Levi Onwuzirike did appear as a starter in this one, totaling 17 defensive snaps before his day was done.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are both set to start the year on the PUP list, meaning that they’ll both miss the first four games of the regular season.
Avonte Maddox and Chuck Clark are set to be the fill-in options while the starters are out.
Maddox has been given more of the ideal IDP usage from this duo, and would be the preferred target of the two for now.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
LINEBACKER
Zaire Franklin, Edgerrin Cooper, and Isaiah McDuffie didn’t play in this game.
2024 third-round linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper got the start next to veteran Nick Niemann in this game.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Lukas Van Ness and Barryn Sorrell didn’t play in this game.
With Micah Parsons on the PUP list, Van Ness and Sorrell are the expected starters at EDGE for Week 1.
However, rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton started this game and looked great, delivering five pressures, which included a sack and a QB hit for an 80.7 pass-rush grade on 22 pass-rush attempts.
Dennis-Sutton remains one of the stronger rookie sleepers at the position this year, and if he continues to play as well as he did in this one, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start next to Parsons later in the year.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, and the expected starting corners didn’t play in this game.
HOUSTON TEXANS
LINEBACKER
Azeez Al-Shaair, Henry To’oTo’o, Jake Hummel, E.J. Speed, Jake Hansen, and Wade Woodaz didn’t play in this game.
Unless Speed lands on injured reserve, it seems likely that those who didn’t dress for this one are the only linebackers to make the team, which leaves those who played in this one on the outside looking in.
Seventh-round rookie Aiden Fisher played every snap of this game and would likely need Speed to land on injured reserve to make the roster, if I had to guess.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, and Jadeveon Clowney didn’t play in this game.
None of the defensive linemen that played in this game, including Kayden McDonald, are likely to make an IDP impact in 2026.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Jalen Pitre, Calen Bullock, Kamari Ramsey, M.J. Stewart, and Reed Blankenship didn’t play in this game.
Blankenship was the lone safety from this group who played last week, which was a bit peculiar, and he's still worth monitoring heading into Week 1 to see if he lost any snaps, since we didn’t get any hints of that this week.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
LINEBACKER
Jaylon Carlies and Akeem Davis-Gaither started this game at linebacker, marking the first appearance of Davis-Gaither this preseason.
Davis-Gaither was the lone linebacker to get the true “starter” treatment in this one as he only played the first drive (four defensive snaps).
The pairing of Carlies and Austin Ajiake played the next drive together in every-down roles once Davis-Gaither came out.
C.J. Allen and Bryce Boettcher rotated in as the second pairing on the third drive, similar to last week, when the team rotated the linebackers by pairing and drive.
Carlies and Ajiake came in the game after Allen and Boettcher’s long drive together to close out the first half.
Carlies’ day was done at the end of the first half.
Ajiake stayed in for a quick drive alongside Allen to open the second half, though his day was done shortly after while Allen and Boettcher played into the fourth quarter.
This is obviously a disastrous group to avoid right now, as the rotation will more than likely carry over into the regular season, at least to start.
Davis-Gaither is the safest bet in Week 1.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Laiatu Latu, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, and Arden Key played the first drive (four defensive snaps) before their days were done.
This is the expected starting group for Week 1 and the only real targets for IDP purposes.
DEFENSIVE BACK
A.J. Haulcy didn’t play in this game.
Cam Bynum and Hunter Wohler were the starting safeties.
With Haulcy out, Wohler operated as his direct backup, which could be useful information should Haulcy continue to miss time as we reach Week 1.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
LINEBACKER
Foyesade Oluokun, Branson Combs, and Ventrell Miller didn’t play in this game.
As we hoped for more clarity on the LB2 role, we unfortunately didn’t get that this week with Combs and Miller not playing.
It’s a toss-up at this point for who will start the year next to Oluokun, but if I had to pick one, it seems like Combs making up real ground in order to even compete for this spot is enough for me to take my swings on him first.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Several defensive tackles, including Davon Hamilton and Arik Armstead, didn’t play in this game.
With Ruke Orhororo playing in this one, it puts his starting potential at risk.
The Jaguars traded for the former second-round pick this offseason, and while it was looking like he was in line to start, it’s possible that he’ll be part of a rotation at best.
This is only relevant for deep DT-required formats, but they deserve some love as well.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Travis Hunter, Antonio Johnson, Eric Murray, Jourdan Lewis, and the rest of the expected starting corners didn’t play in this game.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
LINEBACKER
Drue Tranquill didn’t play in this game.
