Predicting Every NFL Team's Most Heated Camp Battle
Both figuratively and literally, things are heating up across the NFL as the offseason wears on and training camp starts to peek over the horizon of organized team activities and other workouts.
Every year brings plenty of new storylines to the table for each team, with free agency and the draft giving everyone a chance to keep tweaking their rosters in hopes of finding just the right group to make a playoff run.
There's at least one position on every team where the gap between the incumbent starter and the next man up is nearly nonexistent. From draft picks looking to challenge aging veterans to newly signed free agents trying to stake their claims in their new digs, there are plenty of jobs up for grabs again this year.
Let's take a look at what could be the most hotly contested battle on every NFL depth chart heading into training camp.
Arizona Cardinals
1 of 32
Nose Tackle: Corey Peters vs. Rodney Gunter
After signing with the Cardinals as a free agent in 2015, Peters was expected to be the team's starter in the middle of the defensive line. But the former Atlanta Falcon was lost to a ruptured Achilles during the preseason, costing him the rest of the season.
In his stead, Gunter stepped in admirably and appeared in all 16 games with 11 starts, tallying 19 tackles and a sack. A fourth-round pick out of Delaware State last year, the rookie got plenty of valuable experience with a deep and talented unit, and he likely accelerated his development.
The Verdict
Peters is a five-year veteran with 55 career starts under his belt, but is still just 27 years old with two years remaining on his contract. Gunter showed some promise in his rookie season, but he'll likely be pushed back and used for depth while the more experienced Peters gets the starting nod in 2016.
Atlanta Falcons
2 of 32
Weak-Side Linebacker: Philip Wheeler vs. Deion Jones
A battle between an aging veteran and a highly drafted rookie, Wheeler will be looking to stave off the young speedster in Jones, but it's a tall order.
Wheeler certainly has plenty of experience—62 starts over eight seasons—but just six of those have come over the past two seasons. He was reliable and productive over a two-year stretch between 2012 and 2013 for the Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins, but consistency and durability issues have plagued him since.
Jones is a raw talent, but he brings rare speed and athleticism to the position that head coach Dan Quinn will put to good use. The 2016 second-round pick is a violent hitter who loves to create turnovers and big plays, and the Falcons need more players on the field with that type of mentality, especially on defense.
The Verdict
He's still a bit rough around the edges, but Jones has the physical tools to be a playmaker in this defense. Wheeler's experience won't help him if he can't stay healthy, but even at full strength, he won't be able to compete with Jones' athleticism and playmaking ability.
Baltimore Ravens
3 of 32
Left Tackle: Eugene Monroe vs. Ronnie Stanley
A former top-10 pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Monroe has amassed 90 starts over his eight NFL seasons and joined the Ravens via trade early in the 2013 season. Injuries have held him to just 17 starts over the past two seasons, and he's been less than consistent when he has been in the lineup, which opened the door for the Ravens to look for his potential replacement early in the 2016 draft.
Stanley could have easily been the top tackle in the 2015 draft class, but he returned to Notre Dame for another season to polish his skill set even further. As a result, he enters the NFL as arguably the most pro-ready left tackle among rookies, with a balanced skill set and plenty of starting experience against some of the nation's top pass-rushers.
The Verdict
In theory, Monroe's presence could allow the Ravens to be patient with Stanley, but don't expect that to keep the rookie from pushing the veteran hard in training camp. Monroe's experience and familiarity will give him the early advantage, but Stanley's too talented to be denied by the time the regular season rolls around.
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Buffalo Bills
4 of 32
Right Tackle: Cyrus Kouandjio vs. Seantrel Henderson vs. Jordan Mills
Bringing back Cordy Glenn settles the left tackle spot in Orchard Park, but on the right side, it's a three-horse race for the starting gig heading into training camp.
Kouandjio and Henderson were both members of the Bills' 2014 draft class, and despite the former being selected five rounds earlier, it's been Henderson who has logged more starts over their first two seasons. Injuries have helped limit Kouandjio to just two career starts, while Henderson has 26 already under his belt.
