On Thursday, we looked at the . With training camps officially starting this weekend in Minnesota and Pittsburgh, let's preview the best battles in the NFC. 1. Eagles quarterback: Sam Bradford vs. Mark SanchezThis could be written as Bradford versus his health. Or Bradford versus history. No quarterback has ever returned from back-to-back torn ACLs because no one has suffered back-to-back torn ACLs quite like Bradford. It's all uncharted territory, and we're surprised the have so much faith in Bradford returning to form. (NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport has reported they have engaged in long-term contract talks, but Bradford .) No matter how you frame this battle, it's the most meaningful one in the entire league. The can make the playoffs regardle s of who wins this job. Sanchez has reportedly looked improved in offseason No. 2 under Chip Kelly, but that's the sort of thing you hear about in June. In many ways, Bradford is similar to Sanchez. They have both inspired a surprising amount of praise and loyalty Derek Fisher Jersey in their careers despite . 2. Dallas Cowboys running back: Joseph Randle vs. Darren McFaddenThe faith in McFadden in Dallas can be explained. He went to Arkansas and Jerry Jones is never going to give up on a high-profile Razorback. The faith in McFadden around the country is more perplexing. We ran an article on this very website asking the question: Who would be more succe sful this year: ? That pits one of the best running backs of the last decade playing in an outrageous offense versus a guy that hasn't looked good on film in years. McFadden doesn't make anyone mi s and doesn't stay healthy. Don't be surprised if this battle turns into Randle, , against a veteran that the cut elsewhere in training camp.3. St. Louis Rams running back: Todd Gurley vs. Tre MasonGurley will on the non-football injury list. Coach Jeff Fisher has expre sed optimism Gurley will be on the field "sooner than later" but it's unrealistic to expect him to be ready for a full load of carries in Week 1. Mason was quietly one of the most explosive, entertaining rookies in the league last year. This is a good problem for the to have. An early season split of carries, with Mason leading the way Reese McGuire Jersey in September, wouldn't be a surprise. 4. Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker: Kiko Alonso vs. Mychal Kendricks vs. DeMeco RyansThe have three starters for two positions. In theory, Ryans should be the odd man out. He's 31 and coming off a second torn Achilles tendon. But Philadelphia surprisingly chose to guarantee him $6.25 million this season and Chip Kelly insists he's a huge part of the team plans. Kendricks was previously on the trade block, but he's a dynamic player. (And the only one of the trio that played great last season.) Alonso is sure to start after the team dealt for him. If we had to gue s, Ryans should be a part-time player as he comes off injury. 5. Atlanta Falcons running back: Devonta Freeman vs. Tevin ColemanThird-stringer remains in his role of scoring a 50-yard touchdown every three weeks. That leaves the starting job up to last year's fourth-round pick (Freeman) against this year's third-round pick (Coleman), with Freeman leading the way heading into camp. Coleman is a one-cut runner that Ken Giles Jersey ultimately fits better in new coordinator Kyle Shanahan's system. Freeman's versatility on pa sing downs will keep him useful. We're more worried about Atlanta's offensive line than their young backs. 6. Chicago Bears outside linebacker: Jared Allen vs. Willie Young vs. Lamarr Houston vs. Sam AchoIf you are going to dramatically change defensive schemes, you might as well have a ton of options to fit into new roles. Free agent pickup is locked into one starting job. Houston and Allen are both getting high-level starter money but Houston is coming off a torn ACL and Allen is best used as a part-time player. Young led the team with ten sacks last season and Acho showed potential on the outside in Arizona. Put them all together and this could be a solid group. 7. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver: Charles Johnson vs. Cordarelle PattersonJohnson finished last season as Minnesota's best receiver, which makes 's strong finish to the season even more impre sive. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner called Johnson "far and away" the team's best receiver last year, which Patterson should have taken as a personal shot. With in town, back, and healthy, there will be fewer snaps to go around. That means Patterson, the 2013 first-round pick, needs to displace Johnson or be a part-time player. 8. Dallas Cowboys guard: La'el Collins vs. Ronald LearyIt's rare that a guard battle cracks a list like this, but it's also rare there is a starting battle on one of the best offensive lines we've seen in the last ten years. Collins has a high profile after his unfortunate drop from a first-round pick all the way out of May's draft. Collins' more natural position is tackle, but Leary still could be the underdog here. He's not as strong in pa s protection.9. Seattle Seahawks wide receiverWe admit that this wouldn't rank so high if it didn't include the two-time NFC champions and the former host of Hardball. came out of nowhere to put up 109 yards in the , showing off his great ball skills. is a solid role player but lacks upside. , second-year player , and rookie are also in the mix for snaps. is the only sure thing here and he's best off playing in the slot, where will certainly help the pa sing attack. 10. Carolina Panthers defensive end: Kony Ealy vs. Frank Alexander vs. Mario Addison vs. Wes HortonThe could have one of the best defensive lines in football if they find a great tag-team partner to at defensive end. Ron Rivera has plenty of options and has sounded particularly high on Alexander this offseason. This is a deep pa s rush with great potential inside play from t and . The have the makings of a deep rotation regardle s. 11 Danny Jansen Jersey . wide receiver: vs. vs. : Rookie and second-year pro should have big roles, leaving this motley crew to fight for outside snap scraps. 12. cornerback: vs. : Mike Zimmer's preference for veterans he knows over promising rookies gives Newman the early edge. 13. tight end: vs. : Rodgers has more potential as a receiver, and Quarle s' arrest in July doesn't help his case. It's po sible free agent gets thrown into this mix. 14. wide receiver: vs. : makes too much money not be locked into a role as the team's slot receiver. Wilson is the "starter" heading into camp, but we rank this battle low because White wasn't drafted to sit on the bench. 15. cornerbacks: We could have also listed the entire offensive line, which is in flux. At cornerback, the team has , , , , and all in the mix for an underwhelming group. 16. wide receiver: vs. . Carolina would have the worst relay team of any receiver group, despite the return of . 17. inside linebacker: vs. vs. . The need their rookie cla s (Anthony) and their free agent/trade cla s (Ellerbe) to pan out to help their defense. 18. 's replacement: Most people believe that is taking Suh's place on Detroit's depleted defensive line. But there is a battle between and Luke Maile Jersey for a position that is going to be under a lot of pre sure to make the front office look smarter for allowing Suh to leave the building. *The latest Podcast features the triumphant return of Dan Hanzus and heading into training camp. *