This article is part of our Weekly Rankings series.
Here are our rankings for the coming week at each position to help you decide your starting lineup. Our rankings are based on the following scoring system: three points for a passing touchdown; six points for a rushing/receiving touchdown; one point for every 20 passing yards; and one point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards. Flex Rankings are for PPR leagues.
Typically, this article will be posted on Tuesday evenings, roughly around 6:00 pm PT. However, for this week they are up earlier with the preseason games ending earlier.
I will update these during the week, usually twice per week to account for injury or other news during practice.
The first week is always the trickiest. I try not to rely too much on matchups early on - personnel changes, both on the field and in the coaching staffs, dictate so much change, as does a critical injury. By all means, if you want to discuss a rank, or want me to add a player, chime in on the comments. I try to be receptive to your feedback and try to respond to most comments, though on occasion the volume can be quite thick. Please refer to the rankings first when asking "should I start Player A vs. Player B?".
Updated 9/8
Quarterback
| 1. | Drew Brees NO vs. Atl |
| 2. | *Peyton Manning DEN vs. Bal Note: It's hard for a regular season game to redeem a playoff failure, so ignore that angle Thursday night. But this should be a |
Here are our rankings for the coming week at each position to help you decide your starting lineup. Our rankings are based on the following scoring system: three points for a passing touchdown; six points for a rushing/receiving touchdown; one point for every 20 passing yards; and one point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards. Flex Rankings are for PPR leagues.
Typically, this article will be posted on Tuesday evenings, roughly around 6:00 pm PT. However, for this week they are up earlier with the preseason games ending earlier.
I will update these during the week, usually twice per week to account for injury or other news during practice.
The first week is always the trickiest. I try not to rely too much on matchups early on - personnel changes, both on the field and in the coaching staffs, dictate so much change, as does a critical injury. By all means, if you want to discuss a rank, or want me to add a player, chime in on the comments. I try to be receptive to your feedback and try to respond to most comments, though on occasion the volume can be quite thick. Please refer to the rankings first when asking "should I start Player A vs. Player B?".
Updated 9/8
Quarterback
| 1. | Drew Brees NO vs. Atl |
| 2. | *Peyton Manning DEN vs. Bal Note: It's hard for a regular season game to redeem a playoff failure, so ignore that angle Thursday night. But this should be a favorable scenario for Manning - warmer weather, home crowd, perhaps a weaker secondary for the Ravens. |
| 3. | Tony Romo DAL vs. NYG Note: The Giants' loss of Stevie Brown could be big for Romo. |
| 4. | Matt Ryan ATL at NO |
| 5. | Tom Brady NE at Buf |
| 6. | Andrew Luck IND vs. Oak |
| 7. | Aaron Rodgers GB at SF |
| 8. | *Eli Manning NYG at Dal Note: Small bump up. |
| 9. | Cam Newton CAR vs. Sea |
| 10. | Colin Kaepernick SF vs. GB Note: Another playoff rematch, but this time Kaepernick doesn't have Michael Crabtree. |
| 11. | Matthew Stafford DET vs. Min |
| 12. | Michael Vick PHI at Was |
| 13. | Ben Roethlisberger PIT vs. Ten |
| 14. | Russell Wilson SEA at Car |
| 15. | *Robert Griffin WAS vs. Phi Note: (Knee) Cleared for full activity and is expected to start in Week 1, despite not playing at all in the preseason. Complicating matters is that the Redskins play Monday night. |
| 16. | Alex Smith KC at Jax |
| 17. | Joe Flacco BAL at Den |
| 18. | Matt Schaub HOU at SD |
| 19. | Jay Cutler CHI vs. Cin |
| 20. | Sam Bradford STL vs. Ari |
| 21. | Carson Palmer ARZ at StL |
| 22. | Josh Freeman TB at NYJ |
| 23. | Philip Rivers SD vs. Hou |
| 24. | Ryan Tannehill MIA at Cle |
| 25. | Christian Ponder MIN at Det |
| 26. | Andy Dalton CIN at Chi |
