Every NFL Team's Most Wide-Open Training Camp Battle
As we move deeper into the month of July, the dawn of training camp draws closer by the day.
Soon, each of the NFL's 32 teams will gather to prepare in earnest for the season to come. New schemes will be implemented. New players will be brought into the fold.
And battles will be waged from coast to coast.
Whether it's the winless Cleveland Browns or the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, every team has at least one position up for grabs—one spot that doesn't have a certain starter for Week 1. One job that will be decided just as the games will be this fall.
By open competition.
Here's a look at the most wide-open training camp battle for every team.
Arizona Cardinals: Quarterback
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There wasn't supposed to be a quarterback competition for the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. When they handed Sam Bradford $20 million on a one-year deal, that was supposed to be that.
Problem solved—at least for one year.
Of course, that was before the team drafted Josh Rosen 10th overall. As Sean Wagner-McGough of CBSSports.com reported, Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson gushed about Rosen's readiness on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
"Josh blew my mind my first week with him. Just to see him run hurry up offense, to see him make all these different checks, to see him put guys in position. I was completely stunned when I saw it. I was like, this guy's only been here for a week and he's already doing what? We're already running a two-minute offense now? I was very, very impressed with that. He's definitely the future of our franchise."
If Rosen continues to demonstrate he's ready, the Cards are going to run out of reasons for the future not to be now.
Atlanta Falcons: Cornerback
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There's no question Desmond Trufant is the Atlanta Falcons' No. 1 cornerback.
After that, though, things get interesting quickly.
Veteran Robert Alford posted arguably the best season of his NFL career in 2018, starting all 16 games for the second consecutive year and registering a career-best 68 tackles.
However, the team added Colorado's Isaiah Oliver in Round 2 of the draft, and safety Ricardo Allen told Will McFadden of the team's website that he's been impressed with the rookie.
"He's very mature," Allen said, "and he's real smart. And he's much faster than I even thought he was; he can run with any wide receiver."
There's the possibility of a trickle-down effect. Oliver's skill set is best suited for a role on the boundary, so if he shines in camp, Alford could be pushed into a fight with Brian Poole for the slot job.
In any event, it's nice to have a plethora of good young cornerbacks.
Baltimore Ravens: Inside Linebacker
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The more things change, the more they stay the same.
At this point a year ago, the Baltimore Ravens were set to enter training camp with a big question mark at inside linebacker opposite star C.J. Mosley.
Patrick Onwuasor won the battle with Kamalei Correa for the right to start. But after an up-and-down second season, it's far from certain Onwuasor will start again.
We do, however, know Correa won't vie for the starting job. Per Ryan Mink of the team's website, Correa requested a move back to outside linebacker, where "he feels more comfortable."
There's still plenty of competition inside, though. Veteran Albert McClellan, youngster Bam Bradley and rookie Kenny Young will try to knock Onwuasor off his loosely held perch.
This one could drag on well into the preseason—just like last year.
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Buffalo Bills: Quarterback
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Per John Murphy of the team's website, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane likes where Buffalo's at vis-a-vis the quarterback position.
"I love the room of the quarterbacks," Beane said. "Those guys ... they all want to start. They all have supported each other. And I've been around when that room's not always jiving, and I really feel good about the dynamic in there."
Bet he'd like some more clarity, though.
That clarity likely isn't coming until well into the preseason. The Bills have a three-way battle brewing between free agent signee AJ McCarron, second-year pro Nathan Peterman and No. 7 pick Josh Allen.
Peterman had a disastrous debut last year, but he impressed in OTAs. McCarron, on the other hand, scuffled. Allen's the future under center, but is he ready to take the reins now?
This will easily be the dominant storyline as the Bills prepare to open training camp, and it's a safe bet every practice snap will be scrutinized.
Carolina Panthers: Left Guard
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A battle to start at left guard doesn't exactly pack a ton of sizzle. But when you're a playoff team trying to replace one of the best players at the position, it does pack a ton of importance.