At 25 years old and with 34 career starts to his name, Mills brings his own experience to the right tackle race in Buffalo. The former Dallas Cowboy and Chicago Bear appeared in 10 games for Buffalo last year and made five starts.
The Verdict
Until Kouandjio can prove his durability, he'll struggle to unseat Henderson as the starter. He should even be worried about Mills, who has more experience but still plenty of tread on his tires. Depth up front is a fantastic problem for any NFL team to have, but look for Henderson to keep his grip on this starting spot heading into Week 1.
Carolina Panthers
5 of 32
Right Tackle: Mike Remmers vs. Daryl Williams
Remmers' disappointing performance in Carolina's Super Bowl loss to the Denver Broncos was well-documented, but the team doesn't seem to be overreacting to one performance. Remmers was offered a second-round tender this offseason as a restricted free agent, which he signed.
"We’ve won 22 out of our last (26) games with Mike Remmers starting at right tackle,” general manager Dave Gettleman told Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer back in March. “I’m not a knee-jerk guy. I’m not going to do it. I will not do it. ... Again he’s young in his career now. Don’t take a snapshot and decide that we need a right tackle."
The Panthers may not have added a potential replacement for Remmers this offseason, but that player could already be on the roster in Williams, a fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2015. A versatile blocker who can play either guard or tackle, Williams was a three-year starter for the Sooners who saw action in 10 games with two starts for Carolina as a rookie.
The Verdict
Remmers certainly picked the worst time to lay an egg last season, but it's clear the team won't let that overshadow his body of work over two seasons. Williams is a valuable depth piece who can play multiple positions, but Remmers should beat him out and retain his starting spot at right tackle.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article64608872.html#storylink=cpy
Chicago Bears
6 of 32
Backup Running Back: Ka'Deem Carey vs. Jacquizz Rodgers vs. Jordan Howard
Jeremy Langford's performance in his rookie season was one of many reasons the Bears decided to move on from veteran Matt Forte, but while he may be entrenched as the starter for the time being, the team's depth behind him is impressive.
After spending his first four seasons in Atlanta as a productive change-of-pace back for the Falcons, Rodgers missed a huge chunk of the 2015 season due to injury. Even so, the Bears elected to bring him back for 2016 after he signed just a one-year deal during the previous offseason.
Carey didn't get a ton of opportunities to shine behind Forte and Langford last year, but the 23-year-old Arizona product showed flashes of promise. Both backs are tough runners who can make things happen in the passing game as well, but they'll also have to fight off a talented rookie in fifth-round pick Jordan Howard.
The Verdict
Rodgers is the most experienced of the bunch and arguably the most versatile, but he'll have to prove he's fully recovered from last year's injury that landed him on injured reserve. Howard has plenty of talent, but his durability has been his biggest issue. If Carey can stay healthy and keep moving along his upward trajectory, he should hold off the others as the team's No. 2 back.
Cincinnati Bengals
7 of 32
Cornerback: Dre Kirkpatrick vs. Darqueze Dennard
The Bengals have spent four of their last 11 first-round picks on corners, and they're still waiting for Dennard or Kirkpatrick to assert themselves as the team's next top dog at the position. Veteran Leon Hall is gone, and Adam Jones 32 years old, so it's time for the next generation to take hold of the Cincy secondary.
After making just five starts over his first three NFL seasons, Kirkpatrick started 15 games in 2016 but didn't register a single interception. That said, his 70 tackles and 16 passes defensed prove that picks aren't the only measuring stick for a corner's production. Even in limited action over the previous two seasons, Kirkpatrick logged six interceptions and proved he's capable of making big plays.
Speaking of the former Thorpe Award winner, Dennard has appeared in 24 games over his first two NFL seasons, but the team's depth at the position made it difficult for him to crack the starting lineup.