| 27. | *EJ Manuel BUF vs. NE Note: (Knee) Returned to practice on Sunday - right now Jeff Tuel is lined up to start, but a couple of good practices could change that decision. Named the starter for Week 1. |
| 28. | Jake Locker TEN at Pit |
| 29. | Brandon Weeden CLE vs. Mia |
| 30. | *Terrelle Pryor OAK at Ind Note: It's possible that he could win the starting job ahead of Flynn. Officially the starter for Week 1. |
| 31. | *Geno Smith NYJ vs. TB Note: Named the starter this week. |
| 32. | *Blaine Gabbert JAC vs. KC Note: Named the starter ahead of Chad Henne. Sustained a thumb injury in practice, was limited in practice Thursday and is listed as questionable. *** SUNDAY UPDATE: Will start.*** |
| 33. | *Matt Flynn OAK at Ind Note: (Elbow) Flynn will return to practice this week, but he's not guaranteed to start ahead of Terrelle Pryor. Pryor named the starter this week. |
| 34. | *Mark Sanchez NYJ vs. TB Note: Sanchez still had pain in his throwing shoulder Saturday, making it at least a solid chance that Geno Smith will start this week. Smith named the starter this week. |
| 35. | *Kirk Cousins WAS vs. Phi Note: Listed just in case RG3 has any setbacks in practice this week. Cousins is coming off an injury of his own, so even Rex Grossman could receive consideration in a pinch. |
| 36. | *Jeff Tuel BUF vs. NE Note: Tentatively in line to start Week 1, but Manuel is starting to practice. Manuel officially the starter. |
Running Backs
| 1. | Adrian Peterson MIN at Det |
| 2. | Doug Martin TB at NYJ |
| 3. | Jamaal Charles KC at Jax |
| 4. | C.J. Spiller BUF vs. NE |
| 5. | LeSean McCoy PHI at Was |
| 6. | Ray Rice BAL at Den |
| 7. | Trent Richardson CLE vs. Mia |
| 8. | Chris Johnson TEN at Pit |
| 9. | Alfred Morris WAS vs. Phi |
| 10. | *Stevan Ridley NE at Buf Note: A rare matchup play - Buffalo was awful against the run. |
| 11. | *David Wilson NYG at Dal Note: Big leap in value while Andre Brown is out - he's now the undisputed goal line back. *** Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride raved about Wilson's improvement in pass blocking.*** |
| 12. | Steven Jackson ATL at NO |
| 13. | DeMarco Murray DAL vs. NYG |
| 14. | Maurice Jones-Drew JAC vs. KC |
| 15. | Marshawn Lynch SEA at Car |
| 16. | Matt Forte CHI vs. Cin |
| 17. | Reggie Bush DET vs. Min |
| 18. | Lamar Miller MIA at Cle |
| 19. | *Darren McFadden OAK at Ind Note: Missed the final two preseason games with a shoulder injury, but is expected to be ready for Week 1. |
| 20. | Frank Gore SF vs. GB |
| 21. | Ryan Mathews SD vs. Hou |
| 22. | *Arian Foster HOU at SD Note: (Back/Groin) Will not get a full workload in Week 1 because he didn't play at all in the preseason and missed most of training camp. Will |
| 23. | *Isaac Redman PIT vs. Ten Note: Your likely Week 1 starter for the Steelers, with Le'Veon Bell out and Jonathan Dwyer cut. Felix Jones and LaRod Stephens-Howling loom as alternatives. |
| 24. | *Ahmad Bradshaw IND vs. Oak Note: (Foot) Juicy matchup, but the foot injury that lasted throughout the preseason lingers as a concern. Full participant in Thursday's practice. *** Officially listed as probable. *** |
| 25. | *Ben Tate HOU at SD Note: Tate will probably get more carries than usual against the Chargers, given that Foster is coming off of back and groin injuries. |
| 26. | Daryl Richardson STL vs. Ari |
| 27. | Mark Ingram NO vs. Atl |
| 28. | *Eddie Lacy GB at SF Note: Downgraded some because of the matchup. |
| 29. | Shane Vereen NE at Buf |
| 30. | *DeAngelo Williams CAR vs. Sea Note: On one hand, Jonathan Stewart is out, and both Kenjon Barner and Mike Tolbert are banged up, so the opportunity for Williams is outstanding. On the other hand, the matchup, at least based from last year, is terrible. Tolbert has been a full participant in practice, but Barner is still limited. |
| 31. | Giovani Bernard CIN at Chi |
| 32. | *Bilal Powell NYJ vs. TB Note: Officially the Jets' starting RB this week. |
