11 Most Important Rookie vs. Veteran Position Battles to Watch This Offseason

To quote Bruce Buffer, “Iiiiiitttt’s tiiiimeee!”

No, there isn’t a UFC main event going on here, but we are in store for some heavyweight bouts around the NFL.

Spring practices around the league began as OTAs commenced this week. That means position battles are also kicking off, and while some first-round picks in the 2025 draft class will be immediate starters, others will have to earn their spot.

Here, we’ll look at the most important rookie versus veteran position battles to watch this offseason, featuring Day 1 selections from last month’s draft. Some competitions will feature more than two contenders, as there are a handful of triple-threat matches, if you will, to keep tabs on during the spring. 

We'll cover background on every contender and a prediction on the winner for each battle. For clarity, a “winner” means who will start in Week 1, not becoming the starter later in the year if the other player isn’t playing well or gets injured during the regular season.

Abdul Carter vs. Kayvon Thibodeaux

AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis

Part of the reason the New York Giants spent the third overall pick on Carter is that he’s the defense’s long-term plan at the edge defender spot opposite Brian Burns. That job belonged to Thibodeaux last season, but the 2022 fifth overall selection is only under contract through 2026 after the club accepted his fifth-year option.

Thibodeaux has also been the subject of trade rumors recently, but, for the time being, he remains in New York and will be competing with Carter for a starting spot. 

The veteran pass-rusher has been a quality player for the Giants so far, racking up 21 career sacks over three seasons. Additionally, he’s been a solid run defender during his tenure with the club.

While the rookie offers more athletic upside and potential as a pass-rusher, Thibodeaux’s run defense could give him an upper hand. That was one of the few concerns about Carter heading into the draft.

“Carter's block recognition against the run isn't there yet, which is most noticeable against pullers,” the Penn State product’s scouting report said. “...Additionally, Carter lacks the strength to get extension and consistently hold his ground against offensive tackles in the running game.”

Projected Winner: Thibodeaux

If Thibodeaux is still on the roster to begin this season, Carter will undoubtedly still have a role on passing downs. However, the latter could afford to bulk up and be more consistent as a run defender before becoming an every-down player, which the Giants don’t need him to be with the veteran still on the roster.

Colston Loveland vs. Cole Kmet

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

The Detroit Lions used 12 personnel on 32.2 percent of their snaps, the third-highest rate in the league according to Sūmer Sports, with Ben Johnson as their offensive coordinator last season. Now that Johnson is the Chicago Bears’ head coach, the Bears are expected to follow a similar trend moving forward.

However, Sam LaPorta made 16 starts for the Lions last year while Brock Wright only logged eight starts, one being the game LaPorta missed. So, there still will be a competition for the starting tight end job in Chicago this spring and summer, featuring Loveland and Kmet.

What’s interesting about this battle is that the two tight ends can execute in both phases of the game.

The veteran has been known for his run-blocking skills throughout his career, in addition to racking up 258 catches, 2,592 yards and 19 touchdowns over five seasons. Meanwhile, the rookie logged nearly 120 catches, 1,500 yards and 11 scores in three years at Michigan, while also standing out as a blocker.

“He is a willing and effective run blocker,” B/R’s offensive skill positions scout Dame Parson wrote in the former Wolverine’s scouting report.

“Loveland can come into an offense and help create soft edges for the running backs to attack in the wide zone game. He does a good job working off the line of scrimmage into the second level of the defense and on the perimeter to defensive backs.”

Projected Winner: Kmet
With Johnson’s heavy use of 12 personnel, Loveland will be a big part of the Bears’ offense as a rookie and may even log a few starts. However, he is coming off shoulder surgery and the injury will limit his activity in OTAs, according to Jordan Sigler of Chi City Sports, giving Kmet the upper hand to win the Week 1 starting job.

