Blake Bortles vs Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars
Being the third overall pick and the first quarterback taken, it would be assumed that Bortles would be handed the starting job, but head coach Gus Bradley made it quite clear that that would be the case. Due to the failure of Blaine Gabbert, who started as a rookie, Bradley has made it clear that he intends to sit Bortles for the year and allow Henne, the veteran, to start at quarterback for the year. That being said, if Bortles proves to be ready to start, whether that be week one or week 17, it is quite possible that he will take the starting job from Henne. Comments from OTAs and similar team activities are to be taken lightly, but Bortles seems to be adjusting quite well to the NFL.
Xavier Su’a-Filo vs Ben Jones, Houston Texans
Su’a-Filo, the 33rd overall selection, is going to have to battle out Jones for the starting position. Luckily for Su’a-Filo, the starting job is very much up for grabs. Last season, Jones only played about 20% of the Texans offensive snaps, meaning that he did not start over the course of the year. Su’a-Filo is the most talented guard to come out of the 2014 class and should be able to earn the job. While the battle itself may not be too interesting, Su’a-Filo earning a starting job on that offensive line would be a tremendous improvement to an already solid line.
Bishop Sankey vs Shonn Greene, Tennessee Titans
Though Greene has lingering knee issues, he is a legitimate running back when healthy. If Greene is healthy enough to compete, he will be a threat to Sankey’s carry total. Unfortunately, it appears that the knee issues are still holding Greene back. Sankey is pulling away with the starting job. With the Titans offensive line being as talented as it is, Sankey would be able to use his wonderful vision and agility to have an incredible rookie year.
Jack Mewhort vs Hugh Thornton, Indianapolis Colts
Mewhort faces a daunting task as a rookie: take the starting job from a player that started last year. To be fair, Thornton is not a top notch guard, but taking the starting job from a veteran that started the previous season is tough regardless. Mewhort finished his Ohio State tenure as a left tackle, but as a sophomore, Mewhort started 13 games at guard, eight of them being at right guard (where Thornton played). Mewhort was arguably the most underrated lineman of the class and his sound technique will enable him to succeed right away. In the less likely situation that Thornton retains his starting job, Mewhort still has incredible value as a good “sixth man” lineman.