| 33. | *Vick Ballard IND vs. Oak Note: Along with Ben Tate, Ballard might be the best backup play this week, at least among those considered traditional backups rather than timeshare backs. This is murkier than I first thought. Not only could Bradshaw split carries, but it's not just with Ballard. Donald Brown also is in the picture. |
| 34. | Darren Sproles NO vs. Atl |
| 35. | *Rashard Mendenhall ARZ at StL Note: Mendenhall has been dealing with a sore knee, but he's expected to be ready for Week 1. Didn't practice Monday, but limited both Wednesday and Thursday. ***Officially listed as probable.*** |
| 36. | Bryce Brown PHI at Was |
| 37. | *Montee Ball DEN vs. Bal Note: Listed second on the Broncos' depth chart, but the team has acknowledged that they'll have a full-fledged committee. If the team becomes more confident in his pass-blocking, he could end up getting the majority of the snaps. |
| 38. | BenJarvus Green-Ellis CIN at Chi |
| 39. | *Ronnie Hillman DEN vs. Bal Note: First on the Broncos' depth chart at least for now, but not first in our hearts. |
| 40. | Pierre Thomas NO vs. Atl |
| 41. | Bernard Pierce BAL at Den |
| 42. | Joique Bell DET vs. Min Note: Surpassed Mikel Leshoure as Reggie Bush's backup and thus might get some goal line carries. Leshoure is a healthy scratch. |
| 43. | *Knowshon Moreno DEN vs. Bal Note: Third on the Broncos' depth chart officially, but stands to get a lot of playing time, particularly on third down. |
| 44. | Chris Ivory NYJ vs. TB |
| 45. | Michael Bush CHI vs. Cin |
| 46. | Zac Stacy STL vs. Ari |
| 47. | Jacquizz Rodgers ATL at NO |
| 48. | Robert Turbin SEA at Car |
| 49. | Fred Jackson BUF vs. NE |
| 50. | Roy Helu WAS vs. Phi |
| 51. | Knile Davis KC at Jax |
| 52. | *Phillip Tanner DAL vs. NYG Note: Might be ahead of Joseph Randle at this point. |
| 53. | *Kendall Hunter SF vs. GB Note: Hunter's backup job has been solidified thanks to LaMichael James' knee injury. |
| 54. | *Donald Brown IND vs. Oak Note: Added to the ranks, might even start, but it will be as part of a three-headed monster. |
| 55. | Shonn Greene TEN at Pit |
| 56. | Danny Woodhead SD vs. Hou Note: Used quite sparingly during the preseason, but he's expected to be the change-of-pace back behind Ryan Mathews, even if Ronnie Brown is ahead of him on the depth chart. We'll see. |
| 57. | Christine Michael SEA at Car |
| 58. | Joseph Randle DAL vs. NYG |
| 59. | Daniel Thomas MIA at Cle |
| 60. | Rashad Jennings OAK at Ind |
| 61. | *LaRod Stephens-Howling PIT vs. Ten Note: Either he or Felix Jones will be the backup behind Isaac Redman while Le'Veon Bell is out. |
| 62. | Stepfan Taylor ARZ at StL |
| 63. | Ryan Williams ARZ at StL |
| 64. | James Starks GB at SF Note: Beat out Alex Green as the backup behind Eddie Lacy. |
| 65. | Da'Rel Scott NYG at Dal |
| 66. | Felix Jones PIT vs. Ten |
| 67. | *Johnathan Franklin GB at SF Note: Had a horrible camp and preseason. |
| 68. | *Alfonso Smith ARZ at StL Note: It looks like all four running backs could get work for Arizona. |
| 69. | *Isaiah Pead STL vs. Ari Note: Serving a one-game suspension this week. |
| 70. | *Le'Veon Bell PIT vs. Ten Note: Mid-foot sprain, likely to miss at least 2-to-3 weeks. |
| 71. | *Andre Brown NYG at Dal Note: Out four-to-six weeks with a fractured leg. |
Wide Receivers
| 1. | *Calvin Johnson DET vs. Min Note: Missed most of the preseason with a sore knee, but the Lions were handling him with kid gloves - they haven't indicated that there's anything serious here. Not on the team's initial injury report. |
| 2. | Dez Bryant DAL vs. NYG |
| 3. | Demaryius Thomas DEN vs. Bal |
| 4. | Julio Jones ATL at NO |
| 5. | A.J. Green CIN at Chi |
| 6. | *Brandon Marshall CHI vs. Cin Note: Not quite fully recovered from an offseason hip surgery, though it's nothing that's supposed to put his Week 1 availability at risk. Not even on the Week 1 injury report. |
| 7. | Andre Johnson HOU at SD |
| 8. | Dwayne Bowe KC at Jax |
| 9. | Larry Fitzgerald ARZ at StL |
| 10. | Torrey Smith BAL at Den |
| 11. | DeSean Jackson PHI at Was |
| 12. | *Danny Amendola NE at Buf Note: Dealt with an undisclosed issue in the preseason. Limited Wednesday with a groin injury, not affected in Thursday's practice. |
| 13. | Reggie Wayne IND vs. Oak Note: Big matchup play this week. |
