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NFL coaching camps are off and operating, and the 2025 season is correct across the nook. Whereas observing practically two weeks of practices, our NFL Nation reporters have been logging their observations every day.
One of many greatest storylines all through each camp is that gamers are battling for positions on the depth chart. Gamers spend camp making their instances to be included on the ultimate 53-man rosters on the finish of August. Simply making it is not sufficient, although. Coaches are in search of readability on who begins and who will present backup.
For instance, the Los Angeles Rams need to safe their third receiving choice behind Davante Adams and Puka Nacua, whereas the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, and New Orleans Saints are nonetheless making an attempt to determine which quarterback will begin Week 1.
Listed here are 32 of the largest place battles happening at camps throughout the NFL.
Bounce to a workforce:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
Backup quarterback
A lot of the Payments’ 53-man roster is locked in, however who would be the quarterback behind Josh Allen (who hasn’t missed a begin since his rookie season) is a query mark. Common supervisor Brandon Beane expressed confidence in final season’s backup, Mitchell Trubisky, initially of camp, however he and Mike White have shared second-team reps in follow. The preseason video games could possibly be key for this battle.
The opposite greatest battle could possibly be at No. 2 cornerback, however the job is presently Tre’Davious White’s to lose, with first-round choose Maxwell Hairston coping with a proper LCL sprain. — Alaina Getzenberg
Cornerback
Prepare to listen to about this place all season. The Dolphins launched or traded each of their beginning corners from final season and misplaced their lone returner, Kader Kohou, to a season-ending knee harm. They’ve been lively in including to the place now that coaching camp has begun, signing Cornell Armstrong, Jack Jones and Mike Hilton. The latter two each began double-digit video games for the Raiders and Bengals final season, respectively.
Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Kendall Sheffield and Ethan Bonner are additionally within the combine, however the Dolphins’ latest free agent additions will make for an intriguing battle this summer time. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Broad receiver
To this point in camp, the highest grouping has been Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas, with nine-year veteran Kendrick Bourne and 2025 third-round choose Kyle Williams subsequent in line. It was notable that when veteran Mack Hollins (who signed a two-year, $8.4 million deal in March) returned to follow final week after opening camp on the bodily unable to carry out (PUP) listing, he labored alongside Diggs and Douglas, slicing into a few of Boutte’s reps among the many prime group.
In the meantime, 2024 draft picks Ja’Lynn Polk (second spherical) and Javon Baker (fourth spherical), together with spring undrafted free agent standout Efton Chism III, are amongst those that have proven up making performs. There’ll seemingly be six (presumably seven) broad receivers on the preliminary roster, so one thing has to offer. — Mike Reiss
Middle
It’s incumbent Joe Tippmann versus Josh Myers, previously the Packers’ starter. This can be a reliable open competitors, with each gamers getting an equal variety of follow reps.
Most outsiders thought Tippmann was entrenched, so it raised eyebrows within the offseason when Myers (56 profession begins) signed a one-year, $2 million contract and was promised a shot on the job. Tippmann was a second-round choose in 2023, however he ranked thirtieth out of 33 facilities final season in cross block win fee (Myers was twentieth).
Myers’ greatest benefit is his expertise, to not point out his familiarity with QB Justin Fields, his former faculty teammate. — Wealthy Cimini
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AFC NORTH
Kicker
The Ravens have two rookies battling it out to exchange Justin Tucker, who was launched in Might amid an NFL investigation into sexual misconduct.
Tyler Loop, a sixth-round choose, stays the favourite over undrafted free agent John Hoyland, however the competitors has been shut all through the primary week of coaching camp. Loop made his first 23 kicks of the summer time and is 28 of 31 (90.3%). Hoyland additionally has missed three makes an attempt, going 25 of 28 (89.2%).
The Ravens want to choose a kicker across the preseason finale on Aug. 23.
“When the winner reveals, it may present,” Ravens particular groups coach Chris Horton mentioned. “How quickly is that going to be? I do not know, however I do know that these guys are going to be out right here getting helpful work each day and in these preseason video games.” — Jamison Hensley
Proper guard
Early in camp, the battle was billed between Cody Ford and Lucas Patrick, who signed with the Bengals on a one-year deal this offseason. However to date, Ford safely has the within monitor.
