NFL Training Camp Battles to Keep an Eye on Before Your Fantasy Draft

NFL fantasy sleepers come in all shapes and sizes, and they definitely can come from unexpected places.

Finding a fantasy sleeper that few saw coming can provide a satisfying feeling for fantasy owners. It can also help propel your team to a fantasy championship. However, it usually takes a little more than luck to find one.

Established starters, after all, rarely qualify as true fantasy surprises. 

Knowing which players have performed well in preseason and training camp is a good start, and it helps to know which players are winning their roster battles across the league.

A guy like second-year running back Latavius Murray, for example, could be a late-round steal for your fantasy team. However, he's not likely to bring much help if the Oakland Raiders give the starting job to someone else. 

With the goal of finding fantasy sleepers and surprise stars in mind, let's take a look at 10 training camp competitions who are worth following before your fantasy draft.

The New York Jets Quarterback Competition

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The quarterback position was an absolute mess for the New York Jets in 2014, so why on earth would anyone want to pay attention to it this offseason?

The short answer is new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. 

Remember that it was Gailey who helped journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick look like a competent starter from 2010 to 2012 with the Buffalo Bills. During Gailey's tenure as head coach in Buffalo, Fitzpatrick started 45 games and passed for 10,232 yards with 71 touchdowns (an average of 227 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game). 

Fitzpatrick is now in New York and will compete with Geno Smith and rookie Bryce Petty for the starting gig.

Earlier in the offseason, Gailey hinted that Smith would be the starter, but head coach Todd Bowles later clarified the situation.

"I view it as open competition with Geno being the starter," Bowles said, per NFL Media's Kevin Patra. "It's his to lose and it's Ryan's to take, it's Bryce's to take."

The Jets added veteran receiver Brandon Marshall and drafted former Ohio State star Devin Smith this offseason. Last year's big addition, Eric Decker, managed to haul in 74 passes for 962 yards in the league's worst passing offense (184.1 yards per game).

The winner of the Jets' quarterback competition will have some weapons. Gailey should help the unit avoid being the absolute worst in the NFL again this season. 

Don't expect to find a top-10 quarterback in this competition, but keeping an eye on it could help you land that late-round backup you're going to need at some point in the fantasy season.

The Atlanta Falcons Running Back Competition

The Atlanta Falcons are likely to have one of the more interesting running back competitions next month, as second-year back Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman each bring a little something to the table.

Freeman showed some flashes in multiple areas in 2014, rushing for 3.8 yards per carry and catching 30 passes out of the backfield. Coleman is a speedy home run hitter who racked up 2,036 yards on the ground in Indiana last season.

New Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan tends to get production from even average backs in his zone-blocking offense, so the winner of this competition could become a true breakout fantasy star.

NFL Media's Gregg Rosenthal has even said he believes Atlanta could be a top-10 running team in 2015.

In fact, both running backs could be realistic fantasy options, as Freeman is likely to hold value in points-per-reception leagues whether or not he starts this season.

"Devonta has a chance to really excel in both the run and pass game," Shanahan said last month, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.

However, it will be important to follow this competition through training camp and the preseason to see exactly what kind of role each of these backs might expect to have in 2015.

The Cleveland Browns Running Back Battle

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The Cleveland Browns' running back situation may have been the most difficult to predict last season on a week-to-week basis.

Then-rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell combined for 1,280 yards and 12 touchdowns, but neither player had back-to-back games with 70-plus yards or multiple scores. 

The Browns added rookie running back Duke Johnson to the mix this offseason, which could make the situation even more unpredictable.

However, it is worth watching the competition in Cleveland's backfield to see if some clarity does emerge. The Browns have a talented offensive line (they used a first-round pick on Cameron Erving and have Pro Bowlers Alex Mack and Joe Thomas) and are expected to be a run-heavy team with Josh McCown at quarterback.

If one of Cleveland's backs emerges as the clear-cut starter, he will be worth targeting in your fantasy draft. If you are in a points-per-reception league, it will also be worth getting an idea of how Johnson will be used as a rookie.

According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, the Browns have hinted that they could move Johnson around in formations and utilize him as the primary pass-catcher among the backs this season. He could even emerge as the biggest overall weapon in Cleveland's arsenal, according to Bleacher Report NFL Analyst Chris Simms.

If Johnson becomes the primary back, his workload could make him a viable Fantasy Rookie of the Year candidate. 

The Tight End Battle in Oakland

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Last season, Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera provided a fairly reliable target for then-rookie quarterback Derek Carr. With 58 receptions, 534 yards and four touchdowns, he was also an intriguing fantasy option.

