Eyes of the Guru IDP Info, Preseason Update 1

The first round of preseason action is in the books. As usual, it gave us a few answers, some clues, some surprises, and a bunch of new questions. Keep in mind that there are still three weeks or so before the opener. Some of the things we saw last week are unfinished stories with the final resolutions yet to be determined. Others are plot twists that we need to be on top of. The biggest challenge is deciding what category things fall into.

Guru's IDP Notes: Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals played most of their starters. Mack Wilson Sr. and Akeem Davis-Gaither worked with the first team as expected, with Wilson wearing the communications helmet and calling the plays. The team's initial depth chart concurs that this is who the coaching staff plans to roll with at this point.

So long as he is wearing the green dot helmet, Wilson will be an every-down player. The starters didn't play enough to get a full read, but it looked like Arizona might be keeping both inside backers on the field nearly full-time.

Rookie Cody Simon worked with the second unit and is listed behind Wilson on the initial depth chart.

At the start of training camp, the Cardinals had Zaven Collins spending some time with the inside linebackers. I did not see him line up there versus the Chiefs. If he did, it was after the starters were finished. He did, however, work with the starters as an edge defender. Collins is currently listed as the starter opposite Josh Sweat on the depth chart.

Rookie Walter Nolan is currently third string on the depth chart. It will be a surprise if he fails to move up at least one slot before the opener, but his chances of starting week one are not looking good.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons played just a few potential starters. Jessie Bates III sat out, so DeMarcco Hellams and Jordan Fuller were the safeties. These two are competing for the strong safety position, but neither stood out. The competition continues.

Rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. are listed as backups on the initial DC, with Leonard Floyd and Arnold Ebiketie as starters. We should be prepared for all four of these guys to get substantial playing time in a rotation that could limit the potential for anyone to excel on the stat sheet.

Guru's IDP Notes: Baltimore Ravens

Only backups and rookies took the field in the opener, and the team has not yet posted a depth chart on the team site. No help here.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Buffalo Bills

The Bills have not yet given us a depth chart, but they did play several expected starters. The exceptions were at linebacker, where Terrell Bernard did not suit up, and at safety, where Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop were out. Joe Andreessen made the start at linebacker, but we should not read anything into that, as neither Shaq Thompson nor Dorian Williams dressed.

With Rapp and Bishop nursing minor injuries, Damar Hamlin and Cam Lewis worked with the starters at safety. Hamlin is reportedly competing with Bishop for the starting role, although the expectation is that Bishop will emerge as the winner.

Rookie corner Maxwell Hairston remains sidelined with a sore knee.

Guru's IDP Notes: Carolina Panthers

Most of the Panthers' starters played against Cleveland. The one significant exception was Derrick Brown, who is returning from a major injury. A'Shawn Robinson and Tershawn Wharton were the starters. The important note here is that Wharton is listed behind Robinson on the team's depth chart. Chances are, we will see a three-man rotation here when the season starts.  

The surprise here with that Nick Scott joined Tre'von Moehrig as the starting safeties, with Demani Richardson and Lathan Ransom working with the twos. The Panthers' depth chart reflects the same pecking order, at least for now. Richardson helped his cause with a sack while Ransom played well, going 3-1 in limited action.

Scott is an illusionist who has been in this position twice before with the Rams and Bengals. Twice before, he has not lasted for long. If you are sitting on Richardson or Ransom, be patient.

Patrick Jones II is working at the edge position with the starters, opposite D.J. Wonnum.

Guru's IDP Notes: Chicago Bears

Chicago's starters sat, and there were no surprises on the first depth chart. One interesting note, however, is that the coaches are tinkering with a position swap for Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. Both players will remain in full-time roles, so there should be little or no effect on their production.

Guru's IDP Notes: Cincinnati Bengals

After getting burned by slow starts in recent years, the Bengals broke with tradition and played most starters on both sides of the ball. There were no real surprises on defense. Demetrius Knight Jr. worked every snap while the starters were playing. With Trey Hendrickson holding in, Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy were the starters on the edge, with Shemar Stewart also seeing first-team reps.   

Geno Stone is week-to-week with what is believed to be a shin contusion. He should be ready for the opener. If Stone misses regular-season time, Tycen Anderson is the next man up.  

Dax Hill worked in the slot.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Cleveland Browns

Cleveland started a mix of 1s and 2s, making it hard to tell who they are considering starters at some positions. Their depth chart might be the best place to look for possible clarification. Ronnie Hickman is listed ahead of Rayshawn Jenkins at free safety, and Mohamoud Diabate is in front of Jerome Baker at weak-side linebacker.

Maybe the most interesting thing here is that the DC has rookie Carson Schwesinger at middle linebacker after he opened camp on the weak side. A move to the middle could be a bit of a boost to his value.

Alex Wright is listed as the starter opposite Myles Garrett on the edge. Unfortunately, there was not a big enough sample to tell if Wright will have enough opportunities to be a factor in the box scores.

