Biggest training camp battles for every AFC team

The dog days of summer signal the glorious return of NFL football.

Training camps around the league will open soon. They are a place where unknown youngsters routinely unseat established veterans for starting positions across the league.

As we eagerly anticipate those contests of will, determination and skill, now seems like a perfect time to highlight the most significant ones for each NFL team. These key battles will determine which players will rise to the challenge for their respective franchises and potentially fill key roster holes.

 

Baltimore Ravens, Wide Receiver

We all know Steve Smith Jr. is going to be the primary target for Joe Flacco in the passing game for the Ravens. What we don’t know is who will be lining up opposite the star receiver on Sundays.

Receivers coach and former NFL receiver Bobby Engram anticipates an “extremely competitive” battle for this honor, with rookie Breshad Perriman slated to go up against Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown.

Praising general manager Ozzie Newsome, Engram touted his talented group, per Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun:

“I think you’ve got a room full of guys, honestly, that can play in this league. Obviously, we know the numbers won’t allow that for the Ravens, but I’m very impressed. Just a collective effort to really bring a lot of good football players in here, and it’s shown.”

Given the penchant Flacco has for dropping dimes deep downfield, and given the high draft pick spent to land him, Perriman would seem like the obvious choice. That said, speed isn’t everything, and it often takes rookies some time to adapt to the physical play of NFL cornerbacks.

Prediction: Brown will start on the outside, with Perriman as the team’s No. 3 receiver.

 

Buffalo Bills, Quarterback

It wouldn’t be a Rex Ryan-coached team without a quarterback controversy.

Buffalo has not two, but three quarterbacks vying for the starting job this summer. Matt Cassel, E.J. Manuel and Tyrod Taylor will all be given a shot to earn it, which doesn’t necessarily bode well for the Bills offense this year.

Cassel is perhaps the safest option of the three, having started 71 games in his career, but he’s mediocre, at best. Even worse is the news out of OTAs that he was not exactly playing at a high level.

Manuel has the most upside in the eyes of many, but his inability to judge defenses before the snap puts him squarely behind the eight ball at this point in his career.

Taylor could be the starter by default, then, and Ryan is reportedly more excited about him than Cassel. Based on offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s past experience with Colin Kaepernick, Taylor, who is of a similar mold, could likely run his offense.

Prediction: Taylor wins the starting job, but the Bills will make a switch at some point in the season.

 

Cincinnati Bengals, Right Tackle

Andre Smith has never quite lived up to the high expectations the Bengals had for him when the team drafted him with the No. 6 overall pick in 2009. This fact was brutally highlighted during the 2015 NFL Draft when Cincinnati drafted tackles Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher in the first two rounds.

Both rookies have the talent to start, and they both might in the coming years. Andrew Whitworth isn’t going anywhere this year on the left side, however, so the duo will compete with Smith to see which player emerges as the starter on the right side.

Another player who could emerge as a surprising starter is veteran Eric Winston, who recently suggested Fisher shouldn’t be expected to perform at a high level just yet, even though he was utilized heavily during OTAs.

All this competition could very well bring out the best in Smith, however, who certainly still has the talent to dominate.

Prediction: Smith will retain his starting role.

 

Cleveland Browns, Running Back

Nobody should get too excited about the Browns offense this year, thanks to a lack of talent at the quarterback and wide receiver positions. However, a strong running game would certainly help keep the chains moving.

Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell split the load last year, somewhat effectively. Between the two of them they gained 1,280 yards on 319 carries (a reasonable 4.0 yards per carry) with 12 touchdowns. Another tag-team effort would be acceptable, but the Browns didn’t draft former Miami star running back Duke Johnson to sit on the sideline.

Johnson could kick the running game into high gear with his explosive, big-play abilities. Not only is he an exceptional runner—both inside and outside the tackles—but the rookie has sure hands in the passing game.

Prediction: Johnson earns the starting nod as a rookie.

 

Denver Broncos: Left Tackle

Protecting Peyton Manning’s blind side is of utmost importance for Denver, so losing Ryan Clady to an ACL injury this spring was a terrific blow to the offense.