Ford is firmly within the RG1 spot, one thing that has solely been strengthened with Patrick coping with an harm that saved him out of shape for a few days. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow mentioned the offensive line has carried out properly in coaching camp. –– Ben Child
Quarterback
The Browns opened camp with what was billed as a four-way QB competitors, however the first week noticed veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett take the vast majority of first-team reps.
Pickett’s hamstring harm has seemingly paved the best way for Flacco to guide the beginning offense and stake his declare to be the starter. It has additionally opened extra alternatives for rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders to make an impression, too.
Coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned he has a tentative timeline to decide on the starter however needs to judge every quarterback in numerous conditions earlier than shifting ahead. — Daniel Oyefusi
No. 2 broad receiver
Sound acquainted? A yr in the past, that was probably the most talked about place battle (apart from quarterback, after all) and on paper, the Steelers are in an identical place this yr after buying and selling away George Pickens.
The room is led by DK Metcalf, however the order behind him is a bit murky. Throughout minicamp, broad receivers coach Zach Azzanni mentioned receiver Calvin Austin III, a speedy yards-after-catch (YAC) risk drafted in 2022, was the workforce’s WR2 — however there are different gamers on the roster battling for the function, together with Robert Woods, Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson.
The Steelers additionally acquired receiving risk Jonnu Smith. Common supervisor Omar Khan downplayed the potential of including one other true broad receiver to the roster, however the workforce introduced in Gabe Davis for a go to earlier this offseason. There could possibly be a number of broad receivers obtainable on the commerce market, too. — Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
Offensive deal with
There’s a battle in Houston that options each deal with spots and entails rookie Aireontae Ersery, a second-round pick of Minnesota. He is battling Cam Robinson and Blake Fisher, who’re the beginning left and proper tackles, respectively. Fisher was a 2024 first-round choose and Robinson was a notable free agent signing.
Final season, quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 instances, which was the second most within the league, and Houston revamped the unit in hopes to guard Stroud higher. The Texans are excessive on Ersery, as they tried to commerce up for him within the first spherical, in response to league sources. — DJ Bien-Aime
Quarterback
Hardly ever will we see an open competitors between two quarterbacks who’ve beforehand been starters, however Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones are mentioned to have an equal shot on the job in Indy.
Richardson’s standing because the workforce’s 2023 fourth general choose would possibly give him an edge, so Jones presumably must take the job from him. It is tough to argue that that has occurred so far, with each passers displaying the inconsistency that has plagued their careers. However coach Shane Steichen mentioned he is prepared to take his time reaching a call, so this one may linger till the tip of the preseason. — Stephen Holder
Security
Eric Murray, whom the Jaguars signed in free company, is locked in at one spot. The opposite has been a rotation of Andrew Wingard, Darnell Savage and Antonio Johnson.
Wingard, who has had 28 begins with the Jaguars since 2019, had all however received the beginning job over Johnson subsequent to Andre Cisco final season, however a knee harm value him the primary 9 video games of the season. He’d be thought of the slight favourite at this level, however that would change as soon as the preseason begins. — Michael DiRocco
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Tight finish
Chig Okonkwo is the incumbent, however rookie Gunnar Helm will push for the spot — or on the very least, get reps in two tight finish units. Each gamers have actually caught quarterback Cameron Ward’s consideration. Okonkwo frolicked with Ward in Miami to get a head begin on creating chemistry. The Titans workers likes to get Okonkwo the ball and let him choose up yards after the catch. Helm has carried out a very good job working the center of the sphere and making catches in visitors.
Second-year tight finish David Martin-Robinson is an choice who’s seeing quite a lot of motion within the fast sport with this pace. Josh Whyle has pale considerably, however there is a good likelihood the Titans hold 4 tight ends.
The query can be who contributes extra on particular groups, Whyle or Thomas Odukoya. — Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Working again
The Broncos, with so many starters from 2024’s playoff workforce returning, do not actually have the standard coaching camp battle anyplace between Participant A or Participant B. What they’ve as an alternative are battles for situational snaps.
