Many teams have played at least some starters in one of the first two games. Last weekend's matchups gave us a few new clues but, as usual, cast shadows on some things we thought were figured out. All we can do is make the best use of what intelligence we can gather as we approach week one. Here is what I have picked up on since the last report.
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona opened in a 4-2-5 big nickel with Jalen Thompson, Budda Baker, and Isaiah Simmons on the field together. The front six featured Zaven Collins and Dennis Gardeck on the edge, but there was a change from the last game at inside linebacker. Journeyman Josh Woods started the first preseason game instead of Kyzir White, who did not play. Against the Chiefs, it was Woods joining White while Krys Barnes took a back seat, playing later in the game. Whoever ends up starting next to White is not likely to have a full-time role, but there could still be some value. Unfortunately, we probably won't have a clear answer on the starter until week one.
Atlanta Falcons
Troy Andersen is supposed to be the next great linebacker for Atlanta. He is gifted in terms of both athleticism and intelligence but remains a little raw, having moved to linebacker late in his college career. He may eventually emerge as both the best linebacker and the best fantasy target the Falcons have to offer, but the latter is not a given, at least not for this year.
Kaden Ellis came over from the Saints, where he and the Falcons' new defensive coordinator, Ryan Neilsen, worked together for the last four years. Ellis is a quality veteran player who knows the scheme inside and out, so we probably should not be surprised that he is wearing the communications helmet and calling the defensive plays in the huddle. Atlanta has consistently produced two fantasy-friendly linebackers in recent years, so there is no need to downgrade Andersen much, but Ellis gets a boost with this news.
We may be seeing a new trend with NFL defenses, and the Falcons are part of it. Just as IDP fantasy football turns to corner toward True Position formats to solve the age-old argument of "Is he a defensive end or an outside linebacker?", teams are starting to use alignments that feature both in half 3-4, half 4-3 looks. Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell were the Falcons' starting edge defenders versus Cincinnati. Dupree lined up in a two-point stance on one end of the line while Campbell put his hand down like a 4-3 end at the other edge spot. Several other teams are doing this as well. It doesn't have a lot of impact in terms of statistical production for the players, but it does further emphasize that an edge defender is an edge defender regardless if his hand is down or not.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore added Jadaveon Clowney to their pass rush arsenal. He has never made much of an impact in the IDP game but is another strong player in the rotation for the Ravens. The bigger question might be, "Why did they sign Clowney?" Tyus Bowser was placed on the Non-Football Injury list back in July with a knee problem. Was the signing an indication that Bowser's recovery is not going well?
Marlon Humphrey recently underwent surgery to address a foot problem. He is expected back before mid-season but will miss some games and is a candidate for the PUP list. With Damarion Williams out for a while and Rock Ya-Sin uncertain to be ready for week one, Baltimore might be going with three backups at the corner positions to open the season.
Buffalo Bills
With Terrel Bernard on the mend and not practicing, it looks like Tyrel Dodson will wing the starting middle linebacker job by default. Dodson is not a long-term answer for the Bills and might not even hold the job through the entire 2023 season, but for now, he is going to join Matt Milano on the field for every snap. The fact that he's wearing the green dot and calling defensive plays is a big plus. It will not be a surprise if Dodson posts Tremaine Edmunds-like numbers for as long as he holds the job.
Carolina Panthers
I mentioned this last week but wanted to reiterate that Vonn Bell looks like the guy to have among the Panthers' safeties. Jeremy Chinn continued in the nickel/slot role against the Giants and is not playing full-time. Meanwhile, Bell is flying around and looking like the guy who put up top-20 finishes in back-to-back seasons in 2019 and 2020. This scheme might be the best fit for him yet.
Cincinnati Bengals
Chidobe Awuzie was the only expected starter who did not play against the Falcons. Rookie DJ Turner has been filling in as Awuzie works his way back from the ACL injury he suffered in October. So have started to question if he is still the starter after the team added Turner in the second round. If he is healthy, the answer is yes, he is still the starter. Awuzie has been ramping it up in practice in the hope of being ready for week one. All we got from Coach Taylor on the subject recently is that Awuzie is close.
Dallas Cowboys
Both the Cowboys and a lot of IDP dynasty managers had high expectations for DeMarvion Overshown. Those expectations are still in place for the long term, but his ascension hit a big snag when Overshown tore his ACL against Seattle.
Second-year man Sam Williams working with the second team but is stepping up and pushing for snaps. He had two tackles and a sack on the first series against the Seahawks
Detroit Lions
Detroit sat their starters for the most part. Malcolm Rodriguez and Derrick Barnes were the linebackers. Alex Anzalone did not play, while Jack Campbell played but did not start again. Unless Campbell gets the start in the final preseason tilt, there is no reason to believe he will be on the field much in week one.
The Lions sat four starting defensive backs, but Tracy Walker was not one of them. Kirby Joseph, Brian Branch, Jerry Jacobs, and Cameron Sutton had the night off while Walker and Ifeatu Melifonwu started at safety, with Steven Gilmore, Will Harris, and Starling Thomas filling out the corner positions. It's hard to say if this was simply a matter of someone needing to play due to body count or a sign that Walker is on shaky ground as a starter. It certainly casts a shadow until we find out.
Josh Paschal and Romeo Okwara got the start on the edge, while Charles Harris and Aiden Hutchinson did not suit up. For managers in deeper drafted leagues, Harris could be an interesting prospect. He went 34-31-7.5 with a pair of forced fumbles as a starter for the Lions in 2021.
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