| 14. | *Victor Cruz NYG at Dal Note: Dealing with a heel injury that could have him limited in practice this week. As expected, limited in practice this week. |
| 15. | Antonio Brown PIT vs. Ten |
| 16. | *Marques Colston NO vs. Atl Note: A lingering foot injury that carried over from last season has me a little concerned. I've downgraded him a couple of slots in my drafts. But he's helped that a lot of WRs in his range have also been hurt. Full practice Wednesday. |
| 17. | *Pierre Garcon WAS vs. Phi Note: Toe injury completely healed, according to Garcon. |
| 18. | *Roddy White ATL at NO Note: Dealing with an ankle injury. Limited practice activity this week, but still expects to play. *** Some early Sunday morning panic, but he's active and will start. *** |
| 19. | Vincent Jackson TB at NYJ |
| 20. | *Randall Cobb GB at SF Note: (Biceps) Not on the initial injury report. |
| 21. | Anquan Boldin SF vs. GB |
| 22. | Miles Austin DAL vs. NYG |
| 23. | Cecil Shorts JAC vs. KC |
| 24. | Mike Williams TB at NYJ |
| 25. | Lance Moore NO vs. Atl Note: Could get more targets if Colstn isn't 100 percent. |
| 26. | Eric Decker DEN vs. Bal |
| 27. | Mike Wallace MIA at Cle |
| 28. | *Hakeem Nicks NYG at Dal Note: (Groin) Not on the Week 1 injury report. |
| 29. | *Jordy Nelson GB at SF Note: (Knee) Not on the initial injury report. |
| 30. | Steve Johnson BUF vs. NE |
| 31. | T.Y. Hilton IND vs. Oak |
| 32. | Golden Tate SEA at Car |
| 33. | James Jones GB at SF |
| 34. | Kenbrell Thompkins NE at Buf |
| 35. | Steve Smith CAR vs. Sea |
| 36. | Rueben Randle NYG at Dal |
| 37. | *Kenny Britt TEN at Pit Note: Sat out the preseason finale with a sore knee. That said, the Titans have said that Britt will need a day off from practice nearly every week. |
| 38. | *Wes Welker DEN vs. Bal Note: Playing through his ankle injury. |
| 39. | Tavon Austin STL vs. Ari |
| 40. | Denarius Moore OAK at Ind |
| 41. | Greg Jennings MIN at Det |
| 42. | Mohamed Sanu CIN at Chi Note: Strong preseason shows that he's fully recovered from the foot injury that ended his season, and Andrew Hawkins' injury puts him in the starting lineup. |
| 43. | Michael Floyd ARZ at StL |
| 44. | Vincent Brown SD vs. Hou |
| 45. | *Sidney Rice SEA at Car Note: (Knee) Expected to be ready for Week 1. Full participant in Thursday's practice. |
| 46. | Darrius Heyward-Bey IND vs. Oak |
| 47. | Kenny Stills NO vs. Atl |
| 48. | Chris Givens STL vs. Ari |
| 49. | Alshon Jeffery CHI vs. Cin |
| 50. | Greg Little CLE vs. Mia Note: The Browns' top wideout for the first two weeks, at least in terms of pecking order. |
| 51. | Brian Hartline MIA at Cle |
| 52. | *Santonio Holmes NYJ vs. TB Note: (Foot) Might not be ready for Week 1. *** Active and will start. *** |
| 53. | *Rod Streater OAK at Ind Note: Has been dealing with a head injury. |
| 54. | Emmanuel Sanders PIT vs. Ten |
| 55. | *Malcom Floyd SD vs. Hou Note: (Knee) Listed as probable for Monday night. |
| 56. | *Nick Toon NO vs. Atl Note: Dealing with what appears to be a minor chest injury. Chest injury, but full practice Wednesday. |
| 57. | Stephen Hill NYJ vs. TB |
| 58. | Riley Cooper PHI at Was |
| 59. | Markus Wheaton PIT vs. Ten |
| 60. | Donnie Avery KC at Jax |
| 61. | *Kendall Wright TEN at Pit Note: (Sprained knee) Expects to be ready for Week 1. |
| 62. | Jacoby Ford OAK at Ind |
| 63. | Brandon LaFell CAR vs. Sea |
| 64. | *Cordarrelle Patterson MIN at Det Note: (Back) Limited in Thursday's practice. ***Full participant Friday, listed as probable.*** |
| 65. | Keenan Allen SD vs. Hou |
| 66. | *Jacoby Jones BAL at Den Note: *** Suffered a sprained MCL on Thursday night. *** |
| 67. | Nate Burleson DET vs. Min |
| 68. | *Andre Roberts ARZ at StL Note: (Quad) Limited on Thursday. |
| 69. | Jeremy Kerley NYJ vs. TB |
| 70. | *DeAndre Hopkins HOU at SD Note: Hoping to pass the fifth stage of the NFL's concussion protocol this week. Full participant in Thursday's practice. |
| 71. | Quinton Patton SF vs. GB |
| 72. | *Dexter McCluster KC at Jax Note: Some accusations of embellishing an illness last week to avoid a preseason game and subsequent practice. |