At operating again, there may be at the least a battle to see who will get the ball in probably the most conditions. J.Okay. Dobbins, who was signed throughout the workforce’s June minicamp, has spent loads of time in workforce drills with the starters in coaching camp’s early going. His reliability as a cross catcher and cross blocker provides him the within monitor on a lot of the third down work.
However rookie RJ Harvey has flashed high quality imaginative and prescient and quickness by the outlet so far, a lot so coach Sean Payton has mentioned “he is doing distinctive.”
Jaleel McLaughlin has proven impression as a receiver out of the backfield and Audric Estime, at 227 kilos, is the largest of the operating backs with probably the most potential energy inside.
There can be quite a bit to type out and far can change, however Dobbins appears to be like, in the meanwhile, to examine probably the most containers in probably the most down-and-distance conditions. — Jeff Legwold
Left guard
With rookie first-round choose Josh Simmons taking all of the reps at left deal with, the largest battle for the Chiefs is selecting who they need to see first at left guard.
The primary choice is Kingsley Suamataia, the 2024 second-round choose who has switched from guard to deal with. The extra veteran choice is Jaylon Moore, who was a spot starter at left deal with with the 49ers. How Suamataia and Moore carry out within the preseason will seemingly decide who wins the beginning function.
The runner-up tasks to be the Chiefs’ prime backup when an harm happens. — Nate Taylor
Cornerback
Eric Stokes has performed primarily with the starters throughout coaching camp, whereas third-round choose Darien Porter and Decamerion Richardson have alternated first-team reps.
Jakorian Bennett, who has began in 11 profession video games however had season-ending surgical procedure in 2024, has performed with the second- and third-team protection.
This place group is way from being solidified, and regardless that coach Pete Carroll has given the secondary a ton of reward, there are just a few pink flags. Stokes has performed a full season simply twice in his four-year profession. In the meantime, Porter has upside however has began in solely seven profession faculty video games at cornerback. — Ryan McFadden
Middle
The Chargers’ inside offensive line was abysmal final season, and the play at middle performed a big function. Middle Bradley Bozeman ranked one hundred and sixtieth in run block win fee, because the Chargers struggled to provide the dominant speeding offense Jim Harbaugh promised when he took the job.
The Chargers have a three-person battle for that beginning spot, amongst Bozeman, Zion Johnson (who performed left guard final season) and Andre James, who the workforce signed in free company. — Kris Rhim
NFC EAST
Working again
The Cowboys are primarily giving equal appears to be like to Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, who signed as free brokers within the offseason.
Every has had their moments in camp, which is a constructive signal. Williams might need an edge as a cross catcher out of the backfield, however Sanders is perhaps higher fitted to the soiled yards along with his model.
“If we have now a man that clearly wins the beginning job, then he’ll be the beginning man,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer mentioned.
“Is he the bell cow? There’s all these cool phrases that go along with it. ‘Oh, he is a bell cow,’ or ‘He is the person,’ or ‘He is the stud,’ or no matter. Let’s let these guys compete. And it does take a couple of [back]. It normally takes greater than two.” — Todd Archer
Second cornerback
One would assume the largest battle is at proper guard with former top-10 choose Evan Neal within the combine, nevertheless it’s truly the second beginning exterior cornerback spot reverse Paulson Adebo.
It is a full-on competitors between 2023 first-round choose Deonte Banks and 2022 third-rounder Cor’Dale Flott. They’re alternating days with the first-team protection at coaching camp. The Giants are making Banks earn it after a down season.
“Competitors brings out probably the most in folks more often than not,” coach Brian Daboll mentioned.
The truth is that Flott had a greater season final yr. Banks’ focused EPA of 33.4 was the fourth lowest within the league amongst gamers with at the least 100 protection snaps, in response to NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. Flott was considerably higher at 7.1 whereas rookie Dru Phillips led all Giants cornerbacks at minus-7.2. — Jordan Raanan
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Cornerback
The departure of Darius Slay this offseason opened up a beginning spot on the skin reverse Quinyon Mitchell.
