NFL Draft season is over, and pretty much all of the big-name free agents have been signed.

We’re currently less than 100 days away from the start of the 2025-26 season, and with so many changes to the NFL landscape, there are many important position battles that every team will be focused on.

With that in mind, let’s run down the list and find out what each team’s most important positional battles will be.

Arizona Cardinals – DT1

There are three guys in the running to be the starting nose tackle for the Cards: first-round pick Walter Nolen, Calais Campbell, and Dalvin Tomlinson. I think Walter Nolen will be the defensive tackle of the future in the desert, but the Cardinals shouldn’t feel forced to make a 21-year-old be one of the anchors of the D-line. Calais Campbell is an excellent hired gun who makes an immediate impact on any team he joins. I believe that will be the case in Arizona, too.

My winner: Calais Campbell

Atlanta Falcons – NCB

There will be a three-man competition for the starting nickel cornerback spot after A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes had solid campaigns during the 2024-25 season. Kevin King will get some looks, but I think the battle for this opening will come down to last year’s starter (Dee Alford) and fourth-round draft pick Billy Bowman Jr. Normally, I would give the benefit of the doubt to the vet, but Bowman really impressed me during the draft process, so I think he will emerge as the Week One starter as the preseason progresses.

My winner: Billy Bowman Jr.

Baltimore Ravens – LG

There are a lot of interesting position battles in Baltimore that we should watch out for, like starting kicker and EDGE3, but I think the battle that could impact the team the most this season is at the left guard spot since the Ravens rely so heavily on the rushing attack. Andrew Voorhees is slated to be the starter, but he’ll have stiff competition from Ben Cleveland and third-round pick Emery Jones Jr. At the moment, though, the job is Voorhees’ to lose.

My winner: Andrew Voorhees

Buffalo Bills – WR1

This is a two-man race between Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir. The yardage numbers from last year are somewhat close, but Shakir had almost three times as many receptions as Keon Coleman did. With that in mind, the Bills selected Coleman with the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is a premium draft spot. I think there will be competition for the top receiver spot in camp, but I do believe Josh Allen’s familiarity with Shakir, coupled with his recent contract extension, will allow him to emerge as WR1.

My winner: Khalil Shakir

Carolina Panthers – EDGE2

Their best pass rusher is Derrick Brown, but releasing Jadeveon Clowney means the Panthers have a big question mark in terms of who will be the other pass rusher to take attention away from Brown. There are five players (A’Shawn Robinson, Tershawn Wharton, D.J. Wonnum, Princely Umanmielen, and Nic Scourton) who could all step up and fill the hole left behind by Clowney. I am tempted to go with one of the rookies (Umanmielen and Scourton), but I think it’ll end up being a veteran like D.J. Wonnum, who needs to make a strong impression to earn a new contract once this season ends.

My winner: D.J. Wonnum

Chicago Bears – TE1

When last season ended, I was convinced that Cole Kmet’s job was safe, but that all changed on the first night of the NFL Draft, when the Bears selected Coleston Loveland with the tenth overall pick. That choice felt like it was handpicked by new head coach Ben Johnson, who was able to do wonders with Sam LaPorta during his rookie season. Cole Kmet will likely be the Week One starter, but I think Coleston Loveland will see the field A LOT this coming season. I wouldn’t be surprised if he overtakes Kmet midway through the regular season.

My winner: Cole Kmet

Cincinnati Bengals – RG

Realistically, the Bengals are going to have competitions at both guard positions. Considering the Bengals used a third-round pick to draft Dylan Fairchild, I think he’ll be the front runner to be the left guard, which means there will be more competition at the right guard spot. Cody Ford signed a two-year extension this off-season, so he appears to be the favorite to win the job, but I think Lucas Patrick and Cordell Volson will give him a run for his money.

My winner: Cody Ford

Cleveland Browns – QB1

The Browns have five quarterbacks on their roster, and each one of them has a case to be the starter when Week One rolls around. Joe Flacco was the last decent quarterback to suit up for Cleveland. If healthy, Deshaun Watson’s contract merits him getting at least SOME playing time. Kenny Pickett is a former first-round pick who hasn’t even hit his athletic prime. There are also a pair of rookies who show a lot of potential in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. In reality, though, Flacco gives them the best shot at winning in Week One.

