Scouting the NFL QB Depth Charts:
After an outstanding rookie season, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud will be standing on the sideline when the NFL preseason opens Thursday. The only action he’s likely to get is a TV interview full of softball questions.
Bears rookie Caleb Williams, this year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, lobbied for a chance to play in the Hall of Fame Game at Canton, Ohio. But his coach grounded him and he will have to wait for another chance. In a battle of backup quarterbacks, Houston is a 1.5-point favorite against Chicago, and the total has dipped from 33 to 31.
When betting the preseason, information is the key to unlocking edges. In the case of this curtain-raiser in Canton, the info that was anticipated — most starters will be sitting for both teams — was made public early in the week. For most, the Bears-Texans matchup appears to be a coin flip that might be worth only an entertainment bet. Still, there will be wagering action and a lot of it because football is finally back.
Disregard the critics who claim preseason wagering is solely for clowns and degenerates — every bookmaker will say that’s an uneducated perception. The truth is several sharp bettors want in on the action in August, when getting info early can mean getting the best of the number.
Of the many angles to consider, quarterback rotations are arguably most important to handicappers. Instead of dancing with the stars, you are betting on the backups. Do the Jets have enough firepower in reserve to win games while Aaron Rodgers is taking vacation days?
Rodgers is not expected to take a preseason snap, yet the Jets have an appealing QB depth chart highlighted by veteran Tyrod Taylor, who has started 58 career games. Playing behind Taylor will be Adrian Martinez, who was recently signed after earning UFL MVP honors for the Birmingham Stallions, and undrafted rookie Andrew Peasley from Wyoming.
Martinez, a former Nebraska and Kansas State star, is an intriguing player due to his running ability. When reserve offensive linemen are logging a lot of minutes in preseason games, a running quarterback can get out of the pocket and make something out of broken plays. Jordan Travis, a fifth-round pick from Florida State, is not expected to play for the Jets this month while recovering from a serious leg injury.
The Browns could have the best NFL preseason quarterback rotation in the league. Behind starter Deshaun Watson, who needs significant playing time, Cleveland has a proven veteran (Jameis Winston) and two running threats (Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley.)
In addition to the Browns and Jets, the Bengals, Colts, Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons, Saints, and Texans should field the most effective quarterback rotations.
The Raiders should have a productive quarterback duel between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, and the Steelers could see a competition develop between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
2024 NFL Preseason QB Depth Charts
ARIZONA: Kyler Murray, Desmond Ridder, Clayton Tune
ATLANTA: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr., Taylor Heinicke, John Paddock
BALTIMORE: Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson, Devin Leary, Emory Jones
BUFFALO: Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky, Shane Buechele
CAROLINA: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton, Jack Plummer
CHICAGO: Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien, Austin Reed
CINCINNATI: Joe Burrow, Jake Browning, Logan Woodside, Rocky Lombardi
CLEVELAND: Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Tyler Huntley
DALLAS: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, Trey Lance
DENVER: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson
DETROIT: Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker, Nate Sudfeld
GREEN BAY: Jordan Love, Sean Clifford, Michael Pratt, Jacob Eason
HOUSTON: CJ Stroud, Davis Mills, Case Keenum, Tim Boyle
INDIANAPOLIS: Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger, Kedon Slovis, Jason Bean
JACKSONVILLE: Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, CJ Beathard
KANSAS CITY: Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz, Chris Oladokun, Ian Book
LAS VEGAS: Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, Anthony Brown, Carter Bradley
LA CHARGERS: Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Max Duggan, Casey Bauman
LA RAMS: Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett, Dresser Winn
MIAMI: Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White, Skylar Thompson
MINNESOTA: Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall
NEW ENGLAND: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Bailey Zappe, Joe Milton
NEW ORLEANS: Derek Carr, Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler, Nathan Peterman
NY GIANTS: Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito
NY JETS: Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez, Andrew Peasley
PHILADELPHIA: Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee, Will Grier
PITTSBURGH: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen, John Rhys Plumlee
SAN FRANCISCO: Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Allen, Tanner Mordecai
SEATTLE: Geno Smith, Sam Howell, PJ Walker
TAMPA BAY: Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask, John Wolford, Zack Annexstad
TENNESSEE: Will Levis, Mason Rudolph, Malik Willis
WASHINGTON: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Sam Hartman, Jeff Driskel