Jalon Walker vs. James Pearce Jr. vs. Leonard Floyd

AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

This is an interesting position battle for a handful of reasons. One, it features three players who are competing for a couple of starting spots, and two, all three contenders were added to the Atlanta Falcons’ roster this offseason.

Additionally, Walker could also be competing with Kaden Elliss since those two have similar skillsets as off-ball linebackers who can rush the passer.

However, the Georgia product was announced as an edge rusher when the Falcons drafted him, so we’ll assume his primary competition will be fellow rookie Pearce and free-agent signing Floyd.

All three defenders are capable of putting pressure on the quarterback. Floyd has racked up 66.5 sacks during his nine-year career, including 19 over the last two years. Meanwhile, Pearce had 19.5 sacks in three years at Tennessee, and Walker got to the quarterback 12.5 times during the same time period at Georgia.

So, the starters will likely be determined by who plays the run better, which leans toward the veteran and No. 15 overall pick.

“Against the run, Walker takes on blocks with his hands and shows good strength at the point of attack to hold his ground against most offensive linemen,” the former Bulldog’s scouting report says. “That helps him set the edge or stay in his gap when playing as an off-ball linebacker.”

Projected Winners: Walker and Floyd

Floyd has regressed as a run defender over the years, but he at least has a decent track record of being a competent every-down defender in the past. Meanwhile, Pearce is a big work in progress against the run and was often taken out of the game in running situations at Tennessee.

Walter Nolen III vs. Darius Robinson vs. Calais Campbell

AP Photo/Matt York

Back-to-back three-way matches between a couple of young defensive linemen and a wily old veteran.

It was a bit of a surprise to see the Arizona Cardinals use the 16th overall selection of last month’s draft on Nolen after spending a first-round pick on Robinson just a year ago. On top of that, they signed Campbell to a one-year deal during free agency at the beginning of April, 17 years after drafting him in the second round.

While the 38-year-old who turns 39 in September isn’t the Pro Bowler he used to be, Campbell is coming off a solid campaign with the Miami Dolphins. 

According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked 20th among interior defenders with 39 pressures (five sacks) and earned the highest run defense grade at the position with a mark of 85.9. Clearly, the old man has enough left in the tank to push for a starting spot in Arizona.

On the other end of the spectrum, Robinson is young but missed the majority of last season with a calf injury. He only played in six games with no starts and participated in fewer than 200 defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference, resulting in an underwhelming statline with just 10 total tackles and one sack. 

That’s likely a big reason the organization drafted the Ole Miss product, who was one of the most disruptive prospects in the 2025 draft class and has a bright future. 

“Overall, Nolen has all the tools to be a starter within his first two years in the NFL and has Pro Bowl/All-Pro potential down the line,” the former Rebel’s scouting report says. “Schematically, he's fairly versatile as someone who could line up as a 3-technique in even fronts or play as a 4i-technique in odd fronts.”

Projected Winners: Campbell and Nolen

Campbell’s experience and the fact that he’s still playing at a high level give him a major competitive advantage over the two young bucks.

In full disclosure, B/R was a lot higher on Nolen than Robinson as draft prospects, which factors into the projected winners. The former is a more explosive athlete who has a higher ceiling, while the latter has already underwhelmed in the pros.

Shemar Stewart vs. Joseph Ossai

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

There are a couple of factors at play that will impact this position battle, and both have to do with contracts. 

Trey Hendrickson, the league’s reigning sack leader, is looking for a new deal and has been the subject of trade rumors. Meanwhile, Stewart is currently sitting out of the Cincinnati Bengals’ OTAs as the two sides are reportedly in a dispute over language in his contract. 

If neither of those issues gets resolved soon, especially if Hendrickson gets traded, then the position battle between Stewart and Ossai becomes a moot point. But, for this exercise, we’ll assume the contract situations get resolved soon and everyone mentioned suits up for the Bengals this fall.

Sitting behind the All-Pro mentioned above and recently retired Sam Hubbard for his entire career, Ossai has been waiting for an opportunity to start in Cincinnati.

