4 key position battles to watch in the NFC East
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 NFC East.
Position Battles
AFC: East | North | South | West
NFC: East | North | South | West
Cowboys - Pass-rusher
David Irving vs. Benson Mayowa vs. Charles Tapper vs. Ryan Russell
Even if suspended defensive ends Randy Gregory and Demarcus Lawrence were in the lineup, the Cowboys pass-rush would still be pretty abysmal. Dallas will rely on an unknown and unproven group to get to the quarterback through the first month of the season.
The former Raider Mayowa has two career sacks in three NFL seasons, which actually leads the way in this competition. Irving (pictured) has the most experience in a Cowboys uniform, appearing in 12 games last year, but has typically been used as a tackle at 6-foot-7 and 273 pounds. Russell only has one game of experience in the tank, although he has reportedly been somewhat impressive through OTAs. Tapper, a 2016 fourth-round pick, may have the most upside, after racking up 24 sacks in three seasons at Oklahoma.
PICK: Irving
Giants - Running back
Rashad Jennings vs. Paul Perkins vs. Andre Williams
Jennings had the best season of his career last season. Although he rushed for 863 yards, those numbers don't quite equate to what a starting back should produce in the Giants' high-powered offense.
Jennings, 31, is good in a lot of areas, but doesn't particularly shine in any one facet. Perkins is more suited for the every-down workhorse load after back-to-back college seasons with over 265 touches at UCLA, but there are worries about his sub-optimal size and speed. Williams' production took a big dip last year, but new head coach Ben McAdoo reportedly believes the 230-pound back is due for a bounce-back season.
PICK: Perkins
Eagles - No. 2 Cornerback
Eric Rowe vs. Nolan Carroll vs. Ron Brooks
After a miserable season with Byron Maxwell as the Eagles' No. 1 corner, things will look different in the Philly secondary this season. Leodis McKelvin will likely be a starter in his first year out of Buffalo, but the number two spot is up in the air.
Like much of the Eagles' 2015 defense, Carroll didn't impress many in the 11 games he started, but he does have six seasons of experience and ideal size. Second-round pick Rowe was a rare bright spot in Philly last season, filling in for the injured Carroll as a starter for five games and playing the nickel. Brooks comes with McKelvin from Buffalo. He's made most of his plays from the nickel spot with the Bills and played the 2014 season under Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
PICK: Rowe (Brooks at nickel)
Redskins - No. 2 Receiver
Josh Doctson vs. Pierre Garcon
DeSean Jackson doesn't fill the typical No. 1 receiver role, but his skills as a deep threat will keep him on the field if he can stay healthy. Jamison Crowder's role is expected to be limited to the slot, setting up a battle between Garcon and Washington's first round pick Doctson.
Garcon, who will be 30 when the 2016 regular season starts, hasn't missed a game in three seasons and has a complete knowledge of the Redskins' system. Doctson, heralded by some as the best receiver in this year's draft, will definitely get plenty of chances to be the team's No. 1 target in the coming seasons. How productive he can be as a rookie is yet to be seen.
PICK: Garcon