NFC Training Camp Battles: Cowboys, Falcons looking for No. 1 back
Training Camp Battles
AFC | NFC
If anyone doubts the validity of competition in an NFL training camp, look no further than the Seattle Seahawks.
In March of 2012 they signed Matt Flynn to a lucrative contract and expected him to be their starting quarterback, until some rookie named Russell Wilson showed up. Wilson won the job and proved training camp can have a major impact on the future of your franchise.
Of course, not everyone trying to make a name for themselves in camp is going to produce the results of Wilson. But there are still some compelling battles to watch around the NFC.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Running back (Joseph Randle vs. Darren McFadden vs. Lance Dunbar)
All three of these backs may end up splitting carries, but there will be major fantasy implications if one of them claims the full-time role. McFadden would have the best chance out of the group to capture the job, although he has struggled to remain healthy throughout his career. Dunbar is undersized, giving Randle, who the Cowboys appear to be high on, an excellent shot of receiving the bulk of the carries.
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback (Sam Bradford vs. Mark Sanchez)
The obvious decision here is Bradford, but it's not as cut and dry as you might think. After tearing his ACL in back-to-back seasons, Bradford did minimal work this spring and Sanchez performed well in relief of Nick Foles in 2014, putting Kelly in a difficult position. It would be hard to put Bradford out there for Week 1 if he isn't able to get substantial reps in with the first team offense in camp.
New York Giants
Safety (Nat Berhe vs. Cooper Taylor vs. Jeromy Miles vs. Mykkele Thompson)
Antrel Rolle, Quintin Demps, and Stevie Brown are all gone, so the Giants will have two new starters at safety. Landon Collins should be the strong safety, leaving the aforementioned four to try and earn playing time at the free safety position. Miles could be a dark horse to win the job with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo returning to the fold. He played under Spagnuolo in Baltimore and has more experience than the other three.
Washington Redskins
Outside Linebacker (Trent Murphy vs. Preston Smith vs. Junior Galette)
The recent signing of Galette complicates things for Murphy and Smith. Despite his off-field troubles, Galette has the edge in talent over the other two and Murphy's hold on the job isn't strong after a 2.5-sack season. Smith, a 2015 second-round pick figured to push Murphy for the starting spot, but now that Galette is in the fold, gaining substantial playing time is going to be challenging for the rookie.
NFC North
Detroit Lions
Punt returner (Ameer Abdullah vs. Jeremy Ross)
Abdullah hasn't returned punts in two years, but the rookie spent some time there during OTAs and figures to get a long look during camp. Ross is typically a solid return man. Although, he averaged less than nine yards per return in 2015. Golden Tate could also be in the mix here, but the Lions may not want to risk an injury to a starting receiver by using him on special teams. Detroit will likely want to get the versatile Abdullah on the field as much as they can, and that could mean Ross' job is in trouble.
Chicago Bears
Outside linebacker (Lamarr Houston vs. Jared Allen vs. Willie Young)
Both Allen and Houston are coming off disappointing campaigns, so Willie Young has a real chance to cement a starting job. Houston tore his ACL while celebrating his only sack of 2014, while Allen was slowed by a bout of pneumonia. Young on the otherhand, recorded 10 sacks during his first year in the Windy City and it's not out of the realm of possibility he could be starting opposite of Pernell McPhee.
Green Bay Packers
Tight End (Richard Rodgers vs. Andrew Quarless)
The Packers are so loaded at receiver that sometimes the tight end position gets overlooked. Quarless has only been a serviceable option over the last two years and Rodgers came on late in 2015. Although his speed has been questioned, Rodgers, a former third-round pick, has far more upside than Quarless. If he can continue last year's momentum into training camp, the second-year player should be in line for the starting job.
Minnesota Vikings
Inside Linebacker (Eric Kendricks vs. Audie Cole)
The Vikings made Kendricks a second-round pick this spring to fill Jasper Brinkley's shoes, who left in free agency. It isn't a sure thing that he secures the job, though, as Cole has the edge in experience, having started six games at middle linebacker over the last two years. If Kendricks wants on the field by Week 1, he'll have to impress with his superior athleticism throughout camp.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Left tackle (Donovan Smith vs. Kevin Pamphile)
The Bucs certainly took Smith 34th overall this year to be the future starter at left tackle, but how soon will that be? Smith and Pamphile have been alternating reps with the first team during camp so far, leaving the job up for grabs. Pamphile only has two starts to his name, so short of a terrible camp, one would think the Bucs would give Smith the first crack at protecting Jameis Winston's blindside.
New Orleans Saints
Right tackle (Andrus Peat vs. Zach Strief)
Strief didn't play poorly by any stretch of the imagination last season, but by taking Peat in the first round of this year's draft, the Saints have put pressure on the 31-year-old. Strief knows eventually Peat is going to take over at right tackle, although, that may not be right away. Peat missed a portion of OTAs due to academic obligations at Stanford, costing the rookie valuable time with the offense.
Carolina Panthers
Defensive end (Kony Ealy vs. Wes Horton)
Horton started 15 games last year in place of Greg Hardy, but Ealy collected four sacks to Horton's three. That fact certainly isn't going to be lost on Ron Rivera and the rest of the coaching staff, meaning Horton's starting role could be in major jeopardy. Ealy, a second-round pick from 2014, could see some favorable matchups if he wins the job and starts opposite Charles Johnson.
Atlanta Falcons
Running back (Devonta Freeman vs. Tevin Coleman)
The Falcons ranked 24th in rushing last season and they'll need to improve on that to provide Matt Ryan some balance on offense. Freeman only averaged 3.8 yards per carry last season in a reserve role, giving the rookie Coleman a chance to steal the job in camp. Both players will likely get carries in the first few games and whoever stands out should be able to secure the job early in the season.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Cornerback (Jerraud Powers vs. Justin Bethel)
With Antonio Cromartie gone, there is an opening across the field from Patrick Peterson. Powers has more experience and performed well in considerable playing time last season. Bethel, though, has better size and is more capable at matching up with bigger receivers. If Bethel proves he can be physical in camp and lock down opposing wideouts, he could overtake Powers.
San Francisco 49ers
Receiver (Quinton Patton vs. Bruce Ellington vs. Jerome Simpson)
Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith are entrenched at the starting wideout spots, but the third receiver position is up for grabs. Simpson is the most experienced, although, having not played last season may hurt his chances of winning the job. Patton and Ellington are both young, with Ellington showing some flashes last season. Patton has a lot of upside, though, and could make a name for himself with more reps in August.
Seattle Seahawks
Center (Lemuel Jeanpierre vs. Patrick Lewis)
Both players saw time at center in relief of Max Unger last season, but with Unger out of the picture, one of them will get more than a cameo role in 2015. Lewis may have the advantage to win the spot because of his ability as a run blocker. Given the amount the Seahawks rely on Marshawn Lynch, that might be enough to give the Lewis the job.
St. Louis Rams
Receiver (Kenny Britt vs. Tavon Austin vs. Brian Quick vs. Stedman Bailey)
Bringing in Nick Foles is all well and good, but the Rams still don't have a clear-cut No. 1 target for him to throw to. None of the four hit 50 receptions last season, but Britt did manage to post 750 yards and three scores. Bailey played well for stretches in 2014, Quick is coming off a significant shoulder injury and Austin may be too undersized for an every down role out wide. This battle is truly up for grabs.