The Verdict
Dennard has the talent to push Kirkpatrick, but a lack of durability and experience is working against him. Kirkpatrick got nearly a full season of starting experience under his belt last year, and it should serve him well as he holds off Dennard through training camp in 2016.
Cleveland Browns
8 of 32
Outside Linebacker: Barkevious Mingo vs. Nate Orchard vs. Emmanuel Ogbah
Cleveland's new regime has plenty of potential when it comes to young pass-rushing talent, but the Browns need at least one player in this group to emerge as the clear favorite to start coming out of training camp.
The sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft, Mingo came out of the gates with promise and bagged five sacks as a rookie. But he followed it up with just two sacks in 2014, then none last season, dropping from 11 starts to just two over those two campaigns.
Orchard appeared in 15 games as a rookie and made 11 starts while logging three sacks. The second-rounder out of Utah totaled 36 tackles, four passes defensed, an interception and a forced fumble, showing versatility and playmaking ability.
They'll both be pushed by this year's second-round pick in Ogbah, who was one of the most productive pass-rushers in the nation over his career at Oklahoma State. The athleticism he showed at this year's combine proves he has the versatility to get after the quarterback or drop back in coverage and be effective.
The Verdict
There's still hope that Mingo can deliver on the high expectations that made him a top-10 pick, but the Browns likely won't believe it until they see it. Ogbah spent most of his time with his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end in college, so it might take him time to feel comfortable with the responsibilities of a 3-4 scheme. Expect Orchard to come out of training camp as the winner of this race.
Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
Defensive Tackle: Terrell McClain vs. Maliek Collins
Tyrone Crawford and free-agent addition Cedric Thornton should be locks in the starting lineup, but there could be plenty of fireworks behind them as McClain and Collins fight for first dibs on rotational duties.
McClain has been with four teams in six seasons, with injuries plaguing him all along the way. Since making 12 starts as a rookie for the Carolina Panthers in 2011, McClain has not started a single game over the last five seasons, with just 31 tackles and one sack over that stretch.
A third-round pick out of Nebraska in this year's draft, Collins was a powerful and disruptive anchor for the Huskers defense. According to Peter King of MMQB, the Cowboys even liked Collins enough to target him at the top of the second round, but they ended up lucking out when he fell a round further.
The Verdict
When healthy, McClain is a balanced defender who can stop the run and provide pass-rushing ability, but he's rarely been at 100 percent. Even if he's able to stay on the field throughout training camp, he'll have a hard time fighting off a younger challenger without an extensive injury history. Collins should earn plenty of reps as a rookie and could end up pushing the starters for an increased role as the season wears on.
Denver Broncos
10 of 32
Cornerback: Chris Harris vs. Aqib Talib vs. Bradley Roby
In a league that continues to value prolific passing attacks on offense, quality depth in the secondary is an extremely valuable luxury. When it comes to corners, no NFL team can boast a trio of cover men like the defending Super Bowl champs have.
Harris and Talib are arguably the best starting tandem in the league, but Roby would most likely start for every other NFL team, and he could easily be the best corner on half of those other clubs.
In the two years these three players have patrolled the defensive backfield together, they've combined for 13 interceptions and 75 passes defensed, making opposing quarterbacks pay no matter where they decide to throw the ball.
The Verdict
Don't look for much to change with this group. All three will continue to push each other through training camp and into the regular season, and with as many three plus-receiver sets as they'll see on a regular basis, each of these guys will see plenty of action and should all be considered starters.
Detroit Lions
11 of 32
Middle Linebacker: Tahir Whitehead vs. Stephen Tulloch
There are few active linebackers who can boast Tulloch's experience and production. With 942 tackles over 112 career starts, the North Carolina State product has been a mainstay in the Lions defense for the past five seasons.
Whitehead spent most of his time on the outside in 2015, but he had previously stepped in for Tulloch in the middle when the veteran missed most of the 2014 season due to injury. Whitehead told Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press that Tulloch helped prepare him to be able to take over that role whenever necessary.
