What You Need To Know This Week

Photo: David Berding, USA Today Sports

One of the best and most comprehensive features we do every year is our Footballguys August Updates. Every week this month, our Bob Henry and Clayton Gray and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 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, we take the August Updates and ask our team writers to distill it down into 100 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, and 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 Kyler Murray isn’t distracted by the outside noise from this off-season.
• RB James Conner is the RB1, but it's unclear behind him.
• DL J.J. Watt tested positive for COVID.
• WR Marquise Brown’s hamstring is 100% healthy.
• LB Zaven Collins took a positive step against the Ravens.

Atlanta Falcons | Depth Chart | Footballguys Full Camp Report

• QB Marcus Mariota has shown command of the offense and led two scoring drives vs. the Jets.
• QB Desmond Ridder looks the part and will push Mariota all season.
• RB Damien Williams is the top complement to Cordarrelle Patterson in the backfield.
• WR Drake London is rehabbing a knee injury but should be ready for the regular season.
• TE Kyle Pitts dominated the Jets all week, drawing praise from coach Robert Saleh.

Baltimore Ravens | Depth Chart | Footballguys Full Camp Report

• QB Lamar Jackson is running and throwing great. Jay Glazer said a new contract extension could be an "uphill battle".
• RB J.K. Dobbins should be ready for Week 1.
• WR Rashod Bateman is the team’s clear-cut WR1 and second target.
• TE Mark Andrews never takes a day off in camp and is the top target.
• TE Isaiah Likely dominated Sunday and played primarily as a wide receiver.

Buffalo Bills | Depth Chart | Footballguys Full Camp Report

• QB Josh Allen played only six snaps vs the Broncos backups but finished with a 28-yard touchdown pass.
• RB Devin Singletary remains the lead, but expect Zack Moss to handle short-yardage duties and to see James Cook in passing situations.
• WR Gabriel Davis caught the lone touchdown from Allen while Khalil Shakir continues to impress.
• TE Dawson Knox sat out to be with his family after the death of his younger brother, and the backup job appears wide open.
• Rookie CBs Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford are competing to fill in for TreDavious White, who may not be healthy by week 1.

Carolina Panthers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Full Camp Report

• Neither QB Baker Mayfield nor Sam Darnold played in the second game, but Mayfield was announced as the Week 1 starter.
• Rookie QB Matt Corral suffered a foot injury and his season is over.
• Expect an even split between RBs Chuba Hubbard and D'Onta Foreman for the backup role behind Christian McCaffrey.
• All signs point to a committee approach at tight end.
• The defense could be good, but depth might be an issue.

Chicago Bears | Depth Chart | Footballguys Full Camp Report

• TE Cole Kmet’s usage with the starters on Thursday suggests he will be an offensive focal point.
• The Bears' offensive line is riddled with injuries and looks disastrous so far.
• LB Roquan Smith ended his hold-in and said he'll play out the final year of his rookie deal.
• QB Justin Fields is as advertised, showing off his athleticism on seemingly every play.
• WR Velus Jones Jr has flashed in practices but got most of his usage on Thursday with special teams.