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.
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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.
