This article is part of our Depth Chart Watch series.
As preseason ends, most job battles have been settled, but injuries, trades and signings have reshaped a number of rosters. Here's what to know as we head into Week 1.
Bills RB - Coach Rex Ryan said he is "cautiously optimistic" the injured LeSean McCoy will play Week 1. It's unclear how the touches would be split between Anthony Dixon, Bryce Brown and Karlos Williams, all of whom struggled through injuries in camp, if McCoy can't play or is limited.
Bills QB -Matt Cassel entered camp as the favorite but couldn't even make the roster as he was released Saturday. Starter Tyrod Taylor should have value in two-quarterback leagues because of his running ability. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman found success with a similar quarterback in San Francisco in Colin Kaepernick. Taylor is less refined as a passer, of course, but he has a solid group of receivers with which to work and made plays this preseason with his arm, as well as his legs. If McCoy doesn't play Week 1, Taylor might have to carry the offense.
Broncos RB -Montee Ball was released Sunday in an unsurprising move, as he fell to fourth on the depth chart while Ronnie Hillman earned backup duty to C.J. Anderson and Juwan Thompson landed the third-sting job. Hillman is slated for a change-of-pace role behind Anderson and should be owned in most leagues. Anderson's track record stretches all of a half a season, and while his ADP has climbed
As preseason ends, most job battles have been settled, but injuries, trades and signings have reshaped a number of rosters. Here's what to know as we head into Week 1.
Bills RB - Coach Rex Ryan said he is "cautiously optimistic" the injured LeSean McCoy will play Week 1. It's unclear how the touches would be split between Anthony Dixon, Bryce Brown and Karlos Williams, all of whom struggled through injuries in camp, if McCoy can't play or is limited.
Bills QB -Matt Cassel entered camp as the favorite but couldn't even make the roster as he was released Saturday. Starter Tyrod Taylor should have value in two-quarterback leagues because of his running ability. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman found success with a similar quarterback in San Francisco in Colin Kaepernick. Taylor is less refined as a passer, of course, but he has a solid group of receivers with which to work and made plays this preseason with his arm, as well as his legs. If McCoy doesn't play Week 1, Taylor might have to carry the offense.
Broncos RB -Montee Ball was released Sunday in an unsurprising move, as he fell to fourth on the depth chart while Ronnie Hillman earned backup duty to C.J. Anderson and Juwan Thompson landed the third-sting job. Hillman is slated for a change-of-pace role behind Anderson and should be owned in most leagues. Anderson's track record stretches all of a half a season, and while his ADP has climbed into the first round or early second round, unlike other RBs in that range, he's no lock to keep the job if he struggles.
Browns RB - The Browns' messy backfield got a little clearer Sunday when Terrance West was traded to the Titans for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. The Browns finally pulled the plug on West, whose alleged immaturity and work ethic clashed with coach Mike Pettine. That leaves Isaiah Crowell as the Week 1 starter with Duke Johnson still dealing with a concussion. Once healthy, Johnson figures to work into a timeshare, or better, but defenses likely will dare Josh McCown and what might be the league's worst passing attack to throw, keying on stopping the running game.
Colts RB -Dan Herron's shoulder injury and subsequent release opens the door for rookie Josh Robinson to back up Frank Gore this season. Robinson is still working his way back from a concussion suffered in the third preseason game, but he makes for an intriguing waiver-wire dart. The 32-year-old Gore hasn't missed a game since 2010, but if he goes down, Robinson becomes the starter in one of the league's best offenses. And even if Gore stays healthy, Robinson could vulture touchdowns in goal-line situations. A sixth-round pick, Robinson isn't fast (4.7 40), but at a compact, low-to-the-ground, 5-foot-8, 221, it's obvious why his nickname at Mississippi State was "Bowling Ball." Scouts compare him to Mike Tolbert.
Colts WR -Phillip Dorsett won the No. 3 job, beating out Donte Moncrief. Dorsett's speed likely will keep him on the field, giving him significant upside in a high-powered passing attack.
Cowboys RB - Dallas on Sunday traded for Christine Michael, whose head-scratching inconsistency was too much for the Seahawks to look past despite his seemingly high-upside talent. Joseph Randle is still expected to start, but a timeshare seems likely with Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and now Michael, once he gets up to speed, unless Randle dominates.
Falcons RB - Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman struggled with injuries most of camp, neither running away with the job. Freeman is expected to start Week 1, though Coleman should still have a role. A third-round pick, Coleman has higher upside as a pure runner, but the Falcons are seemingly more comfortable with Freeman's receiving skills and pass-blocking.
Packers WR - With Jordy Nelson out for the season and Randall Cobb hurting from a shoulder injury, the Packers brought back James Jones, who was cut by the Giants. Jones played seven seasons in Green Bay (2007-13) before leaving for Oakland last year where he posted a career-high 73 receptions. He'll compete with Ty Montgomery and Jeff Janis to be the third receiver behind Cobb and Davante Adams, which obviously has upside in a great passing game.
Patriots RB - A crowded backfield became a little less crowded Saturday with Jonas Gray's release. Brandon Bolden is expected to start Week 1 with LeGarrette Blount suspended. Bolden is the only power back on the roster, making him the favorite for early down work and goal-line carries over shiftier runners in James White, Dion Lewis and Travaris Cadet. Once Blount returns, though, Bolden will have to scratch out touches as one from the aforementioned trio likely will be used on passing downs.
Patriots WR -Brandon LaFell was placed on the PUP list Saturday and Reggie Wayne was released. Aaron Dobson is now the No. 3 wideout behind Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. Dobson, though, is the primary deep threat and could even get significant playing time in two-wide sets. Dobson was having a promising rookie year in 2013 before his season ended with a foot injury that ended up hobbling him last season, as well. This preseason he dealt with a hamstring injury, but he has upside when healthy if the Patriots want to stretch the field.
Rams RB -Todd Gurley still doesn't have a target date for a return, the team only saying it hopes he will play before its Week 6 bye. Tre Mason, though, is questionable for Week 1 with a hamstring injury. Benny Cunningham is the next man up, and even if Mason plays, a timeshare wouldn't be surprising. The Rams face a stout Seahawks run defense in Week 1 but the next four weeks face run defenses that were mediocre at best last year.
Seahawks RB - Robert Turbin's season-ending ankle injury led to a shakeup of the Seattle backfield over the weekend. The Seahawks signed Bills castoff Fred Jackson to back up Marshawn Lynch and traded flameout Christine Michael to the Cowboys for a conditional seventh-round pick. A 2013 second-round pick, Michael is one of the bigger busts in general manager John Schneider's tenure. Undrafted free-agent Thomas Rawls earned the No. 3 job, but while he shows enticing upside, he likely will be inactive most weeks. Jackson likely will see most of his action in the two-minute offense, which had been Turbin's role.
Texans RB - Houston chose not to place Arian Foster on short-term IR, as the Texans hope he can return by late September. Even if it's a week or two later, that's still only half as long as he was expected to be out initially after suffering a groin injury. Owners who gambled on him in drafts might end up with a tremendous value. Alfred Blue will start in the meantime but likely will cede passing-down work to Jonathan Grimes and/or Chris Polk.
Titans RB - The Titans on Sunday acquired Terrance West, who wore out his welcome in Cleveland. In Tennessee, West will back up Bishop Sankey after rookie David Cobb was placed on short-term IR. Sankey, a rookie bust last year, has the upper hand but could lose touches to West if he struggles again.