| 73. | Jon Baldwin SF vs. GB |
| 74. | *Aaron Dobson NE at Buf Note: (Hamstring) Limited in Thursday's practice. *** Ruled out for Week 1 with his hamstring injury. *** |
| 75. | *Ryan Broyles DET vs. Min Note: Coming back from a knee injury, will begin the year third on the depth chart. *** Healthy scratch this week.*** |
| 76. | *Josh Gordon CLE vs. Mia Note: Suspended for the first two games of the season. |
| 77. | *Justin Blackmon JAC vs. KC Note: Suspended for the first four games of the season. |
Tight Ends
| 1. | Jimmy Graham NO vs. Atl |
| 2. | Vernon Davis SF vs. GB |
| 3. | Tony Gonzalez ATL at NO |
| 4. | Jason Witten DAL vs. NYG |
| 5. | Antonio Gates SD vs. Hou |
| 6. | Kyle Rudolph MIN at Det |
| 7. | Owen Daniels HOU at SD |
| 8. | Greg Olsen CAR vs. Sea |
| 9. | Jared Cook STL vs. Ari Note: Trendy sleeper because he reunited with Jeff Fisher. The trend might be right. |
| 10. | Jermichael Finley GB at SF |
| 11. | Brandon Myers NYG at Dal |
| 12. | *Coby Fleener IND vs. Oak Note: (Knee) Expected to play in the preseason opener. Full participant in Thursday's practice. I moved him down some, nonetheless - I love his matchup, but I'm waiting to see him do something before putting him at this level. |
| 13. | *Zach Sudfeld NE at Buf Note: Short-term job security following the waiver of Jake Ballard and Daniel Fells. |
| 14. | *Jordan Cameron CLE vs. Mia Note: (Groin) Missed the final preseason game, but had a huge impact early on. Full practice this week. |
| 15. | Martellus Bennett CHI vs. Cin |
| 16. | Fred Davis WAS vs. Phi |
| 17. | *Julius Thomas DEN vs. Bal Note: Ahead of Joel Dreesen and Jacob Tamme on the Broncos' depth chart. |
| 18. | Brandon Pettigrew DET vs. Min |
| 19. | Jermaine Gresham CIN at Chi |
| 20. | Brent Celek PHI at Was |
| 21. | *Zach Miller SEA at Car Note: (Foot) Returned from the PUP list for the final preseason game. |
| 22. | *Ed Dickson BAL at Den Note: (Hamstring) On track to play in Thursday night's season opener. |
| 23. | Jeff Cumberland NYJ vs. TB |
| 24. | *Delanie Walker TEN at Pit Note: (Knee) Replaces Jared Cook as the Titans' starting tight end. |
| 25. | Charles Clay MIA at Cle Note: The Dolphins' starter in the wake of Dustin Keller's gruesome preseason injury. |
| 26. | Tony Scheffler DET vs. Min |
| 27. | Anthony Fasano KC at Jax |
| 28. | *Tyler Eifert CIN at Chi Note: (Wrist) Missed the final two preseason games, but turned heads early on in training camp. |
| 29. | *Dwayne Allen IND vs. Oak Note: Dealt with a foot injury for most of training camp. Full participant in Thursday's practice. |
| 30. | Ben Watson NO vs. Atl |
| 31. | Zach Ertz PHI at Was |
| 32. | Joel Dreessen DEN vs. Bal |
| 33. | Scott Chandler BUF vs. NE |
| 34. | *Rob Gronkowski NE at Buf Note: Gronk avoided the PUP list, but he still isn't expected to be ready for Week 1. I'll defer to the medical specialists before venturing to guess which week he'll debut, but at least the recent news is positive. A lot more practice activity this week than expected, maybe even an outside chance he plays this week. *** Officially inactive.*** |
| 35. | *Rob Housler ARZ at StL Note: Dealing with a high ankle sprain. Did not practice Thursday, not expected to play in Week 1.*** Officially inactive.*** |
| 36. | *Marcedes Lewis JAC vs. KC Note: Sore calf, expected to play in Week 1. Did not practice Thursday - availability now seems in doubt. |
| 37. | *David Ausberry OAK at Ind Note: (Shoulder) Did not practice Thursday.*** Officially inactive.*** |
| 38. | *Heath Miller PIT vs. Ten Note: (Knee) Shaky for the season opener, but the Steelers activated him from the PUP list to begin the season. Limited practice participant Thursday.*** Officially inactive.*** |
Flex (RB/WR/TE)
| 1. | Adrian Peterson MIN at Det |
| 2. | Doug Martin TB at NYJ |
| 3. | Jamaal Charles KC at Jax |
| 4. | C.J. Spiller BUF vs. NE |
| 5. | LeSean McCoy PHI at Was |
| 6. | Ray Rice BAL at Den |
| 7. | *Calvin Johnson DET vs. Min Note: Missed most of the preseason with a sore knee, but the Lions were handling him with kid gloves - they haven't indicated that there's anything serious here. Not on the team's initial injury report. |
