Predicting the winner of the NFL's 10 most intriguing training camp battles

With the 2023 regular season drawing closer, theScore is taking a look at some of the more fascinating training camp battles across the league. Whether it's a veteran trying to hold off a challenge from a rookie or new additions attempting to establish themselves ahead of roster holdovers, we attempt to settle some of this preseason's hottest competitions.

49ers quarterbacks

Brock Purdy vs. Trey Lance vs. Sam Darnold

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The Niners nearly made it to the Super Bowl last season despite losing their three top passers to injuries. With Jimmy Garoppolo no longer in the mix, head coach Kyle Shanahan must decide between a young star who has yet to taste defeat and the talent they traded most of their future assets to draft. Lance hasn't lived up to his first-round billing since being taken third overall in 2021. Injuries have been the main culprit in limiting the 23-year-old to just four starts. Purdy led San Francisco to seven consecutive wins and two postseason victories before suffering an elbow injury in the NFC title game. Darnold is also in the mix after starting the final six games for the Carolina Panthers in 2022.

Predicted winner: Brock Purdy

The final pick of the 2022 draft proved to be a steady hand during his run as a starter and seemed to win over the locker room. Purdy, who's working his way back from offseason surgery, will get the opportunity to continue where he left off. The Iowa State product has San Francisco focused on finishing the job after a demoralizing NFC title game.

Eagles running backs

D'Andre Swift vs. Rashaad Penny vs. Kenneth Gainwell

Miles Sanders posted career highs in yardage and touchdowns last season, but the Eagles' front office moved on from him this offseason. General manager Howie Roseman acquired two backs to replace Sanders' production. Swift spent the past three seasons with the Detroit Lions, while Penny is looking for a fresh start after sustaining a broken fibula in his final season with the Seattle Seahawks. Gainwell didn't have a spectacular showing during the 2022 regular season but came through during Philly's first playoff matchups.

Predicted winner: D'Andre Swift

Quarterback Jalen Hurts will be a factor in the Eagles' rushing attack, but we expect Swift to begin the 2023 campaign as RB1. Gainwell will likely have an increased workload as Penny works his way back from injury. Boston Scott should also get some touches in a reserve role.

Ravens linebackers

Patrick Queen vs. Trenton Simpson vs. Malik Harrison

The middle linebacker position has long been a staple of the Ravens' defense. Ray Lewis set the precedent, and Roquan Smith appears set to continue the trend. The Ravens initially gave Queen the first crack at owning the position, but he failed to live up to his billing as a former first-round pick. Baltimore opted not to pick up the fifth-year option on Queen's rookie deal in the offseason. Eager to bring in competition, it drafted former Clemson standout Simpson this spring. Former mid-round pick Harrison has received infrequent reps as a starter through three seasons. With Smith re-signed and locked into one of the starting roles, who's set to line up beside him?

Predicted winner: Patrick Queen

Although the Ravens didn't pick up his option, Queen should have plenty of motivation in a prove-it year. His play noticeably picked up following Smith's arrival. The LSU alum could cash in as a free agent next offseason with a full season of consistent play.

Jets pass-rushers

Carl Lawson vs. Will McDonald IV vs. Jermaine Johnson

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The Jets possess an embarrassment of riches at each level of the defense. They'll need to sort their logjam of talent on the edge of the defensive line into a rotation eventually. Lawson, who suffered a torn Achilles in training camp ahead of the 2021 season, recorded nine tackles for loss and seven sacks in his return from the injury in 2022. The veteran will have two young guns mounting a serious charge at his starting role opposite John Franklin-Myers. McDonald has quickly impressed the Jets' staff with his ability to adapt to the speed and intricacy of the pro game. Johnson, a former first-round choice, picked up 2.5 sacks in his limited time as part of the Jets' rotation. With the ideal size and length at the position, Johnson possesses the pass-rushing potential that head coach Robert Saleh covets.

Predicted winner: Carl Lawson

Although there were rumblings that the club would move on from Lawson, the veteran accepted a pay cut to stay in New York. That said, the superlatives being used for McDonald suggest that it could be a matter of time before Lawson loses reps to the 2023 first-round pick.

Bears running backs

Khalil Herbert vs. Roschon Johnson vs. D'Onta Foreman

Chicago can inject a new flavor into its rushing attack after letting David Montgomery walk in free agency. Herbert returns with his patented elusiveness and ability to break off long runs. Foreman joins the group after enjoying a renaissance with the Panthers a season ago. He provides Matt Eberflus' offense with a skill set similar to that of Montgomery but with less experience in the system. Rookie Johnson played a supporting role as Bijan Robinson's co-star at Texas. Yet the 22-year-old stepped out into his own spotlight last season. Could he be ready to share a bigger stage in the backfield alongside Justin Fields?

Predicted winner: Roschon Johnson

In a tight battle between an incumbent, veteran, and rookie, we're giving the nod to the former Texas product. Johnson can play with physicality and be a receiving threat out of the backfield.

