NFL Training Camp Battles to Keep an Eye On

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

We are almost halfway through the NFL Preseason and rosters are finally starting to take shape. Players are being cut to trim down to the mandated 53 man rosters and depth charts are being finalized for the start of the regular season. There are some teams that will need a little more time in figuring out their depth charts as position battles wage on throughout the end of training camp and into to the first week of the season. Here are some battles to keep an eye on throughout the rest of training camp.

Jets Questionable First Round

By Ryan McDonald(@RonnieMac90)

The New York Jets had two picks in the 2013 draft at 9 and 13. With two good picks to fill needs, the Jets would be on a good start to the rebuilding process. However, it seems they split the picks.

With 9, the Jets selected Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner which was a fairly good pick. Milliner was a top 5 talent but due to an injury fell to the Jets at 9. Milliner I’m sure will have a lot of pressure to replace recently traded Darrelle Revis but he won’t be able to do that. Revis is a once a generation talent, and expectations like that are just unfair. Milliner isn’t Revis, but he can still be a Pro Bowl level corner in a few years and at a reasonable price which was what the Jets were looking for not signing Revis to $16 million a year.

With 13 came all the questions. The Jets selected Missouri DT Sheldon Richardson. With this pick, the Jets have selected a defensive linemen in the first year for the past 3 years. At 291 pounds, Richardson can’t really play the Nose Tackle position, but the Jets acknowledged they drafted him for versatility meaning they have thoughts at defensive end. Rex Ryan also said the Jets would use some 4-3 fronts this season but two better DTs, Shariff Floyd and Star Lotulelei were still on the board. If you had 4-3 in mind when drafting them, why not draft one of them?

Defensive line also wasn’t as pressing need as other areas. The best safety in the draft, Kenny Vaccaro, was still available. The Jets have a desperate need at the safety position. Play making TE Tyler Eifert was also still on the board and pass rusher Jarvis Jones was as well. All three players played a position in which the Jets needed more than defensive line.

We can only hope that the Jets will address these areas in the later rounds.