The problem for fantasy owners, however, was that Rivera was about as consistent as a Terminator timeline. He had two or fewer receptions in seven different games last season and failed to find the end zone in each of them.

He was rated just 66th overall among tight ends by Pro Football Focus last season.

Will another year working with Carr give Rivera more consistency, or will he fall behind rookie tight end Clive Walford?

Walford was an explosive pass-catcher at the University of Miami. Last season, he caught 44 passes for 676 yards (a 15.4 yards-per-reception average) and seven touchdowns. His big-play potential could allow him to leap past Rivera on the depth chart.

According to ESPN.com's Bill Williamson, Walford should be Oakland's starting tight end in Week 1 or soon after, and he may even emerge as Carr's No. 2 target behind rookie wideout Amari Cooper. 

Walford could become a fantasy sleeper in the traditional sense if he earns the starting job. 

The Competition to Be the No. 2, No. 3 Receivers in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (1,345 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games last season) is already a fantasy star.

However, there is still room for the next two wide receivers in Indianapolis' offense to hold fantasy value this season. Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks combined for 1,184 yards and six touchdowns in 2014. 

The question is which two receivers will see the most action from quarterback Andrew Luck after Hilton this season.

Free-agent acquisition Andre Johnson will be a popular name simply because he was so good for so long with the AFC South rival Houston Texans. However, he is beginning to age and will face stiff competition from rookie Phillip Dorsett and second-year receiver Donte Moncrief. 

According to Bleacher Report's Matt Miller (see video above), Moncrief could be a true fantasy breakout star in 2015.

Counting out Dorsett, a speedy deep threat out of Miami, would be foolish, though. He is a smooth, fast pass-catcher who can take the top off a defense. Rotoworld's Evan Silva believes Dorsett can step right into the No. 3 role. 

Also keep an eye out for former CFL standout Duron Carter, a 6'5" speedster and son of Hall of Famer Cris Carter. According to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, the Colts view Carter as a starting receiver.

Even in the high-octane Indianapolis offense, there are not going to be enough passes to make each of these guys a fantasy star (let's not forget about tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener, folks). This is why the Colts' receiver competition is going to be an important one to follow for fantasy owners. 

The Battle to Be the No. 2 Receiver in Cincinnati

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You can say whatever you want about Andy Dalton's postseason prowess, but the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback does have an ability to give his receivers solid fantasy value.

Wideout A.J. Green (2,467 yards and 17 touchdowns over the past two seasons) is well-known as an elite fantasy option. The No. 2 receiver in Cincinnati has also been a capable fantasy option in each of the past two seasons.

In 2013, Dalton's No. 2 wideout was Marvin Jones, who hauled in 51 passes for 712 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, Jones was injured all of last season and was subsequently replaced by Mohamed Sanu (56 receptions for 790 yards and five touchdowns) in 2014.

Now that Jones appears to be ready to return, it will be worth watching to see if he or Sanu can lock down the No. 2 receiver position opposite Green.

"I'm rolling," Jones said of his progress during June minicamp, per Coley Harvey of ESPN.com. "I don't think that's ever going to change. But it feels good just to track those deep balls and go and just—boom!—go."

To be fair, Jones and Sanu could each have a big year in 2015. Tight end Jermaine Gresham (62 receptions last season) was not re-signed by the Bengals, and fellow tight end Tyler Eifert (39 receptions in 2013) is returning from a shoulder injury that caused him to miss 15 games last year.

With at least some uncertainty at tight end, we could see plenty of three- and four-receiver formations in Cincinnati. 

If, however, either Jones or Sanu looks like a lock to start opposite Green by the time your fantasy draft rolls around, he should be the guy to target. 

The Denver Broncos Tight End Competition

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Over the past two seasons, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning made tight end Julius Thomas (1,277 yards and 24 touchdowns in that span) a household name and a fantasy football star.

However, Thomas is now a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Manning is going to be tossing passes to another tight end this season. 

The most appealing option right now is veteran tight end Owen Daniels, who was with new Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak with both the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens. Daniels is entering the back end of his career at 32 years of age, but he is still a productive pass-catcher (48 receptions for 527 yards last season).

Denver gave him a three-year, $12.25 million deal, so the team is paying him to be a regular contributor. However, the Broncos also made it a point to bring back Virgil Green this offseason, so there will be at least some competition.

"He's a type of guy that we want on the Denver Broncos and a guy that has that mentality of the hard work that it takes to be successful," team executive John Elway said of Green, per Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. "We also continue to have high expectations."

