AFC: Training camp reporting dates, locations, key position battles

In mid-July, most rookies will report to NFL training camps. Veterans will soon follow for almost every team. Then many players will begin battling for top-dog status on depth charts.

Below, Yardbarker NFL writers highlight training camp reporting dates, camp locations and key position battles for every AFC team.

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | Rookies report: July 16 | Veterans: July 23 (St. John Fisher University, Rochester, N.Y.) 

Key battle: Center | After releasing center Mitch Morse earlier this offseason, the Bills moved Connor McGovern from left guard to center, but the team added at the position in the draft (fifth-rounder Sedrick Van Pran-Granger). If Van Pran-Granger impresses early in camp, Buffalo might move McGovern back to guard, which would provide more continuity for an offense in need of some.

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Rookies report: July 16 | Veterans: July 23 (Baptist Health Training Complex, Miami Gardens, Fla.)

Key battle: No. 3 wide receiver | Although the Dolphins signed Odell Beckham Jr. in May, it's hard to imagine the three-time Pro Bowler has much left in the tank after catching just 35 passes for 565 yards and three TDs with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023. Miami drafted Malik Washington – the FBS leader in receptions last season – in the sixth round, so if Beckham looks like a shell of his former self in camp, the team could turn to the explosive rookie.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Rookies report: July 19 | Veterans: July 23 (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.)

Key battle: Starting quarterback | The Patriots added their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft after signing veteran Jacoby Brissett in free agency. While Brissett could ultimately be a bridge starter for New England, it appears Maye – who led the ACC in passing yards in each of the past two seasons with North Carolina – will have a legitimate shot to be the team's Week 1 starter following an impressive minicamp showing.

NEW YORK JETS | Rookies report: July 18 | Veterans: July 23 (Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, Florham Park, N.J.) 

Key battle: Safety | With the departure of Jordan Whitehead in free agency, the Jets (barring a late offseason signing) must decide between Ashtyn Davis and Chuck Clark to start at safety alongside Tony Adams. Despite grabbing three interceptions in a limited role last season, Davis played behind Clark —- who missed 2023 with an ACL tear — in minicamp, though there's still plenty of time for him to prove he should start. — Colum Dell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS | Rookies report: July 17 | Veterans: July 23 (Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit, Englewood, Colo.)

Key battle: Starting quarterback | This coming season, Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson or rookie Bo Nix will replace Russell Wilson, who was released in March. Per ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, the trio split reps with the first-team offense in OTAs and minicamp, though head coach Sean Payton hasn’t clarified if they’ll do the same in training camp.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Rookies report: July 16 | Veterans: July 20 (Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, Mo.)

Key battle: Left tackle | Wanya Morris struggled as a rookie last season, allowing 24 pressures in 14 games, per Pro Football Focus. The Chiefs drafted a potential replacement in BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia (pick No. 63), who posted a solid 86.1 PFF pass-blocking grade across 11 games in 2023.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Rookies report: July 21 | Veterans: July 23 (Jack Hammett Sports Complex, Costa Mesa, Calif.)

Key battle: Starting quarterback | The Raiders are clearly unsure whether second-year QB Aidan O’Connell is the answer after signing Gardner Minshew II to a two-year, $25M deal in free agency this offseason. The Athletic’s Tashan Reed has noted that neither pulled ahead in OTAs and minicamp and both must improve their accuracy.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Rookies report: July 16 | Veterans: July 23 (The Bolt, El Segundo, Calif.)

Key battle: No. 1 wide receiver | The Chargers dealt six-time Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears this offseason and need Joshua Palmer or rookie Ladd McConkey to emerge as their top wideout for the coming campaign. Star signal-caller Justin Herbert recently said that he’s “looking forward to getting [McConkey] the ball,” perhaps signaling the second-round pick has an edge. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS | Rookies report: July 13 | Veterans: July 20 (Under Armour Performance Center, Owings Mills, Md.)

Key battle: Right tackle | The Ravens will have three new starters on their offensive line, but no position may be more of a toss-up than right tackle. Baltimore has options in Patrick Mekari, Daniel Faalele and rookie Roger Rosengarten. Whoever the winner is, he will have the important job of blocking for two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

CINCINNATI BENGALS | Rookies report: July 20 | Veterans: July 23 (Kettering Health Practice Fields, Cincinnati)

Key battle: No. 3 wide receiver | Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will get the bulk of the targets, but the Bengals must still determine who will make up for the loss of Tyler Boyd, who amassed 513 catches for 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns the past eight years with the Bengals before signing with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Second-year wide receivers Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones as well as rookie Jermaine Burton will have a chance to make their case in camp.

CLEVELAND BROWNS | Rookies report: July 22 | Veterans: July 23 (CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, Berea, Ohio)

Key battle: Backup quarterback | Since joining the Browns in 2022, Deshaun Watson has played in just 12 games due to suspension and injuries. His middling performance (14 touchdowns, nine interceptions) hasn't impressed many. If Watson struggles or can’t stay on the field, the battle among Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson could prove to be important later in the season.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Rookies report: July 24 | Veterans: July 24 (Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa.) 

Key battle: Starting quarterback | The Steelers needed a change at quarterback after Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky threw for a combined 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season. That's exactly what they'll be getting this fall after signing Russell Wilson in free agency and trading for Justin Fields. On paper, both players should be better than what the Steelers have had, but only one can win the job. — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS | Rookies report: July 17 | Veterans: July 17 (Houston Methodist Training Center) 

Key battle: Wide receiver | Of the 13 receivers the Texans have under contract, eight of them should be on an NFL roster. It’s clear who Houston’s top three are (Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell), but Noah Brown had difference-making moments last season, John Metchie appears to have taken a step forward in his development and Robert Woods continues to be a solid veteran presence. Additionally, four other receivers in their first or second years could push for a roster spot, too.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Rookies report: July 24 | Veterans: July 24 (Grand Park Sports Campus, Westfield, Ind.)

Key battle: Cornerback | Kenny Moore III and Jaylon Jones had the most coverage snaps at the position last season, but Julius Brents, Dallis Flowers, Darrell Baker and Jaylin Simpson are serious contenders for the No. 2 CB role. Brents seems to be the leader in the clubhouse after taking the most first-team reps during minicamp, but don’t count out Flowers, who started four games in 2023 before an Achilles injury ended his season.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Rookies report: July 19 | Veterans: July 23 (Miller Electric Center, Jacksonville)

Key battle: Backup quarterback | Trevor Lawrence has been pretty healthy during his first three seasons (missing just one game), but as we saw last season, having a capable backup quarterback is a must in today’s NFL. C.J. Beathard has been largely unchallenged in that role for the past three years for Jacksonville, but 25-year-old Mac Jones, who flamed out in New England, could press him and get his career back on track.

TENNESSEE TITANS | Rookies report: July 23 Veterans: July 23 (Saint Thomas Sports Park, Nashville)

Key battle: Right tackle | The offensive line was Tennessee’s biggest liability last season, which is why the team brought in heralded offensive line coach Bill Callahan and used the seventh overall pick on Alabama’s JC Latham, who is set to start at left tackle. On the opposite side, Nicholas Petit-Frere appears to be the front-runner to start on the right side, but he was limited during minicamp due to injury, which could present an opportunity for Jaelyn Duncan, Leroy Watson or John Ojukwu to separate himself from the pack. — Michael Gallagher