Nick Bolton played the first drive (three defensive snaps) next to Jeffery Bassa (who played 21 total defensive snaps) in this one.
Tranquill has been a bit banged up, but doesn’t appear to be in danger of missing Week 1.
Bassa would serve as his direct backup, just in case, but is more likely to play the old Leo Chenal role in this defense.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Chiefs’ clear starters played the first drive of three defensive snaps together, including George Karlaftis and Chris Jones.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah also played with the starters but stuck in the game a bit longer, ultimately playing 18 total snaps.
Anudike-Uzomah still appears to be ahead of the rest of the options in Kansas City, including rookie R Mason Thomas and Ashton Gillotte (who didn’t play in this game).
DEFENSIVE BACK
Chamarri Conner continues to miss time with injury, while Alohi Gilman also didn’t play in this game.
Christian Roland-Wallace moved to play as a starting safety with Gilman and Conner out after looking like the starting slot defender last week.
It’s possible that Roland-Wallace is still the starting slot, though with him playing safety in this game, it’s more difficult to say.
Instead, the other contender for that slot role was L’Jarius Sneed, who we saw for the first time this preseason, and he worked as the first-team nickel corner for the first two defensive drives ahead of Kader Kohou and Jadon Canady.
Sneed versus Roland-Wallace will be the battle to watch in Week 1, assuming both Conner and Gilman are back in the lineup, which should create a little more clarity on everyone’s roles.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
LINEBACKER
Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker played 100% of snaps through the first two drives before their day was done.
With Dean wearing the green dot, we’ll ideally also see Walker play an every-down role, and so far this preseason, we don’t have reason to believe otherwise.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Maxx Crosby was the lone starter on defense that didn’t play in this game.
Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce got the start at EDGE with Adam Butler and Tonka Hemingway on the interior.
The Raiders are unlikely to provide any defensive tackle for IDP this season, though there should be value from the other starting EDGE spot.
Paye is likely to get a decent-sized workload along with Crosby, and while he doesn’t own the most encouraging underlying metrics, there should be plenty of volume there to allow him to produce in non-shallow IDP formats.
DEFENSIVE BACK
The most interesting position battle on the team is at safety, between rookie second-round pick Treydan Stukes and Isaiah Pola-Mao.
Last week I noted that Stukes has a path to becoming a starter at either safety or in the slot, as he’s worked as Pola-Mao and Taron Johnson’s primary backup this preseason.
With reports of Stukes getting first-team reps at safety in practice in the week leading up to this game, I’m glad we got to see it in this one, as Stukes started at safety next to Jeremy Chinn.
Stukes stayed in the game beyond the first two defensive series with the starters, with Chinn getting replaced by Pola-Mao.
As a rookie in need of reps, as he’s likely going to be a starter, it’s not a big surprise to see him stay in a little longer.
The main thing here was that he played exclusively at safety with Pola-Mao in the game, suggesting the team was just looking to get him more reps.
Stukes will be getting a bump in the rankings over Pola-Mao with this latest development.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
LINEBACKER
Denzel Perryman didn’t play in this game.
Daiyan Henley started this game alongside Del’Shawn Phillips.
Henley played every snap from the first two drives before his day was done.
Phillips swapped out for Troy Dye on the second series and then came back in once Henley’s day was done.
This Chargers’ LB2 role is likely to be one of the worst team LB2 roles to target, as there’s likely to be a rotation among those active on game day.
Junior Colson was cut on Sunday.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Khalil Mack didn’t play in this game.
Tuli Tuipulotu started along with Akheem Mesidor at EDGE.
Both players generated pressure on each of their first two drives.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Derwin James didn’t play in this game.
Second-year safety R.J. Mickens started as the third safety and got first work in the slot with James out.
Tony Jefferson and Elijah Molden played their usual starting safety roles, with Jefferson likely to be third in the order behind James and Molden.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
LINEBACKER
The Rams haven’t played any of their starters or immediate backups in any of these preseason games, and this final one was no different.
Nate Landman, Omar Speights, and Shaun Dolac are at the top of the pecking order at linebacker.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Aaron Donald officially came out of retirement to re-join the Rams.
Donald offers significant upside for the DT position in IDP, and if he’s able to get back to form, which is hard to believe he won’t be close, then he’s worth taking a stab at in most formats.
He’s projected and ranked rather highly for me with news of his return.
Myles Garrett is dealing with knee soreness and still hasn’t practiced, which becomes more concerning the closer we get to Week 1.