He’s been a solid pass-rusher considering the limited playing time, racking up 9.5 career sacks, including five last season. However, the 2021 third-round pick has only started three out of the 47 games he’s played in.

Meanwhile, Stewart is known as the ‘traits over production’ prospect for this year’s draft class. He only registered 4.5 sacks and 65 total tackles in three years at Texas A&M, but showed plenty of tools to work with. 

“He certainly looks the part, with impressive size (6’5” and 281 pounds), a good frame and long arms (34¼"),” the former Aggie’s scouting report says. “He's also a good athlete and moves pretty well for his size.”

Projected winner: Stewart

Dating back to his days as a prospect coming out of Texas, Ossai has been viewed as more of a situational pass-rusher than an every-down defender. That’s continued in the pros, whereas the Texas A&M product is the superior run defender and has a better chance at developing into a complete player.

Also, don’t sleep on 2023 first-round pick Myles Murphy, who could also factor into the equation here. 

Emeka Egbuka vs. Jalen McMillan

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

It’s a good problem to have, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do have a crowded wide receiver room after using a first-round pick on Egbuka, especially if Chris Godwin is healthy and ready to play Week 1.

With Godwin and Mike Evans already in the fold, there will be an open competition for the WR3 role in Tampa Bay that the rookie figures to be a prominent fixture in. Part of the reason for that is he already operates like a veteran receiver.

“Egbuka is a savvy route runner who wins in the short and intermediate range of the field,” B/R’s offensive skill positions scout Dame Parson wrote in the Ohio State product’s scouting report.

“Quick passing attacks will appreciate how he marries the timing of his routes to the quarterback drop. He is going to be where his quarterback needs him to be.”

However, McMillan was a third-round pick just a year ago and served as the offense’s third receiver his first year with the club. 

While he got off to a slow start last season, the Washington product finished strong and stepped up to replace Godwin down the stretch, finishing with 37 catches for 461 yards and eight touchdowns. Of his eight scores, seven came in Weeks 14 to 18 to help the Buccaneers clinch another NFC South title.

That sets up for an interesting position battle between two young wide receivers, where versatility could be the deciding factor.

Projected winner: McMillan

Egbuka projects as more of a slot receiver, which is Godwin’s primary role, whereas McMillan was more of an outside receiver who occasionally lines up inside. So, while it’s only a difference of one season between the two wideouts, the more experienced and versatile player will likely begin the campaign as the starter. 

Jahdae Barron vs. Riley Moss/Ja'Quan McMillian

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

The Denver Broncos’ defense finished third in points allowed per game (18.3) last season and has the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Pat Surtain II. Still, the front office set out to improve the unit and secondary in the first round of last month’s draft by giving Surtain a running mate, Barron.

Part of what made the Texas product such a coveted draft prospect and the first defensive back off the board in April is that he can play multiple spots in the secondary.

“Barron is a highly versatile defensive back with the ability to play multiple positions, including cornerback, nickel, and safety,” the former Longhorn’s scouting report says. 

“Standing at 5'11" and 200 pounds, Barron has demonstrated the instincts and adaptability needed to contribute in almost any role within a defensive backfield. Known for his physicality, high motor, and football intelligence, Barron has shown that he can impact the game in both the run and pass game.”

That gives the 20th overall selection a couple of ways to crack the Broncos’ starting lineup as a rookie and a couple of veterans to compete with.

McMillian has manned the slot in Denver for the better part of the last two years and played well enough to earn a contract extension as an exclusive rights free agent this offseason.

However, that’s only a one-year, $1.03 million deal, and he allowed the second-most receptions (78) among cornerbacks last season while posting a 52.0 run defense grade, per Pro Football Focus.

In the boundary, Riley Moss was a first-year starter in 2024 and had a handful of quality moments with an interception and eight passes defended.

But he also gave up 60 completions, the seventh-most at the position according to PFF, and nearly 700 yards during the regular season. That leaves the door open for someone else to take the job from Moss this fall.

