6) Dolphins WR: Jalen Tolbert vs. Tutu Atwell vs. Chris Bell
The Miami Dolphins have, by far, the worst receiver room in the league. If Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell are the favorites to be the top pass catchers, you’ve got problems. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle gone, new quarterback Malik Willis will have a lack of strong receivers.
Tolbert was drafted out of South Alabama by the Dallas Cowboys, playing there for four years. The receiver has never been a top receiving threat, exemplified by his 2024 season. That year, he scored seven touchdowns and had 610 receiving yards, the only time he had at least 300 yards receiving or more than two touchdowns. He will now serve as a potential top receiving option for the Dolphins.
Atwell has had a similar career, never scoring more than six touchdowns or eclipsing 700 yards receiving. He’s always been more of a speedy deep threat who can complement other bigger, better receivers. Like Tolbert, he’ll be expected to take a jump from role player to legit option in the passing game.
Someone who could enter the conversation as the season progresses is Chris Bell. Drafted in the third round in this year’s NFL Draft, the Louisville product has entered a situation that may lead to him starting sooner than anyone would expect. He had 917 yards this past college football season, often using his 4.3 40-yard dash speed alongside his 6-foot-2 frame to beat defenders.
Other possible receivers in the mix include Malik Washington, former Carolina Panthers receiver Terrace Marshall Jr., or fellow rookies Caleb Douglas or Kevin Coleman Jr.
7) Lions RT: Blake Miller vs. Larry Borom
The right tackle position has been a staple for the Detroit Lions’ offensive line for years, with All-Pro Penei Sewell holding it down. This year, he’ll be moving to the left side, opening up a competition for the starting job opposite Sewell. Rookie Blake Miller and veteran Larry Borom are the favorites to battle it out during camp.
Borom, a fifth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2021, spent four years in Chicago before being a Dolphin during the 2025 season. The Lions signed the free agent this offseason. He’s appeared in 63 games during his career, including 38 starts.
Miller was drafted 17th overall out of Clemson. His most notable attribute coming out of college is his readiness. He started all 54 possible games throughout his collegiate career at right tackle and broke the school record for most career snaps.
The reason why this position battle matters is that the Lions’ offense is built around the run game. The tackle position needs to be solidified for Detroit to find success. Head coach Dan Campbell utilizes running backs and swing passes more than most playcallers, and for that to happen again this season, one of these tackles is going to need to prove themselves during the preseason.
8) Chargers LG: Jake Slaughter vs. Trevor Penning
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has said that the left guard position will be a three-man battle featuring Trevor Penning, second-round pick Jake Slaughter, and Kayode Awosika. With the revamped offensive line including healthy tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, and newly signed Cole Strange and Tyler Biadasz starting at the other guard position and at center, respectively, left guard remains one of the few question marks on the Chargers’ roster.
Penning was a 2022 first-round selection by the New Orleans Saints, primarily as a tackle. Los Angeles traded for him last season when Alt and Slater were down with injuries. Penning played left tackle, right guard, and appeared during six-lineman packages. He has athletic tools that show up in the run game, but he has little experience at guard. He’ll be trying out for what might be his final chance as a starting offensive lineman.
Slaughter was a three-year starter for Florida at center before becoming the 63rd pick in this year’s draft. He has no experience playing guard, but will be an early favorite to take over starting duties, given the potential and talent he displayed in college. The attribute he gets praise for the most is his football IQ, and if he’s able to use that at left guard, he could become a long-time starter for the Chargers.
Awosika is 27 years old and entering his sixth season in the NFL. Throughout his career, he has started just 11 games. His whole career he has been a decent backup, and that shouldn’t change given the players above him on the depth chart.
9) Bengals EDGE: Boye Mafe vs. Shemar Stewart vs. Myles Murphy vs. Cashius Howell
The Cincinnati Bengals have long needed a better defense to balance out their incredibly talented offense. Although the defense lost its best player in Trey Hendrickson, through free agency and the draft, the Bengals are hoping a group of players will be able to improve the defense.
New defensive tackles Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen will help beef up the interior of the defensive line, but Cincinnati requires a strong pass rush. Free agent signing Boye Mafe comes from Seattle after putting up 44 pressures and 40 hurries last season, both of which would have led the Bengals. He brings a more proven option along the edge.
Cashius Howell is the most recent addition. The second-round pick out of Texas A&M was considered a steal after many experts thought he was worthy of a Day 1 pick. He’s expected to be deployed as a pass rusher-linebacker hybrid, given his speed and ability to rush the quarterback from anywhere.
Shemar Stewart is last year’s first-round pick, who was disappointing from the jump. After a long and tedious contract dispute that forced him to sit out of rookie camp, he seemed behind all season. The fellow Aggie product did deal with injuries, but managed only one sack. This season, he will be present during camp and enters the year healthy. He can only improve upon a season that should be forgotten.
Finally, Myles Murphy, who enters his third NFL season after posting a career high with 5.5 sacks, leading Cincinnati. He’ll be on the last year of his rookie contract, which is a constant motivator for players in the league. If he delivers a big season, he’ll get paid a big-money deal. Murphy is the guy who is expected to fill in for Hendrickson, given his experience and the proven ability to take down the quarterback.
All four of these edge rushers will likely be used in a rotation. The Bengals are desperate to see improvement on defense, and this group needs to step up for the team to find success. Five and a half sacks cannot lead Cincinnati in sacks again.
10) Lions CB2: Rock Ya-Sin vs. Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
After Terrion Arnold’s arrest and release, the cornerback position immediately becomes a weakness for the Lions. D.J. Reed will anchor the top corner spot, but after him remains to be seen.
Rock Ya-Sin was re-signed this offseason, originally as a depth secondary option. Now he’ll be competing for a starting job as a boundary corner. After starting six games last season for Detroit, the Lions gave him a raise on another one-year deal.
The 30-year-old has been on six teams since entering the league in 2019. He has yet to record an interception since 2020 and has never been a reliable starter. Ya-Sin now shoulders more expectations than he ever has in his career as the starting cornerback.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. will likely be Ya-Sin’s biggest competition for the starting role. A second-round pick in 2024 has had consistent injury struggles, playing in just eight career games. He’s reportedly gained muscle in the offseason in hopes of staying on the field. If he does, he’s got the ballhawking ability to push Ya-Sin down the depth chart.
