Preseason is now underway as the Cowboys and Cardinals squared off on Thursday evening in the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame game, but all 32 NFL teams still have their regularly scheduled 4 preseason games. Here are position groups to keep an eye on this preseason.
On Offense
QUARTERBACK- NEW YORK JETS
The New York Jets search for the quarterback of the future continues, but for now they have to see what they can do with what they have, Josh McCown is the veteran on the team while third year quarterback Bryce Petty and second year man Christian Hackenberg are contenders to be the future of the team. Hackenberg could have a leg up on Petty because he was picked in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and has yet to see any regular season play. McCown could be the safe bet for now as the bridge quarterback, but it will be interesting to see how a potential three way battle for the starting job could go this preseason, depending on which quarterback gets the most time on the field and/or the best play of all three.
New York could be in for a tough year in 2017 because their roster is missing big name receivers like Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker along with an offensive line that could be an issue and a defense that saw Darrelle Revis and David Harris get cut. Regardless of the team around the quarterback(s) who will play this year, this preseason could possibly determine if the Jets feel comfortable moving forward with either Bryce Petty or Hackenberg moving forward. (Transactions information from www.nfl.com)
Projected Starter
Christian Hackenberg, at some point the New York Jets will need to see what he can do, he is their 2016 second round pick who has not taken a single snap in an NFL regular season game.
RUNNING BACK- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Adrian Peterson joined the New Orleans Saints in free agency this offseason, he will be in a backfield that also features Mark Ingram, who had his first 1,000 yard season in 2016. The Saints do have other running backs on the roster including veteran Travis Cadet, but Ingram and Peterson reasonably could end up getting a majority of the carries for the team in 2017, with Peterson on a brand new team coming off a down year due to injury and Ingram finally getting to a 1,000 yards this is a group to watch. Both players have a chance to start games, how Adrian Peterson will play following the season he had last year (just three games played) will be something to keep an eye on this preseason as this is a brand new team for him after spending 10 years as a Viking.
Projected starter
Mark Ingram, he is younger than Adrian Peterson and he is coming off a 1,000 yard season, but as the season progresses Adrian Peterson could see some starts as well.
WIDE RECEIVER- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith joined the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, which adds talent to group of wide receivers that saw one receiver, Jordan Matthews top 40 catches and 400 yards. Carson Wentz had an average of 236 yards passing per game in 2016, with the additions of Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith, watch this unit to see where the receivers could possibly line up and how the Eagles will utilize their skill sets.
With two brand new veteran receivers on the roster it could mean plenty of competition within this group, watch to see how the receivers play in the preseason to see who will go and stay. (Stats and transactions from http://www.nfl.com/teams/philadelphiaeagles/statistics?season=2016&team=PHI&seasonType=).
Projected Starters
Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffrey, both came in as free agents and have plenty of experience, something the Philadelphia Eagles need, and it helps Carson Wentz.
TIGHT END- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
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Rob Gronkowski is coming back from an injury and Dwayne Allen is a brand new New England Patriot who was acquired via trade from the Indianapolis Colts, there is also Matt Lengel and two rookies in this position group right now (http://www.patriots.com/team/roster). Keep an eye on how Rob Gronkowski looks as he comes back from injury as well as how Dwayne Allen looks in a brand new offense on a brand new team and also to see if Matt Lengel or one of the rookies will be kept on the team depending on how they play this preseason.
Projected Starters
Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen, the New England Patriots like to use two tight end sets, Gronkowski is an obvious starter here and Dwayne Allen makes sense as he is a veteran player with more experience than Matt Lengel.
OFFENSIVE LINE- CLEVELAND BROWNS
During the 2016 NFL season the Cleveland Browns gave up a league worst 66 sacks, average of 4 a game (per www.nfl.com), they went out and signed guard Kevin Zeitler and tackle Matt McCants in free agency and acquired center Marcus Martin off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers. Watch this group of players this preseason to see how they gel and also to see how they look on an individual basis. Cleveland is attempting to rebound from a 1-15 campaign in 2016, having a line that can block for the passer and also in the run game will help do that. (Transaction history from www.nfl.com)
Projected Starters
Tackles: Joe Thomas and Matt McCants, Center: Marcus Martin, Guards: Kevin Zeitler and Joel Bitonio. Joe Thomas anchors the left tackle spot to protect the blind side of the quarterback and has for some time for the Browns, Matt McCants was a free agent signing and could be a starter on a team that was the league worst at protecting their quarterback. Marcus Martin was signed off waivers from the 49ers, again another signing to help fix this offensive line. Kevin Zeitler is an experienced guard brought in via free agency and Joel Bitonio stayed with the Browns after signing another contract with the team this offseason. It is possible that the Browns could mix things up on the line as they will want to ensure they do not have the same issues they did last season.