The Broncos signed Ryan Harris, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs, in response to the injury. He played right tackle last year and wasn’t particularly impressive. He’ll be competing with rookie Ty Sambrailo and Michael Schofield.

Neither Schofield nor Harris have proven themselves trustworthy to occupy the premier offensive line spot to protect Manning.

Prediction: Sambrailo gets thrown into the fire as a rookie and learns on the fly.

 

Houston Texans, Quarterback

Ryan Mallett and free agent Brian Hoyer are in competition to start at quarterback for the Texans this summer. Both were starters at some point last year, and ESPN’s Tania Ganguli recently reported head coach Bill O’Brien as saying there wasn’t much separation between the two heading into the summer.

Hoyer and Mallett possess different traits that help them succeed, but there is no doubt Mallett’s raw abilities are more impressive. He can push the ball further down the field, stands taller in the pocket and can fit the ball into tighter windows than Hoyer.

O’Brien will likely hold off on naming his starter until after the Texans have played at least two or three of their preseason games. No matter who he chooses, nobody should be surprised if his final decision ends up being reversed at some point during the season.

Prediction: Mallett wins the job.

 

Indianapolis Colts, Center

Though not a sexy position to banter about, center is just as important to the success of NFL offenses as any other. The Colts have two men vying for the honor of having Andrew Luck touch their behinds every play in Khaled Holmes and Jonotthan Harrison.

ESPN’s Mike Wells reports the two split time with the starting offensive line this spring, but he’s giving the early edge to Holmes because he started the final five games in 2014.

Don’t count out Harrison, however, who could emerge as the superior player in his second year as a pro out of Florida. Harrison is a powerful athlete who can open up big holes in the running game, which the Colts hope to improve this season with Frank Gore as the workhorse.

Prediction: Harrison will beat out Holmes.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars, Cornerback

Jacksonville’s secondary is certainly undefined at this time.

It could be argued that nobody has yet earned a starting cornerback spot, though it’s likely Demetrius McCray will own one of the outside starting positions. Devon House will likely be penciled in as the team’s nickel corner, but at this time nobody knows how the lineup will play out.

Aaron Colvin and Dwayne Gratz are also in the mix to start on the outside.

Given the nature of the league, all four players will certainly see the field this season, but there will be fierce competition for the lion’s share of the work.

Prediction: McCray and Gratz will start outside, with House as the nickel cornerback.

 

Kansas City Chiefs, Cornerback

Sean Smith, barring a monumental shift, will enter the 2015 as the team’s No. 1 cornerback. At this point, however, nobody knows who will line up opposite Smith in the starting lineup.

Rookie Marcus Peters has star potential, but he’ll need to beat out Phillip Gaines and Jamell Fleming to earn the job. All three have impressed this spring, with Gaines in particular earning the praise of ESPN’s Louis Riddick:

Peters is likely the man Kansas City hopes emerges in the long run, but rookie cornerbacks aren’t always ready to step in immediately.

Prediction: Gaines opens the year as the starter but Peters will take over the spot later in the season.

 

Miami Dolphins, Cornerback

Brent Grimes is the unquestioned top cornerback for Miami, but after him, it’s anybody’s guess who will emerge in the starting lineup for the Dolphins.

The depth chart at the position reads like a who’s who.

Walt Aikens, Jamar Taylor, Will Davis, Zack Bowman, Bobby McClain, Brice McCain and Tony Lippett all have a shot to emerge.

Taylor might be the most promising of the six candidates.

The former second round selection in 2013 has the potential to succeed. Time will tell if he can develop the way Miami hopes he does.

Prediction: Taylor will finally live up to his potential and start opposite Grimes.

 

New England Patriots, Cornerback

The Patriots lost Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner this offseason, making this a no-brainer.

Making things even stickier, there is really nobody on the roster who can be considered a front-runner to fill those massive shoes.

Super Bowl legend Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan contributed last season and should have a leg up to start. New England also signed Robert McClain and Bradley Fletcher and brought in four rookies to compete.

