40 Most Intriguing NFL Training Camp Battles

Training camp is under way, with the preseason looming just days away. Which position battles are we keeping an eye on, and which are the most important to the success of your favorite team in 2011?

We'll break down the 40 biggest training camp battles—including the three-headed quarterback situation in Denver and the four-headed running back battle in Dallas.

Which first-round quarterbacks are battling for starting jobs, and which second-round quarterbacks look like locks to start Week 1?

We've got it all covered here with our most intriguing training camp battles.

Photo Credit: David Zalubowski/AP

Buffalo Bills: Fred Jackson vs. C.J. Spiller

Details: The Buffalo Bills have a good problem. With two established running backs, one a power back and the other a scat back with elite speed, Buffalo can pound defenses and then break away in one big run.

The team will be happy to use both Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller at running back this fall. This is not a case of one or the other, but it will be telling to see which player comes out on top as the starter.

Prediction: At this point in time, Jackson is the better all-around running back. He's stronger, much better in pass protection and blitz pickup and is a move-the-chains-style runner. Spiller, on the other hand, is dangerous in space and could even be used in the slot as a receiver at times.

In a Wildcat formation with Brad Smith, Spiller will be a serious threat. Both will be used, but it's Jackson who the coaching staff can trust more right now.

2011 Starter: Fred Jackson

Miami Dolphins: Chad Henne vs. Matt Moore

Details: The Miami Dolphins were tied to quarterback Kyle Orton before the Denver Broncos decided he might be worth keeping around. Not many expected the Dolphins to let Chad Henne walk into camp as the undisputed starter for the 2011 season, but that's what happened.

Miami quickly signed veteran Matt Moore, a player who showed promise in 2009 before crapping the bed in his starts with the Carolina Panthers during the 2010 season.

Prediction: Chad Henne should have the upper hand here. It's Henne who was leading the Dolphins in practices during the lockout, and it's Henne who knows the playbook inside and out. Moore will be good enough to push Henne in practice, but he shouldn't see playing time until the Dolphins season is out of reach.

2011 Starter: Chad Henne

Miami Dolphins: Reggie Bush vs. Daniel Thomas

Details: The Miami Dolphins drafted Daniel Thomas in the second round, with plans of pursuing a top free-agent running back on the open market this summer to replace lost starter Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

The free-agent market didn't prove to be as impressive as most thought, leaving the Dolphins with a trade for Reggie Bush to fill their backfield.

Prediction: On sheer experience alone, Reggie Bush should open the season as a starter. Don't sleep on Thomas though, as he's a punishing runner and experienced Wildcat "quarterback" who could cause serious matchup issues—especially when both Thomas and Bush are in the backfield together.

2011 Starter: Reggie Bush

Miami Dolphins: Koa Misi vs. Jason Taylor

Details: The Miami Dolphins seemed stacked at outside linebacker with Cameron Wake and Koa Misi both coming back for the 2011 season. Then the Dolphins signed Jason Taylor.

Taylor may play at defensive end at times, and he may play at outside linebacker some, but the fact is he will push Misi for reps on passing downs.

Prediction: I would expect Misi to get the most playing time, but that doesn't mean Taylor will not steal reps from him late in games, especially if the Dolphins can find a way to be competitive in the second half of the 2011 season.

2011 Starter: Koa Misi

New England Patriots: Running Backs

Details: The New England Patriots open training camp with six running backs on the roster. The plan will surely be to trim down that list, but even if borderline players like Richard Medlin are released, the Patriots still have BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris to deal with.

Prediction: This one will get tricky. The Patriots signed Green-Ellis to a one-year deal, so he's sticking around. They also drafted Vereen and Ridley, so you can expect them both to be on the roster. Danny Woodhead looks like a great scat back threat, and he's not being cut. That's four running backs, which is an acceptable number to carry.

That leaves Sammy Morris, either moving to fullback or being released, and Kevin Faulk likely on the outs in a very crowded backfield.

2011 Starter: BenJarvus Green-Ellis

New England Patriots: Defensive Line

Details: The New England Patriots currently have 20 defensive linemen on the roster. Yes, 20. They'll need to pare down the list throughout training camp and the preseason games. What's somewhat surprising is there are not 10 established players and 10 scrubs; the Patriots have at least 17 defensive linemen who could easily make the team.

