Sizzling NFC South training-camp position battles
With training camps underway, here's a look at the top position battles to watch for teams in the NFC South.
Atlanta Falcons
LEFT GUARD | Matt Hennessy vs. Matthew Bergeron: Hennessy started three games for Atlanta last season and has the edge at the start of training camp. The Falcons didn't draft Bergeron in the second round (38th overall) to sit him for long, however. Falcons reporter Tori McElhaney reported on Wednesday that head coach Arthur Smith said he "likes" the open competition at guard, which could go either way.
Through the first three days of camp, Hennessy has taken reps with the first team while Bergeron played with the second unit. The offensive line should be a strength for Atlanta this season. Center Drew Dalman, right guard Chris Lindstrom and tackles Kaleb McGary and Jake Matthews give the Falcons an outstanding base, but that adds pressure on Smith to make the correct decision at left guard.
Carolina Panthers
WIDE RECEIVER | D.J. Chark vs. Terrace Marshall Jr.: It's an LSU-vs.-LSU battle for a significant role in Carolina's offense. Chark and Marshall are projected as deep-threat options for rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Chark's average depth of target last season was 15.9 yards, the fourth highest among the 102 most targeted receivers, per Pro Football Focus. Marshall's 17.5 yards per reception tied for second.
Chark's connection with Young has been strong early in camp, particularly on this wonderful deep ball at Thursday's practice.
Marshall's been quieter to start camp, although if last year was any indication, he can easily make noise.
New Orleans Saints
CORNERBACK | Alontae Taylor vs. Paulson Adebo: In 2022, Taylor broke out with a strong rookie season. The Saints selected Adebo in the third round (76th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft and he was solid as a rookie with three interceptions, the second most among the 2021 draft class, trailing only Broncos burgeoning star Patrick Surtain II.
Taylor, a second-round pick (49th overall), shined in nine starts last season. He deflected 11 passes and allowed a reception on 48.5 percent of his targets. Quarterbacks posted a 62.6 passer rating when throwing at Taylor, the second-worst passer rating for quarterbacks against rookie corners last season.
"Somebody's got to step up and win the job," head coach Dennis Allen told reporters after the first day of training camp. The secondary will be in great shape if one (or both) steps up again.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QUARTERBACK | Baker Mayfield vs. Kyle Trask: The only quarterback competition in the division is in Tampa, which might be picking between the lesser of two evils. Advanced metrics say Mayfield was the league's worst quarterback in 2022 and traditional stats aren't much friendlier. His passer rating (79) ranked 30th of 33 qualifying quarterbacks and his completion percentage (60 percent) was the second to last.
Trask, meanwhile, hasn't played much in two seasons (nine career pass attempts). It likely doesn't bode well for him that the Bucs immediately gravitated toward Mayfield after he signed March 15. ESPN's Jenna Laine reported on "SportsCenter" on Thursday that throughout offseason workouts, Mayfield "was the clear leader in the clubhouse."
However, Laine shared how impressed she was with Trask in the early stages of training camp.
"After watching these first two practices, I think Trask looks much improved," Laine said.
Maybe Tampa Bay, which many forecast to finish last in the division, will prove its doubters wrong. If it does, it starts with the quarterback competition bringing out the best of Mayfield and Trask.
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