That's the situation the Carolina Panthers are in after Andrew Norwell signed what was the richest deal for a guard in NFL history with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It's an open competition. Holdovers Amini Silatolu and Tyler Larsen know the system. Silatolu has made 28 starts at left guard but switched to tackle last year and then finished the season with three straight starts at right guard. Larsen has served mainly as a reserve, but he did make 10 starts at center in 2017.
Then there are the new faces. Jeremiah Sirles made 15 starts over three seasons with the San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings—including four last year. Kyle Bosch, Taylor Hearn and Brendan Mahon are undrafted rookies who are long shots.
Though Norwell was an undrafted free agent too.
Chicago Bears: Edge-Rusher
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The biggest defensive issue for the Chicago Bears isn't hard to pinpoint. At outside linebacker, the Bears have youngster Leonard Floyd and...not a lot else.
If Floyd's going to take the next step in his third season, he needs help. Another pass-rusher to complement him.
The Bears signed Aaron Lynch in free agency to be that guy. Lynch piled up 12.5 sacks over his first two years, but over his last two, the 25-year-old missed 18 games and managed just 2.5 sacks.
Veteran Sam Acho's a possibility, but while he's an experienced edge-setter, Acho has logged more than four sacks just once in seven seasons—as a rookie in 2011. Kasim Edebali was with four different teams—last year. Jonathan Anderson has the same number of sacks as rookie Kylie Fitts—zero.
In other words, if Lynch can't recapture past glories, the Bears could be in trouble.
Cincinnati Bengals: Defensive End
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Some camp battles are good problems.
Such is the case with the Cincinnati Bengals and their defensive line. We know Carlos Dunlap has one end spot sewn up. We also know Geno Atkins will man the 3-technique tackle spot.
From there, things get intriguing.
Over the past couple of years, the Bengals have added several young players along the D-line. In 2017, it was Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis. This spring, it was Ohio State product Sam Hubbard.
Lawson had 8.5 sacks last year in a rotational role, moving between end and strong-side linebacker. As Chris Roling of Bengals Wire reported, Cincy coaches have talked up Willis as the potential starter opposite Dunlap.
That's without even mentioning Hubbard's ability to set the edge or the experience of veteran Michael Johnson, who showed aptitude when he kicked inside in sub-packages in 2017.
This isn't a battle that will be won outright—all these ends are going to see the field.
Who does when and for how long will be determined as we move through camp and into the preseason.
Cleveland Browns: Left Tackle
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For the first time since 2006, the Cleveland Browns will open the season without Joe Thomas at left tackle.
Who will get the unenviable task of filling those shoes remains a matter of debate.
Right tackle Shon Coleman will get the first crack, but offensive line coach Bob Wylie allowed to Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald that it's not a sure thing Coleman can make the switch.
"[Coleman] has the athleticism. I think the footwork—we need to keep working on the fundamentals and that stuff. Being an athlete, he gets himself in some pretty awkward positions and gets himself out of them.
"We have to keep working on his footwork and his hands to make sure I get him from Point A to Point B without any wasted motion."
That uncertainty may be why Cleveland added insurance policies in the offseason. Rookie Austin Corbett, like guard Joel Bitonio, played tackle at Nevada. The Browns also brought in Greg Robinson, who was the No. 2 overall pick as a left tackle in 2014.
That's at least four candidates for a job no one can do.
There's no replacing Thomas.
Dallas Cowboys: Wide Receiver
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The Dallas Cowboys enter every season with Texas-sized expectations. The 2018 season is no different.
Unfortunately for them, the Cowboys also enter this year with a similarly large hole among their pass-catchers after Dez Bryant was shown the door in the offseason and tight end Jason Witten retired.
The fight to replace Witten is significant in its own right. But the wideout corps is a morass of uncertainty.
This isn't to say the Cowboys don't have any receivers. The team is just preciously short on proven ones.
The only wideout on the Dallas roster with a 1,000-yard season to his credit is Allen Hurns, who accomplished the feat in 2015. Since then, Hurns has missed 11 games and failed to hit even 500 yards in either of the last two years.
