Projecting Philadelphia Eagles' Most Heated Roster Battles This Season

With free agency and the NFL draft already over, the rebuilding for the Philadelphia Eagles is virtually complete. The obvious question is whether a roster composed of up to 10 new starters will be a potential playoff team in 2013.

Showing signs of improvement shouldn't be difficult, though. The Eagles stumbled to a 4-12 finish in 2012, losing 11 of their final 12 games, including a disastrous eight-game losing streak. 

The 2013 team should at least be exciting, even if they still finish with a losing record. The biggest question for this team is who will be the starting quarterback, but don't ignore a number of other potential intriguing positional battles that will likely arise during training camp. 

The following slides highlight eight key battles to watch during the three-week training camp period and the four preseason games. 

Quarterback: Michael Vick vs Nick Foles vs Matt Barkley

Obviously the quarterback battle will be the one to watch throughout training camp, as veteran Michael Vick will battle last year's rookie, Nick Foles, and this year's rookie, Matt Barkley, for the starting job. 

Vick has to be considered the favorite following a restructured contract he signed at the beginning of the offseason. But Foles performed solidly (depending on your point of view) in six starts last year and Barkley has four years of starting experience at a pro-style college under his belt. 

Vick is the one who steals headlines with his noteworthy accomplishments during practice, but he's also the riskiest in actual game play, thanks to his tendency to fumble and toss interceptions at the absolute worst moments.

Foles and Barkley may be better suited as game managers, especially this early in their career. But depending on how much Kelly decides to run the ball, that may not be such a bad option. 

Wide Receiver: Arrelious Benn vs Riley Cooper vs Damaris Johnson

The top three spots at wide receiver are pretty much locked in, with DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant earning the honors. 

But the next one or two spots at receiver are completely up in the air. 

Riley Cooper caught 23 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns last year. But he's never really become the red zone weapon the Eagles hoped he would be when they grabbed him in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. 

Damaris Johnson caught 19 passes for 256 yards last year and may be the future in the slot. He also has skills as a punt returner, scoring a touchdown as a rookie in 2012.

Arrelious Benn disappointed during his tenure in Tampa Bay, but his size makes him an ideal candidate in the red zone. 

Tight End: Brent Celek vs Zach Ertz

His numbers haven't declined too much, but veteran tight end Brent Celek is not as productive of a player as he was a few years ago. His starting job is in serious jeopardy following the drafting of Zach Ertz at the top of the second round.

Ertz, who has been described as a physical receiver with solid hands, is expected to make an impact immediately. Expect to see him in lots of two tight-end sets with Celek, but don't be surprised if he manages to beat out the 28-year-old veteran for the starting spot. 

Right Guard: Todd Herremans vs Danny Watkins

It's been all but accepted that veteran Todd Herremans will be the starter at right guard following the Eagles' decision to select Lane Johnson with the fourth overall pick in the draft. 

But don't rule out 2011 first-round pick Danny Watkins giving Herremans a run for his money in training camp. Watkins was clearly not a good fit for Howard Mudd's offense, but his career may be revived in a new offense. 

Defensive End: Bennie Logan vs Cedric Thornton vs Vinny Curry

The Eagles' second starting spot at defensive end is completely up in the air.

Last year's first-round draft pick, Fletcher Cox, will obviously be one of the starters. But the second spot could go to a number of players, including Cedric Thornton, rookie Bennie Logan or Vinny Curry.

All three figure to make the team and should be in the rotation on the defensive line. 

Outside Linebacker: Trent Cole vs Brandon Graham

It makes sense that Connor Barwin, DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks will be three of the team's four starting linebackers.

That leaves veteran Trent Cole competing with former first-round pick Brandon Graham for the final spot at linebacker. The two couldn't be coming off more different seasons. 

Cole suffered through the worst year of his career, as did a number of players on the 2012 Eagles. Graham enjoyed the breakout season that fans had been expecting following a strong showing in training camp. 

Cornerback: Jordan Poyer vs Brandon Boykin

The Eagles may have grabbed the steal of the draft when they selected cornerback Jordan Poyer with one of their three seventh-round draft picks. 

Poyer will compete with last year's rookie, Brandon Boykin, for the nickel corner spot. Boykin had his usual ups and downs as a rookie, and he's going to have his hands full against Poyer, who should be a lock to make the team, even as a seventh-round pick.

In fact, I wouldn't be stunned to see Poyer beat out Cary Williams, who allowed well over 1,000 passing yards in 2012, for the starting spot at cornerback. 

Safety: Nate Allen vs Kurt Coleman

Free-agent signings Patrick Chung and Kenny Phillips will likely earn the starting jobs for the 2013 season. Earl Wolff, a fifth-round pick in the draft, figures to be on the team, as does special teams wizard Colt Anderson.

That leaves one spot at safety to be decided between last year's starters, Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman. Both 2010 draft picks suffered through a dismal 2012 season, putting their future with the team in doubt.