The NFL preseason could be relabeled as the league’s proving grounds. The results of the games may not mean anything, but the players’ performances in them can go a long way toward settling position battles during training camp. While most highly drafted rookies aren’t in danger of being cut from their respective teams, some can earn a starting job by playing well in August. How each draft pick performs in practice plays a signi

ficant role as well, but proving it in a live game against an opponent that you don’t see every day can carry a lot of weight. Here, we’ll dive into a handful of 2024 draftees who weren’t listed as a starter on their team’s initial depth chart but could earn the job in the preseason.

Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos

Bo Nix

It was surprising to Bo Nix listed as the third quarterback on the Denver Broncos’ first unofficial depth chart. Not only did the organization spend the No. 12 overall pick on Nix, but head coach Sean Payton has spoken highly of the rookie, comparing him future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. “You see pretty good pocket sense,” Payton told reporters of Nix during training camp. “Doesn’t take a lot of sacks. I think when he knows when the play’s over, time to go, and then, I think he can make plays when he’s going. “I used to say this all the time, ‘The sack numbers are a reflection more on the quarterback than the offensive line.’ And there are some—Brees was one of those guys. He was a tough sack.

The ball came out and I think Bo has traits like that.” This isn’t the first time Payton has juxtaposed his former and current quarterbacks. He made a similar statement in OTAs. That speaks to how much of an impression Nix has made on the Broncos’ coaching staff so far. According to Chad Jensen of Denver Broncos on SI, no one should read into the Oregon product’s initial standing on the depth chart. All rookies were listed as third-stringers because the NFL required Denver to release a depth chart ahead of the preseason and Payton was “not ready” to produce a meaningful one. In other words, Nix could easily win the job with a strong showing in the preseason. The former Duck’s competition is Jarrett Stidham, who has four career starts in four NFL seasons, and Zach Wilson, who had several opportunities to be the New York Jets’ starter but fell short every time. If Nix can’t win the job over those two, it might be time to panic in Denver.

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Philadelphia Eagles

Quinyon Mitchell

Coming out of Toledo, Quinyon Mitchell showed the makings of being a first-year starter. “Mitchell has the skill set to play both man and zone, but he would be best served in a zone scheme, where he can play from off coverage and see the routes develop in front of him,” B/R’s defensive backs scout Cory Giddings wrote in his scouting report. “He has the ceiling of a top-15 selection, with the potential of being a Day 1 starter and lengthy NFL career.” That’s part of what made the 23-year-old a good target and fit with the Philadelphia Eagles. Cornerback was one of the Eagles’ biggest needs heading into the draft, as James Bradberry is coming off a down year and is in his 30s.

However, the team’s first unofficial depth chart placed the rookie on the second string. What makes Mitchell’s standing head-scratching is that Bradberry has moved to safety and two players—Isaiah Rodgers and Kelee Ringo—are both listed at the second starting cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay Jr. The good news for Mitchell is that Rodgers only has 10 career starts in three years and missed all of last season while serving a suspension, and Ringo didn’t get much playing time as a rookie in 2023. In other words, it’s not as if Mitchell is behind a couple of well-established veterans. With a strong showing in the preseason, he could easily move up on the depth chart. It sounds like he’s already making a strong impression on his teammates. “I like what I’m seeing. He’s moving around a lot—playing inside, going outside—so the versatility is there, but it’s fun playing against him,” Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith said of the rookie, via NFL Media’s Michael Baca. “[Mitchell] doesn’t back down, he hasn’t backed down not one time, and that’s what I want to see,” fellow wideout A.J. Brown reiterated, per NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Dave Zangaro.

Byron Murphy II, Edge, Seattle Seahawks

Byron Murphy II

Byron Murphy II shot up draft boards over the past year and ended up being the first defensive tackle selected in April. The biggest reasons for that are his positional versatility and potential to contribute as an every-down defender. “After serving as a backup during his first two years at Texas, Byron Murphy II is a big riser in this year’s NFL draft class,” his B/R scouting report reads. “He played up and down the Longhorns’ defensive line, lining up as far inside as a nose tackle to taking a few reps on the edge at defensive end. He also has a lot of potential against the run and as a pass-rusher.” Still, the Seattle Seahawks have Murphy listed as a backup on their first unofficial depth chart (h/t Corbin K. Smith of Seattle Seahawks on SI), with Jarran Reed ahead of the rookie. However, the latter could easily win the job with a strong performance in the preseason.

Reed has been more of an average-at-best player throughout his eight-year career. He has never gotten an overall grade in the 70s or higher from Pro Football Focus. The 31-year-old is also on the final season of a two-year, $9 million contract, so it’s not as if the organization has much invested in him. Additionally, Murphy has drawn good reviews so far in Seattle’s training camp. “With Byron, I feel like I give you guys the same answer every time you ask. He’s a guy that we thought he was,” head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters. “Again, let’s not crown him yet, but he’s on the way. He’s a force in there. I think the guys see it. I’m pleased with his effort. “The guy brings it everyday. He’s a rookie. There’s things that we want to attack, but he’s a savvy football player. He knows what he’s doing out there. He’s not lost, plays fast, plays rugged. I think the future is bright for Mr. Murphy.”