The rest of the depth chart isn't exactly imposing. There are holdovers like Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley. Newcomers like Deonte Thompson and Tavon Austin. And rookie Michael Gallup, whom Dallas drafted in the third round.
Who will slot where is undecided—and that opens the door for a lot of jockeying once camp gets underway.
Denver Broncos: Running Back
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The Denver Broncos have a new quarterback in Case Keenum. If he is going to repeat his success of a year ago, however, he'll need a tailback who can take pressure off and help provide a semblance of balance.
With C.J. Anderson gone, it's uncertain who that will be.
Devontae Booker ran with the first team in OTAs, but he hasn't exactly been a world-beater. In two seasons, Booker has averaged just 3.6 yards per carry and fumbled six times.
The Broncos also added Royce Freeman in the third round. Freeman told ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold he feels he showed the ability to serve as a workhorse back at Oregon.
"I think I showed durability and the ability to be there game in, game out," Freeman said. "I think I showed at Oregon I can deliver the blow as a runner. I'm excited to compete, and we have a good environment in the running back room. I think we do want to see each other do well."
If the 22-year-old can demonstrate he can pass protect, Booker's hold on the job may be shaky—at best.
Detroit Lions: Defensive End
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There's little question that Ezekiel Ansah is the Detroit Lions' most proven pass-rusher. The team is hopeful that outside linebacker Devon Kennard will be able to add some pop off the edge as well.
But the team still needs one more player to complement Ansah who can collapse the pocket while playing with his hand in the dirt.
Not too long ago, Kerry Hyder would have been expected to be that guy. Hyder broke out in 2016 with eight sacks after two years without any, but his 2017 campaign was wiped out by a torn Achilles.
With Hyder on the shelf last year, it was Anthony Zettel's turn to show what he could do, and like Hyder before him Zettel had a solid (43 tackles, 6.5 sacks) season.
Both of these players are going to (barring disaster) make the team. Both will see the field. But how that rotation shakes out opposite Ansah has yet to be determined.
Green Bay Packers: Running Back
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Even with Jordy Nelson gone, the Green Bay Packers have no shortage of skill-position talent on offense. There are wide receivers Davante Adams and Randall Cobb. Free agent-signee Jimmy Graham at tight end.
Oh, and that Rodgers fella at quarterback. He's allegedly pretty good.
However, the tailback spot behind Rodgers is a good deal cloudier.
After picking up 5.9 yards a carry two years ago, Ty Montgomery opened the 2017 season as Green Bay's starter in the backfield. But Montgomery battled a number of injuries last year and saw his YPC fall by over two full yards.
With Montgomery sidelined, the Packers turned to a pair of rookies in Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones. Williams showed some power but averaged just 3.6 yards a pop. Jones showed some explosiveness but got hurt himself and drew a two-game suspension to open the 2018 season.
It's as likely as not that none of these backs will separate so much that they become a workhorse. There will be a role for all three in Green Bay's offense this year.
Who gets what touches in which situations is a question that in large part will be answered over the next month or so.
Houston Texans: Left Tackle
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The Houston Texans were a pile of hot garbage along the offensive line in 2017. Only the Indianapolis Colts allowed more sacks than the Texans—a stat that does not bode well for the development of quarterback Deshaun Watson.
That offensive line is undergoing quite the overhaul in 2018. There could be as many as four new starters this year—including at left tackle.
The leader to start on Watson's blind side is second-year pro Julie'n Davenport, who showed some promise as a rookie but also missed five games. Should Davenport struggle, it's possible the Texans could flip Seantrel Henderson, who joined the Texans in free agency, to the left side. Rookie Martinas Rankin could stake a claim to more playing time in camp.
The trio has more than a little potential, but there isn't a proven commodity among the bunch. That could mean trouble for Watson.
Indianapolis Colts: Middle Linebacker
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It's difficult to pinpoint the most wide-open battle on the Colts defense—if only because every position on the Colts defense seemingly has a wide-open position battle.
