9 Bold Predictions for NFL Teams' Depth Charts

With training camps about to get into full swing, look for a number of positional battles to heat up into the summer.

From coast to coast, NFL teams are trying to figure out which players will be their starters when September begins.

Look for a number of these depth chart battles to get interesting—here are nine bold predictions.

Devin Hester Wins a Starting Receiver Role

A number of people speculated that Devin Hester would have a very reduced role in the Bears' 2012 offense.

Hester is a dangerous burner who can stretch the defense—I see it being very difficult for Chicago to keep him off the field.

Look for this kick returner to win a spot as a starting receiver in the Bears offense.

The Packers' Starting Running Back Isn't Currently on the Roster

I see the Packers making a free-agent pick-up or trading for a running back. There's no way the team is good to go with its current group.

While James Starks is serviceable, Green Bay needs a true feature back if it wants to contend for a Super Bowl in 2012.

Ted Thompson has built a great offense, but the team won't win the Super Bowl if it can't build an effective rushing attack.

A.J. Jenkins Doesn't Work His Way into the Starting Rotation

The 49ers used a first-round pick on wide receiver A.J. Jenkins, but it's unlikely he will see any time as a starter in 2012.

With players like Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham on the roster, San Francisco has its hands full at receiver.

The Illinois wide receiver is talented and he'll be a player for the team later on, but it's not his time.

Trent Richardson Is the Only Rookie RB Who Is a Starter on Opening Day

Though Doug Martin looks like he could win a starting job in Buccaneers camp, I can't see any rookie other than Trent Richardson being a starting running back on opening day.

Martin, David Wilson and Lamar Miller are talented, but it doesn't look like they'll be starters.

The Martin situation will be one to track, but look for Richardson to be the only No. 1 rookie running back on September depth charts.

Stephon Gilmore Leaves Bills Camp as the No. 1 Cornerback

Though Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin have legitimized themselves as top corners on the Bills, Stephon Gilmore comes in as a fresh face to a depleted secondary.

Look for this former SEC corner to prove to his coaches that he deserves the starting role.

Gilmore does a lot of things well and could be a very solid piece in Dave Wannstedt's defensive backfield.

Tim Tebow Doesn't Win the Starting QB Job

Mark Sanchez will have to jump through rings of fire to keep his job, but I see the former USC signal-caller doing just that.

While things may change during the season, I don't see any way that Rex Ryan allows Tim Tebow to start over Sanchez at the beginning of the season.

The former Bronco quarterback does a lot of things well, but the Jets are too heavily invested in Sanchez to not give him a chance.

Russell Wilson Wins the Starting Quarterback Job in Seattle

When Matt Flynn only got a three-year contract for $24 million in free agency, I began to wonder how serious the Seahawks were about making him the starting quarterback.

Russell Wilson is a highly motivated signal-caller who has every intention of winning the starting job in Seattle.

Coach Pete Carroll is a quarterback guru (considering his time at USC) and will give Wilson the nod on opening day.

Both Jon Beason and Luke Kuechly Start in the Middle

Luke Kuechly is an instinctive, young player who will be an NFL starter from Day 1, but that doesn't mean that Jon Beason has to move outside.

Ron Rivera runs a 3-4 defense and will look to start both Beason and Kuechly in the middle after losing Dan Connor to the Dallas Cowboys.

The two should combine to form a top-tier defense with the rest of the Panthers starters this season.

Hakeem Nicks Isn't the Top Wide Receiver on the Giants Depth Chart

Hakeem Nicks is out for three months with a broken foot, and while he'll be back for opening day (barring setbacks), I can't see him being the No. 1 receiver for New York.

Victor Cruz had a breakout 2011, and Rueben Randle will be a key player for the Giants in 2012. Nicks will have to earn his spot again.

Without any opportunity to get his timing down with Eli Manning for the upcoming season, Nicks will have an uphill battle in September.