Third-year participant Kelee Ringo has been splitting reps with veteran Adoree’ Jackson, who was signed to a one-year deal in March. Ringo gave up some massive performs early in camp, however has elevated his sport of late, whereas Jackson has been principally regular all through.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio mentioned the time is now for Jackson to achieve his full potential.
“In Tennessee, when it got here time to re-sign him after his contract was up, they did not,” Fangio mentioned. “The Giants, his contract was up, they did not. It is time to present who he’s or who he is not.”
Philadelphia had the No. 1 cross protection in 2024, in order that they’ll want constant play from both Ringo or Jackson to keep up that degree of defensive dominance. — Tim McManus
Proper deal with
Washington drafted Josh Conerly Jr. within the first spherical, however he is rotating first-team snaps with veteran Andrew Wylie.
Final summer time, the Commanders made quarterback Jayden Daniels show himself earlier than he earned all of the first-team reps and once more earlier than being formally named the starter. So, if he has to show himself, so does Conerly.
It’s going to be onerous to precisely gauge the competitors till Conerly performs within the preseason. For now, he is nonetheless studying the pace, the right way to set rapidly versus edge rushers and adapting to the play power.
With Daniels final summer time, it was apparent he ought to begin. Conerly just isn’t but at that time, however having an eight-year vet like Wylie round provides Conerly time to develop — and the workforce does not must power him into the lineup till he is prepared. — John Keim
NFC NORTH
Left deal with
The Bears have three gamers competing to guard Caleb Williams’ blindside: incumbent starter Braxton Jones, second-year offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie and rookie Ozzy Trapilo.
Every brings one thing totally different to the desk — Jones’ 40 begins over three seasons, Amegadjie’s potential and Trapilo’s disciplined, tactician-like play — which implies this place battle seemingly will not be determined any time quickly.
Coach Ben Johnson mentioned the workforce is taking a “clean slate” method to offer every participant a good shot and that he does not care whether or not it takes three weeks or your complete coaching camp to make a decision.
Jones, Amegadjie and Trapilo have all gotten first-team reps by the primary week of camp and can proceed to rotate in with the beginning offensive line to search out the workforce’s finest match. — Courtney Cronin
Middle
The Lions’ beginning middle place is up for grabs, nevertheless it’s seeming increasingly prefer it’s veteran Graham Glasgow’s job to lose after the primary few padded practices.
“It is regarded fairly dang good,” Lions coach Dan Campbell mentioned final week. “So, I feel each day that it appears to be like fairly dang good, it will get a bit clearer.”
Second-round choose Tate Ratledge can be competing for a beginning function on Detroit’s offensive line and has performed middle and proper guard in coaching camp as properly.
The Lions are attempting to type issues out after dropping four-time Professional Bowl middle Frank Ragnow to retirement in addition to veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, who signed with the Titans this offseason. — Eric Woodyard
Broad receiver
Perhaps the Packers haven’t got a real No. 1 receiver — with Christian Watson out to begin the season whereas nonetheless recovering from proper ACL surgical procedure — however there’s nonetheless a pecking order to be decided. Inexperienced Bay’s 2025 first-round choose Matthew Golden might need thrust himself close to the highest of that listing immediately.
Those that assume it is onerous for a rookie receiver to make a direct impression ought to watch how easily Golden has slot in to date in camp. That mentioned, the likes of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and even tight finish Tucker Kraft may also vie for quarterback Jordan Love’s consideration. — Rob Demovsky
No. 4 broad receiver
The No. 4 broad receiver place would not appear too essential for many groups, however for the Vikings, it’s.
Starter Jordan Addison may face an NFL suspension after pleading responsible to a “moist reckless” cost of driving with alcohol concerned, whereas Justin Jefferson has been slowed by a strained left hamstring. In different phrases, the fourth receiver may play a big function at instances this season.
Fortunate Jackson and Jeshaun Jones have been the early standouts in coaching camp, whereas two veterans to remember are Tim Jones and Rondale Moore. — Kevin Seifert
NFC SOUTH
Security
Jessie Bates III has one spot locked down, however the different is a contest between veteran Jordan Fuller and rookie Xavier Watts. DeMarcco Hellams, who missed all of final season (ankle), has been enjoying properly in follow, too.