With the Colts moving to the 4-3 this year, the entire Indy defense is undergoing a seismic shift. Outside of possibly Jabaal Sheard at end, the line is question mark after question mark. In the secondary, the starting spots at cornerback and strong safety are equally unsettled.
To be blunt, 2018 has the makings of a hot mess defensively in Indianapolis.
Someone's going to have to be the ringleader of this motley crew, though—so it's the fight at middle linebacker that's the focus here.
For much of OTAs and minicamp, second-year pro Anthony Walker was making the defensive play calls for the first-team defense. But Walker spent the latter part of workouts in the NFL's concussion protocol, opening the door for third-year pro Antonio Morrison, who led the team in tackles last year, to get back into the race.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Wide Receiver
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The Jacksonville Jaguars did not make it to the AFC Championship Game in 2017 because of an explosive passing game. But if they are going to take that one last step, the Jags need improvement through the air.
The team committed to Blake Bortles at quarterback in the offseason, but oft-injured top receiver Allen Robinson bolted for Chicago. And Allen Hurns ended up in Dallas.
After leading the team in receptions with 56 in 2017, Marqise Lee appears to be penciled in as the nominal No. 1 receiver. But the depth chart behind him is unsettled—especially for a team looking to make a deep postseason run.
The Jaguars brought over Donte Moncrief from Indy, but he's missed 11 games the last two years. Youngsters Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook are equal parts talent and inconsistency. Rookie DJ Chark Jr. is tall and fast, but the 6'4" receiver has a limited route tree and lacks polish.
How this shakes out could be one of the defining storylines for the Jaguars in 2018.
Kansas City Chiefs: Cornerback
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Only three teams allowed more passing yards per game in 2017 than the Kansas City Chiefs.
It may get worse this season.
With Marcus Peters traded to Los Angeles, the Chiefs have a massive hole at cornerback. Acquiring 23-year-old Kendall Fuller from Washington in the Alex Smith trade was nice, but Fuller's a slot corner. A talented one—but still a slot cornerback.
Fuller will play outside in the base defense and then kick inside in the nickel, per NFL Network's James Palmer. But given how much time NFL teams spend in that formation, it essentially means two starting gigs are open outside.
Steven Nelson. Keith Reaser. Will Redmond. Rookie Tremon Smith. None of these names inspire trepidation in the hearts of NFL quarterbacks.
Six-year veteran David Amerson is the most experienced of the lot—and he missed 10 games last season and is already on his third team.
It's the opportunity of a lifetime for these players. Two of them will see substantial playing time for the defending AFC West champions.
Which two is anyone's guess.
Los Angeles Chargers: Linebacker
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The Los Angeles Chargers allowed 131.1 rushing yards a game in 2017—last in the AFC.
They drafted USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu in the second round, but in most respects this is the same unsettled unit.
When healthy, Denzel Perryman has shown flashes of superior athletic ability and range. But Perryman's also missed 13 games over the last two seasons—including nine a year ago.
Jatavis Brown looked solid two years ago but appeared lost for much of last season, when his playing time decreased as the schedule wore on. Hayes Pullard is a capable run-stuffer, but he's not the sort of linebacker you want covering the league's most dynamic backs. Nwosu is a speed-rusher who's more adept at chasing quarterbacks than playing the run.
It's possible we'll see several personnel permutations from defensive coordinator Gus Bradley before he settles on starting linebackers.
Los Angeles Rams: Inside Linebacker
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The Los Angeles Rams were one of the most active teams this offseason. On defense alone, they added cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
But there was also one prominent loss. The Rams dealt inside linebacker Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants, opening a big hole next to Mark Barron inside.
Per Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com, Cory Littleton's the early leader for Ogletree's spot, as he impressed while making play calls in OTAs. However, Littleton said he's aware that nothing is set in stone.
"I'm just competing to try to secure it," he said. "I have a lot of tough competition, and I'm just going to do my best to try to keep it."