Projected Winner: Barron over McMillian at nickel

The majority of Barron’s experience in college was at nickelback, making it his more natural position. He offers more potential and future value than McMillian, especially considering the latter is only on a one-year contract. 

It also wouldn’t be surprising if the rookie was the starting outside corner opposite of Surtain in Denver’s base personnel, while Moss comes off the bench in nickel personnel and Barron slides inside.

Omarion Hampton vs. Najee Harris

AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

Whether it was with Michigan, the San Francisco 49ers, Stanford or the University of San Diego, Jim Harbaugh’s teams have been known for running the football.

So, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the Harbaugh-led Los Angeles Chargers targeted two of the most notable running backs available this offseason, Harris and Hampton.

J.K. Dobbins was the Chargers’ leading rusher in 2024, and while Dobbins received the unrestricted free agent tender, he still isn’t under contract with the club until training camp and is free to sign with another team.

While he could end up factoring into this position battle, we’ll focus on the two backs who are in Los Angeles right now.

Harris might have been cast away by the Pittsburgh Steelers during free agency, but all he’s done is been reliable and produced during his four seasons.

Every year of his career, the 2021 first-round pick has played in and started all 17 games, rushed for over 1,000 yards and had at least six rushing touchdowns. Also, Harris has the downhill rushing style that Harbaugh covets to be a good fit in L.A.

Meanwhile, Hampton also fits the coach’s profile at the position and was the second-best running back on B/R’s final 2025 NFL Draft big board.

“Hampton is a hard-charging downhill running back with experience carrying a rushing offense,” offensive skill positions scout Dame Parson wrote in the former Tar Heel’s scouting report. 

“Hampton is built like an NFL running back. He runs behind his pads with a strong leg drive. He has good body control and contact balance to bounce off tacklers and gain yards after contact. He converts speed-to-power well to run through defenders and fall forward.”

Projected Winner: Hampton

While both players have similar running styles, the rookie offers more top-end speed with his 4.46-second 40-yard dash time to help earn the nod over the veteran.

Also, he offers more future value for the Chargers since Harris only signed a one-year deal, making it more encouraging for the team to give Hampton more reps to develop him. Regardless, both backs should get plenty of carries this season.

Matthew Golden vs. Packers WRs

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

After selecting Matthew Golden in the first round last month, the Green Bay Packers have a glut of young wide receivers who will be competing for targets this season. There are so many contenders for the team’s three starting spots at the position that all of them couldn’t fit in the title above.

Jayden Reed returns as the leading receiver in Green Bay, logging 55 catches for 857 yards and six touchdowns last season, and his status shouldn’t change with the addition of Golden.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that general manager Brian Gutekunst met with Reed’s agent and assured the wideout’s camp that he’ll remain the team’s top receiver moving forward.

Where this battle gets interesting is with Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks and the rookie.

Doubs is coming off back-to-back 600-yard campaigns, recording 46 grabs, 601 yards and four scores in just 13 games (12 starts) last season. Watson is in a similar boat, posting a statline of 29/620/2 in 15 contests (15 starts) a year ago.

However, he’s battled injuries throughout his career and is coming off a torn ACL suffered in Week 18, threatening his availability at the beginning of the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, Wicks has been a productive player off the bench over the last two seasons, participating in 32 contests (11 starts) and recording 78 receptions, 996 yards and nine touchdowns. But he could be pushed down the depth chart with what the Texas product brings to the table.

“Golden is an explosive and dynamic receiver with positional flexibility,” offensive skill positions scout Dame Parson wrote in the former Longhorn’s scouting report.

“Golden makes plays from multiple wide receiver positions, X, slot, & Z. He separates from coverage well with his innate ability to decelerate and accelerate in and out of his breaks.”