Guru's IDP Notes: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are preparing to be without Micah Parsons in week 1. The depth chart shows Marshawn Kneeland as the starter opposite Parsons, with Dante Fowler Jr behind Parsons. Sam Williams and Payton Turner are currently third string.

Jack Sanborn is wearing the green dot and playing in the middle, with Kenneth Murray Jr. working on the weak side. Sanborn struggled in the three-down role early in his career while with the Bears, but he put up massive tackle numbers while in the lineup. If he comes out of the gate hot, the only concern would be a potentially reduced role once DeMarvion Overshown returns, which is likely to happen around mid-season.

Guru's IDP Notes: Denver Broncos

The Broncos are being cautious with Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton, who are both returning from injuries. The linebackers were the only starters to sit, which makes it very interesting that Ja'Quan McMillan is still working ahead of Jahdae Barron in the slot. In fact, Barron shows up as third team on the first depth chart. McMillan played well last year, so it will not be a surprise if he holds onto the job going into the season. Barron is not going to remain buried on the depth chart, though. This is likely no more than a case of the coaching staff making the young guy earn it.

Guru's IDP Notes: Detroit Lions

No starters on the field and no surprises on the DC. Business as usual for the Lions.

Guru's IDP Notes: Green Bay Packers

The Packers played several starters for a series or two. Evan Williams seems to have settled in at strong safety with Javon Bullard drawing slot duties. There is some potential for a shuffle if Xavier McKinney's calf injury stretches into the regular season. Zayne Anderson lined up at free safety against the Jets. Corey Valentine got the start at corner where Nate Hobbs was held out with a minor issue.

Guru's IDP Notes: Houston Texans

None of the Texans' starters took the field in the opener, but their initial depth chart raises some eyebrows. Henry To'oto'o is listed as the starting WLB, ahead of Christian Harris, while E.J. Speed is third-string. At this point, being cut might be the best thing that could happen to Speed.

The Texan initially feared that C.J. Gardner-Johnson would be lost for the season with an ACL injury. As it turns out, it is not as bad as originally thought. There is even a chance he could be ready for week one. Jalen Pitre has been working in the slot. With Jay Ward on the PUP and Gardner-Johnson in question, the Texans might have to do some shuffling already.

Guru's IDP Notes: Indianapolis Colts

The Colts played a sprinkling of starters with the twos, but not enough for us to learn anything. There are some interesting notes from the first depth chart, though. We knew that Cameron McGrone had been working with the starters at WLB. It was unclear if that was straight up or a case of Jaylon Carlies still dealing with the effects of the shoulder injury. That has now been cleared up. The depth chart shows McGrone as the starting WLB, and Carlies was healthy enough to play with the second team against Baltimore. Even more news that favors McGrone, Carlies is now hobbled by an ankle injury suffered against Baltimore. The Colts' WLB position has been a goldmine of IDP value over the years. Move McGrone way up your sleeper list.  

Kwity Paye is battling a sore groin, and Nick Cross has a hip flexor injury. Both are expected to be fine for week one, but it is something to be aware of. Cross sat out versus the Ravens, giving Hunter Wohler an opportunity. He did not waste it, making eight tackles in about half a game of action. Keep that name in your memory bank just in case.

Guru's IDP Notes: Jacksonville Jaguars

I don't remember any player stirring up more conversation, speculation, and controversy than Travis Hunter. As expected, he was in action on both sides of the ball against the Steelers. One small clue as to what we can expect when the games start to count is that Hunter is listed as a starting receiver and a backup corner. What exactly that means for his stats remains a mystery. 

Jacksonville remains undecided at the safety positions. Eric Murray, Darnell Savage, Andrew Wingard, and Antonio Johnson are all listed as co-starters. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs played most of their starters against Arizona. The only unexpected situation was in the secondary, where Chamarri Conner made the start at strong safety, Bryan Cook at free, and Jaden Hicks worked with the backups. Conner was productive as a slot defender last year. A full-time role at Strong Safety could make him a pleasant surprise for IDP managers.

Guru's IDP Notes: Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders are a work in progress. They surprisingly opened in a three linebacker package with Elandon Roberts wearing the green dot helmet and playing in the middle, Devin White on the weak side, and Germaine Pratt strong. I'll not spend time analyzing what that means because I believe the coaching staff is still experimenting as they consider options. Once they figure out that Roberts is not a three-down backer, which is bound to happen, we can take a harder look at what is going on. 

Jamal Adams was a late signing and has also been working at linebacker.

Guru's IDP Notes: Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles played no defensive starters against the Saints, but there is one situation to address. Troy Dye has been seeing time with the starters during camp. Some managers are picking him up in the late rounds of drafts. This may not be a bad move, but be aware that Denzel Perryman is still listed as the starter on the team's initial depth chart. Dye worked with the first team while Perryman was dealing with legal issues. With all charges dropped, Perryman likely faces no punishment from the league.

Interestingly, Junior Colson, who many expected to start in his second year, is stuck behind Dayian Henley on the depth chart. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Los Angeles Rams