Early Predictions for Green Bay Packers' 2015 Training Camp Battles

The Green Bay Packers will begin OTAs next week, at which time we'll get our first indication of how strong each position is given the current personnel.

However, training camp in July is when the roster battles will really begin to heat up, especially at a few given positions. 

Let's break down five positions that don't have set starters heading into training camp and predict the players who will win the battles at each. 

Inside Linebacker

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Clay Matthews looks like a lock to continue moving inside on running downs in 2015. However, the Packers will need to name a starter at inside linebacker next to middle linebacker Sam Barrington, and it's unlikely Matthews is that player on the depth chart. 

The candidates competing for those snaps alongside Barrington include rookie fourth-round pick Jake Ryan, outside linebacker converts Carl Bradford and Nate Palmer, 2014 undrafted free agent Joe Thomas and 2015 offseason acquisition Josh Francis. 

Bradford transitioned to inside linebacker partway through training camp last year, so this year he'll get a full camp to show off his skills.  

Ryan has an advantage, having played middle linebacker in his last year at Michigan, but of course, the rookie has never taken a snap in the NFL. His fight to earn starting snaps is made easier by the fact that aside from Barrington and Matthews, none of the players at his position have in-game experience. 

Bradford played defensive end/outside linebacker in college, but he will have had two full training camps to learn Green Bay's defense come September and has proven that he's a high-motor player. That experience and readiness to learn could serve him well. 

Ultimately, however, if Ryan can learn the defense in training camp, his natural skills on the inside, both against the run and in coverage, should allow him to see some significant playing time in 2015. 

Prediction: Jake Ryan will split snaps with Clay Matthews 

Nose Tackle

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When B.J. Raji tore his bicep last preseason, veteran Letroy Guion stepped in and started 18 games at nose tackle, including the playoffs, playing 633 total snaps, per Pro Football Focus. 

Guion had a solid 2014 season, with 32 combined tackles, 22 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

However, in his best season at nose tackle, Raji had 39 combined tackles, 29 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. If that player is still inside Raji, given his extensive rehab of the torn bicep, the Packers will likely go with their draft-and-develop player who has earned another opportunity to return to his best form. 

Both Raji and Guion are on one-year deals, and if one earns the starting nod in 2015, it's possible the other will not be back next season. That drive, and the fact that it's his second one-year deal in two years, should give Raji the drive he needs to return to prior form. 

And don't expect Guion, given how well he played last year, to merely warm the bench behind Raji if he doesn't earn the starting job. He could have another role on the defensive line, as the next slide explains. 

Prediction: B.J. Raji starts. 

Defensive End

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The starting defensive end positions in Green Bay's 3-4 base defense aren't everything, as the Packers run defensive sub-packages so frequently and can rotate in defensive linemen based on the situation (running down or passing down).

However, it's not a given that former first-round pick Datone Jones will be the starting defensive end opposite Mike Daniels in 2015. 

Jones did see his snaps increase in 2014, playing 385, compared to 276 in 2013, per Pro Football Focus. He also had three starts after having none in 2013. However, Jones was still used primarily in pass-rushing situations and will need to prove he can be a more versatile defensive end in order to be named the starter on the depth chart. 

Josh Boyd is more of a utility player than Jones and better against the run, but Jones is a better pass-rusher. And Guion played so well at nose tackle in 2014 that if Raji wins the starting nod there, he might be looking for more snaps at defensive end as well. 

Prediction: Jones keeps the starting job per the depth chart, but expect lots of rotation on the line. 

Cornerback

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It doesn't seem likely that second-year player Demetri Goodson and 2015 rookies Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins will beat out Casey Hayward to earn the starting outside corner spot opposite Sam Shields. 

However, that's what training camp is for—they're certainly going to try. 

Hayward started seven games in 2012 when Shields was out with an injury, leading all rookies in interceptions with six.

Goodson didn't get any snaps on defense in 2014, per Pro Football Focus, and was just a contributor on special teams. Training camp will be a good opportunity to get a look at what he can do in coverage, given his physical gifts and his 37-inch vertical jump.  

Randall and Rollins will have more obstacles to overcome despite being first- and second-round picks, respectively. In addition to being rookies learning the playbook for the first time, Randall was a safety in college, and Rollins played basketball for four years before transitioning to cornerback. The two will work on nailing down their technique and honing their exceptional ball skills in camp. 

Prediction: Casey Hayward will start. 

Punter

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While not necessarily thought of as a hotly contested position, 2015 could be the first year since 2009 that the Packers don't have Tim Masthay punting for them, which makes this upcoming battle an intriguing one to watch. 

It's unclear if the Packers really intend on giving away Masthay's spot to former Alabama punter Cody Mandell, whom they signed in January, or if they're just trying to push Masthay to improve. 

His performance in 2014, however, won't cut it if he's trying to keep his job. 

Masthay had the worst season of his career in 2014. His net average in punts was 37.0, the lowest it's ever been. He also only landed 14 punts inside the 20-yard line, the fewest in any season.

The Packers have made it clear he'll have to work to keep his spot. 

Prediction: Masthay gets it together and keeps the starting job.