It's safe to assume New England will keep at most 10 defensive linemen. That's a 50 percent cut rate.

Prediction: Let's look at these in groupings, because otherwise, it's confusing as hell.

Group 1 (locked-in keepers): Vince Wilfork, Jermaine Cunningham, Mike Wright, Ron Brace, Shaun Ellis

Group 2 (likely keepers): Mark Anderson, Andre Carter, Albert Haynesworth

Group 3 (on the fence): Eric Moore, Myron Pryor, Steve Williams

Group 4 (likely to be cut): Markell Carter, Landon Cohen, Kyle Love, Clay Nurse, Darryl Richard, Alex Silvestro, Kade Weston

2011 Starters: Assuming the Patriots run a base 4-3 defense—Jermaine Cunningham, Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, Andre Carter

New York Jets: Wayne Hunter vs. Vladimir Ducasse

Details: Vladimir Ducasse was drafted in the second round to eventually start on the offensive line, either at guard or tackle. It looked like he was set to step in at right tackle this season, but the signing of Wayne Hunter makes it look like Ducasse will not be handed the starting job.

Prediction: Hunter is by far the more experienced player, and these Jets are close to competing for a Super Bowl. The team cannot afford a drop-off in talent at any position, much less offensive tackle. Ducasse may push for playing time with a solid preseason, but Hunter looks like the most likely option to start.

2011 Starter: Wayne Hunter

Baltimore Ravens: Jah Reid vs. Oniel Cousins

Details: The Baltimore Ravens chose to let tackle Jared Gaither leave via free agency, and they plan to use Marshall Yanda at guard this year. This leaves an opening on the offensive line at right tackle—which is why they drafted Jah Reid in the second round.

Reid will face competition from veteran Oniel Cousins, who is well versed in this offense and has an advantage over the rookie in a shortened offseason.

Prediction: While Jah Reid has more potential and perhaps more talent, he'll be facing a very short learning curve with an offseason period of just six weeks after the NFL lockout cut out most of the offseason. Reid was chosen early in the draft for a reason, and he's expected to contribute now.

2011 Starter: Jah Reid

Baltimore Ravens: Jarret Johnson vs. Sergio Kindle

Details: The Baltimore Ravens' first pick in the 2010 NFL draft, outside linebacker Sergio Kindle was expected to play a big role on defense last year. A fall down a flight of stairs, followed by a fractured skull, kept Kindle off the field for the entire season.

That gave Jarret Johnson a chance to prove himself as a worthy starter opposite Terrell Suggs when the Ravens ran a 3-4 defense.

Prediction: It's very likely that Baltimore will use both Kindle and Johnson, as this is a versatile defense that runs many different fronts and personnel packages. Based purely on talent, Kindle should be the man for the job.

2011 Starter: Sergio Kindle

Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton vs. Bruce Gradkowski

Details: Andy Dalton was drafted with the Cincinnati Bengals' second-round pick to replace Carson Palmer if the veteran lived up to his promise that he would retire if not traded. Palmer wasn't traded, and Dalton has been taking snaps at QB1 this offseason.

The team did sign Bruce Gradkowski, a savvy veteran with starting experience, to push Dalton.

Prediction: The Bengals drafted Dalton to start this year, and it would be a major surprise if he doesn't open Week 1 under center. The Bengals have nothing to lose this year, as everyone knows it's a rebuilding season.

2011 Starter: Andy Dalton

Houston Texans: Kareem Jackson vs. Brandon Harris

Details: Drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft, Kareem Jackson was supposed to be an elite cover corner to replace Dunta Robinson. Instead, he suffered, badly, in his first season. Houston signed premier free agent Johnathan Joseph to lock down the No. 1 corner spot after drafting Brandon Harris in the second round of the 2011 draft.

Prediction: Obviously, Johnathan Joseph will hold down the No. 1 job, but who plays primarily opposite him may be interesting. Jackson may work better in the slot, making him a prime candidate for nickel packages. This leaves the rookie Harris, who is a much better athlete, as the starter.