Cowboys tight ends

Jake Ferguson vs. Luke Schoonmaker vs. Peyton Hendershot

Dalton Schultz has packed up his bags and moved elsewhere in the Lone Star State. While the addition of Brandin Cooks should provide Dak Prescott with another reliable target in the passing game, Dallas will hold a preseason audition to replace Schultz. Ferguson backed up Schultz last season, hauling in 19 catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns, while Hendershot had 103 yards and 2 scores as well. Schoonmaker made 35 catches for 418 yards and three touchdowns in his final season at Michigan.

Predicted winner: Jake Ferguson

Dallas is set to embrace the youth movement at tight end after Schultz finished second on the team with 577 receiving yards. We're tabbing his 2022 understudy Ferguson to have the slight edge ahead of a green group that lacks experience despite being loaded with potential.

Colts quarterbacks

Anthony Richardson vs. Gardner Minshew

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It's been a bumpy stretch for Colts fans, with the team starting seven different quarterbacks since Andrew Luck's retirement in 2019. The franchise finally used an early-round selection to address its long-term future at quarterback following years of cycling through veteran options. Richardson is a dual-threat passer that many fans in Indianapolis (including owner Jim Irsay) would love to see open the 2023 season as starter. Minshew is a veteran who has starting experience and could help Shane Steichen navigate his first season at the helm. So is the future now or will the club lean on patience and experience when it names a starter?

Predicted winner: Anthony Richardson

It's a new era in Indianapolis. With a brand new head coach, why not let Steichen grow alongside his young signal-caller? Richardson is already providing favorable returns during offseason workouts. Predicted to be a project during the draft process, his best avenue to fulfilling his immense potential will be from experience. We envision the rookie getting the starting nod with a strong offensive line in front of him and star tailback Jonathan Taylor sharing the backfield.

Giants wide receivers

Sterling Shepard vs. Darius Slayton vs. Wan'Dale Robinson vs. Parris Campbell vs. Jalin Hyatt vs. Jamison Crowder vs. Isaiah Hodgins

After pleas to address the quality of its depth chart at the position, the Giants must figure out the pecking order of their wideout corps. Shepard, Slayton, and Hodgins are holdovers from the previous regime. Robinson displayed glimpses of potential as a rookie last year before ending the season on injured reserve. Crowder and Campbell join the room as free-agent pickups, while rookie Hyatt has field-stretching explosion. With the Giants adding tight end Darren Waller in a trade this offseason, who else is poised to be an option for quarterback Daniel Jones?

Predicted winners: Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Parris Campbell

As tempting as it may be for the Giants to insert Hyatt into the starting rotation, the Tennessee product may be brought along slowly as a situational vertical target. Robinson could be a candidate to begin his 2023 campaign on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing surgery in December. Fans are unlikely to be thrilled by familiar names, but we trust that Brian Daboll can make do with this group.

Lions linebackers

Alex Anzalone vs. Jack Campbell vs. James Houston vs. Malcolm Rodriguez vs. Jalen Reeves-Maybin vs. Derrick Barnes vs. Julian Okwara

Expectations in Detroit are extremely high ahead of the 2023 season. If the Lions plan on contending in the NFC North, they'll need to sort out their rotation at linebacker. Anzalone returns to the Motor City after inking a new extension in the offseason. The Lions sought more toughness at the position in the draft, making former Iowa star Campbell one of their two first-round picks. "Hard Knocks" star Rodriguez should be poised for a larger role after starting 15 games in 2022. His fellow draft mate Houston displayed a knack for getting after the quarterback. Barnes has drawn rave reviews ahead of his third campaign after impressing during offseason workouts. Okwara and Reeves-Maybin are veteran options that could carve out roles.

Predicted winners: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez

Dan Campbell's club thrives on competition, so seniority won't be a factor here. We expect Campbell to usurp the incumbent Anzalone with a strong showing in camp and preseason. Rodriguez's star will continue to rise in Year 2. Barnes grabs hold of the other starting role to complete the trio of cubs set to pace the Lions ahead of a promising year.

Patriots No. 3 wide receiver

Kendrick Bourne vs. Tyquan Thornton vs. Kayshon Boutte vs. Demario Douglas

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If the Patriots want to become contenders in a difficult AFC East division once again, sorting out their receiving depth chart has to be a priority. Jakobi Meyers walked in free agency, leaving a hole in the lineup. The Pats signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to offset the loss and rewarded DeVante Parker with an extension after he joined them last year, all but guaranteeing their spots atop the depth chart. Below them, Bourne is gunning for a bounce-back season after some of his stats took a tumble in his second campaign with the club. Thornton is a speedster who could be in line to build off modest first-year numbers. Rookies Boutte and Douglas will attempt to carve out roles but face uphill battles.

Predicted winner: Tyquan Thornton

Offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien is tasked with resetting an offense that finished 26th in total yards per game (314.6) and averaged 21.4 points per contest in 2022. His top priority will be getting Mac Jones back on track. Smith-Schuster and Parker will give the third-year passer some reliable options in the passing game alongside tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki. We're giving Thornton the edge for the No. 3 receiving role ahead of Bourne, who could find himself in a battle with the rookies for snaps.

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