NFL training camp position battles

Jeremy Langford looked like the clear beneficiary after the Bears allowed Matt Forte to walk in free agency. However, drafting Jordan Howard along with the presence of Ka'Deem Carey certainly complicate the situation. While Langford is the back most similar to Forte, he averaged only 3.6 yards per carry in his rookie season.

After losing both Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones in free agency, the Bengals are thin at wideout behind A.J. Green. They're hoping Brandon LaFell can learn the offense of his new team quickly and rebound from a subpar 2015 season, but the other options include Brandon Tate and Cody Core.

This position battle is bizarre for so many reasons. We so rarely discuss the defending Super Bowl champion trying to find a new quarterback. The Broncos spent their first-round pick on Paxton Lynch, yet he's probably not in the conversation to start this season. So we have a battle of a former first-round pick journeyman (Mark Sanchez) against a 2015 seventh-round pick (Trevor Siemian), whom few, aside from Northwestern fans, knew of before this offseason.

Robert Griffin III is the clear front-runner in the Browns' quarterback battle, but we can't count out veteran Josh McCown. After all, RG3 did lose Washington's starting job last training camp, to the shock of many, and McCown has proved more capable as an NFL quarterback as recently as last season. Cleveland would probably love for Griffin to show his rookie form, but he hasn't delivered in three straight seasons.

Browns head coach Hue Jackson is known as a very running back-friendly coach, so the battle between Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson is especially interesting for fantasy owners as well as Browns fans. Crowell made some awful headlines due to his Twitter account just weeks ago, but that probably won't impact the battle much. He's still favored as the early down back, but Johnson has more flash and versatility.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins has shown a world of ability when he's been healthy, but those instances have been rare. He was also reprimanded for lack of preparation during the offseason, adding more tallies in Cameron Brate's favor. Brate shouldn't have the same preparation issues as an alumnus of Harvard.

The Chiefs couldn't afford to keep Chase Daniel and go into training camp with a clear battle between Aaron Murray and Tyler Bray for No. 2 quarterback. Daniel has found the field over the last two seasons behind Alex Smith, so it is an important role for the Chiefs. It's also notable given coach Andy Reid's success at producing NFL backup quarterbacks, from Kevin Kolb to Nick Foles.

There's no other way to say it: Dallas' defensive line is a disaster. The team didn't bring back Greg Hardy, for good reason, but will now be without Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory due to suspensions. The team drafted Ezekiel Elliott at running back to give the defense more rest, but a lack of pass rush from the likes of David Irving, Benson Mayowa and Charles Tapper could put pressure on the secondary to stop anyone.

Much of Dallas' struggles last season were due to its inability to find a viable backup quarterback when Tony Romo was injured. The Cowboys only addressed that issue by drafting Dak Prescott, a talented but raw two-dimensional quarterback. He will battle Kellen Moore for the No. 2 job, but neither is reassuring for Cowboys fans if Romo gets hurt again.

New head coach Adam Gase acclaimed second-year running back Jay Ajayi all offseason, only for the team to sign Arian Foster shortly before training camp. It remains to be seen what Foster has left after a myriad of lower body injuries last season, so the Dolphins could still turn to Ajayi.

Sam Bradford is considered the starting quarterback in Philly despite the hoopla he created after the team traded up to draft Carson Wentz. However, Bradford isn't exactly durable and struggled much of last season. His new offense could complicate matters, especially with new No. 2 quarterback Chase Daniel fully versed in the offense that's come over from Kansas City with him. Even if Bradford survives in the short term, Wentz could be ready later in the season.

Many fantasy owners owe their bragging rights to Devonta Freeman's epic 2015 season, but he struggled to run during the second half of the season and averaged only 4.0 yards per carry. 2015 draftee Tevin Coleman had injury issues in his rookie season but averaged 4.5 yards per carry when he was on the field. Coleman is expected to eat into Freeman's carries but could even make Freeman into the third-down back if he impresses enough.

Blaine Gabbert was better than expected after replacing Colin Kaepernick last season. The quarterbacks enter 2016 with a clean slate as they learn Chip Kelly's system and face an open competition. Given the limited talent around them, the winner probably won't matter much for the 49ers' success this year.

San Francisco let veteran Anquan Boldin walk as it attempts to rebuild. The competition behind No. 1 wideout Torrey Smith includes Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton and rookie Aaron Burbridge. With the limited experience and expected mediocre quarterback play, it's not a great situation.

Second-round pick Sterling Shepard has been impressing coaches, but Victor Cruz has some points given his past production. Cruz has missed most of the last two seasons due to injury, and it remains to be seen if he has the same speed that he did prior to his injuries.

Luke Joeckel has looked like a bust since being drafted second overall in 2013, and his job at left tackle in Jacksonville could be up for grabs. Kelvin Beachum is the main competitor.

Jacksonville added Chris Ivory in a surprising move this offseason, and he will battle for carries with second-year back T.J. Yeldon. Yeldon averaged 4.1 yards per carry in his rookie season.

Green Bay didn't address its No. 3 wideout job this offseason, but it has plenty of incumbent options. Davante Adams would seem like the favorite, but he needs to play far better than he has during his first two seasons. Jeff Janis and Ty Montgomery present formidable challenges.

Josh Norman's departure left Carolina in a bad spot at cornerback. The Panthers have two spots open and four likely competitors in Bene Benwikere, James Bradberry, Daryl Worley and Robert McClain.

Justin Forsett seems likely to regain his starting job if he can rebound, but he is long in the tooth at age 30. Buck Allen and Kenneth Dixon have more upside, but Allen in particular hasn't been reliable thus far.

Pierre Garcon's playing time could be at risk after Washington drafted Josh Doctson in the first round of the draft. Garcon has been reliable over the last three seasons, but his upside seems limited at age 30.

The Saints have been waiting on Brandon Coleman's play to match his tools, and this could be his last chance. Competing with be 2015 breakout receiver Willie Snead and rookie Michael Thomas.

Seattle's offensive line was a mess last season, but the team is apparently trusting offensive line coach Tom Cable to fix the issues. Garry Gilliam and Justin Britt will be moving spots on the line, and first-round pick Germain Ifedi is hoping to win the right guard job. Formerly maligned Bears tackle J'Marcus Webb is also a concern, penciled in at right tackle in Seattle.

Martavis Bryant's yearlong suspension has opened up the door for Markus Wheaton and Sammie Coates. Wheaton has the experience, while Coates showed major upside late last season.

The Texans hope they've addressed their No. 2 wide receiver spot for good after drafting Will Fuller in the first round. If he's unsuccessful, Cecil Shorts III is still around, as is second-year wide receiver Jaelen Strong. Former Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller is also a dark horse.