2011 Starter: Brandon Harris

Houston Texans: Brooks Reed vs. Connor Barwin

Details: Connor Barwin is a physical freak, aged 24, drafted in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft with the hopes he would become a pass-rushing nightmare opposite Mario Williams in Houston. Brooks Reed is a physical freak, aged 24, drafted in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft with the hopes he will become a pass-rushing nightmare opposite Mario Williams in Houston's 3-4 defense.

As you can see, the parallels are pretty damn amazing.

Prediction: Both Barwin and Reed have athleticism out the wazoo, but neither is a finished product capable of providing a three-down option across from Mario Williams. In the Texans' 3-4 defense at least one outside linebacker must be able to drop back into coverage, but as it stands now, their top three 'backers are all "pass rush only" guys. Whichever player shows the best ability in coverage will win the job.

2011 Starter: Connor Barwin

Houston Texans: Steve Slaton vs. Ben Tate

Details: This is a story of two running backs, both drafted on Day 2 of the NFL draft, both expected to become feature backs in Houston. Both are now backups to Arian Foster, who went undrafted.

Ben Tate and Steve Slaton will battle for carries behind Foster, with the loser likely on the way out of town.

Prediction: It was believed that Slaton would be the odd man out, but Tate has spent the entire training camp off the field due to injury. If neither player emerges this offseason as a reliable backup, the Texans will be forced to keep them both.

2011 No. 2 Back: Ben Tate

Indianapolis Colts: Curtis Painter vs. Dan Orlovsky

Details: The Indianapolis Colts are one hit away from having to throw either Curtis Painter or Dan Orlovksy on the field in replacement of Peyton Manning. Scary? Yes, it is.

With Manning missing the preseason recovering from neck surgery, Orlovsky and Painter will battle it out for the right to hold Manning's clipboard this season.

Prediction: Painter has the advantage of knowing this offense and the players on the roster, something that will definitely help him in live game action. Orlovksy is a wild card, though. He's enough of a playmaker that the Colts coaching staff may decide to roll with the unproven player.

2011 Backup: Curtis Painter

Jacksonville Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert vs. David Garrard

Details: Blaine Gabbert was drafted No. 10 overall in the 2011 NFL draft with the plans of becoming the Jacksonville Jaguars' starting quarterback as soon as possible. Veteran starter David Garrard is still a capable player, though, and he will not go down without a fight in training camp.

Prediction: The Jaguars would love to play Garrard this season, as they have loaded the roster with talented free agents who expect to compete with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans for the AFC South crown.

Jacksonville was in contention at the halfway point last season, so it's not out of the question that it may be in the race again this year if the Colts suffer a post-injury hangover from Peyton Manning.

The best chance to win in Jacksonville comes with Garrard under center.

2011 Starter: David Garrard

Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow vs. Kyle Orton

Details: Tim Tebow, drafted under Josh McDaniels' reign as head coach, was the expected starter in Denver this year, as the team was supposed to trade Kyle Orton. Until it didn't. Now both Orton and Tebow will compete with Brady Quinn for the starting quarterback job in Denver.

Prediction: Tebow fans will tell you that he is a "gamer" and not a practice player, which is true. Tebow will perform much better in a live situation than when in shorts and a shell, but that won't keep the experience of Kyle Orton from stealing reps and perhaps the job from him.

As of right now, the job is Orton's to lose.

2011 Starter: Kyle Orton

Denver Broncos: Knowshon Moreno vs. Willis McGahee

Details: The Denver Broncos seemed set at running back when they used the No. 12 pick in the 2009 NFL draft on Knowshon Moreno. But here we are, two years later, and Moreno has done nothing to prove he deserves to carry the load in Denver.

The team brought in Willis McGahee this summer to compete with Moreno for the starting job but also to push him as a player and student of the game.

Prediction: McGahee will be tough to sit down, as John Fox loves tough runners who get north-south in a hurry and aren't afraid to initiate contact. That's the player Moreno was at Georgia, but he's been timid since entering the NFL.

Moreno has the talent to be a very good starter for Denver, but the toughness he displayed in college isn't there, and without it, he's merely average.

2011 Starter: Willis McGahee

Kansas City Chiefs: Tyson Jackson vs. Allen Bailey

Details: The Kansas City Chiefs invested two top-five picks on defensive ends (even if Glenn Dorsey was a tackle coming out of LSU). Neither player has become worthy of his draft selection, leaving the Chiefs short on established talent at defensive end.