Ideally, he’ll get in at least two practices before the first game, so we’ll continue to monitor.
DEFENSIVE BACK
No Kamren Curl, Quentin Lake, Kamren Kinchens, or any of the expected starters in this one.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
LINEBACKER
Jordyn Brooks and Jacob Rodriguez didn’t play in this game.
It was already interesting that Tyrel Dodson started this game with none of the other expected starters in the lineup and played the entire first half.
Then the news dropped on Sunday that Dodson had been released, and we can all fully embrace Rodriguez as a weekly starting option for IDP.
Rodriguez is projected to wear the green dot next to Brooks, with both players offering high-end IDP potential in 2026.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Chop Robinson, Josh Uche, and Zach Sieler didn’t play in this game.
Robert Beal Jr. and Max Llewllyn were the starters at EDGE with Keith Cooper Jr. and Matthew Butler on the interior.
We should only be interested in Robinson, Uche, and Sieler for IDP on this team.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Chris Johnson, Darrell Baker Jr., and Jason Marshall Jr. didn’t play in this game.
The starting corners look set for Miami, but the safety position still seems very much up in the air.
Michael Taaffe and Zayne Anderson started this game and played the first defensive series before they were done for the day.
With Dante Trader Jr. and Kyle Louis working as the clear second unit at safety, it seems like Taaffe and Anderson are now the safest bets to make from this Dolphins’ safety unit for those looking a little deeper at the position.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
LINEBACKER
Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, and Ivan Pace Jr. didn’t play in this game.
Jake Golday got the start at linebacker with Jacob Roberts and Bangally Kamara.
Golday is clearly fourth in the pecking order at this point, and remains just a taxi squad stash during his rookie year.
DEFENSIVE LINE
With the Vikings’ expected starting defensive line not playing in this game, which includes Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez, it was the rookies Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange that got the start in this game.
Both players played 18 defensive snaps, with Orange generating two pressures.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward didn’t play in this game.
Jakobe Thomas and Jacob Thomas were the starting safeties and the clear backups behind Metellus and Jackson, with Ward likely to operate as Brian Flores’ third safety in the rotation.
Jacob Thomas got banged up in this game, though it seems he won’t be out long-term, which is good for his chances of making the team.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
LINEBACKER
Robert Spillane, Christian Ellisss, and undrafted rookie Khalil Jacobs didn’t play in this game.
Jacobs has had a really nice preseason, earning strong marks from PFF (80.3 overall grade), and his absence did appear to indicate he’d make the final roster, which he did.
K.J. Britt and Namdi Obiazor got the start at linebacker, which doesn’t bode well for Chad Muma’s potential to make the roster, as he came in after those two.
Spillane is the clear option we want for IDP, followed by Elliss in deeper leagues as he’ll likely be a part-time option.
There’s no need to try and get ahead on the backups until final rosters are solidified since any of the other options behind Spillane and Elliss wouldn’t likely play an every-down role anyway.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Harold Landry, Christian Barmore, and Milton Williams didn’t play in this game.
Landry is currently injured and at risk of not being ready for Week 1, which opens up some opportunity for a volume-based production for as long as Landry is out.
Dre’Mont Jones is going to be the first option worth considering, though rookie second-round pick Gabe Jacas has got plenty of run as a starter this preseason.
Jacas hasn’t looked particularly impressive, but the team seems ready to give him a shot, and could potentially fall into some production if Landry is going to miss time.
DEFENSIVE BACK
All of the expected starters for New England’s secondary sat this game out.
Dell Pettus and John Saunders Jr. were the starting safeties, while Charles Woods operated as the primary slot defender.
I only put this out there to identify potential waiver options in case of injury; otherwise we can just move on.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
LINEBACKER
Kaden Elliss and Pete Werner didn’t play in this game.
No real surprises here as Elliss and Stutsman have been the obvious choices to start the year.
Danny Stutsman and Jaylan Ford
DEFENSIVE LINE
Chase Young, Carl Granderson, and Cameron Jordan didn’t play in this game.
DEFENSIVE BACK
With Justin Reid, Jonas Sanker, and Julian Blackmon out for this one, it was backups at all positions for the Saints.
Jayden Price operated as the primary slot defender with Sanker not in the lineup.
NEW YORK GIANTS
LINEBACKER
Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese didn’t play in this game.
Micah McFadden and Jack Kelly got the start and look like the clear immediate backups to the starters right now, which is only relevant for in-season waiver purposes.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, D.J. Reader, and Shelby Harris didn’t play in this game.