| 8. | Dez Bryant DAL vs. NYG |
| 9. | Trent Richardson CLE vs. Mia |
| 10. | Chris Johnson TEN at Pit |
| 11. | Matt Forte CHI vs. Cin |
| 12. | Maurice Jones-Drew JAC vs. KC |
| 13. | Jimmy Graham NO vs. Atl |
| 14. | Demaryius Thomas DEN vs. Bal |
| 15. | Julio Jones ATL at NO |
| 16. | A.J. Green CIN at Chi |
| 17. | *Brandon Marshall CHI vs. Cin Note: Not quite fully recovered from an offseason hip surgery, though it's nothing that's supposed to put his Week 1 availability at risk. Not even on the Week 1 injury report. |
| 18. | Steven Jackson ATL at NO |
| 19. | Reggie Bush DET vs. Min |
| 20. | Darren Sproles NO vs. Atl |
| 21. | *Stevan Ridley NE at Buf Note: A rare matchup play - Buffalo was awful against the run. |
| 22. | *David Wilson NYG at Dal Note: Big leap in value while Andre Brown is out - he's now the undisputed goal line back. *** Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride raved about Wilson's improvement in pass blocking.*** |
| 23. | Marshawn Lynch SEA at Car |
| 24. | Andre Johnson HOU at SD |
| 25. | Dwayne Bowe KC at Jax |
| 26. | Larry Fitzgerald ARZ at StL |
| 27. | *Danny Amendola NE at Buf Note: Dealt with an undisclosed issue in the preseason. Limited Wednesday with a groin injury, not affected in Thursday's practice. |
| 28. | Torrey Smith BAL at Den |
| 29. | Alfred Morris WAS vs. Phi |
| 30. | Lamar Miller MIA at Cle |
| 31. | DeMarco Murray DAL vs. NYG |
| 32. | *Darren McFadden OAK at Ind Note: Missed the final two preseason games with a shoulder injury, but is expected to be ready for Week 1. |
| 33. | *Eddie Lacy GB at SF Note: Downgraded some because of the matchup. |
| 34. | Frank Gore SF vs. GB |
| 35. | Ryan Mathews SD vs. Hou |
| 36. | *Roddy White ATL at NO Note: Dealing with an ankle injury. Limited practice activity this week, but still expects to play. *** Some early Sunday morning panic, but he's active and will start. *** |
| 37. | Vincent Jackson TB at NYJ |
| 38. | DeSean Jackson PHI at Was |
| 39. | Reggie Wayne IND vs. Oak Note: Big matchup play this week. |
| 40. | *Victor Cruz NYG at Dal Note: Dealing with a heel injury that could have him limited in practice this week. As expected, limited in practice this week. |
| 41. | Antonio Brown PIT vs. Ten |
| 42. | *Randall Cobb GB at SF Note: (Biceps) Not on the initial injury report. |
| 43. | Cecil Shorts JAC vs. KC |
| 44. | Jason Witten DAL vs. NYG |
| 45. | Vernon Davis SF vs. GB |
| 46. | *Arian Foster HOU at SD Note: (Back/Groin) Will not get a full workload in Week 1 because he didn't play at all in the preseason and missed most of training camp. Will |
| 47. | Giovani Bernard CIN at Chi |
| 48. | Shane Vereen NE at Buf |
| 49. | *Ahmad Bradshaw IND vs. Oak Note: (Foot) Juicy matchup, but the foot injury that lasted throughout the preseason lingers as a concern. Full participant in Thursday's practice. *** Officially listed as probable. *** |
| 50. | *Ben Tate HOU at SD Note: Tate will probably get more carries than usual against the Chargers, given that Foster is coming off of back and groin injuries. |
| 51. | Tony Gonzalez ATL at NO |
| 52. | Mike Williams TB at NYJ |
| 53. | Lance Moore NO vs. Atl Note: Could get more targets if Colstn isn't 100 percent. |
| 54. | Eric Decker DEN vs. Bal |
| 55. | Mike Wallace MIA at Cle |
| 56. | *Pierre Garcon WAS vs. Phi Note: Toe injury completely healed, according to Garcon. |
| 57. | *Marques Colston NO vs. Atl Note: A lingering foot injury that carried over from last season has me a little concerned. I've downgraded him a couple of slots in my drafts. But he's helped that a lot of WRs in his range have also been hurt. Full practice Wednesday. |
| 58. | *Hakeem Nicks NYG at Dal Note: (Groin) Not on the Week 1 injury report. |
| 59. | *Jordy Nelson GB at SF Note: (Knee) Not on the initial injury report. |
| 60. | T.Y. Hilton IND vs. Oak |
| 61. | Anquan Boldin SF vs. GB |
| 62. | Golden Tate SEA at Car |
| 63. | Daryl Richardson STL vs. Ari |
| 64. | Bryce Brown PHI at Was |
