Early Predictions for NFL's Most Interesting Training Camp Battles

At the 2018 NFL draft in Arlington, Texas, last weekend, teams added 256 picks and hundreds of undrafted free agents to their rosters. That can mean only one thing: A huge increase in position battles on depth charts. 

Training camps are built on competition; 90 highly qualified players compete for 53 jobs.

Here's a preview of the most interesting training camp battles in the NFL this summer.

New York Jets Quarterback

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The New York Jets now have five quarterbacks on the roster after moving up to No. 3 overall to take USC's Sam Darnold. He'll join veteran Josh McCown, holdovers Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg and free-agent signee Teddy Bridgewater. 

Teams don't usually hold five quarterbacks for long. There simply aren't enough practice reps and time off the field to give five passers the time they need to develop, so expect the Jets the make a move at the position. Petty and Hackenberg could be shipped out of town, and Bridgewater's contract guarantees him next to nothing in 2018. 

Either way, the Jets will have a competitive, four-man camp battle at quarterback. Darnold is the future, but he'll have to earn it this summer against three veterans. 

Arizona Cardinals Quarterback

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The Arizona Cardinals also have five quarterbacks on the roster after taking one early in the draft. Josh Rosen, the 10th overall pick, joins Sam Bradford, Mike Glennon, Brandon Doughty and Alex Torgersen at quarterback. 

The training camp battle will likely be a three-man race between Rosen, Bradford and Glennon. Who will be the starter? Can Rosen beat out Bradford right away as a rookie? Can he make Glennon expendable by winning the backup job? 

Rosen changes the entire dynamic at quarterback. He's a pro-ready passer who could make noise right away in his first training camp. 

Cleveland Browns Receivers

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The Cleveland Browns didn't use a high pick on a receiver, but they added another intriguing name to an already stacked position group.

Josh Gordon. Jarvis Landry. Corey Coleman. Rashard Higgins. Ricardo Louis. Jeff Janis. And now Antonio Callaway, Cleveland's fourth-round pick. 

The Florida star has undeniable talent and could be a Day 3 steal for the Browns, but he'll have his work cut out for him at a position where the Browns look great at the top of the depth chart. A little competition during training camp could bring out his best. Can Callaway add a fourth dynamic weapon at receiver behind Gordon, Landry and Coleman? 

Denver Broncos Edge-Rushers

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No team has more talent and depth at edge-rusher than the Denver Broncos. They added fifth overall pick Bradley Chubb (North Carolina State) and undrafted free agent Jeff Holland (Auburn) to a group that already featured Von Miller, Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett. 

It will be fascinating to watch how the Broncos employ all their talent up front. Considering Chubb's versatility to play several different spots along the front, it's possible the Broncos could throw together sub-packages that include Chubb, Miller and Ray or Barrett on the field at the same time. Imagine Chubb rushing from the outside, and two of the outside linebackers coming off the edge. That's a lot of talent coming at the quarterback in big situations. 

The Broncos will need camp to get it all sorted out, but this is a good problem to have. Denver should have a never-ending supply of quality pass-rushers in 2018. 

New England Patriots Running Backs

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The New England Patriots are masters of maximizing a wide variety of talent at the running back position. They'll have that opportunity again in 2018 after adding Jeremy Hill in free agency and drafting Sony Michel in the first round. 

Hill and Michel will compete with James White, Rex Burkhead, Mike Gillislee and Brandon Bolden for the various roles in Bill Belichick's backfield. 

It will be interesting to see how the Patriots use Michel, who has Alvin Kamara-like ability and potential as a rookie. He's a dangerous runner and receiver, and the Patriots have production to replace after losing Dion Lewis. Michel could earn himself a big, important role in New England in 2018, but he'll have to earn it against a bunch of reliable pros during camp. 

Cleveland Browns Quarterback

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It'll be Baker Mayfield vs. Tyrod Taylor for the chance to lead the Cleveland Browns to start 2018. 

The situation is reminiscent of the one that played out in Seattle during the summer of 2012. Veteran addition Matt Flynn was expected to be the starter, but a young quarterback named Russell Wilson blew the doors off the competition and won the job in camp. 

Mayfield isn't a third-round pick. He's the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 draft. The Browns might want Taylor to hold down the job while Mayfield learns from the sidelines, but the rookie quarterback should have every opportunity to pull a Wilson and beat out Taylor this summer. 

Minnesota Vikings Cornerbacks

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Coach Mike Zimmer and the Minnesota Vikings are overflowing with talent at cornerback. 

Minnesota used a first-round pick on UCF cornerback Mike Hughes, signed Texas cornerback Holton Hill after the draft and then re-signed veteran Terence Newman, ensuring the battle at the position will be a fierce one this summer. 

Keep in mind: The Vikings also have two other first-round picks (Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes), a second-rounder (Mackenzie Alexander) and a trusty veteran (Marcus Sherels) on the roster. 

That's a lot of talent competing for a limited number of spots, and Zimmer must love it. He came up through the coaching ranks as a defensive backs coach, and his depth chart is going into the summer stacked at cornerback. 

Green Bay Packers Wide Receivers

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The race is on to replace Jordy Nelson at receiver in Green Bay. 

The Packers spent three Day 3 draft picks at the position, taking Missouri's J'Mon Moore (Round 4), USF's Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Round 5) and Notre Dame's Equanimeous St. Brown (Round 6) to provide competition for Aaron Rodgers' pass-catching group. Green Bay also signed Jimmy Graham as a free agent this offseason to aid a passing attack in need of more talent.

It should be a healthy battle this summer. 

The three draft picks will join veteran returnees such as Geronimo Allison, Trevor Davis, Michael Clark and DeAngelo Yancey behind Davante Adams and Randall Cobb. Practice squad holdovers Colby Pearson and Jake Kumerow are also back. The Packers will hope the cream rises the top once the group gets to camp and starts catching passes from Rodgers. 

Green Bay will need a few to emerge as legitimate options in the passing game. It'll take more than one to replace what Nelson brought to the offense for so many years.