Kansas City felt strongly enough about Tyson Jackson's deficiencies that it used a third-round pick on Allen Bailey, an athletic end/tackle hybrid from the University of Miami.

Prediction: Bailey will be given every chance to unseat Jackson, or even Dorsey, at defensive end. Jackson was benched at times last year for Shaun Smith, who is no longer with the team. It is only logical that Bailey would step into a role and enter the lineup if and when Jackson falters.

The Chiefs have invested heavily in Jackson, and it is too early to completely write him off. If Jackson starts slow again this year, expect his leash to be pulled and Bailey to be inserted in the starting lineup.

2011 Starter: Tyson Jackson

Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Houston vs. Andy Studebaker

Details: The outside linebacker job opposite All-Pro Tamba Hali in Kansas City is wide open. The Chiefs snuck in Justin Houston with their third-round pick (No. 70 overall), and Houston just might push veteran Andy Studebaker for early playing time.

Prediction: Houston was ranked as a late first-round pick before the 2011 NFL draft. Once rumors spread that he tested positive for marijuana at the NFL scouting combine, his stock took a massive hit. Houston, if he's able to stay clean, is a tremendous talent and a certified steal in Round 3 for the Chiefs.

2011 Starter: Justin Houston

San Diego Chargers: Ryan Mathews vs. Mike Tolbert

Details: The San Diego Chargers were hoping that 2010 first-round pick Ryan Mathews would emerge as the workhorse back they needed to replace LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Turner. That hasn't happened, as Mathews has battled injuries and underwhelming play thus far in his career.

Mike Tolbert, on the other hand, has been a breath of fresh air in San Diego. The fullback/halfback hybrid is a powerful runner and able-bodied feature back.

Prediction: The Chargers could have used both Mathews and Tolbert this year in a rotation with rookie Jordan Todman. Instead, Mathews is again injured and will start the preseason behind Tolbert and possibly behind Todman on the depth chart.

2011 Starter: Mike Tolbert

San Diego Chargers: Travis LaBoy vs. Antwan Barnes

Details: With former first-round pick Larry English on the physically unable to perform list at this time, a job has opened up opposite Shaun Phillips at outside linebacker.

The San Diego Chargers signed free agent Travis LaBoy away from San Francisco and re-signed their own Antwan Barnes to a two-year deal in the hopes that one of the players would push English and the other would provide depth on passing downs.

Prediction: Larry English has largely been a disappointment in the NFL, which opens a door for either player to not only step in as a temporary replacement in his wake but also to take his job as the starting outside linebacker.

LaBoy has more experience, and his ability as a pass-rusher is well known, but Barnes is the type of athlete who could really do damage in the NFL if given a full 16 games to work his magic.

2011 Starter: Antwan Barnes

Dallas Cowboys Running Backs

Details: The Dallas Cowboys must choose between Felix Jones, Tashard Choice, DeMarco Murray and Lonyae Miller as they determine which running backs to keep and which might be available via trade this offseason.

Dallas has kept three active running backs in the past, making it very likely that the odd man out here will be traded away to the highest bidder.

Prediction: It seems safe to say that Felix Jones is safe, as he's the most productive of the four. DeMarco Murray is a rookie, and the team would like to see what he can do when/if healthy, so he's safe as well. That leaves Miller and Choice.

It would seem that Choice is the safe bet, but he also has higher trade value. If the Cowboys feel that Miller can be a comparable player to Tashard Choice, they may lean toward keeping the unknown player over the proven commodity.

2011 Lineup: Felix Jones, DeMarco Murray, Lonyae Miller

New York Giants Defensive Ends

Details: When the New York Giants unveiled a roster before the 2010 season that featured four possible starters at defensive end, people were stunned. How could anyone stop them? Well, it was actually quite easy. While all four defensive ends have Pro Bowl talent, it was rare that all four were healthy or motivated at the same time.

Prediction: The skinny here is that the Giants can keep all four players—Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka—without batting an eye or making any concessions.

Umenyiora is the only player currently unhappy with his deal, and even that seems to be working out now that camp has started.

The Giants will likely keep Kiwanuka at outside linebacker—a position he's ill-suited for but able to play—and allow the three remaining players to rotate at defensive end.

