10 most intriguing NFL training camp battles

It may be hard to believe, but NFL training camps are upon us ahead of the league’s 100th season.

While many potential mega-storylines dominate ahead of the NFL’s record birthday, there’s still quite a bit left to be established league-wide. And as is the case yearly, many of those uncertainties will be decided in late April and throughout August. Here’s a look at 10 of the most intriguing battles to watch at training camps.

10. New York Giants: Who starts at center?

Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has spent two seasons feverishly trying to repair a badly damaged offensive line in an effort to salvage Eli Manning’s remaining years, and his project is very near complete. The only position remaining unresolved is perhaps one of the most important — center. New York re-signed both Jon Halapio, who had his 2018 season ended with a devastating injury, and veteran Spencer Pulley this offseason. Pulley was given quite a substantial chunk of change, indicating that the Giants think very highly of him, but they cautioned throughout the offseason to “not forget about ‘Pio.” Both players will be under the spotlight in training camp as the team desperately needs one final strong link to their offensive line chain.

9. Green Bay Packers: Who is the No. 2 wide receiver?

If you’re a hardcore fantasy football player, this training camp battle may be viewed as one of the most important of the offseason. Behind Davante Adams on the depth chart, things are a cluster for the Packers, with Geronimo Allison, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow and a handful of others all vying for the same position. Kumerow seems like an early favorite of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but Valdes-Scantling had some impressive moments as a rookie. The focus will be on this situation to see who emerges.

8. Los Angeles Rams: Running back depth

The mystery surrounding Todd Gurley’s bum knee has continued this offseason, taking several more odd twists and turns in recent weeks, so it should come as little surprise that all eyes are on the Rams’ running backs entering training camp. Regardless of what happens with Gurley, the team needs to establish some security behind him. Enter Darrell Henderson, whom Los Angeles traded up in the third round to grab in the 2019 NFL Draft, and Malcolm Brown, who was poised to be signed by the Detroit Lions as a restricted free agent until the Rams matched their offer. However, like Gurley, Brown dealt with some injuries in 2018, limiting his exposure and production. There is a lot of uncertainty at the running back position for the Rams, which is something they must sort out in camp.

7. Cincinnati Bengals: Tight end mess

The Bengals believed their tight end woes were over with the arrival of Tyler Eifert in 2013, but despite his very obvious talent, injuries have been the predominant story of his career. And because the team is unable to trust that he’ll appear in all 16 games — something he’s never done in his career — they’ve been forced to consider other options. Entering the 2019 season, those options will be C.J. Uzomah and Drew Sample. Uzomah has primarily served as a rotational tight end since arriving on the scene in 2015 but showed some legitimate flashes a season ago. Sample, meanwhile, is a 2019 second-round pick who has made a name for himself blocking. It’s not exactly a high-profile group, but how the tight end position shakes out in training camp will play a major role for the Bengals this season.

6. Buffalo Bills: Battle of aging running backs

The Bills sport one of the oldest running back groups in the NFL with LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore leading the way, but there is at least some youth sprinkled in thanks to day-two pick Devin Singletary. The Bills also went out and signed T.J. Yeldon, making it a four-way battle for the running back position and subsequent depth. And while McCoy considers himself the early favorite, this running back battle is wide open and completely for the taking. Neither McCoy nor Gore can rest on their career accomplishments, especially when considering the wear and tear on their bodies. How this battle turns out in training camp is anyone’s guess, but the outcome will undoubtedly impact Buffalo’s 2019 campaign.

5. Baltimore Ravens: Who starts at tight end?

When the Ravens drafted Hayden Hurst in the first-round of the 2018 NFL Draft, they thought they had landed their tight end of the future. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to a part-time role over 12 games, culminating in just 13 receptions for 163 yards and one touchdown on the season. However. Hurst’s misfortune opened the door for Mark Andrews, who burst through for 552 yards and three touchdowns despite just three starts on the year. Andrews returned this spring looking bigger, faster and stronger, but the starting job is no sure thing. Baltimore invested heavily in Hurst, and while Andrews looks like a budding star, the two will jockey for position throughout training camp.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Wide receiver depth

For the vast majority of his career, Larry Fitzgerald has been the headliner in Arizona. However, here in 2019, that is likely to change. While Fitzgerald will be returning for one more year, he may be forced to take a backseat to Christian Kirk. Additionally, the Cardinals have added the likes of Andy Isabella through the draft, as well as Hakeem Butler and KeeSean Johnson. That’s a lot of potential firepower for head coach Kliff Kingsbury, but how will that depth shake out from top to bottom? None of that has been decided as of yet, leaving the entire situation to be settled in training camp.

3. Washington Redskins: Starting quarterback

Do the Redskins finally have their long-term answer at quarterback with Dwayne Haskins, who was taken at No. 15 overall out of Ohio State? It would seem so, but at least for the time being, pump those brakes. Washington has not committed to Haskins as their starter and, instead, are readying a competition between he and free agent addition Case Keenum to vie for the job of replacing Alex Smith, who suffered a vicious injury a season ago and whose career is now on shaky ground as a result. The interesting twist to this competition is that head coach Jay Gruden will not make the decision alone. Regardless of how things turn out in training camp, Redskins’ brass insist it will be a group decision. What could possibly go wrong?

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Starting running back

An argument could be made that the upcoming training camp battle at safety is the most important for Tampa Bay, but in an offensive-driven league, it’s imperative to have your skill positions settled. Right now, the Buccaneers lack that. In 2018, their ground unit was less than stellar, averaging under 4.0 yards per carry and relying on Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick’s legs for nearly a third of their total rushing yards. Needless to say, the pressure is on Peyton Barber, Ronald Jones, Dare Ogunbowale and a few others to prove they deserve the starting role. The biggest issue is Tampa Bay does not have a running back that truly excels out of the backfield, making this training camp battle that much more interesting.

1. Miami Dolphins: starting quarterback

The battle between Josh Rosen and veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick may be one of the league’s most interesting training camp storylines because of the unique paths each player has taken to get here. Rosen, of course, was ousted in Arizona after they decided to take Kyler Murray in Round 1 of the NFL Draft one year after doing the same with Rosen. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick was initially signed to be Miami’s starter before they acquired Rosen, having shown flashes of his infamous magic with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a season ago. Each player brings something different to the table, but it’s up to the Dolphins to decide if they prefer the veteran under center in Week 1 or the sophomore who should now be considered their future. It’s a shame HBO’s “Hard Knocks” isn’t in Miami this year because this battle is made for TV.