NFL Depth Charts 2024-25 NFL Depth Charts

Depth Chart Fact Sheet

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Betting on NFL Depth Charts

When evaluating wagers on an NFL team – whether that be in the futures market, game market or NFL player props market – your first point of reference should be the depth chart. Depth charts can show you the strengths, weaknesses, and injury issues for each team. They’re the go-to reference for getting a feel for a full NFL roster. So, we’ve dedicated this page to updating NFL depth charts throughout the season. So, before you place any bets, set your fantasy football lineup, or lock in your daily fantasy lineup, you can check in here for full updates.

When you’re following your favorite team, it’s important to keep up on the NFL depth charts. Say someone is going to do some New York sports betting on platforms such as DraftKings New York and BetMGM New York. They’ll want to know who’s currently in the lineup for some of the local teams like the New York Jets or Buffalo Bills. Whether it’s an injury, a benching, or a simple shuffling of the starting lineup, you’ll want to keep tabs on the depth charts so you can be an informed bettor.

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Once you have found yourself on a team’s depth chart page, it will be broken out into offensive and defensive depth charts. You might see the offensive line and special teams have their own depth charts as well. On the offensive side, the depth chart is going to look fairly similar from team to team. The top-ranked player at each position is going to be the starter. A number listed next to the wide receiver will dictate the true number one wide receiver, but it might be broken out into just who is the top left and right wide receiver, with the depth following behind them.

On the defensive side, a depth chart is going to be set up within a few different ways depending on what formation they are running. A 4-3 defense is going to show two defensive tackles alongside two defensive ends and three linebackers. A 3-4 defense is going to show three defensive linemen and then four linebackers or players listed as edge rushers. The starters will once again be listed at the top of the rankings for each position, and secondary players will be behind them. This is always a good indicator for who would fill in during an injury, or also who could jump a struggling player.

Using NFL Depth Charts For Fantasy Football

NFL Depth Charts are important for fantasy football. Identifying the team’s starting players is important. It gives you a look at who the true starters are and where the volume will be. The starting wideouts and tight ends will be the ones seeing the most targets, and of course, the top running back is likely to lead the team in carries. With running back by committees being a popular method for coaches, seeing who the number two running back is going to be important as they could be splitting carries with the top running back.

Reviewing the number two or even three names on depth charts at each position will give you an edge for when injuries do occur and you want to go pick up a starting running back’s backup who is now going to see more touches. The same can be said for other positions, as backup tight ends could see significant roles and receiving cores can be shaken up with an injury.

Snap Count Differences Between Starters and Backups

Looking at depth charts and how they correlate with snap counts, the starters get a lot more time on the field. However, snap counts can tell a story of how a position as a whole is used. For example, a team using a committee approach to their running backs will have their designated depth chart positions for the number one and number two running backs. However, snaps might not be that different between the two. Looking at wide receivers, some third- and fourth-ranked wide receivers on a depth chart get more snaps and targets than others. The same goes for tight ends. Some teams use a two tight end system, where both are putting together starter-level snaps.

Now, of course, many starters will receive a much larger amount of snaps. Workhorse running backs are always going to be the true number one guys. And of course, a quarterback on top of the depth chart will be the starter. Some defenders play more based on how the game is going. If a team is using more pass-heavy defensive schemes, that third or fourth corner will be seeing more time. The same goes for edge rushers, who might be used only on third downs or in other passing situations.

A Coach’s Process Of Building A Depth Chart

The NFL Draft has a significant impact on how a coach builds their depth chart. The way a team is already built is going to dictate how a team drafts. If a team is in a true rebuild, they will be looking to build their depth chart for future seasons rather than address immediate needs to plug holes. If a team was on the cusp of the playoffs or was eliminated early from the postseason, they may look to address specific needs through the draft. They may have had a weakness in the secondary and will look to fill that role instead of take the best talent on the board. If a team has numerous needs, they will look to build through the draft.

After the NFL Draft, rookies will begin joining teams. Some may get signed to their rookie contracts, and others may not be signed at all, going to the free agent pool or being signed to the practice squad. These rookies won’t be assigned a depth chart spot just yet, as they will be evaluated throughout training camp and during the preseason. They will also have the chance to move up the ladder during the regular season. This has happened in the past when a rookie starts out lower on the depth chart and becomes a full-fledged starter at some point during the season.

Throughout the summer, it's time for free agents to move around. Trades are not as popular in the NFL as in other sports, but still lead to significant roster changes. These transactional moves are going to be building blocks for a depth chart as a way to build depth or address needs on either side of the ball. Teams have a salary cap to stay under, so it's important for them to spend wisely.

After transactions have been made, training camp and the preseason are major events for the depth chart. During training camp, a team can only have 90 players before it starts to be cut down. Teams will need to get to make enough moves for a 53-man roster when the regular season starts. Some players will be cut outright, and others will move to the practice squad depending on their eligibility.

Once the regular season hits, the depth chart is going to be set at 53 players and will be narrowed down to a set of rankings within each position. This is where you are going to find your starters, secondary players, and true backups. Throughout the season, there will be plenty of depth chart movement. Injuries are common in the NFL, and lacking depth can derail your season. Outside of injuries, we often see changes because of production. A wide receiver might be thriving in a minimal role and overtake the next wide receiver on the depth chart. A struggling running back might also give up his starting job to the hot hand.

Key Positions For Depth

Having depth at each position is important, but some positions require more than others. Teams that fail to address these needs leave themselves vulnerable if an injury occurs. On the offensive side, it is tough to move the ball if you have an offensive line that is banged up. Having linemen that can play multiple positions is always a big plus. We have seen many teams struggle following injuries to the offensive line.

Some teams invest in a quality backup quarterback. We have seen starting quarterbacks go down with an injury plenty of times for teams with subpar backups. We have also seen backup quarterbacks come in and keep teams afloat. Backup running backs and wide receivers are also important, but can be somewhat replaceable.

On the defensive side, depth is very important in the secondary. Losing a star cornerback is immediately going to hurt a defense, so it's ideal to have some talented backups. Linebacker and defensive line are also an important depth positions. Having depth allows you to rotate players within a game to keep guys fresh and draw up more schemes to utilize a player’s strengths.

NFL Depth Chart Frequently Asked Questions

• What Is NFL Depth Chart?

• How Many NFL Starters Are There?

• When Do NFL Depth Charts Come Out?

• How To Read An NFL Depth Chart?

• How Often Do NFL Depth Charts Change?

• How Many Players Are In An NFL Depth Chart?

Depth Charts and Sports Betting

Whether you're a diehard fan of your hometown team or more of a casual NFL fan, it's important to be familiar with depth charts. In the NFL, a depth chart reflects which players will start a game and who comes into a game following an injury or coach's decision. While the depth chart is released well before the start of the NFL season, it can change significantly from game to game.

Sports bettors can use depth chats to their advantage, as a new starter can shift how a team will perform. This can be useful for everything from betting the point spread to individual player props. So bettors in areas with legal sports wagering can use this NFL Depth Charts page to their advantage. Some states such as Pennsylvania have both mobile sports betting and iGaming available. But they'll need to be at least 21 for Pennsylvania online casinos and sports wagering apps.