2017 NFL training camp position battles

Arizona enters another season looking for a No. 2 cornerback opposite star Patrick Peterson, and the Cardinals also have safety roles open. The team does have depth behind Peterson and hybrid Tyrann Mathieu, adding rookie Budda Baker and veteran Antoine Bethea at safety. Tyvon Branch is also in camp, and cornerbacks Brandon Williams, Harlan Miller and Justin Bethel will fight for jobs at corner.

While Terrance West looks like the primary ball carrier again, it's difficult to see the Ravens being satisfied after he averaged just 4.0 yards per carry last year. Unfortunately, Kenneth Dixon will miss the start of the season due to a PEDs suspension, and veteran Danny Woodhead really isn't a candidate to be the primary running back. Buck Allen's roster spot could be on shaky ground after sitting for most of last season, but he could also get major consideration if he shows something in camp.

Dennis Pitta's recent recurrence of his hip issue is likely career-ending, leaving the Ravens scrambling at tight end. The Ravens do have experience with veteran Ben Watson returning from a torn Achilles, Crockett Gillmore and also 2015 second-round pick Maxx Williams working his way back from a knee injury.

Finding a viable option opposite Sammy Watkins could be an issue this year after Robert Woods signed with the Rams. The Bills selected Zay Jones in the second round and also added the likes of Andre Holmes and Corey Brown.

The conventional wisdom is that No. 8 overall pick Christian McCaffrey will be the primary ball carrier, but veteran Jonathan Stewart won't go quietly. He's had more than 200 carries in consecutive seasons for the first time in his career and is coming off of a nine-touchdown season. At worst, Stewart will likely remain the short-yardage rusher.

The Bengals have a very interesting running back battle between incumbent Jeremy Hill and second-round pick Joe Mixon. The team has raved about Mixon in OTAs and really needs a boost in the running game after Hill averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in consecutive seasons.

It's probably a two-horse race between Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler in Cleveland, with second-round pick DeShone Kizer in a redshirt year. Osweiler is out to prove that last year in Houston was a fluke, while Kessler still hasn't been ruled out as the long-term answer.

Cowboys fans have reason to be concerned about a secondary that has seen substantial turnover after losing Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne, Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox. They drafted four new secondary members, including Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis, along with signing Nolan Carroll and Robert Blanton. The secondary needs to mesh quickly to keep the pressure off Dak Prescott and company.

Trevor Siemian claimed the starting job last season, though he didn't exactly run away with it. Now with a new coaching staff, Siemian and 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch have a clean slate to show who is superior in training camp.

The Broncos head into the season with a running back by committee situation that includes C.J. Anderson and former Chief Jamaal Charles. Both players suffered through knee injuries last season and are significant question marks heading into training camp.

Detroit already had some line turnover during the offseason, but left tackle Taylor Decker's shoulder injury really complicates matters. He's set to miss a significant chunk of the season, with the fallbacks being former Rams bust Greg Robinson and 2016 fifth-round pick Joe Dahl.

Ty Montgomery performed admirably in his transition from wideout to running back last season, but the Packers will challenge him with some youth. They drafted Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones and Devante Mays, who all could compete for snaps.

Houston traded up in the draft to select Deshaun Watson, who will compete with Tom Savage for the starting quarterback job. The Texans hope Watson is the solution for a position that has been a problem since Matt Schaub's decline, but he won't necessarily begin his career as the starter.

The Colts have a new front office, meaning they're no longer married to former first-round pick Phillip Dorsett. He's made very little progress through two seasons and is now set to compete with former Raven Kamar Aiken.

Allen Hurns had a breakout season in 2015, but he fell behind Marqise Lee last season due in large part to injuries. The pair will compete for snaps and attention in the Jacksonville offense this year as the second wideout next to Allen Robinson, though that's not a bad thing for the team.

It's difficult to replace a legend. Former Raider Latavius Murray and second-round pick Dalvin Cook will compete for the honor. The Vikes have been happy with Cook's performance in OTAs, but Murray proved he could handle a full workload in Oakland last year.

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels sure has some nice toys to play with at running back. Gone is leading rusher LeGarrette Blount, but the Patriots added Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead to join versatile threats James White and Dion Lewis. Gillislee looks like he's at the head of the class going into camp, but the Patriots are always unpredictable.

The Saints signed Adrian Peterson in the offseason, hoping he has something left. If he's able to rebound from last year's knee injury, he would likely unseat incumbent starter Mark Ingram. Versatile runner Alvin Kamara was also added in the draft.

The Giants' offense is trying to rebound after a down year, and the offensive line will be an important part. The team has a competition at right tackle between D.J. Fluker, Bobby Hart and Adam Bisnowaty.

Veteran Josh McCown is the front-runner to start for the Jets, while 2016 second-round pick Christian Hackenberg is trying to prove he's an NFL quarterback. While McCown is likely to start at the beginning of the year, the rebuild in New York makes it likely that Hackenberg will see the field.

Right tackle Menelik Watson went to the rival Broncos, leaving right tackle to either Austin Howard and Marshall Newhouse. The offensive line in Oakland is already much more of a concern this year than it was in 2016.

The return of Martavis Bryant brings back a big-play dimension to the Pittsburgh offense, and he will likely reclaim the No. 2 wideout job behind Antonio Brown. Then it gets interesting. The Steelers are loaded with talent, including Eli Rogers, rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster and Sammie Coates.

Veteran Doug Martin has impressed in OTAs after an incredibly disappointing 2016 season, but he will miss the start of the season due to a PEDs suspension. Without significantly addressing the running back position, the Bucs will likely have an early-season competition between Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers.

Tennessee had one of the worst secondaries in football last season. The team has gone a long way in addressing it by adding cornerback Logan Ryan and safety Jonathan Cyprien. Rookie Adoree' Jackson will compete for the other cornerback job, challenged by LeShaun Sims and Brice McCain, while the other safety spot could be a competition between Kevin Byard and Da'Norris Searcy.

Robert Kelley took the reins at running back last season after Matt Jones fell out of favor, but he didn't exactly run away with the starting job. Washington added competition in the offseason by selecting Oklahoma back Samaje Perine in the fourth round of the draft.