Preseason Week 1 Highlights Reveal Shifts in Running Back and Receiver Roles
The first preseason games showed the Browns consolidating their backfield, the Bears experimenting with multiple tight ends, and several teams adjusting wide receiver depth charts.
The Cleveland Browns used the preseason opener to trim their running back rotation to two primary backs, Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, after free-agent departure of Jerome Ford. Judkins handled all early-down and short-yardage snaps, while Sampson took third-down duties, suggesting both could see increased volume this season. The team also promoted rookie wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to the starting lineup, with Concepcion seeing action in both 11- and 12-personnel sets.
Chicago’s Bears opened the game with a four-tight-end personnel grouping, a formation they did not employ last season, indicating a possible shift toward more multiple-tight-end packages. Rookie tight end Sam Roush appeared in the first drive, hinting that the team may keep a fourth tight end on the roster while rotating Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.
In Minnesota, the Vikings gave rookie Tai Felton early-down snaps ahead of Jauan Jennings, while Jordan Addison spent more time in the slot than expected. The arrangement suggests Felton may serve as Justin Jefferson’s direct backup, though Jennings could retain a larger role if Jefferson misses time.
The New York Giants continued to run a three-back committee featuring Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary, with no clear lead back emerging. Their wide receiver depth chart remains fluid after the addition of several free agents and a rookie, though Malik Nabers is the only receiver likely to start once healthy.
Kansas City’s Chiefs, without quarterback Patrick Mahomes, rested several starters and gave rookie Cyrus Allen notable slot-receiver work, while the Los Angeles Rams relied mainly on veteran Xavier Smith, with rookie CJ Daniels also seeing snaps.
The Jacksonville Jaguars introduced rookie tight ends Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol into the depth chart, positioning them as potential backups to starter Brenton Strange. New Orleans’ Saints used rookie Oscar Delp in a receiving role alongside veteran Noah Fant, indicating Delp could serve as a backup to Juwan Johnson.
Across the league, multiple teams rested key players, providing opportunities for younger talent to earn early reps and offering fantasy managers early indicators of depth-chart changes.