Top 15 Offensive Position Battles to Watch in NFL Training Camps

Welcome to Part 1 of a two-part look at the top impending training-camp clashes among the NFL's 32 clubs.

This edition will highlight the premier 15 offensive battles that will take place over the next few weeks, while Part 2 will examine the top 15 defensive battles. Between now and Week 1, teams will face difficult choices at these positions as they seek to identify their regular-season starters.

Why these 15 choices (listed alphabetically)? While most teams enter training camp with a majority of their starting positions already decided upon, certain clubs have unanswered questions at particular positions.

These training-camp battles are not only based on overall competitiveness but just how important they are to the team's potential success. In some instances, it may be the matter of upgrading the position after an incumbent had his problems in 2014. In other cases, free agency and trades may have drained the team of talent at a certain position. Finally, offseason injuries may have already played a part in setting up a competition this summer at a particular spot.

In any case, here's a look at what to expect when it comes to the potential changing of the guard...or tackle...or tight end, etc.   

Arizona Cardinals: Right Guard

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Candidates for the job: Jonathan Cooper and Earl Watford

As it stands right now, 2013 first-round pick Jonathan Cooper appears to have a firm hold on the right guard job, having run with the first team at OTAs. Of course, looks can be deceiving when you have played in just 10 games and made only two starts in two NFL seasons.

Meanwhile, Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians hasn't been shy about heaping praise on the development of third-year pro Earl Watford, a fourth-round selection in 2013.

“He’s playing four positions and playing extremely well,” Arians told Kyle Odegard of AZCardinals.com back in early June. “I’m really, really happy with what he did. He’s a heck of an athlete. It looks like hopefully the lights come on. I’m really anxious to see him in camp.”

With a line that already includes left tackle Jared Veldheer and offseason pickup Mike Iupati—a three-time Pro Bowl guard with the San Francisco 49ers—the Cards seem to have a nice problem (for a change) when it comes to their offensive front.

Atlanta Falcons: Running Back

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Candidates for the job: Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman

In recent seasons, the Atlanta Falcons' running game has become an afterthought.

That figures to change with new head coach Dan Quinn and new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in town.

Back in June, in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio (via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com), Quinn made it clear that second-year pro Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman, a third-round pick from the University of Indiana, will battle it out for the starting job.

In 2014, the Falcons ranked 24th in the league in rushing yards per game. Remarkably, that was an improvement from a year earlier, when no team in the NFL gained fewer yards on the ground.

Meanwhile, as ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure indicates, the Falcons could have a similarly intriguing (and surprising) battle looming at wide receiver, with Roddy White no lock to start opposite of Julio Jones.

Buffalo Bills: Quarterback

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Candidates for the job: EJ Manuel, Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor

In two seasons, quarterback EJ Manuel has played in 15 games and made 14 starts for the Buffalo Bills. That resume doesn't exactly inspire a lot of confidence.

Still, that ledger includes a 58.6 completion percentage for 2,810 yards, 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. That's not horrible but certainly far from proven.

Of course, Manuel got off to a so-so start in 2014 before then-head coach Doug Marrone pulled the plug after four games. And while the Bills dealt for veteran signal-caller Matt Cassel this offseason, you get the sense that Rex Ryan favorite Tyrod Taylor may prove to be the more serious competition.

Carolina Panthers: Wide Receiver

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Candidates for the job: Jerricho Cotchery and Devin Funchess

It was just two years ago that the Carolina Panthers' wide receiving corps included such names as Steve Smith Sr., Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn.

Smith (Baltimore Ravens) and LaFell (New England Patriots) staged their own reunion in the 2014 AFC divisional playoffs in Foxborough, Massachusetts, back in January. Apparently feeling a little nostalgic himself, Ginn re-joined the Panthers this year after a one-year stint with the Arizona Cardinals.

Of course, the focus here is who will start opposite 2014 rookie sensation Kevin Benjamin, who totaled 73 catches for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns this past season. While veteran Jerricho Cotchery added 48 receptions for 580 yards in his first season with Carolina a year ago, he scored only one touchdown.