2011 Lineup: Starters Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora (defensive ends), Jason Pierre-Paul (No. 3 DE) and Mathias Kiwanuka (OLB)

Philadelphia Eagles Tight Ends

Details: The Philadelphia Eagles are loaded at virtually every position entering the 2011 season. Their talent at tight end is no different.

The Eagles must decide between the five talented players on the roster now and make room for at least three to stick on the active roster. Deciding between Brent Celek, Clay Harbor, Cornelius Ingram, Donald Lee and Martell Webb will be harder than it seems.

Prediction: The easy pick as the starter is Donald Lee, formerly of the Green Bay Packers. He was brought in this offseason and should be safe. The No. 2 tight end will be Brent Celek, who has experience in the offense and has been a productive player. So how about tight end No. 3?

From the outside looking in, the Eagles would be best off with Cornelius Ingram here, as he's the most athletic and brings the most playmaking ability to the table. Clay Harbor, though, is a better blocker and could really help in goal-line situations and on special teams.

2011 Lineup: Donald Lee, Brent Celek, Clay Harbor

Philadelphia Eagles: Antonio Dixon vs. Mike Patterson

Details: The Philadelphia Eagles are blessed with too much talent at defensive tackle. Trying to decide who will start next to Cullen Jenkins may be easier to solve by drawing straws.

The Eagles have Antonio Dixon, who came on strong last season, as well as Mike Patterson on the roster. Which player will get the start, and which will be the first man off the bench?

Prediction: You might think that with his experience Mike Patterson would be a heavy favorite, but I disagree. Antonio Dixon looked very promising last season, as he started 10 straight games from Week 6 on. Dixon was also impressive in the playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, where the coaching staff trusted him enough to give him a start.

2011 Starter: Antonio Dixon

Washington Redskins: John Beck vs. Rex Grossman

Details: If you are the type that likes to watch car crashes or live surgeries, you will love watching the Washington Redskins quarterback competition this summer.

The team plans to roll out John Beck and Rex Grossman as starters. No, they aren't planning to add another veteran before now and September 11. That's it—Beck and Grossman.

Prediction: Someone has to win the starting job by default, unless they plan on playing Roy Helu at quarterback in an full-time Wildcat offense. Actually, that may be their best chance to win games this season.

Beck and Grossman have both been laughably bad when given chances in the NFL. There is a reason each player has bounced around the league. But hey, so did Kurt Warner before he became Kurt Warner.

2011 Starter: Rex Grossman

Washington Redskins: Tim Hightower vs. Roy Helu Jr.

Details: The Washington Redskins will feature an offense predicated on the running game, more specifically on a running game designed to open up a quick hole in the offensive line and allow the running back to make one cut and then explode to daylight.

It worked well for the Denver Broncos with Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary and Mike Anderson. Now, it's the Washington Redskins' turn.

Prediction: Mike Shanahan will chose whichever running back shows he can hit the hole hardest. That sounds like Tim Hightower, a punishing north-south runner who does a great job squaring his shoulders and picking a hole.

Shanahan will also like Roy Helu's ability in the open field, as well as his receiving ability. Both should see carries, as will Ryan Torain, but who will start?

2011 Starter: Tim Hightower

Chicago Bears: Marion Barber vs. Chester Taylor

Details: The Chicago Bears are set at running back with Matt Forte coming off his best season as a professional. But what if Forte holds out, as some have speculated? Even with Forte in camp, the Bears hope to relieve some of the pressure off their most talented offensive weapon this season.

Prediction: Chicago signed Marion Barber in free agency after the Dallas Cowboys released him. Taylor is a holdover from the 2010 season and is a worthy third-down back. Barber has the look and skill set of a goal-line back in Chicago, something Mike Martz has never used much in his previous stops.

The No. 2 back in Chicago will likely see 10 to 12 touches per game, which is not many considering the number of touches a running back in Martz's offense will see.

2011 No. 2 Back: Marion Barber

Chicago Bears: Johnny Knox vs. Roy Williams

Details: Roy Williams was quickly picked up in free agency after being released, and the Chicago Bears are hoping a reunion with Mike Martz will cure Williams of his disappointing years in Dallas. Johnny Knox is the reigning No. 1 wide receiver in Chicago, but that may not matter if Williams wins out the battle at split end.

