Position battles at 2019 NFL training camp for every single team

Dallas Cowboys – Nickelback

Key competitors: Anthony Brown vs. Jourdan Lewis

When you look at this Cowboys roster, there are just so many really good players at the age of 25 or under. While all their contracts might be looming over this season, that triplet they have on offense to with a healthy offensive line is outstanding. Maybe even more impressive, their front-seven on defense is so fast and ferocious, plus they have two excellent outside corners, who crowd receivers off the snap and make it tough for any rhythm-based passing offense.

I think they really expect Xavier Woods to take the next step at free safety and Jeff Heath still seems like the best option to put along with him. That’s what guides me into the slot, where I look at two guys competing for that nickel position. As far as 2018 goes, this wasn’t really a battle, as Anthony Brown was on the field for 67 percent of Dallas’ defensive snaps, while Jourdan Lewis only appeared on 18 percent of their plays. However, I really like Lewis coming out of Michigan and if two inches taller, I really believe he would have been a first-round pick a couple of years ago.

That nickel spot is a very important one for Dallas because they like to bring in extra DBs and match them up with pass-catching backs or bracket the opposing number one receiver, to make the quarterback go a different way. That was really apparent in their shocking win over the Saints and also on a regular down basis, they need a guy who they can match with slot receivers. Brown certainly has a leg up in this competition, but Lewis’ foot quickness, awareness, and ball-skills could earn him more playing time in ’19.

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Denver Broncos – Sub-package interior rusher

Key competitors: DeMarcus Walker vs. Dre’Mont Jones

I’m sure everybody wants me to talk about the quarterbacks here, but I am looking at a battle of guys going after opposing signal-callers. Just in general, I think people might be overlooking these Broncos. I know I said this a year ago already, but I like them as a darkhorse.

On defense they might have lost some guys in recent years, but Bradley Chubb is a perfect complement to Von Miller as that power rusher, Josey Jewell played pretty well for them last year, Kareem Jackson had an excellent 2018 season with the Texans, and Bryce Callahan was one of the top slot corners with Chicago last year.

What I really want to look at is what Denver will do on passing downs, when they substitute guys in that can rush the passer, especially from the interior. Derek Wolfe is doing a lot of the dirty work for them, but neither he nor Adam Gotsis or any of those big guys they have on the inside really offers much in the passing game.

DeMarcus Walker actually was a second-round pick in 2017, but I have not seen his name pretty much at all since then, as he was kept off the field for most of his rookie campaign and only played 21 snaps last season due to injury. He was a true defensive end at Florida State, but at his skill-set, he fits much better inside and could be a bigger contributor as a 5-tech in Vic Fangio’s scheme.

Dre’Mont Jones, on the other hand, was a third-rounder out of Ohio State back in April, as a pure penetrator and pass rusher, but he could serve an important role and has experience coming off the edge as well.

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Detroit Lions – No. 2 cornerback

Key competitors: Teez Tabor vs. Rashaan Melvin vs. Amani Oruwariye

The entire NFC North is so competitive and all the teams could be a tough out for anybody on Sundays, but I think the Lions might be one of those sleeper squads, that is not being talked about enough. While it has taken a year for the offense to transition to a more run-oriented attack with less big throws outside the numbers, the defense is being filled with more Patriots-like personnel.

Matt Patricia brought in one of his former players in Trey Flowers, they have a bunch of big bodies up front and versatile pieces all across that unit. However, I think the entire secondary is in competition. I expect Tracy Walker to earn one of the safety spots after excellent performances in spot duties and then there are a bunch of guys, who could see the field.

Yet, to me, it’s that second corner to go with Darius Slay, that I am really interested to see come out. Teez Tabor fell to the middle of the second round in 2017 because of speed concerns and has been a liability in coverage, surrendering a perfect passer rating when targeted last season.

Rashaan Melvin, on the other hand, is coming off a rather disappointing season with the Raiders himself and is looking to prove himself once again. The guy I really like is their rookie out of Penn State, who I had graded as an early second-round pick but instead fell all the way to the fifth round for no particular reason. Oruwariye has the length, speed and instincts that could make him thrive in that Lions system.

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Green Bay Packers – Offensive guards

Key competitors: Billy Turner vs. Cole Madison vs. Elgton Jenkins

Protection is key when you have a guy like Aaron Rodgers extending plays and trying to make some magic. However, protection can also come from an offensive play-caller in Matt LaFleur taking pressure off his QB by making that “Shanahanian” zone rushing attack go and opening up easy opportunities off play-action. To make that work you need be able to rely on your offensive line.

When healthy, I don’t think the Packers need to worry about their two tackles or center Corey Linsley. And while they do seem to believe in Lane Taylor, that right guard spot is kind of up for grabs. GM Brian Gutekunst brought in Billy Turner from Denver, who was pressed into action last year but had only been a starter for one other season of his six-year career. Four years for 28 million dollars seemed pretty high for them and almost demands him to start, but I’m not completely sold.

The Packers also have Cole Madison on the roster, who was a fifth-round pick for them a year ago and had some upside, but missed all of 2018 and should be a long shot at this point. Yet, Elgton Jenkins who was grabbed out of Mississippi State was a fringe first-rounder for me. The former center is a pretty easy mover in protection and wins in the run game by torquing pads. I like him as a starter.