Littleton could face a real fight in camp, though, from fourth-year pro Ramik Wilson, who headed over in free agency from the Kansas City Chiefs. Wilson played sparingly a year ago (eight games), but back in 2016 he made 11 starts and compiled 76 tackles.
Miami Dolphins: Cornerback
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There are a few battles shaping up in the Miami secondary. At safety, the team has a pair of proven veteran starters in Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald—and a first-round rookie in Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Something's got to give.
But where the battle at safety is interesting, the one at cornerback is as wide-open as it gets—at one spot, at least.
Xavien Howard has a job sewn up after coming on strong over the final month of his rookie year. Howard was flanked in 2017 by Cordrea Tankersley, who told Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post that head coach Adam Gase gave him a vote of confidence.
"It's a no-brainer," Tankersley said. "I kind of had the idea myself that it's my job to lose kind of a deal. He definitely let me know that. And it's just extra motivation."
However, Tony Lippett could have something to say about that. He paced the team in interceptions two years ago before missing 2017 with an Achilles tear.
Minnesota Vikings: Place-Kicker
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When a kicker battle is the most wide-open on a team entering training camp, it's a sign that said team is in good shape.
That's the case in Minnesota, where veteran Kai Forbath was put on notice when the Vikings traded up to draft Auburn's Daniel Carlson this year.
Special teams coach Mike Priefer told the team's website Forbath and Carlson were neck-and-neck in OTAs:
"It's been very close. Daniel showed how talented he is; he's got a big leg. He's done a great job with the kickoffs, obviously. More than likely, I think he should have made a few more of [his] field goals. He's made, I think 16 of 19, which is not bad. Kai has had one of the better springs, or the best spring he's had since he's been here. He's actually done quite well on kickoffs as well. It's been a very good competition so far."
This could (and probably will) come down to who hits their kicks in game conditions in the preseason.
New England Patriots: Left Tackle
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Aside from quarterback Tom Brady, there isn't a more important position on the New England offense than the man charged with keeping the Golden Boy golden.
That task will fall to someone new in 2018 after Nate Solder signed with the New York Giants.
The Patriots spent one of their two first-round picks on a potential solution in Isaiah Wynn. He was a standout tackle at Georgia, but questions about his length (6'3", 33 ⅜" arms) led many to pencil him in as an NFL guard.
There's no such concern about Trent Brown's length. He's a mountainous 6'8", 355-pound tackle, who San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said "is the best pass-protection tackle I've ever seen in my life," per Joe Fann of the team's website.
That's heady praise. But Brown has missed six or more games twice in three years and has struggled both with consistency and conditioning.
There's a reason the 49ers traded him to New England.
New Orleans Saints: Linebacker
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The New Orleans Saints have taken a buzz saw to the linebacker corps over the last couple of years. There's yet another new face in town this season in veteran Demario Davis, who posted a career-high 135 tackles with the New York Jets in 2017.
In pencil at least, the starters appear set: Davis in the middle, veteran A.J. Klein on the strong side and second-year pro Alex Anzalone on the weak side.
An eraser could get taken to that quickly, though. Klein didn't light it up in his first season with the team in 2017. Anzalone missed three-quarters of his rookie season with a shoulder injury. Even Davis was miserable two years ago in Cleveland before resurrecting his career in his second stint in the Big Apple.
If Anzalone or Davis falters, then veteran Craig Robertson—who has 195 tackles the past two years—could move up the depth chart. Manti Te'o and Nate Stupar also have experience as starters.
New York Giants: Center
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The New York Giants attacked their offensive line deficiencies with a vengeance in the offseason. The team handed big money to veteran tackle Nate Solder and spent pick No. 34 on guard Will Hernandez.
But the middle of that revamped line remains murky, as Brett Jones and Jon Halapio are set for a training camp tussle to determine the starting center.
Jones, who is entering his third season after making 13 starts at guard and center for the Giants last year, told Matt Lombardo of NJ.com that his competing for a spot is nothing new:
"I think that for me, each and every year has always been a competition to be on the team. It's no different this year. I'm excited for the fall. I'm just trying to improve each day, day-by-day. I want to get better as a football player. I think That's what Jon's trying to do, too. We're both good football players and excited for what the fall brings."