Prediction: The Bears are unlikely to simply move Knox to flanker if he doesn't beat out Williams for the starting split end job. The team loves Devin Hester there, and he is a great fit in the Martz offense lining up off the ball at flanker. Knox also will not play in the slot, as Earl Bennett has that job locked down. The loser of this battle will fall from No. 1 to No. 4 on the depth chart.

2011 Starter: Roy Williams

Chicago Bears: Henry Melton vs. Vernon Gholston

Details: The Chicago Bears' signing of former first-round pick Vernon Gholston should not have been surprising. The Bears have a long history of signing former first-rounders, like Gaines Adams, with the hopes of rehabilitating their careers.

Prediction: Gholston will be given every chance to prove his talents at Ohio State that landed him in the top six picks of the 2008 NFL draft were not a mirage. He'll have to battle Henry Melton, an underdog and underrated pass-rusher with top-notch skills.

2011 Starter: Henry Melton

Detroit Lions: Titus Young vs. Rashied Davis

Details: The Detroit Lions would love to find a well-rounded crew at wide receiver this year, but that may be asking too much, too soon.

The Lions have one of the NFL's best receivers in Calvin Johnson, but lining up alongside him are players who have either never proven themselves or who are still waiting for the chance to earn their keep.

Prediction: Titus Young was a dynamic playmaker at Boise State during his college career, but Rashied Davis has the experience level of a veteran NFL wide receiver. Both could help Detroit immensely this season as a No. 3 receiver behind Johnson and Nate Burleson, but in the meantime, they will fight each other for playing time.

2011 Starter: Rashied Davis

Detroit Lions: Corey Williams vs. Nick Fairley

Details: The Detroit Lions are blessed with a talented group of defensive linemen. The problem is they can only get four of them on the field on each play. The Lions must decide whether rookie Nick Fairley or veteran Corey Williams is worth the starting nod.

Prediction: The athleticism of Nick Fairley may be hard to overlook, but this decision could be made easier if Fairley struggles to return from a minor foot surgery performed last week. If Fairley misses time beyond this, he may be too far behind to reclaim his chance at the starting job in Week 1.

2011 Starter: Corey Williams

Green Bay Packers: James Starks vs. Alex Green

Details: The Green Bay Packers won a Super Bowl with starter Ryan Grant missing the season last year. The team added insurance in the form of draft pick Alex Green, as well as the hope to further use playoff starter James Starks in the backfield this season.

Green Bay is hoping it'll go from having a weak running game to making it a strength.

Prediction: Ryan Grant will be the starter, but who will be his No. 2 back? Whomever it is must be reliable as a blocker and a willing receiver. Both Green and Starks can do both, but Starks holds a slight advantage due to his experience in this system. With just six weeks to learn the offense after the lockout, Green is playing behind the eight ball.

2011 No. 2 Back: James Starks

Green Bay Packers: Randall Cobb vs. James Jones

Details: The Green Bay Packers expected to lose wide receiver James Jones once the talented player hit free agency, but the market for Jones as a No. 1 target never materialized, and he took a team-friendly deal to return to the Packers. This all happened after Green Bay used its second-round pick on receiver Randall Cobb. With the preseason just one day away, the Packers are loaded at receiver.

Deciding who will play behind Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson will unfold over the next four weeks.

Prediction: The difference between a No. 4 and No. 5 receiver is significant. Many teams run a four-wide set these days, the Packers being one of them, but rarely do five receivers take the field unless a Hail Mary is being called for. Cobb and Jones will battle it out for the right to line up in the No. 4 spot, with the loser helping out on special teams and filling in for tired players.

Cobb has better talents for special teams, as he was a very good return man at Kentucky. Jones, on the other hand, is purely a receiver.

2011 No. 4 Receiver: James Jones

Green Bay Packers: Derek Sherrod vs. Chad Clifton

Details: The selection of Derek Sherrod with their first pick in the 2011 NFL draft led many to believe the Green Bay Packers were ready to move on from Chad Clifton at left tackle. They may have been had Sherrod's first offseason not been cut short by the NFL lockout.

Instead the two will battle it out in camp.

Prediction: It is hard to compete with experience, and with a very short offseason Sherrod is trying to play catch-up. The Packers are a legitimate contender to win a second Super Bowl this season, meaning they cannot afford to play a rookie at left tackle and hope he figures things out along the way. Green Bay will be a target every week, and it needs its best players on the field.

