New England arrives Week 1 with cornerback depth thinning: Christian Gonzalez is out and Charles Woods downgraded to out, leaving Marcus Jones as the primary playmaker with backup options. Corey Ballentine steps in on defense and special teams after a waiver claim, while Marcellas Dial’s season-ending injury compounds the challenge. Week 1 versus Las Vegas tests how swiftly the new depth can hold up against a Raiders aerial attack.

Woods’ potential role as a big nickel blitzer and Ballentine’s veteran versatility could shape the early secondary, with Jones handling the slot duties. If the group holds, Ballentine’s kick-returns experience and Woods’ preseason nose for pressure offer the Pats a spark in both coverage and special teams, even as the Raiders look to stretch the edge of New England’s depth early in the season.

Gonzalez's hamstring may sideline him in Week 1 at Gillette, thinning the Patriots' top corner and forcing a depth-based rotation on the outside. Campbell's ankle adds uncertainty at left tackle, complicating NE's protection against a disruptive Raiders front. Barmore is listed limited but not injury-related, while Chism III is dealing with a knee issue. Charles Woods groin and Kyu Blu Kelly hamstring for Las Vegas pepper the other side of the equation, with picks and fantasy implications hinging on who steps up in coverage and in pass rush.

Thursday's notes show the Patriots leaning on depth in a potential Week 1 test, while Las Vegas adjusts around its corner injuries. For fantasy managers, the headlines point to elevated pass-game upside for Raider receivers if NE's boundary play slows, and a possible uptick in targets for Patriots wideouts if the secondary is stretched. The game shapes as a defense-and-line grind with real DFS and season-long implications depending on who can fill the missing snaps.

Rams cut Derion Kendrick, Brennan Jackson, Willie Lampkin and Charles Woods on Wednesday. Kendrick was claimed by Seattle; Jackson by Las Vegas; Lampkin by Philadelphia; Woods by New England. Rams kept 9 defensive backs and 10 offensive linemen on their initial 53. The waiver churn reshapes late-round fantasy upside across SEA, LV, PHI, and NE, with immediate implications for depth charts and special-teams roles.

Fantasy watchers should monitor depth charts and injury dynamics, as these moves can unlock sleeper options and streaming plays when teams reassess after roster cuts.