This was depth chart week in the NFL. Though many teams ranked players in order of seniority (and in some cases even alphabetically), coaching staffs at least gave us a small glimpse of what they're thinking. Some surprises included Ronald Curry and Drew Carter as "co-starters" in Oakland, Eddie Royal as Denver's direct backup for Brandon Marshall, and Jackie Battle ahead of Kolby Smith and Jamaal Charles at tailback in Kansas City.
For roughly the next month (the season opens on Thursday, September 4 when the Giants host the Redskins), I'll update key skill position battles around the league. Gregg Rosenthal already previewed 50. His top 20 can be found here. Camp battle previews 21-50 are here.
Now we examine 12 key competitions that have begun to take shape, but still must be tracked over the next four weeks.
Giants No. 1 Tailback
Competitors: Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Derrick Ward, and Reuben Droughns
If you've bought and read the 2008 Rotoworld Draft Guide, you already know the Giants face the toughest schedule for running backs in the league. With a committee potentially on the horizon, any one back here could struggle to maintain consistent week-to-week production. But the Giants will score touchdowns because their offense is explosive and Steve Spagnuolo's pressure-heavy defense will keep chances coming. The top three backs have shared first-team reps so far in camp and the Giants say they'll ride the "hot hand," but Jacobs is their best early-down option because at 6'4/264 with unusual speed, he is capable of pounding defenses before the shiftier, quicker Bradshaw capitalizes as a change of pace. Ward is a poor man's Jacobs with better hands, but has a role waiting if injuries strike. Droughns could be cut.
Current Leader: None
Projected Week 1 Winner:Brandon Jacobs
Bears No. 1 Tailback
Competitors: Matt Forte/Kevin Jones/Adrian Peterson/Garrett Wolfe
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Lovie Smith is an old school coach who always requires rookies to earn their jobs, but he's made an exception with Forte. Chicago listed its second-round draft choice first on the initial training camp depth chart, proving just how impressive Forte has been. Jones (knee) has yet to practice since joining the club on a contract for the minimum, leaving Peterson as Forte's primary backup and Wolfe third string. Jones may start the season on PUP, which would cost him the first six games and make him undraftable in 12-team leagues. Forte has emerged as the clear frontrunner without a viable handcuff. He should lead all rookies in carries this season.
Current Leader:Matt Forte
Projected Week 1 Winner:Matt Forte
Lions No. 1 Tailback
Competitors: Tatum Bell/Kevin Smith/Brian Calhoun
It hasn't been reported much, but Bell missed a sizable chunk of OTAs and early training camp for "personal reasons." He's present now and running with the starters, but Smith has also seen first-team action and appears to be nipping at Bell's heels. While he isn't a good bet to hold up after taking 450 carries in 14 games as a college junior, Smith is already ahead of Calhoun and figures to be heavily involved early in the year, even if Bell takes the field first. Calhoun is a third-stringer at the moment, but the best natural pass catcher of the three with the most special teams experience. He's likely headed for the passing-down role with a Smith-Calhoun committee possible by midseason, assuming either is still healthy by then.
Current Leader:Tatum Bell
Projected Week 1 Winner:Kevin Smith
Broncos No. 2 Receiver
Competitors: Keary Colbert/Darrell Jackson/Eddie Royal
Keep in mind that this could actually be the Broncos' No. 1 receiver while Brandon Marshall is suspended, although TE Tony Scheffler should be the main beneficiary of Marshall's absence. Jackson currently tops the depth chart, with Colbert behind him and Royal second at Marshall's position. If the season began today, Royal and Jackson would probably comprise the first team with Brandon Stokley in the slot. Colbert is the best run blocker of the group and could rotate in outside, but his inability to get open will likely hurt him when the final depth chart is set and playing time is decided.
Current Leader:Darrell Jackson
Projected Week 1 Winner:Darrell Jackson
Update: Royal has pulled ahead of Jackson on the depth chart and is now officially a starter. Jackson has fallen to fourth behind Marshall, Royal, and Stokley and could even be cut because he has less situational value than Colbert.
Bears No. 1 Receiver
Competitors: Devin Hester/Marty Booker/Brandon Lloyd/Earl Bennett
We'd bet on Greg Olsen finishing as Chicago's leading receiver, but the favorite here by the end of camp will be worth a flier. Mark Bradley would've been our pick had he stayed healthy, but Bradley has been limping on the practice field and running third string after May knee surgery. He's in danger of missing the cut. While the Bears put "co-starters" at each receiver position on their preliminary depth chart, Hester and Lloyd are the favorites to start in Week 1. The Bears may use a timeshare either way, but Booker runs the best routes and has the best recent production, so we'd bet on him seeing the most targets on opening day, even if it's from the slot.
