The start of NFL training camp is still a few weeks away, but that shouldn’t stop fans from looking forward to the positional battles that drive the vast majority of the offseason’s compelling narratives. Every single player on all 32 rosters is competing for their spot on the depth chart, but these five battles should be the most interesting to watch.
The 5 Best Training Camp Battles Across the NFL
Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receivers
As long as Patrick Mahomes is the quarterback and Andy Reid is the head coach, the Kansas City Chiefs are going to have an elite offense. However, somebody other than Travis Kelce is going to have to catch the football, and it’s anyone’s guess as to who that someone will be.
Kadarius Toney is the current frontrunner to be the WR1, and the former first-round pick has flashed his immense talent in bursts during his two-year career. However, he needs to actually stay healthy if he wants to break out in Year 3. Former undrafted free agent Justyn Ross is reportedly turning heads in offseason workouts, and some believe that rookie wideout Rashee Rice could be in for a big season.
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Tennessee Titans Quarterbacks
Quarterback training camp battles are always fun, and the Tennesse Titans have arguably the most interesting one in the league. Ryan Tannehill is a reliable, good-but-not-great starter, but he’s 35 and entering the final year of his contract. If Malik Willis or Will Levis show something during the offseason, the Titans could choose to trade Tannehill and roll with their youngsters. For what it’s worth, Willis has reportedly had a strong offseason so far and seems to have a step up on Levis in the battle to usurp Tannehill.
Malik Willis was so fun to watch at Liberty pic.twitter.com/66bLuXkDAG
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) June 28, 2023
New Orleans Saints Defensive Line
The New Orleans Saints improved a lot of positions during the offseason, but they also lost a lot of talent on the defensive line. After parting ways with David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, and Marcus Davenport, the team attacked the defensive line with their first two picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. If Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey can hit the ground running, then this defensive line should be good enough to help this team earn the NFC South crown. However, if they’re not ready to go, then New Orleans could be in a world of trouble.
Carolina Panthers Wide Receivers
Bryce Young is already beating Andy Dalton in the training camp battle for the starting quarterback job, but that won’t really matter if one of Carolina’s underwhelming wide receivers doesn’t step up. On paper, Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark, Terrace Marshall, and Jonathan Mingo form one of the worst pass-catching groups in the league, and the first-overall pick will need more help if he wants to succeed in Year 1. Fortunately, it appears as though Terrace Marshall is building on his impressive finish to 2022. Thielen and Chark are better off in depth roles, so if Marshall can emerge as a true WR1, then this wide receiver depth chart might be good enough for Young.
Philadelphia Eagles Running Backs
The Philadelphia Eagles have the best roster in the NFL, but the lone question is at running back. After Miles Sanders signed with the Carolina Panthers, the team is currently having Rashaad Penny, D’Andre Swift, and Kenneth Gainwell battle it out for the starting job. Swift was the best prospect of the bunch, Penny is great whenever he’s healthy, and Gainwell has played well in small doses. Any one of these three could end up with the starting job, and this training camp battle should be fascinating to watch.
Main Photo: Patrick Breen – USA Today Sports