Troy Fautanu, OL, Pittsburgh Steelers

Troy Fautanu

While B/R’s scouting department felt Troy Fautanu’s potential was higher at guard than offensive tackle, there’s no denying that the Washington product has the makings of an immediate starter. “Overall, Fautanu is a twitched-up, explosive blocker with excellent length and a tone-setting demeanor who projects best inside at guard with tackle versatility in his back pocket,” offensive line scout Brandon Thorn wrote in his scouting report for the former Husky. “His tools and skill set should land him a starting job right away, and he has Pro Bowl potential within his first contract as he settles into a full-time role.”

Although the Pittsburgh Steelers listed Fautanu as a second-stringer at tackle on their first unofficial depth chart, that could easily change by the end of the month. Dan Moore Jr. currently occupies the starting spot, but the Steelers spent a first-round pick on an offensive lineman in part because he struggled in pass protection last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Moore allowed 55 pressures (including eight sacks) and posted an ugly 39.7 pass-blocking grade. If Fautanu can keep the quarterback clean during the preseason, he has a good chance of moving up on the depth chart. That might already be in the works. According to Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora, Fautanu got first-team reps at right tackle on Tuesday while Moore and Broderick Jones rotated on the left.

Graham Barton, OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Graham Barton

It’s understandable why Graham Barton was listed second on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first unofficial depth chart. After all, he is learning a new position. Barton was primarily a tackle in college, but he showed enough traits and promise to be considered a potential immediate starter by B/R’s scouting department. “Overall, Barton is a stubborn, sticky blocker with the short-area quickness, play strength and competitive toughness to make a successful transition inside and become a solid, dependable starter right away at guard or center in a multiple run scheme,” offensive line scout Brandon Thorn wrote in his scouting report for the Duke product. “Barton’s profile and projection is very similar to Forrest Lamp coming out of Western Kentucky in terms of body type, play style and pro expectations.”

Between the first-round pick’s skill set and competition, there’s plenty of reason to believe he could win the starting job with a solid performance in the preseason. While Robert Hainsey has started every game over the last two seasons, he was below-average in 2023 with four sacks surrendered and a run-blocking grade of 53.0, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s part of the reason why the Buccaneers used their first selection of the draft on Barton. Additionally, River Wells of Tampa Bay Buannceers on SI deemed the former Blue Devil as the favorite to win the job. He reported that Barton and Hainsey are splitting the first-team reps so far in training camp. It could come down to who plays better in the team’s preseason games this month. The smart money should be on the rookie.

Tyler Nubin, S, New York Giants

Tyler Nubin

A handful of changes will impact the New York Giants’ secondary this season, including the departure of safety Xavier McKinney and Shane Bowen taking over for Don “Wink” Martindale as defensive coordinator. Both moves could create a starting opportunity for Tyler Nubin this season. While McKinney bounced back and forth between free and strong safety during his time with the Giants, he spent more time in the box than anyone else in the position group. Meanwhile, Bowen comes from the Tennessee Titans, where he relied fairly heavily on defensive backs who can play on the second level of the defense.

“With his size and strength, Nubin is one of the top safeties in this year’s draft,” defensive backs scout Cory Giddings write in his scouting report for the Minnesota product. “Due to some of his shortcomings, he will need to go to a specific scheme where he has the ability to play strong safety and work mostly from the box. He may have a specific role in the run game and special teams at first, but he should be able to be used on all three downs in time.” Despite being listed behind Dane Belton on New York’s first unofficial depth chart, the rookie could easily win a starting job during the preseason. Belton has started only seven games over the last two seasons, so it’s not as if Nubin is behind a well-established veteran.

Cooper Beebe, C, Dallas Cowboys

Cooper Beebe

After letting Tyler Biadasz walk in free agency, the Dallas Cowboys have an open competition between Brock Hoffman and Cooper Beebe for their starting center job. Hoffman was listed as a first-stringer on the Cowboys’ first unofficial depth chart, but that could change by the end of the month. According to Blogging the Boys’ Tony Catalina, the rookie has performed admirably so far.

His biggest issues appear to be related to getting adjusted to a new position. “The feeling around camp is that Beebe is doing a lot of good things, but he has struggled with his snaps and getting in the right position post-snap,” Catalina wrote. “… However, the Cowboys drafted Beebe for a reason, and that was to see him be the eventual center of this team. While it may not happen instantly due to Hoffman holding on and some of Beebe’s inconsistencies, this feels like a position battle that will carry on down to the wire of Week 1.” Beebe’s early struggles are understandable, as center is the only position on the offensive line that he didn’t play at Kansas State. He’s proved able to adapt to a new spot in the trenches; it just might take some for him to get adjusted to playing center. Once Beebe strings together a few strong performances in the preseason, he should be able to beat out Hoffman, who has only two career starts.