Current Leader: Devin Hester/Brandon Lloyd
Projected Week 1 Winner: Marty Booker
Broncos No. 2 Tailback
Competitors: Michael Pittman/Andre Hall/Ryan Torain/Anthony Alridge
With Pittman switched to fullback, a path was cleared for Torain to grab the second spot behind Selvin Young and perhaps make a run at the starting job. But a shattered elbow will likely shelve him for the season. Pittman has returned to tailback, but Hall stands second on the depth chart and Alridge, a speedy scatback who went undrafted despite a highly productive senior season at Houston, is threatening for spot duty. Like Mike Bell last year, Pittman didn't show enough as a ball carrier for Mike Shanahan to want him there originally, so don't count on him having a big role. It's Hall's job to lose and Alridge's to win. Though Hall figures to be second when the season opens, expect in-season change behind Young. Alridge may only be 5'9/179, but possesses 4.2-4.3 speed and, as a former wide receiver, loads of experience as a route runner. His profile is not too unlike Texans third-round pick Steve Slaton's, and Alridge is faster. He's just not nearly as well known. Fact: No player in D-I executed more 40+ yard plays than Alridge between 2005 and 2007.
Current Leader: Andre Hall
Projected Week 1 Winner: Andre Hall
Bengals No. 2 Tailback
Competitors: Kenny Watson/Chris Perry/DeDe Dorsey
Watson missed much of the spring with an undisclosed injury, but he's back and virtually entrenched as Rudi Johnson's backup. After a lost season, Johnson is again experiencing hamstring woes and has an uncertain return. Perry should be healthy by now, but he's been durable enough to carry the ball just 73 times in his four-year career and probably won't stay that way. Dorsey is the most explosive runner in this backfield, but just returned from injury himself. He and Perry may be in direct competition for a roster spot. While Perry figures to hang around if he doesn't break down this preseason, he can't do what Watson did in 2007; shoulder a heavy weekly workload. Look for Watson to open the season as Rudi's complement and the Bengals' third-down back, and make several starts during the year.
Current Leader: Kenny Watson
Projected Week 1 Winner: Kenny Watson
Dolphins No. 1 Quarterback
Competitors: Josh McCown/John Beck/Chad Henne
McCown topped what coach Tony Sparano admitted was a seniority-based opening depth chart and has predictably been inconsistent in camp. While his numerous career starts are something of an advantage, McCown just isn't starting-caliber and Miami is rebuilding. If Beck had done anything to justify it in practice, he'd be the favorite to start in Week 1. But he's been the worst of all three, and with Henne gaining steam, the battle is wide open. Henne generally isn't even a great practice player, but if he keeps up his poise in preseason games, the Dolphins probably won't delay his rise. Their line is big with potential, Henne held up to a ton of hits at Michigan, and he has the biggest arm to connect with speedy wideouts Derek Hagan and Ted Ginn Jr.
Current Leader: Josh McCown
Projected Week 1 Winner: Chad Henne
Jets No. 1 Tight End
Competitors: Chris Baker/Dustin Keller/Bubba Franks
Franks is dropping balls in practice left and right and hasn't been much more than a blocker in years. Old pal Brett Favre's addition may help his chances of making the club, but Franks isn't a true threat to start. Baker was listed atop the Jets' first depth chart, though it may have been in alphabetical order, as Franks was second, Keller was third, and Jason Pociask was behind them. Despite Baker's contract dispute and Keller's impressive camp, Baker will likely be the Jets' starter because he can block and catch. At 6'2/239, Keller might be able to pick up a blitzing free safety or corner, but he won't move any linemen. Keller will play from the slot when coordinator Brian Schottenheimer runs his spread looks, but he will not be a starter as a rookie.
Current Leader: Chris Baker
Projected Week 1 Winner: Chris Baker
Chiefs No. 2 Receiver
Competitors: Devard Darling/Will Franklin/Jeff Webb/Maurice Price
Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe are really Kansas City's top two receivers, but the winner here could wind up with a solid number of deep threat targets. Webb is the most established, but the Chiefs realize his ceiling is the lowest and don't want him as more than a fourth option. Franklin and Price are vying for third receiver/slot duties at the moment, with Franklin leading. Franklin is the ideal outside complement to Bowe because he can burn, a skill that wouldn't be capitalized on as an inside receiver. Darling can run too, but he's been in the league five years and has 18 career catches. At some point, it's time to give up on a guy who couldn't beat out Randy Hymes, Travis Taylor, or Clarence Moore for years in a perennially bad Ravens offense.
Current Leader: Devard Darling
Projected Week 1 Winner: Will Franklin
Chargers No. 2 Tailback
Competitors: Jacob Hester/Darren Sproles/Marcus Thomas
With LaDainian Tomlinson nearing 30 (29 in June), this position may finally matter. It never did when Michael Turner was backing up because LT has missed one game in his seven-year career, in 2004 when Jesse Chatman was second on the depth chart. Hester holds that distinction now, but he's more of a utilityman whose game doesn't stand out in any area. The sleeper is Thomas, a power back and adept pass catcher. Sproles is likely to be third on the depth chart and play special teams, but act as a pace change if Tomlinson gets injured. Thomas still needs a monster preseason, and draft status is working against him, but he might prove the best option to carry the load if needed. LT owners should watch this battle during exhibition season.
Current Leader: Jacob Hester
Projected Week 1 Winner: Jacob Hester