Keep an eye on second-round pick Devin Funchess, who will push hard to start opposite Benjamin.

Cincinnati Bengals: Right Tackle

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Candidates for the job: Andre Smith and Jake Fisher

In six NFL campaigns, Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Andre Smith has played a complete season just once. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft.

Smith and left tackle Andrew Whitworth are the bookends on a unit that opens holes for running backs Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard and keeps quarterback Andy Dalton upright.

Smith was only a part of that lineup for nine games in 2014, however. This offseason, the organization looked toward the future with the additions of tackles Cedric Ogbuehi (Texas A&M) and Jake Fisher (Oregon) in the draft's first and second round, respectively.

In the case of Fisher and perhaps at the expense of Smith, we’ll see just how quickly we get a glimpse of that future.

Cleveland Browns: Tight End

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Candidates for the job: Gary Barnidge, Rob Housler and Jim Dray

Following a Pro Bowl campaign in 2013 in which he totaled 80 catches for 917 yards and seven touchdowns, tight end Jordan Cameron had big-time problems staying on the field this past season because of concussion issues and eventually a shoulder injury.

As a result, Cleveland didn't re-sign the fourth-round pick from 2011, and Cameron went on to join the Miami Dolphins this spring.

As of this writing, the Cleveland Browns have six tight ends on the roster, led by Gary Barnidge and 2014 free-agent pickup Rob Housler from the Arizona Cardinals. Jim Dray remains on the team, and the club added rookie Randall Telfer in the sixth round this year.

In any case, Barnidge (13), Dray (17) and Housler (nine) combined for a mere 39 catches and one score (Dray) with their respective teams this past season. This should be an interesting battle.

Denver Broncos: Left Tackle

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Candidates for the job: Ty Sambrailo and Ryan Harris

When we last left the Denver Broncos, all indications were that the team’s new-look offensive line would feature rookie left tackle Ty Sambrailo, left guard Ben Garland, center Gino Gradkowski, right guard Louis Vasquez and right tackle Chris Clark.

Are we sure?

With all due respect to Sambrailo, the team’s second-round pick this spring, protecting the likes of quarterback Peyton Manning is a tall task indeed. The former Colorado State product will be pushed by one-time Broncos starter Ryan Harris, who started 15 games at right tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs this past season.

And if all else fails, we might see Clark at left tackle. After all, he did take over for an injured Ryan Clady in 2013.

Could history repeat itself with Clady, a four-time Pro Bowler, out for all of 2015 with a torn ACL?

Houston Texans: Quarterback

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Candidates for the job: Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer

This past season, the Houston Texans improved by seven wins from the previous year as first-time NFL head coach Bill O’Brien led them to a 9-7 finish.

Of course, this is not the first time O’Brien has dealt with Ryan Mallett or Brian Hoyer, both one-time products of the New England Patriots.

While the former played for the Texans in 2014, his season was cut short by injury. Mallett would connect on just 41 of 75 passes (54.7 percent) for 400 yards, two scores and a pair of interceptions in three games (two starts).

Hoyer, meanwhile, started 13 of the 14 games he played in with the Cleveland Browns, throwing 12 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. In his last five appearances, the former undrafted free agent connected for just a pair of scores and nine interceptions.

Is second-year pro Tom Savage in the mix as well?

If Mallett nor Hoyer emerges as a reliable performer, O’Brien may wind up starting three different quarterbacks for the second straight season.

All free-agent information and player signings/transactions are courtesy of Spotrac. Depth chart information comes via Ourlads. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro Football Reference and ESPN.com.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Center

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Candidates for the job: Luke Bowanko and Stefen Wisniewski

“My plan is to be a starter.”

Those were the words of four-year pro Stefen Wisniewski back in late April when he signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“The coaches might say they want me to compete,” the former Oakland Raiders offensive lineman told Hays Carlyon of Jacksonville.com three months ago. “I’ve been a starter since I’ve been in this league, and I expect to continue to be one. If I have to compete to get there, that’s fine.”