2011 Starter: Chad Clifton

Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton vs. Jimmy Clausen

Details: The 2010 Quarterback of the Future, Jimmy Clausen, battles the 2011 Quarterback of the Future, Cam Newton, for the right to captain the Carolina Panthers now and in the future.

Clausen was drafted by the old John Fox regime, now in Denver, and was given a short leash in his rookie year on what amounted to the worst roster in football. Clausen did little to impress, but who could have in that situation?

Newton was drafted No. 1 overall to lead the new Ron Rivera regime into the future. He has to beat out Clausen first.

Prediction: Thanks to a new rookie wage scale the Carolina Panthers can afford to sit Newton and let him learn without the pressure of playing the NFL's highest-paid player. Instead, they can open a legitimate competition at quarterback in camp and let the best man win.

As much as I think Newton could benefit as a starter due to his run ability, Clausen will have the advantage in terms of controlling the huddle, reading a defense and handling NFL-level players. Newton may be ready after the bye week, but not Opening Day.

2011 Starter: Jimmy Clausen

Minnesota Vikings: Michael Jenkins vs. Bernard Berrian

Details: With the loss of Sidney Rice to the Seattle Seahawks in free agency, the Minnesota Vikings are hoping they can replace him with either veteran Bernard Berrian or newcomer Michael Jenkins. The two will battle it out to see who deserves the starting job opposite Percy Harvin in the Vikings offense this season.

Prediction: While Michael Jenkins is the bigger, more physically impressive player, it is Berrian that has the best ability as a route runner and possession receiver. The Vikings will certainly run many three-wide sets that get both players on the field, but in the meantime it will be hard for Jenkins to unseat Berrian.

One very possible scenario would be for both Jenkins and Berrian to start, with Percy Harvin lining up in the slot as a starting third wide receiver.

2011 Starter: Bernard Berrian

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Defensive Line

Details: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have used their first four picks over the last two years to draft defensive linemen. They've also done a nice job developing later-round guys like Frank Okam and Roy Miller. With the 2011 season here, it will be worth watching to see who pans out on the defensive line.

Prediction: The two rookies from the 2011 class, Da'Quan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn, should be penciled in as starters, even though the Bucs seem to like Tim Crowder quite a bit at end. Both have the talent to become 10-year starters in the NFL. At tackle the Buccaneers will run with Gerald McCoy, the No. 3 overall pick in 2010, but opposite him there is an opening.

Roy Miller has the most experience at the spot, but 2010 second-round pick Brian Price is the more talented player. Price has battled injuries, as has McCoy, and both will be asked to prove their health this season.

2011 Starters: Adrian Clayborn, Gerald McCoy, Brian Price, Da'Quan Bowers

San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith vs. Colin Kaepernick

Details: The San Francisco 49ers gave longtime starter and draft bust Alex Smith a one-year deal and one more "last chance" to prove he can become a starting quarterback in the NFL. They also drafted insurance in the form of second-round pick Colin Kaepernick. Just in case.

Prediction: The 49ers see Kaepernick as a long-term solution, but perhaps not a year one player. He will need a decent amount of work coming from a run and shoot style offense at Nevada, but the talent is undeniable. Smith will be given the starting job by default, but should he slip in the least bit, the fans and media will begin chanting to see Kaepernick on the field.

2011 Starter: Alex Smith

Seattle Seahawks: Zach Miller vs. John Carlson

Details: The Seattle Seahawks had a promising tight end in John Carlson, and then they signed a more promising tight end in Zach Miller. Now they are in a good, or bad—depending on how you look at it—position of having two starting-caliber tight ends.

Prediction: The Seahawks have two options, really: 1) Trade Carlson for a defensive player or 2) Keep them both.

The New England Patriots' 2010 season was proof that a two-tight end set can work very well if utilized properly. The Seahawks will toy with the idea under Darrell Bevell's direction on offense. Bevell has been a creative play-caller in the past, so it's certainly possible he will find a way to utilize both of the Seahawks' athletic pass-catchers at the same time.

As for who will receive the most snaps, Miller looks like the better blocker of the two. He's also more accomplished and paid more.

2011 Starter: Zach Miller