Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week

Photo: USA Today Sports

One of the best and most comprehensive features we do every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, our Bob Henry, Jason Wood, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.

While I encourage you to read every word on every team for every week, I also understand "Life Happens." And one of the more valuable services Footballguys can add is saving you time.

For this article, I had the idea of taking the full August Updates and asking our team writers to distill it down into 80 proof shots of the Need-to-Know material. Some teams will have more news than others because that's how it works in real life. Much of it will be from the August Updates, some of it will be my takes, but all of it will hopefully be useful to you. And make sure to jump on our Premium Subscription to continue seeing this type of stuff all year long. And if this feature is helpful to you, shoot me an email at bryant@footballguys.com and let me know.

Plus a new addition for this year. For each team, I've included a link to our Depth Charts and also to the Full Camp Report. If you like these bullets and want more detail, check out the Full Camp Report for each team.

Let's get to it.

Arizona Cardinals | Depth Chart | Footballguys Full Camp Report

• QB Clayton Tune is in line for the backup role, while QB Kyler Murray continues to be “lights out.”
• WR Greg Dortch consistently has made plays and looks to solidify the slot role.
• RB Emari Demercado is pushing for the RB2 role to start the season, while RB Trey Benson is getting acclimated. 
• TE Elijah Higgins continues to get first-team reps and coaching endorsements.
• DL Darius Robinson will be an important contributor on the defensive line.

Atlanta Falcons | Depth Chart | Footballguys Full Camp Report

• QB Kirk Cousins is taking off and scrambling in camp, showing his progress in his Achilles recovery.
• RB Bijan Robinson is emphasizing ball security.
• RB Tyler Allgeier will have a significant presence that could cut into Robinson's fantasy production.
• WR Drake London has consistently made plays throughout camp and is on track for a breakout year.
• WR Ray-Ray McCloud is locked in at the WR3 position after Rondale Moore’s injury, and the team loves his ability after the catch.
• TE Kyle Pitts is being pushed hard by Cousins. He's putting a focus on Pitts and seems to appreciate the rare physical talents Pitts brings.

Baltimore Ravens | Depth Chart | Footballguys Full Camp Report

• QB Lamar Jackson has dropped considerable weight, which should help his speed but may cause durability issues.
• RB Justice Hill is in line for a sizeable role as the change-of-pace back.
• RB Owen Wright has emerged as the favorite for the No. 3 role.
• WR Rashod Bateman continues to be in and out of practice with minor injuries.
• CB Nate Wiggins starred in his preseason debut before leaving with a shoulder injury.

Buffalo Bills | Depth Chart | Footballguys Full Camp Report

• QB Josh Allen only saw 8 snaps in first-quarter action against the Bears as the team tries to keep him healthy.
• The offensive line could not generate any push for the running game, but RB Ray Davis looked good catching the ball out of the backfield. 
• At WR, expect Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel to see most of the targets vacated by Stefon Diggs.
• The Bills could make 12 personnel a staple as they try to get Dalton Kincaid on the field as much as possible. 
• On defense, the pass rush looked ineffective against the Bears, and the safety position remains a significant concern.

Carolina Panthers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Full Camp Report

• QB Bryce Young did not play in the first preseason game and may not appear in the preseason at all.
• RB Chuba Hubbard will lead the backfield until Jonathon Brooks is healthy, but coaches are impressed with Miles Sanders.
• There is a noticeable chemistry between Bryce Young and WR Diontae Johnson, especially when Young must throw on the run.
• TE Ja’Tavion Sanders excels as a pass catcher, but his run blocking could keep him off the field early in the season.

Chicago Bears | Depth Chart | Footballguys Full Camp Report

• QB Caleb Williams is still developing but has shown a ton of promise and growth so far. He has Bears fans excited after an excellent opening preseason game.
• RB D’Andre Swift is the unquestioned lead running back.
• WR Rome Odunze is making waves and could easily edge out Keenan Allen to be the team’s secondary receiver.
• TE Cole Kmet will see a significant decrease in snaps now that Gerald Everett is in Chicago.