Those are your IDPs to know on this defensive line, with Reader and Harris only relevant in deeper DT-required formats.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Tyler Nubin’s role has been looking shaky this preseason, and his playing status in this one with most of the backups still isn’t the best sign, but he at least didn’t add any more red flags to his 2026 outlook.
Nubin started this game with Jason Pinnock and Ar’Darius Washington, who have been his primary competition for a starting role next to Jevon Holland.
Nubin and Pinnock played typical safety roles while Washington operated exclusively out of the slot.
All three players played only on the first drive in this game, with the team showing no clear preference for Pinnock or Nubin.
Washington is likely fourth at the position, given that he played in the slot, a role that belongs to Dru Phillips.
Nubin is still probably the front-runner, though this is still a situation worth monitoring as we enter Week 1 with the potential for a rotation.
NEW YORK JETS
LINEBACKER
Demario Davis and Jamien Sherwood didn’t play in this game.
Barring injury, those are the only two we need to care about for IDP purposes.
DEFENSIVE LINE
David Bailey, Kingsley Enagbare, Will McDonald, David Onyemata, and Harrison Phillips didn’t play in this game.
Signs currently point toward Enagbare being the de facto starter next to Bailey at EDGE this season, and with McDonald and Joseph Ossai (who did play in this game) rotating in behind him.
T’Vondre Sweat played eight snaps in this game, which could mean he’s behind one of Onyemata or Phillips at the moment, but after the team traded for him this offseason, and with him not getting any preseason game reps to this point, I believe he’ll still be the top Jets DT to roster for IDP.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dane Belton, and Andre Cisco didn’t play in this game.
Fitzpatrick and Belton are primed to start the year as the Jets’ safeties.
Malachi Moore and Jarius Monroe started this game, with Moore seemingly having fallen way behind after a solid rookie season.
Moore is droppable in most IDP formats.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
LINEBACKER
Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. didn’t play in this game.
Smael Mondon Jr. and Chance Campbell were the starters for this game.
Mondon Jr. is likely a safe bet to make the roster as the team’s LB4.
DEFENSIVE LINE
None of the expected starters at defensive line played in this one for the Eagles.
Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa started at EDGE for the second consecutive week, and provide decent depth for this Philadelphia EDGE rotation, but nothing else.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Cooper DeJean and company didn’t appear in this game, as was the case last week as well.
Michael Carter II once again operated as the primary slot defender with DeJean not in the lineup.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
LINEBACKER
Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, and Malik Harrison didn’t play in this game.
Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts started and played well into the fourth quarter.
Roberts and Harrison were released on Sunday.
Holcomb could factor into a rotation at linebacker if that’s the route the Steelers are going here, but he’s not worth rostering right now, barring any injuries.
DEFENSIVE LINE
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, and Keeanu Benton didn’t play in this game.
Jack Sawyer was the lone IDP DL of interest who played in this game for the Steelers.
Sawyer played into the second half of this one, racking up three total pressures on 23 pass-rush attempts, earning an 80.4 pass-rush grade.
Sawyer is fourth in the EDGE rotation for Pittsburgh at the moment and would need multiple injuries ahead of him to factor into IDP lineups this season.
DEFENSIVE BACK
DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Rayshawn Jenkins, Jalen Ramsey, and Joey Porter Jr. didn’t play in this game.
With all of the starters sitting this one out, it’s safe to assume that Rayshawn Jenkins will make the roster and serve as one of Elliott or Brisker’s backups in case of injury.
Jenkins got good IDP usage this preseason, playing 45% of his snaps in the box, and could be a solid waiver option if an injury occurs to one of the starters this year.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
LINEBACKER
Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Nick Martin, Garrett Wallow, and Luke Gifford didn’t play in this game.
Tatum Bethune and rookie Jaden Dugger got the start, playing most of this game.
Deion Jones also appeared in this game, though it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him not make the roster.
At this point, Bethune feels like he may be in danger of making the final roster, and while he was a fine waiver wire replacement for us IDPers in 2025, he’s a safe drop for anyone still holding out hope.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Nick Bosa, Osa Odighizuwa, Romello Height, and Mykel Williams didn’t play in this game.
With Williams on the PUP list for at least the first four games of the season, there’s a significant opportunity at EDGE next to Bosa.
It seems that Height, also if healthy, will get the first crack at that job, which could create some volume-based production for the rookie early in Year 1.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Ji’Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha, Marques Sigle, Upton Stout, and the rest of the starters at cornerback didn’t play in this game.