Prediction: Butler and Ryan will start on the corners, but no one should be surprised by anything Bill Belichick decides.

 

New York Jets, Running Back

Chris Ivory hasn’t been the bell cow New York hoped for when they signed him two years ago. As a result, the team’s backfield is crowded this summer with four players who could end up carrying the bulk of the load this year.

Joining Ivory is Bilal Powell, Stevan Ridley (formerly of the Patriots) and Zac Stacy, whom the Jets received in a trade after the running back was openly upset by St. Louis’ draft pick of Todd Gurley.

Ridley is a lock to make the roster as the team’s third-down back, but it would be surprising if he ended up as the primary ball-carrier. Powell and Ivory have both failed to inspire in the past, meaning this could end up being Stacy’s job to win.

Prediction: Stacy will rise above the fray to earn the starting job.

 

Oakland Raiders, Wide Receiver

We all know rookie Amari Cooper is going to be on the field as the team’s primary pass-catcher right out of the gate. What we do not yet know is which player will be joining him in the starting lineup.

Conventional wisdom suggests newly-acquired free agent Michael Crabtree is the man, but that would be hastily reasoned. Don’t forget about the dynamic Rod Streater, who missed most of the 2014 season due to injury.

Streater fits what the Raiders have openly said is their goal offensively, per head coach Jack Del Rio (Raiders.com):

“I think [Carr] throws a great deep ball, and we didn’t throw that many here last year; we’re going to throw some this year, so you’re going to have to cover the field deep…”

On the other hand, Crabtree lacks the speed and quickness to gain separation off the line. He’s strictly a possession receiver who could be the odd man out.

Prediction: Streater will surprise many by beating out Crabtree for the No. 2 role.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers, Wide Receiver

All-world receiver Antonio Brown is going to be Ben Roethlisberger’s primary target, no matter who lines up opposite him in the starting lineup. That said, the battle for the No. 2 spot is going to be particularly intense this summer.

Martavis Bryant surged up fantasy football boards last year and showed impressive development the more playing time he earned. But he’s going to be challenged by Markus Wheaton, who also showed promise as a second-year player in 2014.

Wheaton may have the initial edge, based on his superior overall skill set. Bryant is still a developmental player who is exceptional in the red zone and as a deep threat, but he isn’t as skilled overall. Regardless, both players will be integral to Pittsburgh’s offense this year, but only one can win the starting job.

Prediction: Bryant will continue ascending to earn the starting job, while Wheaton takes over slot duties.

 

San Diego Chargers, Inside Linebacker

Donald Butler has been a mainstay for San Diego inside the past few years, but he was banged up badly last year. The Chargers spent a second-round pick on inside linebacker Denzel Perryman out of Miami, who will challenge Butler this summer for the starting job.

Defensive coordinator John Pagano is high on the rookie and expects the competition to be fierce.

“We needed to get that depth, and to get guys that will make it competitive out there,” Pagano said about the addition of Perryman (via ESPN.com’s Eric D. Williams). “It not only makes us better on defense, he makes our special teams better. And it pushes the veterans to always play at a higher level.”

Provided Butler can stay on the field after a couple offseason surgeries (he says he’s completely healthy now), it would be shocking if he is supplanted by the rookie this summer. That said, Perryman is definitely in the mix and could blow the coaches away.

Prediction: Butler will hold off Perryman…for now.

 

Tennessee Titans, Wide Receiver

This is strictly a two-way battle to see which player will start opposite Kendall Wright.

Justin Hunter will attempt to keep highly-touted rookie Dorial Green-Beckham off the field, which is a daunting task. The Megatron clone has the tools to become an elite receiver in this league, though he is extremely raw at this stage in his budding career.

There are a couple of things in Hunter’s favor right now. First off, he’s far more advanced in terms of route running, and second, DGB isn’t accustomed to the rigors of an NFL training camp. He suffered a hamstring injury during OTAs and could potentially become a liability in terms of health if he doesn’t get his act together physically.

Prediction: Hunter will start.