Projecting the Cincinnati Bengals' Top Training Camp Battles

We're just a week removed from the end of the 2012 NFL draft and over two months away from the start of training camps, but already the discussion of camp battles has begun heating up.

The Cincinnati Bengals have managed over the last two drafts to put together a young and impressive roster, and there will be all kinds of talented players vying not just for starting spots but also a place on the team's final 53-man roster.

Here are the three most compelling battles I project we'll see in the Bengals' camp this summer.

Nate Clements Versus Being Cut

The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy says that with the draft-day addition of cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, veteran corner Nate Clements could be a salary-cap casualty. Though the Bengals are in no danger of overspending as of now, Clements's final contract year will cost the team a total of $5.5 million in 2011. 

This will be Clements's 12th season in the NFL and his second (if he remains) with the Bengals. Last year, he had 55 tackles (49 of them solo), two forced fumbles and two interceptions—the fewest tackles he's made since 2009 when he was with the San Francisco 49ers and missed nine of 16 games.

Though Clements will see his starting job rightfully go to Kirkpatrick, a first-round pick, that doesn't warrant his outright release. The Bengals can afford him, and his veteran leadership will be valuable to Kirkpatrick in his rookie season.

Still, that may not be enough to keep him around if he doesn't look sharp on the field. If he makes it to camp, he'll likely have to impress in order to stay.

Mohamed Sanu Versus Marvin Jones

Clearly, the Bengals have no controversy on their hands when it comes to their No. 1 wideout—A.J. Green more than secured that position for the long term in his 2011 rookie season.

However, less is known about exactly who will be the team's No. 2 receiver—both Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones have a shot at earning the title.

Yes, Sanu was drafted last week far ahead of Jones (Sanu in the third round, Jones in the fifth), but both have similar upside and skill sets, and both are going to be clawing for a chance to be quarterback Andy Dalton's second-most-important target.

That's not to say that the one who doesn't win out won't be able to make his fair share of contributions on the field once the regular season starts. But receivers are a competitive bunch to begin with, and two rookies vying for one wide-open position is going to make for an entertaining battle that ends in a win-win for the team.

Devon Still Versus Brandon Thompson Versus Pat Sims

The Cincinnati Bengals are in the midst of overhauling their defensive line in an attempt to both rush quarterbacks better as well as improve their run-stopping, and as part of this effort brought in two defensive tackles in the draft—Devon Still in the second round and Brandon Thompson in the third.

Both will be battling with veteran Pat Sims to get time in the rotation behind presumed starters Domata Peko and Geno Atkins. Sims was just re-signed to a one-year deal, which means the Bengals can certainly use him.

All three tackles are solid run-stoppers, with Still having being named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year and Thompson having speed and versatility to his credit.

Between the three, two should expect to earn 15 to 20 plays per game. Though the odd man out isn't likely to be cut from the roster, playing time is both valuable and at a premium, so it should be quite the competition between Still, Thompson and Sims.

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