• An intriguing edge battle in New York: This season, it is paramount that the Jets are solid in the offensive trenches. And the same can be said on defense.
• Change in Minnesota: No training camp battle is more important than the ones at the Vikings' cornerback spots — yes…plural.
• Jack Campbell pushing for playing time in Detroit: Rookie Jack Campbell was selected 18th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, and teams don’t take a linebacker that early to just sit them on the bench — even in their first season.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
As we enter into the summer months of the NFL calendar, attention starts to turn toward training camps.
With many snaps and starter positions up for grabs, here are the position battles we’ll be watching as the season gets nearer.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Morgan Fox vs. Sebastian Joseph-Day vs. Austin Johnson
The Chargers were simply not good enough along the defensive line last year. Joey Bosa’s absence highlighted the Chargers’ lack of talent behind Bosa and Khalil Mack. Those two can’t do it on their own.
They were especially poor on the interior. No player on the team recorded a run-defense grade above 59.8, and that was Jerry Tillery, who was released halfway through the 2022 campaign.
As a whole, their 37.4 run-defense grade as a team was the fourth-worst mark in the league. Fox, Joseph-Day and Johnson were all on the team last season — the battle here is just a matter of things getting better.
EDGE DEFENDER: NEW YORK JETS
Carl Lawson vs. Jermaine Johnson vs. Will McDonald IV vs. Bryce Huff
This season, it is paramount that the Jets are solid in the offensive trenches. And the same can be said on defense.
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