Green was used primarily as a blocker last season and only logged six receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown. However, he was very good at his job and was ranked 11th overall among tight ends by Pro Football Focus. 

This means that Green should see plenty of time on the football field. When you add in the fact that Kubiak traditionally likes to utilize two-tight end sets, you start to get the feeling that Green could have a huge leap in production this season.

Getting a feel for how these two will be split during the preseason should help determine how high to value Owens and whether or not Green could also be a viable fantasy option. 

The Cowboys Running Back Competition

Who is going to replace star running back DeMarco Murray for the Dallas Cowboys this season?

This is the big question for fantasy owners when it comes to Dallas. Murray rushed for 1,845 yards, hauled in 57 receptions for 416 yards and scored 13 touchdowns last season.

He is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

This doesn't mean the Cowboys can't have a stud fantasy running back this season. The offensive line is very good (ranked second overall in run blocking by Pro Football Focus last season). The problem is that the current crop of candidates to replace Murray doesn't elicit excitement for any one individual player. 

The Cowboys didn't draft a running back this offseason and will likely count on some combination of Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Raiders castoff Darren McFadden instead.

These three combined for 976 yards and five scores a season ago. 

Lache Seastrunk and Ryan Williams are also on the roster.

The Cowboys could realistically benefit and even thrive with a running back by committee. This, of course, would not be a best-case scenario for fantasy owners. 

Randle, who averaged 6.7 yards per carry last season, could emerge as a legitimate fantasy back. Yet, so could McFadden, who has flashed elite talent during his pro career but who has also had a significant injury history.

If either of them (or any other Dallas back, for that matter) looks like a surefire starter in preseason, then he should be worth gambling on. 

This will be a competition worth keeping a tab on to see if any of these guys can emerge as a primary ball-carrier, or if this is going to be a committee to avoid altogether in fantasy. 

The Running Back Battle in Oakland

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Any legitimate starting running back is usually worth a spot on your fantasy roster, which is why the Raiders' running back competition will be worth watching.

The Raiders may not have an elite running game this season, but someone is going to have to carry the football and complement second-year quarterback Derek Carr on offense.

That guy could be second-year back Latavius Murray, who rushed for 424 yards on just 82 carries last season (5.8 yards per carry). According to ESPN's Adam Caplan, one team source believes that Murray "has a chance at a huge year" in new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave's system.

However, the starter could also be former Colts and Browns running back Trent Richardson.

He has mostly been a disappointment since his rookie season in 2012. However, he was a fantasy stud (1,317 combined rushing and receiving yards, 51 receptions and 12 touchdowns) that year and could again be a star if he can return to similar form. 

According to offensive assistant Mike Tice, we should see a lighter and quicker Richardson in 2015.

"I thought the young man out of Alabama (Richardson) came on," Tice said of Richardson's time at veteran minicamp, via the team's official website. "He lost some weight, his quickness came around."

It will also be worth keeping an eye on free-agent addition Roy Helu (42 receptions, 693 combined rushing and receiving yards last season with Washington), who could see significant time as a change-of-pace runner and third-down back.

Helu could be worth a late pick in PPR leagues, even if he is pushed down the depth chart. 

The key to this competition, though, will be Richardson. He will likely have to show something special in camp and in the preseason to shed the bust label and to have any chance of earning the starting job over Murray.

The No. 2 Receiver Competition in Tennessee

After racking up 1,794 yards and eight touchdowns over the past two seasons, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright should be a lock to own one of the starting receiver jobs this season.

The big question is whether rookie wideout Dorial Green-Beckham can develop quickly enough to earn the other outside receiver job in the preseason, or if a veteran like Justin Hunter or Hakeem Nicks will fend him off.

Green-Beckham will likely be the more popular name on draft day because he is a young, talented rookie and is probably the biggest deep threat that first-year quarterback Marcus Mariota will have this season. However, Green-Beckham is a rookie and may not be ready to step into a starting role from day one.

The former Missouri standout has missed several offseason workouts to date because of a minor hamstring injury. This could put him even further behind the veteran pack come training camp.

If Green-Beckham doesn't look ready to start in Week 1, the emerging No. 2 receiver could still be worth a late-round selection. Hunter caught 28 passes for 498 yards and three touchdowns last season, and Nicks caught 38 balls for 405 yards and four scored with the Colts in 2014. Neither player was a true second option last year.

Don't sleep on receiver Harry Douglas (51 receptions, 556 yards last season) either, though his spot as the primary slot receiver should be secure.