Early Predictions for Jacksonville Jaguars' 2015 Training Camp Battles

Competition, competition, competition. It's a word that fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars fans have been hearing a lot as of late and for good reason. The Jaguars are looking to be as competitive off the field as they are on the field this year.

Nearly every position is two-, in some cases three-, players deep, and it's not just typical depth. Not only are the Jaguars starters getting better and getting upgraded, but the players coming off the bench are also getting better.

And what's even better is that the line between starter and backup is a little blurry right now at some positions. While some may consider this an issue, it's still early, and it's a fantastic sign that this team really is competitive.

It's taken a long two years for head coach Gus Bradley and general manager Dave Caldwell to build this team, but each day, the future looks brighter. This team looks ready to put the blowouts and struggles in the past and embrace the progress it has made.

There's still a ways to go before the season and results that can tell us how much better this team is getting. Until then, everyone should look to OTAs and the positional battles that will play out before the 2015 season.

Watching talented players duke it out and finding out who can make the biggest impact at their position will get the Jaguars the best squad possible on the field. That's all we can ask for.

With the intro out of the way, let's look at predictions for the Jaguars' various training camp battles.

Center

Lefteris Pitarakis/Associated Press

There are a few battles happening on the offensive line, and this is the first one to address. At center, we see second-year overachiever Luke Bowanko taking on new free-agent signing and veteran Stefan Wisniewski. 

Bowanko came in last season after being selected in the 2014 NFL draft's sixth round, and his success was surprising and crucial. He didn't necessarily blow people away such as fellow second-year player Brandon Linder, but he was vital to the line.

The signing of Wisniewski was crucial initially just because Bowanko was the only true center on roster. However, Wisniewski has 61 NFL starts, and his play for the Oakland Raiders was often looked over despite consistent, satisfactory performances.

So, who wins the battle between the vet and the young guy? Personally, it has to be Bowanko. Bowanko has done nothing wrong at this point to lose his job, and one could argue that his play last season should make him untouchable.

However, Wisniewski has also been solid, and for much longer. It will come down to how they perform head-to-head throughout OTAs, and I think for that reason Bowanko will get the job.

Bowanko is a better all-around athlete, and his familiarity with the team ought to set him apart. Wisniewski will be gunning for his spot all season, and he'll have to stay at his best, but Bowanko should win this training camp battle.

Strong-Side Defensive End

John Raoux/Associated Press

The position battles are being played out in the "trenches" and not just on the offensive side of the ball. Who will start on the strong-side of the ball isn't a guaranteed aspect of this team. We could see a big shake-up should Jared Odrick struggle on the end.

Odrick was one of the Jaguars' key free-agent signings this offseason, and his ability to play inside and on the edge will be very helpful to the Jaguars. But does he have a guaranteed job?

Veteran Jaguar Tyson Alualu probably doesn't think so. Alualu, a first-round pick in 2010, hasn't necessarily lived up to expectations throughout his career, but that doesn't mean he won't be competing for a starting spot.

Alualu will have just as fair of a chance as possible to fill Red Bryant's vacancy, and while it won't be easy, he may be able to earn himself a spot. Personally, Odrick should win the job—he's my pick—but Alualu may be able to do enough to convince the staff to push Odrick inside.

Odrick would most likely shift inside and play alongside Sen'Derrick Marks. He'd replace Roy Miller who's been a solid player, but the Jaguars have to start Odrick; he has too much to offer to not have him taking the majority of the snaps.

This battle will most likely reach a conclusion sooner than others due to the Jaguars probably wanting a set situation on the defensive line. Alualu will have an uphill battle, but he might be able to pull it off.

Starting Corner and Nickel Corner

Morry Gash/Associated Press

The cornerback situation has been discussed in previous pieces, but there's never been much of a prediction. That's mostly because it's not a battle for one position. It's for two, and it's between three players.

All "love-triangle" characteristics aside, this conflict is a serious one. Aaron Colvin, Davon House and Dwayne Gratz will all be fighting for these two spots, even if one sees slightly less playing time than the other.

Colvin had the "feel-good" season of the year for Jaguars players, coming back from an ACL tear in the 2014 Senior Bowl to make a late-season impact. Colvin has as much talent as any corner on the roster—probably more if he can fully recover.

House was a big Jaguars free-agent signing, and his veteran presence will be important no matter where he ends up on the depth chart. House should be respected, and he will be a tough competitor for either spot.

Gratz was a third-round pick in the 2013 draft, and his play has been good, but it's nothing spectacular. He seemed to have more growing pains last season than in his rookie season, but he's still a player worth respecting.

Between the three, Colvin and House will earn the two jobs. House will take the starting spot with Colvin in for nickel packages. Colvin has too much talent and is pretty much fully recovered, while House is still a great athlete and consistent performer.

Gratz will definitely see playing time, and he could earn his way back to a starting job if he shows the progress. No matter what, this three-way battle works out for all three players and the Jaguars.

Guard

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

This has been one of my favorite positional battles to talk about, and now that OTAs are finally underway, the battle is really starting to take place. The left guard position will see an intense conflict that follows the theme of "vet vs. youngster."

Zane Beadles was a key pickup of the 2014 offseason, but his performance in 2014 didn't match the hype. He wasn't terrible, but for his pay and experience, it's fair to say that he did not meet the fans' or the staff's expectations.

As for A.J. Cann, the third-round selection from South Carolina, the hype is real. He was a four-year starter for the Gamecocks, and his zone blocking may have been made him one of the best in the class, which the Jaguars will look to use whether he starts or not.

The battle between Cann and Beadles is interesting because it sees a rookie take on one of the older players on the roster. The tangibles of both will also have a big impact, considering they are at very different points in their careers.

However, if it is truly a head-to-head battle between Cann and Beadles, Cann should win. He's more athletic, has the experience you want in a rookie and he seems to be doing well in training camp (see the slide from Wednesday regarding Cann's progress).

Beadles may get the start because of his pay and the experience he brings to the offense, but Cann is my selection for a direct battle in OTAs.

Backup "Leo" Defensive End

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

A situation mentioned in some of my previous articles, the "Leo" defensive end backup has major implications, both for this season and in the future. It's a platform that can launch a player's career, and both of these players are looking to win that opportunity.

Ryan Davis and Andre Branch are entering their third and fourth year, respectively, and are the main contenders for the backup spot. Both players are good backups, at least, but can either achieve more?

For Davis, it seems as if that answer is yes. He's gotten better each season, and his 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season may have been the first stepping stone toward greater success.

Branch, on the other hand, is trying to prove he belongs. His six sacks in 2013 looked like the second-round pick from 2012 was on the right track, but he took a step back in 2014, with only three sacks, although he forced two fumbles.

The head-to-head battle should see Davis win. He's got momentum, and his technical improvement has been incredible. Branch isn't a bad player, but it doesn't seem like he's made the progress that Davis has made.

What this battle for backup means, with starter Chris Clemons at age 33, injury and fatigue could create opportunities that might see Davis or Branch move up. And not only are they playing for a position, but when Dante Fowler Jr. returns next season, the depth chart gets even tighter.

Whoever wins this job sets themselves up for success this season and potentially a spot in the future. It may not be a starting job, but it has a big impact on the future of the Leo position.

All stats were provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated. Predraft information courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com and NFL.com.

Evan Reier is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. Follow Evan on Twitter at @evanreier.