With Week 1 of preseason games just 'round the corner comes our first look at unofficial team depth charts.
Clubs posted preliminary pecking orders for each position group Monday, but of course, take them with a grain of salt. All but two coaches haven't even seen their players in live game action yet, and it's likely Week 1 depth charts will look very different. (Note: Not all teams have released depth charts.)
The most surprising revelation from Monday's depth charts? Maurice Jones-Drew ahead of longtime starter Darren McFadden in Oakland's backfield.
The Raiders signed MJD to a three-year deal in March, but he's coming off back-to-back subpar seasons. He failed to reach the 1,000-yard plateau both years, and at 29, is on the downside. McFadden, though, hasn't rushed for 1,000 yards since 2010, and he's never played in all 16 games. Count on a timeshare in Oakland.
Here's what else we learned from depth charts Monday:
- Elsewhere on the Raiders' chart, Rod Streater and Andre Holmes are listed as the starting receivers ahead of free-agent pickup James Jones. Denarius Moore? The once-promising speedster is on the third team, behind the likes of Greg Little.
- The Jets have a three-headed monster at first-team running back, with Chris Ivory, Chris Johnson and Bilal Powell. Fantasy owners, beware.
- Mark Ingram is the Saints' starter at running back, with Making the Leap candidateKhiry Robinson No. 2 and Pierre Thomas No. 3.
Brandin Cooks has been the talk of training camp, but the Saints rookie still needs to earn his stripes in the preseason. He's currently on the third team.
- Redemption time for Kenny Britt? The Rams have the free-agent addition as the No. 1 receiver, with Tavon Austin on the second team. Tre Mason was beating the drum for a competition with Zac Stacy, but the rookie is currently on the fourth team (Benny Cunningham is No. 2).
- Santana Moss is Washington's No. 1 punt returner right now. He was once of the game's most electrifying punt returners, but he's now 35. Moss is on the Redskins' roster bubble, so special teams could be his saving grace.
- In San Diego, the comebacking Dwight Freeney is on the second team, behind Jarrett Johnson and Melvin Ingram. First-round pick Jason Verrett is also running with the twos.Â
- Many rookies are listed as second-teamers that will surely be starters, but not C.J. Mosley. The Ravens have him starting next to Daryl Smith at linebacker, pushing Arthur Brown out.Â
The latest Around The League Podcast breaks down Marshawn Lynch's belated arrival at Seahawks camp and debates which active NFL players are first-ballot locks for the Hall of Fame.