His competition is second-year center Luke Bowanko, who took over the starting center job in Week 3 this past season and held it for the remainder of the year.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll see if the 2014 sixth-round pick from Virginia can hold off Wisniewski.

Kansas City Chiefs: Wide Receiver

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Candidates for the job: De’Anthony Thomas and Jason Avant

Instead of focusing on what the Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers didn’t do this past season (namely, catch a single touchdown), it's time to focus on the road ahead.

This offseason, the club added free-agent wideout Jeremy Maclin, who totaled 85 catches for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014.

While explosive De’Anthony Thomas will focus on wide receiver this year, one-time Eagles wideout Jason Avant could push to open the season next to his former teammate. During stints with the Panthers and Chiefs in 2014, Avant totaled a combined 34 receptions, 13 of those having come with Andy Reid’s club.

Minnesota Vikings: Wide Receiver

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Candidates for the job: Charles Johnson, Jarius Wright and Cordarrelle Patterson

This offseason, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman made sure to give young quarterback Teddy Bridgewater a deep threat. The team acquired wide receiver Mike Wallace from the Miami Dolphins for a fifth-round draft choice this year and would go on to release Greg Jennings, the team leader in receptions in 2014.

But what about the other wideout spot opposite Wallace? A look at last season’s numbers shows that Jarius Wright (42), Cordarrelle Patterson (33) and Charles Johnson (31) all had somewhat comparable numbers in terms of receptions. Of course, the trio combined for a mere five touchdown grabs, half as many as Wallace managed in South Florida (10) in 2014.

It bears watching who emerges from the group, which really doesn’t appear to have a clear-cut favorite.

New Orleans Saints: Right Tackle

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Candidates for the job: Zach Strief and Andrus Peat

There’s no mistaking what the arrival of tackle Andrus Peat means to not only the New Orleans Saints but also current right tackle Zach Strief.

The team used the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft to secure the services of the former Stanford University product. Strief, who's been with the team since 2006, knows the writing is on the locker room wall.

The question is, when will the transition take place?

"He's taking my job eventually," Strief told Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com back in May. "That is definitely happening. At some point, that's happening. My job and my role is to make that take as long as possible. And that's how I'll approach it."

Start the clock.

Oakland Raiders: Tight End

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Candidates for the job: Mychal Rivera and Clive Walford

This past season, second-year tight end Mychal Rivera finished as the Oakland Raiders' second-leading pass-catcher with 58 receptions, good for 534 yards and four touchdowns.

But there are two new sheriffs in town with head coach Jack De Rio and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. And one of the more intriguing rookies on the roster, besides first-round wideout Amari Cooper, is third-round pick Clive Walford from the University of Miami.

As second-year quarterback Derek Carr and the Raiders look to improve on their dismal 2014 campaign, in which they scored the second-fewest points in the NFL, Walford could be an important addition.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Wide Receiver

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Candidates for the job: Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant

In his first season as a starter, Markus Wheaton totaled 53 catches for 644 yards and two touchdowns for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In his first season in the NFL, Martavis Bryant totaled 26 receptions for an amazing 549 yards and eight touchdowns. He did this after missing the first six games of the year.

This appears to be somewhat of a no-brainer, but head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Todd Haley undoubtedly want to make sure last season’s rookie standout was no one-hit wonder.

Of course, when you average a gaudy 21.1 yards per catch, that appears to be more than one hit.

Tennessee Titans: Running Back

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Candidates for the job: Bishop Sankey and David Cobb

While it wasn’t that long ago, it seems like it has been ages since running back Chris Johnson was racking up 1,000-plus-yard rushing seasons for the Tennessee Titans.

The three-time Pro Bowler is no longer with the team (or any other at this moment) after a dismal 2014 season with the New York Jets. This past year, the Titans ranked 26th in the league in rushing, with Bishop Sankey and his 569 yards leading the way.

The team added a pair of running backs in the draft this year in Jalston Fowler (fourth round) and David Cobb (fifth round), but the former may see action at fullback, according to John Glennon of the Tennessean.

Could Cobb push Sankey for the starting job? Is there another sleeper candidate on the roster? Stay tuned.