My winner: Joe Flacco

Dallas Cowboys – RB1

I didn’t understand letting Rico Dowdle go before the draft, and that’s still the case as we head into minicamp. They signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to one-year contracts and drafted Jaydon Blue with a fifth-round pick. Miles Sanders no longer has the potential to be a starting running back. Plus, I don’t think a guy like Jerry Jones is going to name a fifth-round pick his starting running back. Therefore, Javonte Williams will be the starter. But, I do think the ‘Boys will use all three running backs somewhat equally.

My winner: Javonte Williams

Denver Broncos – RB1

Javonte Williams is gone, so there will be a battle to see who will be the new starting running back. The favorite should be RJ Harvey, who was taken with the 60th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime are both under 25 years old and averaged over four yards per carry last season. I think RJ Harvey will be the starter, but the Broncos will implement a running back-by-committee approach.

My winner: RJ Harvey

Detroit Lions – RG

The Lions don’t have many job openings on their depth chart, but their position battle will be at the right guard spot with the departure of Kevin Zeitler. Considering he was a second-round pick and one of the better guards in this draft class, Tate Ratledge should be favored to win the job. Then again, they used a fifth-rounder on Miles Frazier and a sixth-rounder last year on Christian Mahogany. Ratledge will probably be the starting right guard when Week One rolls around, but I have a really good feeling about Frazier. I think he could surprise everybody and be a contributor somewhere along the offensive front.

My winner: Tate Ratledge

Green Bay Packers – WR1

Christian Watson could end up missing the entire regular season, which means a new player will have to emerge as Green Bay’s number-one receiving threat. Romeo Doubs has seniority in the group, but he is in the last year of his contract, so he may not be the focus of the passing attack, especially after the team just selected Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden with their first-round draft pick. Then again, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks often looked like number-one wideouts in the Packers’ offense last year. This is as wide-open a position battle as we’ll see.

My winner: Romeo Doubs

Houston Texans – WR2

Nico Collins is clearly the best wideout in Houston. Tank Dell should be the number-two receiver, but he could miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season, so the Texans need to find somebody to step up in his absence. Logic points to Christian Kirk, who will be entering his eighth year, but they brought in competition by drafting Jayden Higgins and Jyalin Noel. I LOVE Jayden Higgins and believe he will be a future star. I think the Texans will see what I see during minicamp, training camp, and the preseason.

My winner: Jayden Higgins

Indianapolis Colts – QB1

It sounds pretty crazy to think that a former number-four overall pick might not be the guaranteed starting quarterback, but that’s how bad things have gotten in Indy. Anthony Richardson finished the season 27th in QBR, 53rd in quarterback rating, and last in completion percentage (47.7%). Daniel Jones isn’t lighting the world on fire, but he was better than Richardson in all three of those key passing categories. Though they did draft Riley Leonard, I don’t think he’s a threat in this quarterback competition. Richardson will probably be the Week One starter, but he’s going to have to earn that job.

My winner: Anthony Richardson

Jacksonville Jaguars – RB1

The WR1 battle between Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter might be more interesting, but the running back competition will be more important to the success of this team. The Jags had the seventh-worst rushing attack in the NFL last year and returned the same top-two running backs from last season. Travis Etienne Jr. might have been the starter last year, but it was the worst season of his career. Etienne’s contract is up at the end of this year, and I think he is on the way out, especially with the addition of Bhayshul Tuten in the draft. I believe Etienne will be RB3 by the end of the season.

My winner: Tank Bigsby

Kansas City Chiefs – LT

This could be the most important position battle of the NFL preseason. If the Chiefs pick the right guy, they’ll be back in the Super Bowl this season. I believe KC gave Jaylon Moore a $30 million contract this off-season because they didn’t expect to land a top-flight left tackle in the NFL Draft. However, Josh Simmons landed right in their lap and will likely be their franchise left tackle. The only reason he wasn’t drafted in the top ten was because of injury.