| 65. | *Isaac Redman PIT vs. Ten Note: Your likely Week 1 starter for the Steelers, with Le'Veon Bell out and Jonathan Dwyer cut. Felix Jones and LaRod Stephens-Howling loom as alternatives. |
| 66. | Mark Ingram NO vs. Atl |
| 67. | *DeAngelo Williams CAR vs. Sea Note: On one hand, Jonathan Stewart is out, and both Kenjon Barner and Mike Tolbert are banged up, so the opportunity for Williams is outstanding. On the other hand, the matchup, at least based from last year, is terrible. Tolbert has been a full participant in practice, but Barner is still limited. |
| 68. | Antonio Gates SD vs. Hou |
| 69. | Kyle Rudolph MIN at Det |
| 70. | James Jones GB at SF |
| 71. | Miles Austin DAL vs. NYG |
| 72. | Steve Johnson BUF vs. NE |
| 73. | Kenbrell Thompkins NE at Buf |
| 74. | Steve Smith CAR vs. Sea |
| 75. | Owen Daniels HOU at SD |
| 76. | *Coby Fleener IND vs. Oak Note: (Knee) Expected to play in the preseason opener. Full participant in Thursday's practice. I moved him down some, nonetheless - I love his matchup, but I'm waiting to see him do something before putting him at this level. |
| 77. | Jermichael Finley GB at SF |
| 78. | Greg Olsen CAR vs. Sea |
| 79. | Jared Cook STL vs. Ari Note: Trendy sleeper because he reunited with Jeff Fisher. The trend might be right. |
| 80. | *Vick Ballard IND vs. Oak Note: Along with Ben Tate, Ballard might be the best backup play this week, at least among those considered traditional backups rather than timeshare backs. This is murkier than I first thought. Not only could Bradshaw split carries, but it's not just with Ballard. Donald Brown also is in the picture. |
| 81. | *Rashard Mendenhall ARZ at StL Note: Mendenhall has been dealing with a sore knee, but he's expected to be ready for Week 1. Didn't practice Monday, but limited both Wednesday and Thursday. ***Officially listed as probable.*** |
| 82. | *Knowshon Moreno DEN vs. Bal Note: Third on the Broncos' depth chart officially, but stands to get a lot of playing time, particularly on third down. |
| 83. | Pierre Thomas NO vs. Atl |
| 84. | *Montee Ball DEN vs. Bal Note: Listed second on the Broncos' depth chart, but the team has acknowledged that they'll have a full-fledged committee. If the team becomes more confident in his pass-blocking, he could end up getting the majority of the snaps. |
| 85. | BenJarvus Green-Ellis CIN at Chi |
| 86. | Chris Ivory NYJ vs. TB |
| 87. | *Ronnie Hillman DEN vs. Bal Note: First on the Broncos' depth chart at least for now, but not first in our hearts. |
| 88. | Rueben Randle NYG at Dal |
| 89. | *Kenny Britt TEN at Pit Note: Sat out the preseason finale with a sore knee. That said, the Titans have said that Britt will need a day off from practice nearly every week. |
| 90. | *Wes Welker DEN vs. Bal Note: Playing through his ankle injury. |
| 91. | Tavon Austin STL vs. Ari |
| 92. | Denarius Moore OAK at Ind |
| 93. | Greg Jennings MIN at Det |
| 94. | Mohamed Sanu CIN at Chi Note: Strong preseason shows that he's fully recovered from the foot injury that ended his season, and Andrew Hawkins' injury puts him in the starting lineup. |
| 95. | Michael Floyd ARZ at StL |
| 96. | Vincent Brown SD vs. Hou |
| 97. | *Sidney Rice SEA at Car Note: (Knee) Expected to be ready for Week 1. Full participant in Thursday's practice. |
| 98. | Darrius Heyward-Bey IND vs. Oak |
| 99. | Kenny Stills NO vs. Atl |
| 100. | Chris Givens STL vs. Ari |
| 101. | Alshon Jeffery CHI vs. Cin |
| 102. | Greg Little CLE vs. Mia Note: The Browns' top wideout for the first two weeks, at least in terms of pecking order. |
| 103. | Brian Hartline MIA at Cle |
| 104. | Brandon Myers NYG at Dal |
| 105. | *Zach Sudfeld NE at Buf Note: Short-term job security following the waiver of Jake Ballard and Daniel Fells. |
| 106. | *Jordan Cameron CLE vs. Mia Note: (Groin) Missed the final preseason game, but had a huge impact early on. Full practice this week. |
| 107. | Fred Davis WAS vs. Phi |
| 108. | Martellus Bennett CHI vs. Cin |
| 109. | Bernard Pierce BAL at Den |
| 110. | *Bilal Powell NYJ vs. TB Note: Officially the Jets' starting RB this week. |
