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4 key position battles to watch in the NFC North

Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

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 North.

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

Bears - Running back

Jeremy Langford vs. Ka'Deem Carey vs. Jordan Howard

For the first time since 2007, the Bears will begin their season without Matt Forte as their lead running back. It's unlikely any of the candidates to fill his role will be used quite as often, but the competition is wide open between a trio of backs with a combined three years of experience.

Langford was Forte's primary spell back last season, running for 537 yards and seven total touchdowns as a rookie. Carey was drafted in 2014 after back-to-back 1,800-plus yard seasons in college, but has yet to break 45 carries through two pro seasons. At 6-foot, 230-pounds, rookie Howard is more of a power back than his counterparts, but he has an uphill battle on his hands to surpass Carey and Langford in his first camp.

PICK: Langford (Howard as shot-yardage back)

Lions - No. 2 cornerback

Quandre Diggs vs. Crezdon Butler vs. Nevin Lawson

With the retirement of Rashean Mathis, the Lions are in need of a starting partner for Darius Slay. It's been a long time, if ever, since the team had a strong secondary and the wait isn't over yet.

Diggs found a role as a nickel corner for the Lions as a rookie last season, but failed to register an interception and may struggle to play the outside at 5-foot-9. Butler, a nine-year veteran who's spent time on eight different teams, has the edge in experience and length, but this being his first year returning to the same team isn't a good sign for the 29-year-old. Lawson, who filled in for Mathis after injury last season, also doesn't have ideal size, but the team carried a 6-3 record with him as a starter.

PICK: Lawson (Diggs at nickel)

Packers - Tight end

Richard Rodgers vs. Jared Cook

Tight end has never been a very threatening position for the Packers in the Aaron Rodgers era. The team added the underrated Cook in free agency to compete with Hail Mary-catching Richard Rodgers in an effort to fix that problem.

Cook, who begins camp on the PUP list, has never played with a quarterback even close to the talents of the Packers' No. 12. The 29-year-old has managed to be a productive member of his offenses with the Rams and Titans, contributing at least 500 yards and multiple touchdowns in four of his past five seasons. Rodgers, 24, holds the upper hand after starting in the offense the past two seasons. He had 510 yards and eight touchdowns in 2015, but doesn't possess the elite athletic abilities that inspire a guaranteed starting spot.

PICK: Cook

Vikings - No. 2 cornerback

Terrance Newman vs. Trae Waynes vs. Captain Munnerlyn vs. Mackensie Alexander

Possibly the deepest position battle in the league, the Vikings are absolutely stacked at cornerback. Their 2013 first-round pick, Xavier Rhodes, will presumably take top shutdown duty, but the rest is up for grabs.

Newman, now the oldest defender in the NFL at 37, was a starter last year, but may struggle to keep up with all the young bucks in 2016. Waynes was admittedly over confident in his press cover skills last season as a first-round rookie, but has more than enough athletic skills to win the job. Munnerlyn, a seven-year veteran, has found a niche as one of the best slot corners out there. Alexander slipped to the second round of the 2016 draft, but showcased No. 1 shutdown skills at Clemson and will benefit from time around this talented group.

PICK: Waynes (Munnerlyn at nickel)

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