NFL Depth Chart Decisions Coaches Must Rethink Before Training Camp Concludes

With every NFL team preparing for the second week of preseason, the competition for starting opportunities continues to heat up during training camp.

There are a few quarterback battles in Miami and Tennessee, and a pair of NFC West teams have a quarterback controversy of their own.

Who will prevail in the remaining week of training camp—the established veterans or the very talented rookies?

Here are five depth chart decisions that head coaches must reconsider before the end of training camp.

5. Doug Martin vs Legarrette Blount

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers used this past offseason to rejuvenate an offense that was a major disappointment in 2012. Although the Buccaneers used free agency to help further Josh Freeman's development, the biggest competition in camp involves rookie Doug Martin and Legarrette Blount.

While Martin's explosiveness makes him a quality play maker, the jury is still out on whether or not he wins the starting job. Blount disappointed after a surprising 2010 season and has emerged as the No. 1 option in the backfield.

However, Greg Schiano needs to reconsider the possibility of giving Martin the opportunity to become the top man on the depth chart. Blount continues to have a major issue with turning the football over and has excelled when he doesn't receive the majority of the carries.

The Buccaneers traded up to select Martin for a reason. Martin's size, quickness and strength resembles Ravens' Ray Rice, who Schiano coached at Rutgers.

4. Devin Hester vs Alshon Jeffery

Lovie Smith will have an important decision to make regarding who will play receiver opposite of Brandon Marshall.

Will he go with Devin Hester, the veteran receiver who has been an impact player during his time in Chicago? Could he decide to give Alshon Jeffery the nod if he continues performing at a high level in training camp?

The Bears offense needs to elevate their overall performance in order to become legitimate contenders. Hester is nowhere near the same electrifying player as a receiver compared to his ability to be a returner.

Jeffery entered training camp in good physical condition, and his size and athleticism compliments Marshall in the improved passing attack.

3. Matt Moore vs Ryan Tannehill

The Miami Dolphins quarterback competition became that more intriguing with the news that David Garrard will miss three to four weeks due to surgery.

Matt Moore is now the favorite to win the job outright, but Ryan Tannehill has been more impressive through training camp and the preseason than expected.

Ultimately, it may be best to begin the new era and promote Tannehill as the starter in 2012. Moore was impressing with his play last year and can potentially be a starter in the league today. However, Tannehill has improved his pocket awareness and adds more difficulty to defenses due to his athleticism.

He also benefits from having experience in Mike Sherman's offense. After all, Sherman was Tannehill's coach at Texas A&M and helped him develop quickly into a quality college standout.

He was drafted with the ninth overall selection to become the franchise quarterback, and it may be best in Joe Philbin to allow the rookie to flourish and keep the Dolphins on the right path for success.

2. Matt Hasselbeck vs Jake Locker

The ongoing quarterback battle between Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker has lasted for over a year now. Last season, Hasselbeck won the job outright in camp and led the Titans to a surprising record of 9-7.

It appeared to be a forgone conclusion that Hasselbeck was going to be the starter once again for Mike Munchak's team. However, Locker is finally receiving a fair opportunity to win the starting job and could emerge as the leader within the next week.

He is starting his first preseason game of the year against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and could further improve his chances with a strong outing against a revamped defense.

Locker is more poised than ever, especially since he had a year to learn the offense while sitting on the bench.

The Titans will compete for a potential playoff spot, but the improvement needs to result in the strong play of a quarterback who will lead this team to greater success over the next few years.

1. John Skelton vs Kevin Kolb

The Arizona Cardinals have a very discouraging situation on their hands involving their unofficial quarterback competition. Kevin Kolb is receiving the edge to keep his job as the starter, especially since the Cardinals picked his seven million dollar option for this season.

However, Ken Whisenhunt needs to start the quarterback who led the team to five of the eight wins including the final three to end the season. That wasn't Kolb, but rather former Fordham quarterback John Skelton.

The team rallied around him during their late surge to the end of the season. Kolb has not given Larry Fitzgerald, or any of his other teammates, the confidence that he can elevate this team's performance in 2012.

Kolb is not comfortable behind the offensive line, which has led to a variety of injuries over the past year.

The decision is quite simple. The Cardinals will either be a disaster with Kolb, or potentially surprise with Skelton behind center.

After two straight disappointing seasons, the Cardinals need to make a commitment to Skelton in 2012 in order to revert back to their winning ways.

Matt Miselis is an NFL Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com. Follow me on twitter.