"Two years ago he got hurt and it’s the nature of the league almost," Whitehead said. "You always have to be able to step in and play a position and so on and so forth. I feel like he’s groomed me to be able to be the player I am today. Like I say, he’s my brother. That’s what he’s allowed me to do."
Whitehead tallied 86 tackles in 2014 while filling in for Tulloch, and he added 50 more over eight starts at outside linebacker in 2015.
The Verdict
Tulloch is still on the roster, but Whitehead is five years younger. It wouldn't be surprising to see them go with the youth movement at the position. Tulloch's experience makes him a valuable veteran presence in the locker room, but he may end up taking a back seat to Whitehead on the field in 2016.
Green Bay Packers
12 of 32
Running Back: Eddie Lacy vs. James Starks
The weight issues that plagued Lacy in 2015 were well-documented, but offseason reports looked encouraging in that department. Alas, it seems head coach Mike McCarthy still isn't satisfied with where Lacy is currently, per Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Lacy may have gotten the lion's share of the starts last season, but Starks appeared to be the more effective back for much of the year. Both finished the season averaging 4.1 yards per carry, but Starks contributed nearly twice as many yards as a receiver than Lacy.
The Verdict
McCarthy won't be afraid to go in either direction here, nor will he have a problem switching things up and riding the hot hand throughout the season. For now, look for Starks to remain the lead dog in the backfield until Lacy proves he can hit his target weight, stay in that range and return to the player who topped 1,100 rushing yards in each of his first two NFL seasons.
Houston Texans
13 of 32
Cornerback: Kareem Jackson vs. Kevin Johnson
Johnathan Joseph is one of the league's better cover men, but there's an intriguing battle across from him at the other corner spot in Houston.
Both former first-round picks, Jackson and Johnson bring plenty of talent to the table. Jackson's play over his first four seasons in Houston earned him a new four-year deal last offseason, while Johnson was one of the more impressive rookie defenders in the entire league in 2015.
Both players made 10 starts last season, with Jackson getting the edge in interceptions with two, while Johnson topped him with nine passes defensed.
The Verdict
Johnson may have the higher ceiling, but Jackson is still the more proven commodity, with 81 career starts and 12 career interceptions under his belt. He's also still just 28 years old, which means he'll likely have enough in the tank to hold off Johnson and keep his starting job for at least a little longer.
Indianapolis Colts
14 of 32
Cornerback: Darius Butler vs. D'Joun Smith
Butler has been a part-time starter and nickel corner throughout his seven seasons in the NFL, grabbing nine interceptions over his four years spent with the Colts. A former second-round pick of the New England Patriots, Butler's lack of height at just 5'10" has kept him from being a legitimate cover man on the outside, but he's carved out a solid niche in the slot.
A third-round pick out of Florida Atlantic in last year's draft, Smith missed most of his rookie season due to injury and only appeared in four games without doing much on the stat sheet. He certainly doesn't lack confidence, though, telling Kevin Bowen of Colts.com he's "probably going to be the best cornerback to play the game," shortly after being drafted.
The Verdict
Conventional wisdom said the veteran gets the nod over the youngster returning from injury, but Smith has both the physical skills and mentality to not back down from this kind of challenge in training camp. Don't be surprised if he unseats the 30-year-old Butler heading into the regular season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
15 of 32
Running Back: T.J. Yeldon vs. Chris Ivory
Depth is never a bad thing in the backfield, and the Jags will have more of it in 2016 with the addition of Ivory via free agency. After falling just short of 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons with the New York Jets, Ivory finally eclipsed the mark in 2015 with 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns over 14 starts.
Yeldon started 12 games as a rookie in 2015 and racked up over 1,000 total yards while finding the end zone three times. A promising back with versatility and the ability to make big runs and churn out the tough yardage, Yeldon already looks well worth the second-round pick the Jags spent on him last year.
The Verdict
Ivory has a longer track record of success, but especially at running back, that can actually end up being a negative. Yeldon is six years younger, and while he may not be quite as physical a runner as Ivory, he's more versatile and athletic. Ivory should get plenty of carries, but expect Yeldon to retain his starting job.
