2024 NFL Rosters_Projections_Cheat Sheets Preseason (Updated - 8/12/2024)
The above link (Google sheet) in yellow connects the depth charts and projections for all 32 teams. The content is restricted to paid subscribers, who must request access to view it. I will overwrite this document when making any future updates. Note: This document has been updated for all 32 teams and I tightened up the overall projections for each team. Any changes going forward will come from injuries, coach-speak, and camp news.
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Here’s my notes and changes:
Atlanta Falcons
Rondale Moore suffered what appeared to be a significant injury on August 7th. As a result, I flipped his opportunity to Ray-Ray McCloud based on the coach-speak out of Atlanta.
Baltimore Ravens
As expected, the Ravens placed RB Keaton Mitchell on the PUP list in mid-July due to his recovery from a torn ACL in his left knee. He’ll offer minimal value over the first two months. WR Rashod Bateman has already left practice twice over the past week with an injury to his midsection. His stock was trending up earlier in July.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers will be without RB Jonathon Brooks until Week 3 or 4 of the regular season, so I downgraded his projections by three games. WR Xavier Legette picked up a foot issue on Monday while not making an impact so far in camp. WR Jonathan Mingo has the inside track for the Panthers’ WR3 role in early August.
Cincinnati Bengals
TE Mike Gesicki connection with QB Joe Burrow suggests a more valuable fantasy season in 2024.
Cleveland Browns
Despite Nick Chubb's expected slow start to the season, he has been working hard, leading to positive reports on his recovery from his significant knee injury. D’Onta Foreman suffered a neck injury in early August, which may be a factor in his early season value. I downgraded him slightly even after returning to practice this week. Jerry Jeudy has been battling a leg issue in August, but the injury appears to be minor.
Dallas Cowboys
With CeeDee Lamb holding for a new contract, the fantasy market has some apprehension about his return to Dallas. He’s a stud and deserves to get paid. The Cowboys will get him signed before Week 1, so Lamb should be drafted with confidence. Royce Freeman (groin) and Duece Vaughn (hamstring) picked up injuries in early August, putting them in a weaker position to earn meaningful snaps in the regular season.
Detroit Lions
Sam LaPorta has been limited in early August due to a hamstring issue. He should be ready for Week 1. Jaymar Gibbs suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Monday, giving the fantasy market a scare. I downgraded his projections by three games. Without knowing the severity of the issue, he won’t see the field for a month, giving him a chance to play in Week 1. I don’t believe Detroit will rush him back with David Montgomery worthy of carrying their running back show early in September. My thought is two missed games with about 10 touches in the following two matchups. I’ll readjust later when there is a better update on the extent of his injury.
Green Bay Packers
Over the last three weeks, Marshawn Lloyd has already suffered two injuries (hip and hamstring). The Packers would love for him to win their RB2 role this season, but his missed time will slow down his training camp momentum.
Houston Texans
The Texans will bring Joe Mixon along slowly in August due to a minor quad issue suffered in late July. He should be ready for the opening weekend.
Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs left practice with a high ankle sprain, putting him at risk to play in Week 1. I downgraded his projections by three games, giving Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell a bump in value.
Kansas City Chiefs
In the Chiefs’ first preseason game, Marquise Brown suffered a left shoulder injury that won’t require surgery. The initial reports have him missing about four weeks, putting him at risk to play in Week 1. I downgraded his projections by two games, with Xavier Worthy getting the biggest bump. As the fantasy draft season rolls on, I’m in the camp that Mahomes is going to have an elite, top five quarterback season. His weapons are much better than last year, but he does need Rashee Rice not to get suspended and Worthy be a helpful player out of the gate. As a result, I upped his passing touchdown outlook, making Mahomes the first quarterback off the board.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams reported this week that the injury to Puka Nacua was a broken bursa sac. I upgraded Cooper Kupp as the expense of Nacua. They suggested he would be ready for Week 1. Los Angeles placed Tyler Higbee on the PUP list due to his recovery from a torn ACL.
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert will be out of action for a couple of weeks with plantar fasciitis, an injury that may linger far into the regular season. Ladd McConkey left practice this week with an unknown injury. I didn’t downgrade his status until there is a better update on his injury.
Miami Marlins
Miami won’t practice this week due to a minor undisclosed injury. Odell Beckham remains on the PUP list due to the Dolphins limiting his work this summer. Jaylen Waddle has been battling a minor unknown injury.
Minnesota Vikings
T.J. Hockenson appears to be ahead of schedule, but my outlook for him remains the same until he comes off the PUP list. The latest update on Jordan Addison suggests that he may miss three games this season. He has a court date on October 7th that won’t bring clarity to his situation. Despite looking sharp in the Vikings’ first preseason game (188 passing yards and two touchdowns), JJ McCarthy picked up a knee injury, leading to him avoid joint practices this week with the Browns.
New England Patriots
The Patriots release JuJu Smith-Schuster this week, creating more targets for other wide receivers on the team. DeMario Douglas has been battling a hand issue in August.
New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller has been out of action for almost three weeks with a hamstring injury. As a result, his draft price has been fading. He remains the top handcuff to Alvin Kamara, but the fantasy market has lost confidence in him staying healthy. Rashid Shaheed has also been battling a hamstring issue. A.T. Perry looks poised to pay off as a deep sleeper. He caught four passes for 85 yards in the first preseason game. I sense I have him severely under projected in mid-August. Juwan Johnson remains on the PUP list with foot injury.
New York Giants
The high flying Malik Nabers suffered an ankle issue over the past week, but the Giants expect him to fine for Week 1. Darius Slayton has been dealing some tightness in early August, keeping him on the sidelines for practice.
New York Jets
Mike Williams has a chance to play in Week 1 after being removed from the PUP list in early August. He still isn’t ready to take on a full practice as the Jets ease him into action.
Philadelphia Eagles
Over the first week in August Parris Campbell picked up a groin issue. He has a long history of battling injuries, so his chance at a WR3 role is diminished by each missed game. Will Shipley is trending toward the backup running back for the Eagles. He gained 30 yards with a score in Philadelphia’s first preseason game, while handling their kickoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Roman Wilson suffered an ankle injury in late July. He lost his walking boot within a week, a good sign for his recovery. I had his projected to win the WR2 role for the Steelers, but I haven’t made any changes to his outlook.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers shutdown Christian McCaffrey over the past week due to a calf strain. The believe the injury is minor, he should be ready for Week 1. Elijah Mitchell is battling a hamstring issue, putting his RB2 role at risk. San Francisco doesn’t expect to have Isaac Guerendo back for a few weeks due to a hamstring issue. Ricky Pearsall has been dealing with a shoulder issue, making him a wild card in 2024. His value could rise quickly if the 49ers don’t reup Brandon Aiyuk and trade him.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans lost DeAndre Hopkins for a lengthy period of time due a knee injury. On the positive side, he won’t need surgery. Tennessee suggest he’ll miss four to six weeks. I downgraded his outlook by two games, with Tyler Boyd earning more chances.