Projected Winners: Reed, Doubs and Golden

The rookie’s biggest competition to crack the Packers’ starting lineup is Watson. Those two are similar as both have field-stretching speed, but the veteran’s injury history has made him difficult to rely on and likely factored into Gutekunst’s decision to use a first-round pick on Golden. 

Watson has missed 13 of 51 regular-season games during his three seasons in Green Bay and, as mentioned above, could sit out even more contests this fall.

Josh Conerly vs. Brandon Coleman vs. Andrew Wylie

AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez

The Washington Commanders weren’t messing around when it comes to protecting reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, quarterback Jayden Daniels, this offseason.

Not only did general manager Adam Peters swing big and trade for five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, but Peters also used his first-round pick of the draft on Conerly.

While the long-term vision for the Oregon product is to eventually take over for the soon-to-be 31-year-old Tunsil, protecting Daniels’ blind side, the rookie does have a path to earn a starting job in year one. 

Wylie has been the starting right tackle in Washington over the last two years, but has left the door open for someone to take his spot. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed nine sacks in 2023 and earned a below-average 59.3 overall grade last season. 

That led the soon-to-be 31-year-old to take a pay cut this offseason, per Over The Cap, and speculation that he could move inside to guard this fall, if he isn’t traded or let go beforehand. 

Meanwhile, Coleman was a third-round pick in last year’s draft and showed enough promise as a rookie to earn the Commanders’ starting left tackle job by Week 5 of last season. However, the TCU product is expected to switch sides in year two to make way for Tunsil.

Then there’s the former Duck, who showed enough traits in college to immediately be a first-stringer in the pros.

“Overall, Conerly has good athletic ability, recovery and zone run blocking skills with the range to protect the corner in pass protection against high-side, speed rushes,” B/R’s offensive line scout Brandon Thorn wrote in the Oregon product’s scouting report. “...He can earn a starting tackle job as a rookie and become a solid starter.”

Projected Winner: Conerly
Coleman’s experience playing some right tackle at TCU could give him an advantage, but Conerly is a good enough athlete to seamlessly flip sides of the center.

Also, as encouraging as the 2024 third-round pick’s rookie season was, PFF credited him with 10 sacks allowed (including the postseason), whereas pass protection is the 2025 first-rounder’s strength.

Josh Simmons vs. Jalon Moore

AP Photo/Colin E. Braley

The Super Bowl highlighted how bad the Kansas City Chiefs' left tackle situation was last year, as four-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney was the team’s last resort on the edge.

Thuney struggled to keep Patrick Mahomes upright against the Philadelphia Eagles’ pass rush during the big game, as Mahomes was sacked six times in the 40-22 drubbing.

That led the Chiefs to sign Moore to a two-year, $30 million contract during free agency to potentially solve the team’s blind-side protection issues. With a 73.1 pass-blocking grade and only one sack allowed last season, via Pro Football Focus, it’s easy to see why the front office was interested in him. 

However, the veteran wasn’t enough since he was a backup with the San Francisco 49ers and only made 12 starts in four years, with five coming last fall. So, Kansas City double-dipped at left tackle this offseason, using its first-round pick on one of the best pass protectors in the draft. 

“In pass protection Simmons has a clean, crisp setup in his flat and angled pass sets with good pad level, active hands and easy redirect skills to protect the corner and remain balanced through the top of the QB's drop,” B/R’s offensive line scout Brandon Thorn wrote in the Ohio State product’s scouting report. 

“He gets into his anchor on time and is dialed in with his left guard on stunts and games with proper timing and spatial awareness.”

Part of the reason Simmons was available with the 32nd overall pick of the draft despite being a quality blind-side protector is that he’s recovering from a torn patellar tendon, which could alter his effectiveness in pass protection.

The good news is that he should be ready for the start of the regular season, and his medical reviews during the NFL Combine went “very well”, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 

Projected Winner: Simmons

Moore should really be more of an insurance policy–albeit, an expensive one–than a starter for the Chiefs. As long as Simmons is healthy enough to participate in training camp, he should be able to win this position battle.