Predicting winners of top NFL position battles for 2018

Vinnie Iyer

Predicting winners of top NFL position battles for 2018 image

As the NFL offseason progresses with minicamps, OTAs and eventually training camps, multiple position battles will be worth watching. NFL free agency and the 2018 NFL Draft have produced several interesting battles on offenses, specifically.

Naturally, many of the top position battles to watch throughout the offseason and into training camps are quarterback competitions. That's the result of a draft class that was loaded with high-quality passers.

Here we pin the most notable position battles from offenses around the NFL to watch in 2018. We also provide an early prediction for who might emerge victorious in each competition.

NFL DRAFT GRADES:
Best, worst of 2018 selections

Predicting winners of top NFL position battles for 2018

Bills starting quarterback: Josh Allen vs. AJ McCarron

Projected winner: McCarron

McCarron got backup money in free agency, but with Allen and his big arm needing a lot of refinement, the former Bengal should get his chance to be a stopgap quarterback.

Browns starting quarterback: Tyrod Taylor vs. Baker Mayfield

Projected winner: Taylor

Coach Hue Jackson declared Taylor the starter for 2018 after the veteran QB arrived via trade from the Bills, well before Mayfield was drafted first overall. Mayfield has the goods to make this competition interesting, but because Jackson needs wins to save his job this season, he needs Taylor to play at least at first.

MORE: 10 times Browns could have solved their QB problem

Cardinals starting quarterback: Sam Bradford vs. Josh Rosen vs. Mike Glennon

Projected winner: Bradford

Of all the 2018 rookie QBs, Rosen is the most pro-ready. He will challenge for the starting job, but money says the Cards will deal in Bradford as a stopgap. Given what happened when Glennon started over rookie Mitchell Trubisky in Chicago last season, consider the former Bear out of the race.

Jets starting quarterback: Josh McCown vs. Sam Darnold vs. Teddy Bridgewater

Projected winner: Darnold

There’s no real future with McCown, who turns 39 on July 4. Bridgewater can’t be overlooked, but his health and his adjusting to a new offense might be hurdles. That gives Darnold a good chance to take the job right away with a good training camp.

MORE: Ranking all 32 NFL QB rooms

Patriots "featured" running back: Sony Michel vs. Rex Burkhead vs. James White

Projected winner: Michel

Burkhead and White are key role players for New England, but neither is built to be exposed for heavy touches as runners or receivers. That means Michel can replace Dion Lewis in an Alvin Kamara-like role for the Patriots.

Cowboys starting wide receivers: Michael Gallup vs. Deonte Thompson vs. Allen Hurns vs. Terrence Williams

Projected winners: Gallup and Hurns

The journeyman Thompson and the disappointing, long-time Cowboy Williams will be displaced in the battle to replace Dez Bryant's production. The upside of Gallup and the reliability of Hurns will shine through in training camp as Dallas' best outside options.

MORE: All-time biggest draft regrets

Browns early-down running back: Nick Chubb vs. Carlos Hyde

Projected winner: Hyde

Chubb is a bit overrated in the power capacity. So Hyde, a more versatile player who was a high-priced addition in free agency, is the favorite for this role to complement super receiving back Duke Johnson Jr.

Broncos starting running back: Royce Freeman vs. Devontae Booker vs. De’Angelo Henderson

Projected winner: Freeman

Henderson has the limited flash, and Booker has the limited potential. Freeman is an ideal back for the Broncos' running scheme and will carry his starting status from Eugene to Denver.

Redskins early-down running back: Derrius Guice vs. Rob Kelley

Projected winner: Guice

Kelley played well as an undrafted free agent two years ago, but based on last season's production, neither he nor Samaje Perine is a solid answer ahead of third-down favorite Chris Thompson. Guice will run angry enough in training camp to win the job.

MORE: Biggest draft busts in NFL history

Lions early-down-running back: Kerryon Johnson vs. LeGarrette Blount vs. Ameer Abdullah

Projected winner: Johnson

Blount was reunited with Matt Patricia for what the running back hopes will be some heavy power and red-zone work in the Lions' offense. But Johnson is bound to fight for key touches early while he pushes the disappointing Abdullah off the roster.

Packers No. 3 wide receiver: J’Mon Moore vs. Equanimeous St. Brown vs. Geronimo Allison vs. DeAngelo Yancey vs. Marquez Valdes-Scantiling

Projected winner: St. Brown

Although fellow rookies Moore and Valdes-Scantling will push him most, St. Brown, who was a playmaker at Notre Dame, can emerge in training camp as the best option after Davante Adams and Randall Cobb to help replace Jordy Nelson.

Vinnie Iyer

Vinnie Iyer Photo

Vinnie Iyer, has been with TSN since 1999, not long after graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He has produced NFL content for more than 20 years, turning his attention to full-time writing in 2007. A native of St. Louis, Mo. but now a long-time resident of Charlotte, N.C. Vinnie’s top two professional sports teams are Cardinals and Blues, but he also carries purple pride for all things Northwestern Wildcats. He covers every aspect of the NFL for TSN including player evaluations, gambling and fantasy football, where he is a key contributor. Vinnie represents TSN as host of the “Locked On Fantasy Football” podcast on the Locked On network. Over his many years at TSN, he’s also written about MLB, NBA, NASCAR, college football, tennis, horse racing, film and television. His can’t-miss program remains “Jeopardy!”, where he was once a three-day champion and he is still avid about crossword puzzles and trivia games. When not watching sports or his favorite game show, Vinnie is probably watching a DC, Marvel or Star Wars-related TV or movie.