Lombardo called this "one of the most hotly contested position battles on the roster," and that battle will likely extend for at least several more weeks.
New York Jets: Quarterback
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Like their upstate neighbors, the New York Jets have a three-way brouhaha at football's most important position.
And just like in Buffalo, there's no clear leader.
Veteran Josh McCown, who played decently for the team in 13 starts last year, will be the starter when camp opens. But as Eric Allen reported for the Jets' official site, that's all head coach Todd Bowles will commit to.
"Josh will start come training camp, and we will see what happens at the end of training camp," said Bowles.
McCown faces a pair of young challengers. One (rookie Sam Darnold) isn't a surprise. As soon as the Jets traded up to No. 3 in the 2018 draft, anyone with a functional frontal lobe knew the team was taking a quarterback.
But few expected Teddy Bridgewater to draw the raves he did in minicamp and OTAs. If Bridgewater's knee (and all the stuff above it, like his arm and whatnot) are close to 100 percent, then he's either a bee-yoo-tee-ful piece of trade bait or a potential monkey wrench in the plan to have McCown be a bridge to Darnold.
Oakland Raiders: Defensive Tackle
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Khalil Mack had another fantastic season in 2017, and Bruce Irvin quietly tied a career-high with eight sacks. But as a whole, Oakland's defensive front was a mess. According to Football Outsiders, the team ranked 22nd against the run and 23rd in pass rushing.
The Raiders brought back Justin Ellis, but the other inside starting spot is up for grabs.
The incumbent (and early favorite) is second-year pro Eddie Vanderdoes, who made 13 starts as a rookie. However, he wasn't dominant, and he tore his ACL last December.
If Vanderdoes doesn't seize the job, Oakland will likely have a first-year starter at tackle. Second-round pick P.J. Hall may have gone to a small school in Sam Houston State, but the 308-pounder has big-time potential. Many draftniks considered Michigan's Maurice Hurst a first-round talent before the discovery of a heart condition at the combine sent his draft stock into free-fall.
Health may be the determining factor in this battle. Quite a bit is riding on Vanderdoes' knee and Hurst's ability to play despite his condition.
Philadelphia Eagles: Cornerback
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The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the NFL's more loaded rosters. But that doesn't mean there aren't areas of uncertainty—specifically at cornerback.
One of the outside jobs appears to be Ronald Darby's—maybe. With Darby entering a contract year and coming off an up-and-down season, Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com posited he could be on the trading block.
Whether that happens—and indeed how the Eagles secondary shakes out—will depend in large part on a couple of youngsters.
Second-year pro Sidney Jones lost most of his rookie year to a torn Achilles before turning heads in OTAs recently. If Jones holds up and Rasul Douglas makes sophomore progress, the Eagles could kick Jalen Mills inside to the slot, which Patrick Robinson vacated.
But if Jones suffers a setback and Douglas doesn't take a step forward, the Eagles could have little recourse but to ride out Darby's contract and leave Mills outside.
It's a significant area of concern for a team looking to repeat as champion.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Inside Linebacker
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The Pittsburgh Steelers will enter training camp with visions of a trip to Atlanta and Super Bowl LIII. But to realize those aspirations, they'll have to shore up a big hole in the middle of the defense left from Ryan Shazier's spinal injury.
In OTAs, Tyler Matakevich served as Shazier's starting replacement. Teammate Vince Williams told Will Graves of the Associated Press he's confident the third-year pro can answer the bell in Shazier's stead.
"He's smart. He understands the game. He understands what it takes to be a pro," Williams said. "He takes care of his body. He studies. That's really all you can expect from him right now."
The Steelers also brought in free agent Jon Bostic as competition. The 2013 second-round pick is a journeyman, but Bostic quietly had his best season in 2017 with the Indianapolis Colts (97 tackles).
Matakevich may lead this fight, but there's not much margin for error.