| 111. | Joique Bell DET vs. Min Note: Surpassed Mikel Leshoure as Reggie Bush's backup and thus might get some goal line carries. Leshoure is a healthy scratch. |
| 112. | Michael Bush CHI vs. Cin |
| 113. | Zac Stacy STL vs. Ari |
| 114. | Jacquizz Rodgers ATL at NO |
| 115. | Robert Turbin SEA at Car |
| 116. | Fred Jackson BUF vs. NE |
| 117. | Stepfan Taylor ARZ at StL |
| 118. | Roy Helu WAS vs. Phi |
Kickers
| 1. | Justin Tucker BAL at Den |
| 2. | Stephen Gostkowski NE at Buf |
| 3. | *Matt Bryant ATL at NO Note: Sat out the preseason finale with a sore back, but expected to be ready for Week 1. Full practice Wednesday. |
| 4. | Randy Bullock HOU at SD |
| 5. | Matt Prater DEN vs. Bal |
| 6. | Phil Dawson SF vs. GB |
| 7. | Blair Walsh MIN at Det |
| 8. | Greg Zuerlein STL vs. Ari |
| 9. | Alex Henery PHI at Was |
| 10. | Steven Hauschka SEA at Car |
| 11. | Josh Brown NYG at Dal |
| 12. | Adam Vinatieri IND vs. Oak |
| 13. | *Sebastian Janikowski OAK at Ind Note: Dealing with a calf injury, but practiced Thursday. |
| 14. | Robbie Gould CHI vs. Cin |
| 15. | Kai Forbath WAS vs. Phi |
| 16. | Mike Nugent CIN at Chi |
| 17. | Garrett Hartley NO vs. Atl |
| 18. | *Mason Crosby GB at SF Note: Won the job, restructured his contract. |
| 19. | Dan Bailey DAL vs. NYG |
| 20. | David Akers DET vs. Min |
| 21. | *Billy Cundiff CLE vs. Mia Note: Signed by the Browns. |
| 22. | Shaun Suisham PIT vs. Ten |
| 23. | Ryan Succop KC at Jax |
| 24. | Rob Bironas TEN at Pit |
| 25. | Nick Novak SD vs. Hou |
| 26. | Josh Scobee JAC vs. KC |
| 27. | Jay Feely ARZ at StL Note: One of three kickers to beat out Dan Carpenter this year. Yay. |
| 28. | *Dan Carpenter BUF vs. NE Note: Already on his fourth team since the start of training camp. |
| 29. | Graham Gano CAR vs. Sea |
| 30. | *Rian Lindell TB at NYJ Note: Won the Bucs' starting kicker job over Derek Dimke, after the Bucs lost both Connor Barth and Lawrence Tynes. |
| 31. | *Nick Folk NYJ vs. TB Note: Beat out Dan Carpenter for the job. |
| 32. | Caleb Sturgis MIA at Cle |
| 33. | *Dustin Hopkins BUF vs. NE Note: Out with a groin injury - Dan Carpenter, you can't kill him off, will take his place. |
Defenses
| 1. | Chicago Bears vs. Cin |
| 2. | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Ten |
| 3. | Seattle Seahawks at Car |
| 4. | St. Louis Rams vs. Ari Note: Home game vs. Carson Palmer? WANT. |
| 5. | New England Patriots at Buf Note: Could possibly face an undrafted rookie QB. |
| 6. | San Francisco 49ers vs. GB |
| 7. | Cleveland Browns vs. Mia Note: Sneaky good defense, sneaky good matchup. |
| 8. | *Houston Texans at SD Note: Ed Reed (hip) was activated from the PUP list but his status for Week 1 is uncertain. |
| 9. | *Cincinnati Bengals at Chi Note: Start your pass-catching backs and tight ends against the Bengals - Rey Maualuga's replacement in nickel situations, Emmanuel Lamur, is out for the season. |
| 10. | New York Jets vs. TB |
| 11. | Kansas City Chiefs at Jax |
| 12. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NYJ Note: Matchup is good, but I think it won't be as great on the road. |
| 13. | Indianapolis Colts vs. Oak |
| 14. | San Diego Chargers vs. Hou |
| 15. | Detroit Lions vs. Min |
| 16. | *Denver Broncos vs. Bal Note: Reminder that the Broncos will be without Von Miller for six weeks. |
| 17. | Tennessee Titans at Pit |
| 18. | Dallas Cowboys vs. NYG |
| 19. | Arizona Cardinals at StL |
| 20. | Carolina Panthers vs. Sea |
| 21. | Baltimore Ravens at Den |
| 22. | Green Bay Packers at SF |
| 23. | Washington Redskins vs. Phi |
| 24. | Miami Dolphins at Cle |
| 25. | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. KC |
| 26. | Philadelphia Eagles at Was |
| 27. | *New York Giants at Dal Note: Stevie Brown is out for the year, and the Giants were already thin in the secondary. |
| 28. | Minnesota Vikings at Det |
| 29. | Atlanta Falcons at NO |
| 30. | *Buffalo Bills vs. NE Note: Jairus Byrd has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and is seeking a second opinion for the injury. |
| 31. | Oakland Raiders at Ind |
| 32. | *New Orleans Saints vs. Atl Note: Jonathan Vilma (knee) is doubtful for Week 1. |