My winner: Josh Simmons

Las Vegas Raiders – WR2

Outside of Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, no other pass catcher recorded more than 48 receptions. Tre Tucker took a big leap from year one to year two as a slot receiver, but the Raiders also used a second-rounder on TCU wideout Jack Bech. A number-two wide receiver doesn’t have to line up only on the outside. They can line up inside or outside. I think Tre Tucker will continue to progress, while Jack Bech will become a reliable target to play on the opposite side of Jakobi Meyers.

My winner: Tre Tucker

Los Angeles Chargers – WR2

The playoffs proved that Ladd McConkey is the Chargers’ number-one wide receiver. After him, though, there are many questions about who will be the number-two wide receiver in LA. Quentin Johnston is a former first-round pick who has failed to live up to the expectations associated with his draft spot. Mike Williams has a really strong shot to be the number-two wideout this year because he has played with Justin Herbert before. However, I think Tre Harris will overtake him.

My winner: Tre Harris

Los Angeles Rams – C

The quarterback question was answered a while ago, but there are still concerns about who will be snapping Matthew Stafford the ball every play. Coleman Shelton is the presumed favorite, but LA used two sixth-round picks on centers last year and signed Willie Lampkin as an undrafted free agent this off-season. At the end of the day, though, Coleman Shelton has significantly more starts than the other guys, so he’ll probably be the Rams’ center.

My winner: Coleman Shelton

Miami Dolphins – CB2

This is an incredibly important position battle because the number-two cornerback on this team could end up being the number-one cornerback if the Dolphins actually move on from Jalen Ramsey. Five players legitimately have a shot to be CB2: Storm Duck, Cam Smith, Jason Marshall Jr., Artie Burns, and Kader Kohou. Burns and Kohou are undersized nickel corners, so the number-two cornerback will be Duck, Smith, or Marshall. Storm Duck showed a lot of promise as an undrafted rookie, so I expect him to be the second cornerback next to Ramsey.

My winner: Storm Duck

Minnesota Vikings – CB2

Three of the Vikes’ best corners from last season are gone, so they need to find a new starter to play on the opposite side of Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr. Jeff Okudah is a former first-rounder, but Isaiah Rodgers made 15 starts last season. Even though he has much more experience, Mekhi Blackmon is a former third-round pick who missed the entirety of the 2024-25 season due to a torn ACL. Though he’s still recovering, I think Blackmon will be the Vikings’ number-two cornerback.

My winner: Mekhi Blackmon

New England Patriots – WR2

Despite the concerning video that came out of Stefon Diggs, he is still the best pass catcher in New England. There will be an intense battle for the number-two spot. Ja’Lynn Polk was a second-round pick last year, while Kyle Williams was taken in the third round this year. Then again, they don’t have pro experience like Kendrick Bourne, Mack Hollins, or Demario Douglas. Given his age and experience, I think Demario Douglas has the best shot to win this job but watch out for Kayshon Boutte, who was the third-best receiver on the team last season.

My winner: Demario Douglas

New Orleans Saints – QB1

Derek Carr announced his retirement on May 10th, so there is no clear-cut starter in the Big Easy. Jake Haener will likely miss OTAs and minicamp, so he’ll be at a disadvantage compared to Spencer Rattler and 2025 second-round draft pick Tyler Shough. And for safe measure, the Saints signed undrafted free agent Hunter Dekkers two days after Carr’s retirement. If you ask me, this job is Tyler Shough’s to lose.

My winner: Tyler Shough

New York Giants – QB1

We can basically disqualify Tommy DeVito from this competition, meaning this battle will be between Jameis Winston, Russell Wilson, and first-round pick Jaxson Dart. I don’t think the Giants are actually considering starting Dart the first week of the season because head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen need to win right away, so I could see them going with a proven veteran to start the season. As fun as Jameis Winston is, the safe pick is Russell Wilson, who made a Pro Bowl and reached the playoffs last year. However, I do think Jaxson Dart will be named the starter at some point during the 2025-26 regular season.