San Francisco 49ers: Secondary Shuffle
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This showdown is different from all the others on this list. It isn't so much a matter of Jimmie Ward's battling another player to start. It's a matter of his battling the San Francisco defense itself to find the right role.
While speaking with Chris Biderman of Niners Wire, head coach Kyle Shanahan lauded Ward's versatility.
"Jimmie can help us out most where he's needed the most, which is a very good thing for a team to have," Shanahan said. "It's a very big compliment to say to Jimmie that he's capable of helping us out at nickel, corner and safety. Where do we need him the most? We're not quite sure yet."
Ward spent OTAs working at cornerback while Richard Sherman rehabbed his torn Achilles. But there's also a potential role for Ward at free safety, where he played much of last year. Adrian Colbert is penciled in as the starter there, but that's working under the assumption Ward sticks at corner.
For a team's highest-paid defender not to have a set role as training camp begins is—unusual.
Seattle Seahawks: Cornerback
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To say it's a time of great transition for the Seattle Seahawks defense is an understatement. There's no more Michael Bennett in the Emerald City. Or Cliff Avril. Or Kam Chancellor. Or Richard Sherman.
That's a lot of veteran losses.
Sherman's release and eventual signing with the San Francisco 49ers opens the cornerback position for an influx of new blood opposite Shaquill Griffin.
Or maybe some old blood.
Veteran cornerback Byron Maxwell is back with the Seahawks after two-plus years with the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins. Maxwell's not an elite talent, but he knows the scheme and has seven NFL seasons under his belt.
Maxwell's far from a sure bet to win the job. Fourth-year pro Justin Coleman showed promise in five starts last year, and if converted safety Tre Flowers is a quick study, he could work his way into the mix.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cornerback
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In 2017, no team had more trouble defending the pass than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as they gave up 260.6 yards a game.
How improved that secondary will be (if at all) is the burning question surrounding the Bucs.
Tampa took steps to get better. The Buccaneers added a pair of Day 2 rookies at corner with the selection of M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis. That pair joins 2016 first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves and veteran Brent Grimes, who Tampa re-upped in free agency.
The problem isn't quantity. It's quality. Hargreaves has yet to live up to his draft slot, and Grimes isn't as formidable in coverage as he once was. Stewart and Davis are talented, but first-year cornerbacks struggle as often as not.
We may know the faces at the front of the Tampa secondary, but their roles are anything but cast in stone.
Tennessee Titans: Left Guard
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Over the last two seasons, Quinton Spain has made 27 starts at left guard for the Tennessee Titans. The 6'4", 330-pounder is a classic road-grader who shoves defenders out of the way with brute strength.
That may be a problem in 2018.
Under new coordinator Matt LaFleur, the Titans are instituting a zone-blocking scheme—one that favors movement and agility.
If Spain's going to hold on to his starting gig, he'll have to hold off a couple of newcomers. Xavier Su'a-Filo, who came over from Houston, is a 2014 second-round pick and appears to be a better fit for the zone-blocking scheme. Yet Su'a-Filo struggled with the Texans in 2017.
There's also Kevin Pamphile, a 315-pound fifth-year pro who made 15 starts for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.
With a new staff and new scheme in Nashville, this competition could drag well into the preseason.
Washington Redskins: Tailback
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There's one thing we know about the Washington backfield. Provided he's healthy, Chris Thompson will serve as the team's passing-down back after an improved season in 2017.
The identity of his early-down counterpart is much less certain.
Washington seems to want Derrius Guice to fill the role. In fact, after the team selected Guice in the second round this year, head coach Jay Gruden said as much while speaking with ESPN.com's John Keim.
"He's more of a first-, second-down banger," Gruden said. "But I've seen him at his pro day catch the football. He can catch the football fine, but really, our role for him is quite easy to see. It's first, second down."
However, Gruden also allowed that Guice's pass protection is a work in progress—as is often the case with rookie runners. That could open things up for second-year pro Samaje Perine or veteran Rob Kelley to at least carve out a role.
This could just as easily end with a full-blown committee attack as it could with one featured back rising to the top.
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