Kansas City Chiefs
16 of 32
Cornerback: Phillip Gaines vs. Steven Nelson
At one corner spot, the Chiefs boast last year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in Marcus Peters, who already looks like one of the most dangerous playmakers in the league at the position. Across from him, things are far less certain.
In his second NFL season, Gaines appeared in just three games in 2015, starting all of them before a torn ACL cost him the rest of the year. Nelson appeared in 12 games as a rookie last year, but though he may have left the stat sheet a little sparse, head coach Andy Reid is already encouraged by his performance in offseason practices, per Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star.
The Verdict
Both players are young talents who have shown flashes early in their careers, but this year's training camp will be a huge mile marker for them. With Gaines coming off a major injury, don't be surprised if Nelson seizes the opportunity and overtakes him for the starting job heading into the regular season.
Los Angeles Rams
17 of 32
Quarterback: Jared Goff vs. Nick Foles
It's not a matter of if, just when.
Goff—this year's No. 1 overall draft pick—was worth enough to the Rams for the team to trade all the way up from the No. 15 spot to secure his services. It took plenty of additional draft picks to make the jump, but the Rams are clearly confident in his ability to take them to the next level.
Foles has struggled with durability and consistency, and he appears to be nothing more than a placeholder for Goff until he's ready. Still, no NFL veteran will go down without a fight, and Foles certainly won't sit back and let Goff waltz right into the starting gig without some competition.
The Verdict
Foles will do his best to use his experience to his advantage, but it should be a foregone conclusion that Goff will be the Week 1 starter when the NFL returns to Los Angeles in 2016.
Miami Dolphins
18 of 32
Running Back: Jay Ajayi vs. Kenyan Drake
Miami let Lamar Miller walk in free agency, but it still has a pair of young runners who will challenge for the majority of the touches in 2016.
Durability has been the biggest issue for Ajayi, both in college and now into the pros. Miller's exit cleared a path for him to be the starter heading into 2016, but the Dolphins spent a third-round pick in this year's draft on Drake, an explosive playmaker who can impact the game in just about every imaginable way.
Staying healthy was a concern for Drake at Alabama, so this battle could end up coming down to who can simply stay on the field.
The Verdict
Ajayi is built for grinding out the tough yards on first and second down more so than Drake, who can line up all over the field and create mismatches for opposing defense. The rookie will get plenty of action, but Ajayi should hold on to the starting role through training camp.
Minnesota Vikings
19 of 32
Cornerback: Trae Waynes vs. Terence Newman vs. Captain Munnerlyn
Xavier Rhodes is the clear leader at this position, and rookie second-rounder Mackensie Alexander should be a perfect fit at the nickel spot from day one, but the other outside corner position looks like a wide-open race heading into training camp.
Waynes struggled to earn quality playing time as a rookie, which made him look like a bit of a disappointment at the 11th overall pick in the draft. Newman and Munnerlyn bring plenty of experience to the table, but will they be able to compete with Waynes' athleticism and youth?
The Verdict
When it comes to starting experience, Waynes can't hold a candle to the likes of Newman—188 career starts—or Munnerlyn—71 career starts, but he has the physical skills to overcome that fact if he can put it all together. Waynes may be the future, but at least for now, he'll still take a back seat to the veterans.
New England Patriots
20 of 32
Defensive Tackle: Alan Branch vs. Malcom Brown
Brown and Branch both started for most of the 2015 season in New England, but with the arrival of Terrance Knighton, it's likely they'll be fighting for the right to start next to the team's new addition at the position.
A nine-year veteran out of Michigan, Branch is with his fourth different team in six seasons. He made 15 starts for the Pats last season, registering 35 tackles, a sack and two forced fumbles.
Brown—last year's first-round pick—appeared in all 16 games as a rookie with 12 starts, racking up 48 tackles and three sacks.
