- Daniel Jones is the Colts' starting quarterback … for now: Jones is much more consistent than Anthony Richardson Sr. at this point with his underneath accuracy, but it’s entirely possible, if not probable, that Richardson will play at some point in 2025.
- Will we see a committee approach in New York? The Jets' running back room is brimming with talent. Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis and maybe even undrafted rookie Donovan Edwards should get reps.
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Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes
Many of the biggest stories to come out of NFL training camps and the preseason are those about players who win starting jobs. Significant roster turnover is a theme throughout the league each offseason, and new starters must emerge for teams to maintain success in the regular season.
Here, we’ll break down some of the biggest camp battles that were decided in the closing hours of the preseason.
Indianapolis Colts‘ Starting Quarterback
The hottest quarterback competition in the NFL took place in Indianapolis this preseason, and Daniel Jones wrestled the starting job away from former fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson. Richardson exited the team’s first preseason game with an injury, and though he showed flashes of his immense talent the following week, it wasn’t quite enough to win the lead job back from the more consistent Jones.
Jones finished the preseason with a 73.2 PFF passing grade, which leads Richardson’s 56.6 mark by a wide margin. Jones is much more consistent at this point with his underneath accuracy, which gives the Colts’ dynamic group of receivers a better chance to succeed after the catch. It’s entirely possible, if not probable, that Richardson will play at some point in 2025, but his standing in the organization has clearly taken a hit in recent months.
New York Jets‘ Running Back Room
The Jets haven’t declared a starting running back heading into Week 1. In fact, head coach Aaron Glenn is adamant that the team will take a committee approach to the position. Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis and maybe even undrafted rookie Donovan Edwards will get reps.
The suspense lies with Hall’s situation. He is entering the final year of his contract without the assurance of an extension and could be a trade target before or during the season. He will need to improve his performance after recording a 62.0 PFF overall grade last season.
Baltimore Ravens‘ Starting Left Guard
One of the stars of preseason action in Baltimore was left guard Andrew Vorhees. He was drafted in 2023 but missed the entire season due to a knee injury. Last season, he started the team’s first three games at left guard before being replaced by Patrick Mekari. Mekari departed for Jacksonville in free agency, and Vorhees responded by posting an elite 94.2 PFF overall grade in two preseason games. The starting left guard job belongs to Vorhees for the time being.
Cincinnati Bengals‘ Starting Left Guard
Similar to the division-rival Ravens, the Bengals are searching for answers on their interior offensive line. The right guard position is in flux after Cordell Volson suffered a season-ending injury, but the Bengals have to like what they saw from rookie Dylan Fairchild this preseason.
He posted an outstanding 87.6 PFF overall grade — the highest of any rookie offensive lineman this preseason. Fairchild solidifies one starting role for what was the lowest-graded guard unit in the NFL last season.
Seattle Seahawks‘ Starting Offensive Guards
Seahawks first-round pick Grey Zabel was expected to start somewhere along the interior when they drafted him. His position was unclear at the time, but he’s now solidified himself as Seattle’s starting left guard after earning an excellent 86.2 PFF overall grade across two preseason games.
Anthony Bradford is currently lined up to be the team’s right guard after a dominant performance with the starting unit against Kansas City. Both players look very confident executing Klint Kubiak’s outside-zone run schemes, which will be crucial to Seattle’s success this season.
Arizona Cardinals‘ Starting Cornerbacks
Injuries have felled veteran Cardinals cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting and Starling Thomas V for the season. That leaves the team with a slew of young players battling for starting roles at outside cornerback. It appears that 2024 second-rounder Max Melton and 2025 second-rounder Will Johnson will get the first cracks at those gigs.
Melton earned a 66.5 PFF coverage grade in one game of preseason action. Johnson struggled to a 43.4 PFF coverage grade this preseason but was billed as a first-round talent by many analysts as long as he stays healthy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ Starting Slot Cornerback
The Buccaneers have quietly been one of the best drafting teams over the past decade. One player who will seemingly make immediate contributions is third-round rookie Jacob Parrish. The former Kansas State Wildcat appears to have won the team’s starting slot cornerback job, which allows Tampa Bay to move last year’s starter at that position, Tykee Smith, back to safety. Parrish played some snaps inside and outside this preseason, earning an excellent 84.6 PFF overall grade while accruing three pass breakups across just seven targets.
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