NFL Rookie Battles to Watch Throughout Preseason
Every year their are a group of NFL rookies, besides the top picks, who fight for a starting role throughout the preseason and this season is no different. This is a list of a few rookie battles to watch throughout the preseason and see if any rookies surpass veterans as starters on their teams. This list DOES NOT include QB battles because those are obvious storylines throughout the NFL and I wanted to focus on other battles that could have an impact on certain NFL teams. Here are some NFL rookie battles to watch throughout the preseason:
PANTHERS #1 WR- DEVIN FUNCHESS VS TORREY SMITH VS DJ MOORE
The Panthers have been looking for a top WR for QB Cam Newton since the departure of Panther great Steve Smith and it goes without saying that they have not found that guy. Devin Funchess and Torrey Smith are currently the two veterans on the team but should in no way overshadow first round pick DJ Moore who should certainly get some looks in preseason as the potential “go-to” receiver for Newton. If Moore impresses over the next four weeks, don’t be surprised if he ends up starting week 1 as the Panthers top WR.
RAIDERS STARTING DE- TANK CARRADINE VS ARDEN KEY
Currently the Raiders are stuck in an interesting situation with the star defender Khalil Mack and it looks like it may not be resolved for a short period of time. With Mack having little contact with his team, this opens up the door for competition for the team’s starting DE spot opposite Bruce Irvin and while veteran Tank Carradine is penciled in on the deth chart as the starter,that may not last for long. Third round pick Arden Key has both the skills and potential to be a dominant pass rusher for the Raiders and if he can replicate some of what he did for LSU back in 2016 this season, Key shouldn’t have a problem beating out Carradine for a starting role on the Raiders defense.
BRONCOS #3 WR- COURTLAND SUTTON VS DAESEAN HAMILTON
Denver has a good duo at WR in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders but continued to stack the position by investing two draft picks in talented WRs in Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton. Both receivers have different skillsets and physical traits that could bring different dynamics to the Broncos offense with Thomas and Sanders already on the field. Hamilton is a smooth route runner with good hands while Sutton is the taller WR with a big catch radius and is a big target in redzone situations. Keep an eye out for these two to see if one of them impresses more than the other but either way, both Sutton and Hamilton should see sufficient playing this season.
DOLPHINS STARTING S- TJ MCDONALD VS MINKAH FITZPATRICK
Miami is one of the more intriguing teams this season with the return of QB Ryan Tannehill but another important storyline to watch this preseason will be the use of first round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick. The former Alabama defender was a star for the Crimson Tide and widely viewed as one of the top safeties entering the NFL Draft. Miami has a good S duo in Reshad Jones and TJ McDonald and while the Dolphins could use all three S, it’s sase to assume McDonald will be battling with Fitzpatick for the starting S role opposite Jones. Expected McDonald to start the season but by the end, don’t be shocked if Fitzpatrick takes over the starting job.
BUCCANEERS STARTING RB- PEYTON BARBER VS RONALD JONES
The Buccaneers at one point in time had a top 10 RB in Doug Martin but after some injuries and other incidents, the team let him go and began their search for another RB. Last year they had a few different names fill the RB role throughout the season and decided to finally fill that job in the second round with former USC RB Ronald Jones. Peyton Barber is listed as the Buccaneers starting RB but with a good preseason; expect Jones to receive a majority of the starting RB reps early and often.
CARDINALS #2 WR- BRICE BUTLER VS JJ NELSON VS CHRISTIAN KIRK
Arizona will be a team to watch in 2018 especially with Sam Bradford and first round pick Josh Rosen battling for the starting QB role but another top battle to watch will be the battle for the #2 WR role opposite Larry Fitzgerald. Veteran Brice Butler is currently listed as the #2 WR but it seems very unlikely that he will keep that job the entire season. Speedster JJ Nelson is still on the team and could be viable for the role but watch out for second round pick Christian Kirk. The former Texas A&M star WR was one of the more consistent receivers in all of college football and when Rosen eventually takes over the team as the their QB of the future, look for Kirk to be one of his main targets for 2018 and beyond.