My winner: Russell Wilson

New York Jets – CB2

The departure of D.J. Reed in free agency leaves a big gaping hole on the other side of Sauce Gardner. Brandon Stephens has the experience and talent to be the second cornerback for the Jets, but I have insanely high expectations for third-round pick Azareye’h Thomas, who I projected as a first-rounder prior to the draft. I believe that Stephens starts out as the second cornerback in minicamp before being overtaken by Thomas in the preseason. Trust me. This kid is a future star.

My winner: Azareye’h Thomas

Philadelphia Eagles – FS

CB2 will also be an incredibly interesting positional battle for the defending champs, but I think they have a bigger question mark at the free safety spot. They traded away their former starter, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, which means the three people in line to be the starting free safety are second-round pick Andrew Mukuba, third-year man Tristian McCollum, or Andre Sam. Considering Sam has one career tackle, I think this battle will be between Mukuba and McCollum. Though I believe Mukuba will be the future starter, I think McCollum will be the starter in Week One since he has more experience.

My winner: Tristian McCollum

Pittsburgh Steelers – QB1

The last major quarterback battle in the NFL will be held in Pittsburgh. With Aaron Rodgers still unsigned, Skylar Thompson, Mason Rudolph, and sixth-round draft pick Will Howard are the three men vying for the Steelers’ starting quarterback job. Skylar Thompson has never really shown the potential to be a starter, so I think this competition comes down to Rudolph and Will Howard. Though I could see Howard eventually winning the job, I think Mason Rudolph has the experience necessary to be the Week One starter.

My winner: Mason Rudolph

San Francisco 49ers – CB1

Despite letting former All-Pro Charvarius Ward leave, San Fran didn’t add any strong veterans to take his place. Hell, they only took one cornerback in the whole draft, Third-rounder Upton Stout. The problem is that he’s 5’9″ and weighs 182 lbs., which is not big enough to be a team’s CB1. Based on experience and previous production, I think Deommodore Lenoir is the favorite to be the Niners’ top cornerback. Then again, Renardo Green is a second-rounder who had a strong second half of the season.

My winner: Deommodore Lenoir

Seattle Seahawks – RG

They were able to answer the questions they had at the left guard spot by drafting Grey Zabel (who I think will be a future All-Pro). They just need to figure out who will be the starting right guard, and then they’ll be all set along the offensive line. Anthony Bradford has much more starting experience than Christian Haynes, but he was a member of the old regime, unlike Haynes, who was drafted by current head coach Mike McDonald in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. I think Haynes gets the nod by the end of the preseason.

My winner: Christian Haynes

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR2

As long as he is in Tampa, Mike Evans will be the number-one wide receiver for the Buccaneers. However, there will be stiff competition for the WR2 spot. Chris Godwin should be the favorite to win the job, but he could struggle to reacclimate after suffering an ankle dislocation that prematurely ended his season. I guess that’s why they used a first-round draft pick on Emeka Egbuka. Hell, even Jalen McMillan caught an impressive eight touchdowns as a rookie! Really, though, I think this comes down to Egbuka vs. Godwin.

My winner: Chris Godwin

Tennessee Titans – EDGE2

With the departure of Harold Landry III, Tennessee has no clear edge rushing threat outside of three-time Pro Bowler Jeffery Simmons. Somebody is going to have to emerge as a threatening edge rusher to take some attention away from Simmons. They used a high-value draft pick to select Oluwafemi Oladejo in the 2025 NFL Draft. They also signed Carlos Watkins, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and Dre’Mont Jones in the off-season. I think a veteran will emerge as a complement to Simmons.

My winner: Arden Key

Washington Commanders – LT

The Commanders made a trade for five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil during the off-season. However, I don’t know if they still would’ve completed that trade if they had known they were going to end up landing left tackle Josh Conerly Jr. with the 29th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The smart decision would be to start Tunsil at left tackle and then move Conerly to right tackle, but I still think Washington will at least give Josh Conerly a chance to compete for the starting left tackle job. I believe Tunsil is the starting left tackle this year, but after that, it’s anybody’s game.

My winner: Laremy Tunsil