National Football League depth chart

An NFL depth chart is a contextually enhanced player roster published by each National Football League franchise.

Format

The first column of players listed are part of the starting lineup. Each week in the NFL head coaches are required to submit a list of the players who will start the game in their designated position.^{[citation needed]} Players who are regularly listed on the starting lineup for each game are considered starters. The second column of players are "back-ups" to their respective starters. Depending on the position, these players will rotate in with the starting players or will come into the game when their respective starting player is injured or performs poorly. The act of being removed from the game because of poor performance is called "benching" or being "benched". The third and fourth columns would be considered the back-up's back-up or the 3rd and 4th string of players. The 3rd string and 4th string designation refers to players that are 3rd or 4th in line for starting the game. Therefore, 2nd string would refer to the primary back-up and 1st string would refer to the starter. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th string of players are usually given special roles in a game. These roles include special teams tackler, special teams blocker, kick returner, punt returner, third-down running back, H-back, goal-line back, slot receiver, and second Tight End in a two Tight End set.

In today's NFL, depth charts are updated year round because off-season player movement plays such a prominent role for fans and media alike. There are several opportunities during the regular and post season for updates as coaches update official weekly lists of starters for each game. Head coaches also give verbal updates of player's starting or back-up roles in press conferences. During the off-season there are also several opportunities for updates to a depth chart. The post-season ends in February, free agency begins in March, the NFL Draft is in April, mini-camps are held in May and June, training camp opens in July, pre-season games begin in August, and Regular season games generally begin in September.

Breakdown of NFL starting positions on a depth chart

OFFENSE

QB = Quarterback
RB = Running Back/HB = Halfback
FB = Fullback
RWR = Right Wide Receiver
LWR = Left Wide Receiver
TE = Tight End
RT = Right Offensive Tackle
RG = Right Offensive Guard
C = Center
LG = Left Offensive Guard
LT = Left Offensive Tackle

DEFENSE

RE = Right Defensive End
UT = Under Tackle (Defensive Tackle)
NT = Nose Tackle (Defensive Tackle)
LE = Left Defensive End
WLB = Weakside Linebacker/ROLB = Right Outside Linebacker
ILB = Inside Linebacker/MLB = Middle Linebacker
SLB = Strongside Linebacker/LOLB = Left Outside Linebacker
RCB = Right Cornerback
FS = Free Safety
SS = Strong Safety
LCB = Left Cornerback

SPECIAL TEAMS

K = Kicker
P = Punter
LS = Long snapper
KR = Kick Returner
PR = Punt Returner
KOS= Kick Off Specialist