Ashtyn Davis started this one alongside rookie UDFA Jalen Stroman at safety.
Davis’ likelihood of making the roster on cut-down day more than likely depends on Mustapha’s availability, as he’s been managing a hamstring injury.
If Mustapha isn’t good to go and needs to be placed on the PUP list, then Davis would likely make the team as a backup while Sigle would be the starter next to Brown.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
LINEBACKER
Ernest Jones, Drake Thomas, and Tyrice Knight didn’t play in this game.
Patrick O’Connell and Power Echols were the starting linebackers, with Echols playing the entire game after O’Connell’s day was done after the first half.
DEFENSIVE LINE
None of the expected defensive line starters for Seattle played in this game, which included Uchenna Nwosu, Derick Hall, DeMarcus Lawrence, Byron Murphy II, and Leonard Williams.
DEFENSIVE BACK
The Seahawks didn’t play any of their expected defensive back starters in this one.
We continue to hope for progress for Nick Emmanwori, who underwent foot surgery this offseason, as he gets closer to returning to the lineup, ideally in time for Week 1.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
LINEBACKER
Alex Anzalone, Christian Rozeboom, SirVocea Dennis, and Josiah Trotter didn’t play in this game.
We will have to continue waiting on clarity for how to treat Tampa’s LB2 for IDP to start this season, as we haven’t seen Rozeboom or Dennis all preseason.
It’s assumed that Rozeboom will get the first nod as a starter next to Anzalone in Week 1, but until we actually see the deployment from this group, it’s best to avoid the LB2 options here to start the year.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Yaya Diaby, Rueben Bain Jr., and the rest of the expected starting defensive line had this game off.
Diaby and Bain remain the clear top IDP options from the EDGE group, while Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea are playable in DT-required formats.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, Jacob Parrish, and Zyon McCollum didn’t play in this game.
Keione Scott, who was used as the primary nickel defender with the starting defense last week, did not get to sit this game out.
Scott started the game, playing the first five defensive series, exclusively in the slot and when the opposing offense was in 11-personnel.
Scott came out of the game on his drives when the offense didn’t have three or more wide receivers on the field, which is typical nickel corner usage in the NFL.
The Jaguars used 11-personnel frequently in this game, so Scott saw strong playing time.
It’s worth noting that Scott appeared to get nicked up near the end of his day and was replaced by Damarion Williams for that one snap, before his day likely would have been done anyway.
Scott’s playing in this game could be the team giving the rookie more reps, or it could be seen as hope that Parrish can still get work in the slot as well as outside.
Scott should be rostered in CB-required formats for this season, though until we see the usage in Week 1, he should remain on benches.
TENNESSEE TITANS
LINEBACKER
Cody Barton didn’t play in this game.
Cedric Gray started next to Anthony Hill Jr., which once again raises my eyebrows just a little that Gray didn’t get the rest treatment with the rest of the starters.
It’s just a little weird, after last week when he played with the backups again after Barton’s day was done, that this coaching staff doesn’t appear to be as sold on Gray as they are on Barton.
It’s not a huge deal, and ultimately Gray should be fine, but it’s something we should continue to monitor after the team spent a second-round pick on Anthony Hill Jr. this offseason.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jermaine Johnson, Jeffery Simmons, and Keldric Faulk didn’t play in this game.
Jacob Martin was a starter at EDGE in this one, and appeared to be ahead of the first-round rookie in previous weeks, though it’s possible that will be more of a rotation to start the year.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Amani Hooker and Kevin Winston Jr. didn’t play in this game.
The main thing to monitor in Week 1 here will be which of the two gets the prime alignment in Gus Bradley’s defense.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
LINEBACKER
Frankie Luvu, Sonny Styles, and Leo Chenal didn’t play in this game.
Unfortunately, after the news of a rotation with the green dot emerged last week, we didn’t actually get to see it in action this week and will have to wait until Week 1.
This likely makes Luvu, Styles, and Chenal all options to avoid in Week 1 lineups until we see their usage.
DEFENSIVE LINE
None of the expected starters for Washington’s defensive line played in this game.
Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson are set to start Week 1 as the Commanders’ top EDGEs, though Dorance Armstrong should replace Chaisson in that spot once he serves his one-game suspension.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Nick Cross, Jeremy Reaves, and Quan Martin didn’t play in this game.
Following the release of Will Harris, Cross and Reaves are the expected starters at safety in Washington.
We’ve seen this depth chart solidify during the preseason, and while Cross will be the clear most rostered IDP, Reaves should have value in deeper leagues as well.
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