The NFL preseason schedule will begin July 31, with the regular season to follow on Sept. 4.
Ahead of the start of games, Yardbarker NFL writers spotlight the hottest position battles in training camp for each AFC team.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | No. 3 receiver | Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir are penciled in as the top two receivers, but the loss of Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins, who led Bills receivers with five TD catches in 2024, leaves room at the No. 3 spot. Joshua Palmer looks to be the favorite after signing a three-year, $29M contract with the team. Still, Elijah Moore, Curtis Samuel and Laviska Shenault Jr. offer a combined 17 years’ NFL experience should the former Charger falter.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | Cornerback | Unlike years past, cornerback is wide open with the trade of Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers. Former UDFAs Storm Duck and Kader Kohou, who started nine games in 2024, will look to hold off current UDFAs BJ Adams and Ethan Bonner, as well as fifth-round pick Jason Marshall Jr.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | No. 1 running back | Rhamondre Stevenson led the team with 801 yards rushing but led all running backs with a career-high seven fumbles last season. Meanwhile, second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson had no fumbles and averaged 7.1 yards per carry (and rushed for 1,016 yards) with Ohio State last season. He could be ideal for the Patriots, who averaged the second-fewest yards (291.9) per game in 2024.
NEW YORK JETS | No. 2 receiver | A former track star with 4.36 speed, fourth-round pick Arian Smith had 48 catches for 817 yards and four touchdowns for Georgia last season, but he dropped 10 passes. If he can hold on to the ball, Smith, who has 4.36 speed in the 40-yard dash, should play. Otherwise, the team will lean on less dynamic, sure-handed veterans, including Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds, to complement No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson. —Bruce Ewing
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | No. 1 RB | J.K. Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey are expected to compete for RB1. Dobbins rushed for a career-high 905 yards in 13 games with the Chargers last season, but Harvey’s versatile skill set may better suit head coach Sean Payton’s offense. The second-rounder had 1,844 yards (1,577 rushing and 267 receiving) in 12 games at Central Florida in 2024.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Left tackle | The Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore in free agency and took Josh Simmons (pick No. 32) in the NFL Draft to provide more pass protection for QB Patrick Mahomes. Simmons likely has more upside than Moore. Ex-Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has compared the former Ohio State star to San Francisco OT Trent Williams, an 11-time Pro Bowler.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Left guard | The Chargers signed right guard Mekhi Becton in free agency, displacing Trey Pipkins III. He will battle Bradley Bozeman for the other guard spot. Bozeman struggled to protect QB Justin Herbert last season, posting a below-average 52.3 pass-blocking grade in 17 regular-season games (per Pro Football Focus).
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Cornerback | Cornerback Jakorian Bennett has no interceptions entering his third season with the Raiders, possibly allowing rookie Darien Porter to climb the depth chart. New head coach Pete Carroll is high on the Iowa State product. After taking him with pick No. 68 in the draft, the coach said the corner reminded him of former Seattle Seahawks star Richard Sherman. —Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | Kicker | The Ravens had a considerable advantage in close games with Justin Tucker at kicker for over a decade. However, after facing legal issues and struggling in 2024, he was cut, opening the door for a fresh face. Rookies Tyler Loop and John Hoyland will compete for the highly important spot.
CINCINNATI BENGALS | Defensive line | The Bengals had the NFL’s worst defense in 2024, and after making no significant improvements this offseason on that unit, they have even bigger issues entering training camp on the defensive line. With star edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson and first-round pick Shemar Stewart each holding out amid a contract dispute, the Bengals have a wide-open fight.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | QB | The Browns have four quarterbacks on their roster, but it’s unknown if any of them will be serviceable. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are vying for the starting spot, with Flacco and Pickett beginning camp atop the depth chart.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | No. 2 wide receiver | The Steelers swapped out No. 1 wide receivers by acquiring DK Metcalf from Seattle and trading George Pickens to Dallas. That might be an upgrade, but they lack a proven No. 2 wide receiver. Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson and Robert Woods figure to duel it out. —Adam Gretz
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | Wide receiver | Nico Collins is the clear-cut top option in the passing game, but there should be a lot of competition for the No. 2 WR spot with Tank Dell recovering from a knee injury. Christian Kirk, acquired in a trade this offseason, has the veteran edge. Houston also drafted former Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the second and third rounds, respectively, and both will have an opportunity to carve out a significant role.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | QB | Anthony Richardson has recovered from his latest shoulder injury to battle Daniel Jones for the starting job. Head coach Shane Steichen insists the competition is open, but reports indicate Jones already has the edge. Even if Jones wins the job, there is a good chance Richardson will have an opportunity to play. The 2023 No. 4 overall pick had better make the most of it, or his time in Indy could end soon.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Running back | Travis Etienne’s production fell off a cliff in his third NFL season, opening the door for Tank Bigsby to take over as the team’s lead back down the stretch. Etienne averaged just 3.7 yards per carry last season to Bigsby’s 4.6, but the former is the much better receiving back. Jacksonville used a fourth-round pick on former Virginia Tech speedster Bhayshul Tuten, who could push for touches in new HC Liam Coen’s offense.
TENNESSEE TITANS | Wideout | Calvin Ridley is locked in as Tennessee’s top wideout, but the depth chart is filled with uncertainty after that. Though he will turn 33 on Sept. 28 and is coming off a down season, Tyler Lockett could thrive as a downfield threat for rookie QB Cam Ward. The Titans drafted former Florida star Chimere Dike in the fourth round and are hoping for a breakout from 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks, who has struggled to remain healthy. —Steve DelVecchio