Fuller and Watts have been alternating with the first-team protection alongside Bates. Fuller was with Falcons coach Raheem Morris on the Rams’ Tremendous Bowl workforce, whereas Watts was a third-round choose who many thought can be drafted increased. Atlanta expects its rookies to get quite a lot of enjoying time this yr, and that features Watts. — Marc Raimondi
Middle
Austin Corbett and Cade Mays have been alternating days working with the first-team offense.
Corbett was first up, however he has performed solely 9 video games over the previous two seasons due to accidents. Mays caught the attention of the teaching workers final season when he began eight of the ultimate 9 video games and allowed solely 10 QB pressures.
Mays, 26, is youthful and cheaper, counting solely $3.4 million towards the cap to $5.6 million for Corbett, who turns 30 in September. Mays is perhaps a greater long-term answer for continuity if all issues are equal. Each have carried out properly in camp, so this might go all the way down to the wire. — David Newton
Quarterback
No place battle can be extra scrutinized in New Orleans than the one presently happening at quarterback.
Kellen Moore mentioned he does not count on to make any massive selections on this till the primary preseason sport or past, and to date the Saints have break up first-team reps between three of their 4 quarterbacks (rookie Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener).
Each Rattler and Shough have rotated into the primary workforce offense at the least twice.
There was no entrance runner only one week into camp, and the Saints will seemingly attempt to hold issues even for some time — at the least till they take a nine-day street journey to California and start making ready for a sport towards the Los Angeles Chargers. — Katherine Terrell
Nickelback
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles already mentioned Christian Izien can be on the 53-man roster. However in what capability?
The previous undrafted free agent grabbed a beginning function in 2023 earlier than serving as a backup to Tykee Smith final season, however wound up stepping in at security and even at exterior nook.
However rookie Jacob Parrish has had a number of interceptions since he obtained to Tampa and Bowles needs ball hawks. — Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Exterior linebacker
Arizona dedicated to enhancing its cross rush this offseason by signing Josh Sweat and drafting Jordan Burch, including them to a room that already included Zaven Collins, Xavier Thomas and BJ Ojulari.
One aspect of the road belongs to Sweat. The opposite is up for grabs and can be a battle between incumbent starter Collins and the others.
Coach Jonathan Gannon mentioned he ideally needs his finest gamers on the sphere, and his workers can be monitoring snaps. Whereas the remainder of the skin linebackers will compete to be a starter, there could possibly be room in sure packages and conditions for everybody. — Josh Weinfuss
No. 3 broad receiver
This alternative speaks to how set many of the Rams’ roster was going into coaching camp.
Behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, the Rams have a bunch of Tutu Atwell, 2024 sixth-round choose Jordan Whittington and 2023 undrafted free agent Xavier Smith, who’re competing to be Los Angeles’ third receiver.
The function is particularly essential within the Rams’ offense due to Sean McVay’s important utilization of 11 personnel (three receivers on the sphere). — Sarah Barshop
Security
After years of depth chart and roster stability, the Niners have a lot to select from right here. However security is perhaps probably the most intriguing, with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh saying the competitors right here is broad open.
Presumptive starters Malik Mustapha (knee) and Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle) are coming off important accidents and it is unclear after they’ll return.
From there, the Niners added Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant in free company and Marques Sigle within the draft.
They normally do not hold greater than 4 or sometimes 5 safeties, however it may take a while to type this out following the offseason departure of Talanoa Hufanga. — Nick Wagoner
Proper guard
It is not probably the most thrilling place battle, however it could be an important one provided that Seattle’s offensive line wants each edge it will probably get.
Incumbent Anthony Bradford has been taking many of the first-team reps forward of Christian Haynes and Jalen Sundell.
With Haynes mixing in, Bradford made 11 uneven begins final yr earlier than an ankle harm ended his season. The Seahawks virtually definitely will not rotate proper guards like they did final season, however the competitors there and at middle may final into the preseason. — Brady Henderson
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