The Verdict
It's a growing pattern on this list—the grizzled veteran versus the young, budding star. Branch has tons of experience, but he's 31 years old and may have a tough time keeping up with the 22-year-old Brown in training camp. Look for Brown to build on an impressive rookie campaign by beating out his more experienced teammate for the starting job next to Knighton.
New Orleans Saints
21 of 32
Cornerback: P.J. Williams vs. Keenan Lewis
Injuries held both of these players back in 2015, with Lewis playing just six games and Williams missing his entire rookie season.
Lewis had started all 16 games in each of the previous two seasons for the Saints—as well as his final year with the Pittsburgh Steelers—bagging six of his seven career interceptions over the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He suffered a hip injury in 2015 that required three surgeries and cost him 10 games of the regular season.
A third-round pick last year out of Florida State, Williams was sent to injured reserve in September with a torn hamstring. Once considered a potential first-round pick, Williams was arrested on a DUI charge prior to the draft, though the case was later dropped.
The Verdict
Both players are returning from serious injuries, so this will all come down to who has had the better recovery and can stay healthy through training camp. Lewis may have tons more experience, but Williams is eight years younger, which might allow him to bounce back from injury more effectively.
New York Giants
22 of 32
Running Back: Rashad Jennings vs. Andre Williams vs. Shane Vereen vs. Paul Perkins
Jennings started all 16 games for the Giants in 2015, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll have a strong hold on that starting gig throughout the 2016 season. There will be a trio of runners pushing him for playing time, and it's possible one of them could have an impressive enough training camp to overtake him.
Williams proved in 2014 he can be effective, as he rushed for 721 yards and seven touchdowns. Last year, he still appeared in all 16 games but averaged just 2.9 yards per carry, only finding the end zone once. Vereen was a valuable change-of-pace back who tallied over 750 total yards and four touchdowns, with all of his scores coming as a receiver out of the backfield.
The wild card is Perkins, the Giants' fifth-round pick this year. A talented and explosive runner, Perkins has the quickness, vision and patience to make an instant impact in the backfield if given the opportunity.
The Verdict
Jennings held down the starting gig for an entire season for the first time in his six-year career last year, and he was effective enough as both a runner and receiver. Depth is a good problem to have in the NFL, and these other runners will certainly get their slices of the pie, but expect Jennings to stay atop the pecking order for the time being.
New York Jets
23 of 32
Defensive Line: Sheldon Richardson vs. Leonard Williams
The rich got richer when Williams fell to the sixth overall pick in 2015, with the Jets snatching him up and adding him to what was already one of the NFL's most impressive defensive fronts. But he still has the challenge of beating out a fellow first-rounder in Richardson for the right to start across from Muhammad Wilkerson.
Working against Richardson is a four-game suspension from last year, as well as a resisting arrest charge that could also be subject to league discipline. The Missouri product still managed to tally five sacks over his 11 starts in 2015, giving him 16.5 over his first three NFL seasons. Williams appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, and he notched 63 tackles and three sacks.
The Verdict
The Jets will rotate both of these players plenty, regardless of who ends up winning the starting job, but there will still be fierce competition to run with that first unit coming out of training camp. Barring any legal setbacks, expect the more experienced Richardson to edge out Williams to start the season.
Oakland Raiders
24 of 32
Cornerback: David Amerson vs. D.J. Hayden
The legendary Charles Woodson is gone, veterans Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson are in, and the Raiders need one of these two players to step up and lock down the other starting corner spot to round out the new-look secondary.
After a somewhat disappointing three-year stint in Washington, Amerson made a resurgence in his first season with the Raiders. The North Carolina State product made 12 starts in 2015 and grabbed a career-high four interceptions while logging 25 passes defensed.
Hayden knows all about disappointment, as the former first-round pick has failed to live up to high expectations. The former Houston Cougar has managed just one interception in each of his first three NFL seasons, and he has struggled with consistency and durability.
