Sizzling NFC training-camp position battles 

The NFL preseason schedule will begin July 31, with the regular season to follow on Sept. 4. 

Ahead of the start of games, Yardbarker NFL writers spotlight the hottest position battles in training camp for each NFC team.

NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS | Running back | The Cowboys will probably play running back by committee with Javonte Williams (513 rushing yards for Denver last season) and Miles Sanders (205 rushing yards for Carolina in 2024). However, someone must be No. 1 to take pressure off QB Dak Prescott, who was sidelined nine games last season because of a hamstring injury.

NEW YORK GIANTS | Cornerback | Deonte Banks and Cor'Dale Flott have competed for two years, with Banks floundering at times. Flott will make another run for the starting job, splitting first-team snaps with Banks in camp.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | No. 3 receiver | A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are 1-2, but past injury problems with them have the Eagles looking for a No. 3 who can be a 1 or 2 in a pinch. Jahan Dotson, obtained in a trade with Washington last year, didn't impress last season (216 yards receiving), so the 2022 first-round pick must compete against Johnny Wilson, a 2024 sixth-rounder looking to advance.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Running back | Brian Robinson (799 yards rushing in 2024) is No. 1 entering camp, but he must prove himself right away or he won't be with the team in 2026. Chris Rodriguez could get third-and-short carries, and Austin Ekeler is healthy after two 2024 concussions, so Robinson is in a show-me situation.  —Rick Snider

NFC West

ARIZONA CARDINALS | Right guard | The Cardinals must protect QB Kyler Murray and open running lanes to succeed. A key cog in doing so is right guard. Although second-year pro Isaiah Adams seems to have the inside edge to start, rookie Hayden Conner, a three-year starter at Texas, should not be overlooked. 

LOS ANGELES RAMS | Linebacker | The Rams have a strong defensive line, but their linebackers haven't proved they can excel in pass coverage. Among the current crop of players to have played a snap in the NFL, none have a Pro Football Focus coverage rating above 70, which constitutes well above average. Insert rookie Chris Paul Jr., who had a 78.1 coverage grade at Ole Miss last season, and the Rams have themselves a good old-fashioned position battle brewing.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | Nickel back | The 49ers are banking on a new set of cornerbacks to take over at nickel back: veteran Tre' Brown and third-round pick Upton Stout. That's a risky venture with potentially six new starters on defense. But as training camp continues, the 49ers must determine which player best suits new DC Robert Saleh’s defense. The team must also determine if Brown or Stout can play well enough to prevent Deommodore Lenoir from needing to vacate the outside cornerback position, thereby weakening the defense.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Tight end | The Seahawks opened the door for a tight end competition by releasing veteran Noah Fant after drafting Elijah Arroyo in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Incumbent AJ Barner may have the early upper hand, but Arroyo is expected to get every opportunity to win the job. QB Sam Darnold targets tight ends (119 in 2024 with Minnesota), so whoever wins the battle will be an integral part of the offense. —Sterling Bennett

NFC North

CHICAGO BEARS | Left tackle | Braxton Jones returns as the three-year starter at left tackle, but he’s still recovering from the season-ending ankle fracture he suffered in 2024. Second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo is an NFL-ready tackle who will battle Jones for his starting spot. 

DETROIT LIONS | Center | With Frank Ragnow announcing his retirement this offseason, Detroit’s primary focus in training camp will be testing prospective new starting centers. Veteran guard Graham Glasgow has experience playing center and would be the safest option, but don’t count out rookies Tate Ratledge and Kingsley Eguakun. 

GREEN BAY PACKERS | Offensive line | The Packers have three talented offensive linemen vying for two starting spots at left tackle and right guard. Rasheed Walker (LT) and Sean Rhyan (RG) are the favorites in camp, but 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan is a threat to steal a starting job. 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Inside linebacker | Blake Cashman is safe atop the depth chart at ILB, but the battle for the second starting spot between Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace Jr. will have defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ attention throughout camp. Behind those three, there may be only one more roster spot available among Kobe King, Max Tooley, Brian Asamoah II and Austin Keys. —Jack Dougherty

NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | Edge-rusher | After investing heavily in its edge-rush rotation by selecting Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signing veteran Leonard Floyd in free agency, Atlanta must settle on who’ll get the most snaps at the position. With 2024 third-rounder Bralen Trice, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, and 2022 second-rounder Arnold Ebiketie in the mix, the competition for playing time should be heated.

CAROLINA PANTHERS | Tight end | “They’re the life of what we’re trying to do,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said of his tight ends in July (h/t ESPN), but the team’s depth chart at the position is murky. Tommy Tremble, the unofficial TE1, was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list recently, allowing second-year pro Ja’Tavion Sanders and rookie Mitchell Evans to surpass him.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | QB | The Saints are the lone NFC team with an open QB competition, putting all eyes on 2025 second-round draft pick Tyler Shough as he attempts to beat out Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener for the starting role. If he earns it, Shough will become the first Saints rookie QB to start Week 1 since Archie Manning in 1971.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Safety | Rookie Shilo Sanders is one of five undrafted free agent safeties vying for a roster spot in the defensive backfield along with Marcus Banks, Kaevon Merriweather, JJ Roberts and Rashad Wisdom. With Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr. entrenched as starters, the Buccaneers likely won’t have room for everyone. —Eric Smithling