4 key position battles to watch in the AFC West

All 32 NFL training camps open this week, meaning thousands of players will be competing for roster spots and playing time.

Here's a look at some of the toughest decisions coaches will have to make in the AFC West.

Position Battles
AFC: East | North | South | West
NFC: East | North | South | West

Broncos - Quarterback

Mark Sanchez vs. Paxton Lynch vs. Trevor Siemian

It's not too often that the defending Super Bowl champions enter a season with an open competition under center, but that's exactly what the Broncos have to do following the departures of Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler. Sanchez, Lynch, and Siemian all appear relatively even heading into camp, too.

Conventional wisdom suggests the Broncos will end up starting Sanchez. The veteran was brought in as a bridge to a younger quarterback, and the presence of a still-elite defense means he won't have to do anything extraordinary to have Denver in contention. But if there's less on the quarterback's shoulders, why make Lynch wait? He's already a near-perfect fit for Gary Kubiak's system, and he's not going to learn much watching from the sidelines.

Pick: Lynch

Chiefs - No. 2 cornerback

Phillip Gaines vs. Steven Nelson vs. KeiVarae Russell

Kansas City quietly fielded one of the NFL's most well-rounded defenses last season. That unit will have every opportunity for a repeat performance if it can find a way to replace Sean Smith at cornerback.

While there's no shortage of talent in the competition for the starting spot opposite Marcus Peters, each player in the mix is still very much unproven. Gaines - a third-round pick in 2014 - is coming off a torn ACL, Nelson appeared in just 12 games in his debut season last year, and Russell is a third-round rookie. Gaines should grab this job if he's healthy enough to participate in a full camp, and Russell's talent should make him a front-runner for nickel duties.

Pick: Gaines

Raiders - Right tackle

Austin Howard vs. Menelik Watson

The lone position up for grabs on a strong Raiders offensive line is at right tackle. The unit is already earning consideration as one of the NFL's best five-man fronts, and getting anything more than passable contributions from the right side would go a long way toward yielding returns on that hype.

Watson shouldn't be overlooked in the competition, as he was the projected starter before a preseason injury forced him to the sidelines for the year. The more likely scenario, however, is Howard remaining in the lineup. He fared well in 13 starts prior to an injury last season, and he should only continue to get more comfortable in his second season after making the transition back to tackle from guard.

Pick: Howard

Chargers - No. 2 receiver

Stevie Johnson vs. Travis Benjamin

There aren't many obvious competition spots on the Chargers' roster, as a lack of depth seemingly has starters entrenched in their respective roles across the board. But the free-agent addition of an established deep threat could certainly shake up the receiver rotation.

Keenan Allen, of course, returns as the clear-cut No. 1 target. Though Johnson will have every opportunity to continue in the other starting spot, he's similar to Allen in that he does his best work on underneath routes. In the interest of getting snaps for a player who better complements the unit's top wideout, perhaps Benjamin will earn a lead role. His vertical ability provides a threat to opposing defenses whenever he's on the field, and Johnson can rotate into the game in three-receiver sets.

Pick: Benjamin