The Verdict
There's still hope Hayden will rise to meet his lofty potential, but the Raiders likely won't believe it until they see it. Amerson made a huge statement with his performance last year, and he should be expected to stay on that upward swing in 2016 and beyond.
Philadelphia Eagles
25 of 32
Defensive End: Connor Barwin vs. Brandon Graham vs. Vinny Curry
You can never have too many pass-rushers, and the Eagles are set up to test that theory with this trio.
Barwin is the most experienced and productive of the group, with two double-digit sack seasons to his credit—2011 and 2014—and missing only one start in the past five seasons. The Eagles re-signed Graham following a 2014 season in which he tied his career high with 5.5 sacks, which he topped with 6.5 in 2015.
Curry only notched 3.5 sacks last year, but he bagged nine in 2014, proving he can put up big numbers. The new regime in Philly thought enough of Curry to sign him to a five-year extension this offseason worth nearly $50 million.
The Verdict
Barwin turns 30 this October, making him the elder statesman among these three. With the money the Eagles have poured into the younger pair recently, they could end up pushing them to start and letting Barwin back off to a more rotational role, which would give him more rest and allow him to be more effective later in games.
Pittsburgh Steelers
26 of 32
Wide Receiver: Markus Wheaton vs. Sammie Coates vs. Darrius Heyward-Bey
The Steelers will be without Martavis Bryant thanks to a yearlong suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. This makes it imperative that someone else steps up to give them a reliable starter across from Antonio Brown.
All three of these potential starters have speed to burn, and while Coates and Heyward-Bey have a size advantage, Wheaton has the most NFL production under his belt. Heyward-Bey has the most experience, but he has never gone over 1,000 yards receiving in a season over his entire seven-year career.
The Verdict
Wheaton's comfort level and chemistry with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will likely give him the upper hand to begin with, but Coates is the most similar to Bryant in terms of skill set. If he can play to his potential throughout training camp, he could end up being the one to fill an enormous void for an offense in need of a playmaker to take attention away from Brown.
San Diego Chargers
27 of 32
Tight End: Antonio Gates vs. Hunter Henry
Gates has already etched his mark in NFL history as one of the most productive tight ends of all time, but at age 35, he's in the twilight of his career and could start to see a decline at any time. Injuries limited him to just four starts and 11 appearances in 2015, with his touchdown totals dropping from 12 in 2014 to just five last season.
The Bolts know the clock is ticking on Gates, which is why they spent their second-round pick in the 2016 draft on Henry, who is widely considered the top prospect at the position in this year's class. Henry has the same kind of athleticism and reliable hands that have made Gates such a prolific playmaker over his career, and he could make a seamless transition into being quarterback Philip Rivers' new security blanket.
The Verdict
Henry has a bright future ahead of him, but like most talented veterans, Gates won't go quietly into that good night. Rivers has a long, productive history with Gates, and while Henry should get plenty of action as a rookie, don't expect him to snatch the torch from Gates until next season.
San Francisco 49ers
28 of 32
Quarterback: Colin Kaepernick vs. Blaine Gabbert
If you had said just a few years ago that this tandem would present a quarterback controversy, you'd have been laughed out of every bar from here to Santa Clara.
Alas, here we are.
Kaepernick is returning from a season-ending injury, while Gabbert played admirably in his stead. New head coach Chip Kelly's offense looks to be a perfect fit for Kaepernick to revive his career, but only if he can stay healthy and return to the form that allowed him to lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl berth.
In eight starts last year, Gabbert posted a career-best completion percentage of 63.1. He tossed 10 touchdowns to seven interceptions and led the team to three of its five wins on the season.
The Verdict
Kaepernick's ability to stay healthy will be a huge factor in this race, but as surprising as it may have seemed a couple of years ago, this is a wide-open race going into training camp. Kaepernick looks like the better fit on paper, but Gabbert has a recent track record of effectiveness on his side. Whoever can process and execute the offense more quickly and effectively will get the nod.
