Predicting the Winner of Seattle Seahawks' Biggest Training Camp Battles

There is a nice handful of position battles going on in Seattle, and it will soon be time for us to see who's pulling ahead of the pack. The Seahawks boast a number of good players, and many of these guys are locked in heated camp battles for a starting, and even backup, spot.

One of the most important battles is at quarterback, as Terrelle Pryor and Tarvaris Jackson will be duking it out for the rights to be Russell Wilson's backup.

Even though it's not a starting position, having a quality passer to hold things down if Wilson suffers an untimely injury will be key to making another playoff push. 

Pryor is the spry young player whose athleticism will likely be the reason he lands the job as Wilson's understudy. It's not that Jackson can't perform, it's that Pryor brings more to the table as an offensive weapon, even though he has his faults.

Quarterback isn't the only key position battle in Seattle's camp, as there are also a couple of crucial competitions happening on the defensive side of the ball.

Each player involved in these camp battles will have several chances to perform between now and opening day, and it will be interesting to see who steps up and who falls short.

No. 2 Quarterback: Terrelle Pryor vs. Tarvaris Jackson

USA TODAY Sports

Terrelle Pryor hasn't done a whole lot during his time in the NFL, but he has shown a lot of promise with the few chances he's had to succeed.

Now that he's on the Seahawks, he won't be starting but can definitely find a home as their backup quarterback. Tarvaris Jackson has been a nice No. 2 passer over the past couple of seasons, but Pryor definitely offers more to the offense should Russell Wilson ever go down with injury.

Jackson can still be a serviceable backup, but he just simply doesn't pose the same kind of threat that Pryor does. His athleticism makes him a much better option than the incumbent, setting him as the favorite to win the backup job behind Wilson. 

Right Tackle: Michael Bowie vs. Justin Britt

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

Justin Britt had a steep hill to climb when he was drafted by Seattle in the second round of the draft, but he has displayed a lot of talent through the beginning of the offseason's activities, via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.

He has some stiff competition on his way to being the team's starting right tackle, but he's done well so far. That being said, Michael Bowie played very well at a couple of different positions along the offensive line for the Seahawks last season and definitely poses quality competition for Britt.

He could definitely be a quality starter should Seattle decide to plug him in on the right side. At the same time, one could argue that Britt's nasty attitude and physical tendencies when blocking make him a better fit for Tom Cable's scheme.

Bowie is no doubt a talented player, but Britt has a higher ceiling and could potentially offer more if given the opportunity to start. Worst case is he gets the nod to start and doesn't pan out, in which case Bowie could surely step in and handle things competently.

At this point, Britt has the advantage and looks like the better option.

Defensive Tackle: Tony McDaniel vs. Jesse Williams

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Tony McDaniel isn't a terrible option at defensive tackle, but he will be pressed for his starting spot by second-year player Jesse Williams.

Williams was plagued with injury for the vast majority of last season but has the tools and physical attributes to thrive as a part of Seattle's defensive line. He looks the part of a dominant defensive tackle and will get a chance to show what he's got during the preseason and in training camp.

McDaniel is on the decline of his career, while Williams' bulb is shining pretty bright—it'd be foolish to not give Williams the chance to start. Don't be surprised if No. 90 is in the starting rotation on opening day. 

Weak-Side Linebacker: Bruce Irvin vs. Malcolm Smith

USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Irvin certainly offers a lot as a pass-rushing linebacker, but he definitely isn't the total package. Malcolm Smith, on the other hand, presents a much better option, as he can tackle and also play well in coverage, all while maintaining a steady level of play as a pass-rusher.

His light shone bright during Seattle's championship run, and he has likely earned a bid as the team's starter on the weak side of its defense.

Irvin also played well during their winning stretch, but Smith was clearly a bigger difference-maker for the 'Hawks.

He is one of the most talented young defenders in the league today and has played his way into being an integral part of the team's vaunted defense.