05-08-2015, 05:36 AM
Depth charts are exactly the excel image I posted. A ranking of players per position showing who would be next to fill that role if the starter got injured, suspended, or missed a game otherwise.
So with running backs, DeMarco Murray would start the game, but if he wasn't available, Ryan Mathews would start. In our case, both Mathews and Sproles will probably get to play snaps during a game, but you expect players higher on the depth chart to get a proportionate amount of playing time.
Another example would be that Vinny Curry might come in for 3rd and long in place of Ced Thornton, because Thorn is a great run defender but Vinny is a better pass rusher, but Thornton would still be the starter and higher on the depth chart because he plays 1st and 2nd down which there are more of in the game.
So with running backs, DeMarco Murray would start the game, but if he wasn't available, Ryan Mathews would start. In our case, both Mathews and Sproles will probably get to play snaps during a game, but you expect players higher on the depth chart to get a proportionate amount of playing time.
Another example would be that Vinny Curry might come in for 3rd and long in place of Ced Thornton, because Thorn is a great run defender but Vinny is a better pass rusher, but Thornton would still be the starter and higher on the depth chart because he plays 1st and 2nd down which there are more of in the game.