Seattle Seahawks
29 of 32
Running Back: Thomas Rawls vs. Christine Michael vs. C.J. Prosise vs. Alex Collins
Rawls was one of the league's most pleasant surprises in 2015, rushing for 830 yards, 5.6 yards per carry and four touchdowns over seven starts in place of the now-retired Marshawn Lynch.
He's got a hold on the starting gig for now, but he'll be pushed by Michael and a pair of talented rookies in Prosise and Collins, both of whom have well-rounded skill sets that could make them starting-caliber runners early in their NFL careers.
Michael should be more worried about the rookies freezing out his opportunities, but even Rawls knows better than anyone how quickly things can change over just one season.
The Verdict
Expect Rawls to remain the starter coming out of training camp, but Michael could end up tumbling down the depth chart if these rookies prove to be quick studies who can play to their potentials. In any event, the Seahawks should have a deep backfield to rely on, even without Beast Mode around this year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30 of 32
Cornerback: Johnthan Banks vs. Alterraun Verner
Both of these players have proved they can be successful in the past, but neither looked particularly impressive during Lovie Smith's quick tenure as Tampa Bay's head coach. A scheme change could be exactly what both Banks and Verner need to bounce back in 2016, and the depth chart is much more crowded at the position this year.
Verner is 27, and Banks is just 26. They both have plenty of starting experience, and Verner has a Pro Bowl berth on his resume. Banks' benching last season was one of the more puzzling moves Smith made with his defense, after the former second-rounder bagged seven picks over his first two NFL seasons.
With veteran Brent Grimes and rookie first-rounder Vernon Hargreaves now in the mix, one of these two could easily be squeezed out of a starting job in 2016.
The Verdict
This is a battle that could go beyond just training camp and the preseason. Both players should see their performances improve in defensive coordinator Mike Smith's system, but the early nod goes to the younger, bigger Banks. At 6'2", 185 pounds, Banks will put his height and length to good use when matched up against the bigger receivers in the NFC South.
Tennessee Titans
31 of 32
Running Back: DeMarco Murray vs. Derrick Henry
The Titans will have a pair of fresh faces in the backfield, and adding a former NFL rushing champ and a Heisman Trophy winner certainly won't hurt a young quarterback in Marcus Mariota who is trying to develop as quickly as possible.
After a dominant 2014 campaign with the Dallas Cowboys—1,845 yards, 13 touchdowns—Murray signed a lucrative deal in free agency with the Philadelphia Eagles. He never looked comfortable in his new surroundings, and he posted a career-low 3.6 yards per carry in 2015. Philly's new regime must not have been terribly impressed, as it shipped him to Tennessee in return for swapping fourth-round picks in this year's draft.
The Titans then spent a second-round pick on Henry, who became the first player in SEC history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season on his way to winning college football's most prestigious individual award, as well as a national title.
The Verdict
This may end up being more of a committee backfield than a clear hierarchy, with Murray taking the early touches and Henry coming in later to wear down tired defenses with his physical running style. Look for Murray to bounce back in his new surroundings, but Henry will push him all season long to be the No. 1 back.
Washington
32 of 32
Wide Receiver: Josh Doctson vs. Pierre Garcon
Garcon flashed what he's capable of in 2013 when he caught a career-high 113 passes for 1,346 yards and five touchdowns. Unfortunately, he's barely eclipsed that yardage total over the last two seasons combined, averaging just 11 yards per catch despite his speed and big-play ability.
DeSean Jackson can take the top off the defense, and rookie Jamison Crowder established himself as a reliable target from the slot as a rookie in 2015. That leaves Garcon to fight off Doctson, and teams don't typically spend first-round picks on receivers they plan to keep on the bench for most of the time.
The Verdict
Doctson is a dynamic player with fantastic ball skills and body control, which will make him a terror in the red zone. That said, he'll find the NFL's defensive backs a bit harder to dominate like he did to his college opponents. Garcon still has some gas in the tank, and he'll have the advantage of better chemistry with quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Doctson will get his looks, but Garcon should still be the starter for now.
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