Opportunity is king in projecting fantasy football production. Here is a look at the overly strong and weak NFL depth charts at each skill position and what potential cut players could quickly find 53-man roster spots elsewhere, continuing with the wide receiver position:
wide receivers
The typical NFL roster keeps six wide receivers
POTENTIAL SHUFFLE PLAYERS
Kenny Britt, Eric Decker: With Cordarrelle Patterson flashing in the preseason and Matthew Slater a special teams stud, Britt could be the odd man out. Decker has not performed well through half the preseason and could see a quick exit.
Jeff Janis, Ricardo Louis, Damion Ratley: The Browns have suddenly become flush at the skill positions over the past 18 months. Damion Ratley is a key variable if he can be valuable for special teams. Janis is a metric marvel prospect but is running out of time to carve an NFL role. Louis was a high-Day 3 draft pick.
Johnny Holton: Likely on the outside looking in for a roster spot, Holton has made some splash plays in the past and sports speed to separate down the field.
Kamar Aiken, DeAndre Carter: The Eagles are flush with wide receivers and Shelton Gibson is making a strong push for the final receiver spot.
Cam Sims: The Washington receiver has made some of the better catches of the preseason, however, is fighting for a final spot.
Packers Wide Receivers: They are loaded at receiver on the back end with all their signings and late draft picks this offseason. Jake Kumerow is rising with Equanimeous St. Brown and DeAngelo Yancey yet to flash much. JMon Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have shown a little more, but the race for the WR4-5-6 spots are relatively wide open with multiple of these names likely not making the final roster.
Austin Carr: Originally with the Patriots and now fighting for a spot with the Saints, Carr has some potential if he can make a roster.
Justin Watson: There is talk Tampa Bay will keep Watson on the 53-player roster because they fear he would not make it back to the practice squad. Watson is a strong metric prospect but blocked as the WR5 at best for now.
49ers Wide Receivers: Between Richie James, Aldrick Robinson, and Kendrick Bourne there is some shedding to occur on the depth chart in the coming weeks.
WEAK DEPTH CHARTS
Bills: Even with Corey Coleman added via trade, the bottom of the depth chart is weak. Even 2017 second-round pick needs to prove himself as one of the Top 3 on the depth chart.
Jets: The starting spots look stable, while unspectacular, with Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, and Quincy Enunwa. Terrelle Pryor is still not 100% and yet to do much this offseason. Charone Peake and ArDarius Stewart are fringe roster-worthy.
Ravens: The addition of Michael Crabtree and John Brown was a saving grace to the rail-thin depth chart this offseason. Still, the WR3 role is likely Willie Snead on the rebound career arc after a lost 2017, and Breshad Perriman, who is on the Round 1 bust track, is the lone other receiver of note.
Colts: Chester Rogers and Ryan Grant are the clear WR2/3 on the roster, which is an admission of weakness for its depth alone. Deon Cain is out for the year and Daurice Fountain is the lone remaining upside shot remaining.
Titans: Deontay Burnett is the lone upside possibility down the depth chart but is more slot receiver than an all-around option. Corey Davis, Rishard Matthews, and Taywan Taylor are the top-3 with little depth remaining.
Chiefs: Sammy Watkins and Tyreek Hill are the headline names and Demarcus Robinson is looking to carve the WR3 role, but Chris Conley is on the bust track and little remains of promise.
Cowboys: Without a true No.1 receiver, Terrance Williams was brought back on a one-year deal and Allen Hurns is a reclamation project with a golden opportunity for targets. Noah Brown is a longer shot to develop at WR4+ on the depth chart.
Giants: Cody Latimer is the entrenched WR3 and there is little else for the Giants, who have had their experience with a gutted depth chart due to injuries in the recent past.
Falcons: Justin Hardy as the WR4 is a limited option and Marvin Hall and Russell Gage are middling upside plays deeper down the depth chart.
Cardinals: Arizona is sure to be a team to improve their receiver depth chart next offseason with Larry Fitzgerald in his twilight and Christian Kirk and Chad Williams as the lone options with pedigree left. Brice Butler and J.J. Nelson will see opportunities this season, but not be in the long-term plans.