On Defense
DEFENSIVE LINE- HOUSTON TEXANS
The Houston Texans defensive line is the defensive line group to watch for this preseason as both J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney are both healthy at the same time. While it is hard to judge or predict how many snaps starting players will get in the preseason, it will be interesting to see how J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney will play together or separately. Of course keep an eye out on the other players on the defensive line to see who might get playing time, and perhaps extensive playing time if either or both Watt or Clowney has an issue with injury in the 2017 season.
Projected Starters- J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Reader, Watt and Clowney can anchor the edge rushing spots and both are former first round picks that have helped theis defense stop the run and rush the passer. Reader was featured in 16 games as a rookie in 2016, starting 7 of them, all at the defensive tackle position.
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LINEBACKER- PITTSBURGH STEELERS
In this years draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers picked T.J. Watt, linebacker from Wisconsin, he joins a group that includes James Harrison, Arthur Moats, Bud Dupree and Ryan Shazier (http://www.steelers.com/team/roster). Where Watt and the rest of the linebackers named here and also those listed on the roster will play and how much they will is something to watch for this preseason.
Watch to see what players are put in certain situations such as a blitz, coverage and run stopping, with the amount of linebackers they have heading into the preseason it will be worth a close eye to see how the depth chart unfolds.
Projected starters- James Harrison, Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams and Bud Dupree. The Pittsburgh Steelers run a 3-4 defense, James Harrison has been a staple on this defense for some time now, Bud Dupree is a former first round pick. Vince Williams could be the guy to replace Lawrence Timmons, who left in free agency and Ryan Shazier is coming off a season where he had 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles.
DEFENSIVE BACK- TENNESSEE TITANS
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After allowing the 30th most passing yards in 2016 the Tennessee Titans made adjustments to their defensive backs, starting with the release of veteran cornerback Jason McCourty , prior to that release and after the Titans used free agency and the draft to add depth and talent to this position group. They signed cornerbacks Logan Ryan and Demontre Hurst as well as safeties Johnathan Cyprien and Brynden Trawick.
Tennessee also spent the 18th overall pick on cornerback Adoree’ Jackson. Watch this group this preseason to see where the new players on this team will fit along with which players will earn a starting job and where they would fit and play in packages such as the dime and nickle sets. (Transactions from http://www.titansonline.com/news/transactions.html)
Projected starters- Cornerbacks Logan Ryan, Adoree’ Jackson, Safeties Da’Norris Searcy and Jonathan Cyprien. Logan Ryan is entering his 5th NFL season and has plenty of experience from his time in New England, Adoree’ Jackson is a rookie, but a first round pick, the Titans were 30th in passing yards allowed last season, they will look to shake things up at the cornerback spot. Da’Norris Searcy is entering his 3rd year as a Titan, and he has started 27 games over the past two season with them. Jonathan Cyprien came over from the Jacksonville Jaguars, during his four year tenure there he started (and played) in 60 games, his knowledge of the division and experience gets him a starting gig.
SPECIAL TEAMS- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
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After Tampa Bay kicker Roberto Aguayo struggled in his rookie campaign in 2016 as he made 22 of his 31 field goal attempts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought in veteran kicker Nick Folk to compete during training camp and the preseason. Watch to see how Aguayo handles the competition and to see if Nick Folk can take the job from Aguayo.
Projected starters- Kicker: Nick Folk, the extra point is now a 33 yard attempt, and given Robert Aguayo’s struggles last year it could mean the former second round pick might be looking for another team. Tampa Bay needs a sure thing at this position. Punter: Bryan Anger, he is the only punter on the Buccaneers, barring an issue in preseason or an injury the job is his and his only.
All information as it pertains to player statistics is take from www.pro-football-reference.com unless otherwise stated. Draft information is from www.nfl.com/draft.
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