Over the course of the next month, eDraft will take a look at potential training camp battles both on the website and on eDraft Sports Radio. We had the pleasure to speak with Joe Goodberry of Draft Bengals and SB Nation's CincyJungle on Wednesday. The focus there was on the Cincinnati Bengals.
Today, we will take a gander at what the Denver Broncos might be facing as it relates to training camp battles. As one of the most accomplished teams in the entire National Football League, there might not be a whole lot to see here.
That being said, you can expect talented youngsters to challenge aging veterans for playing time for a team that has to be considered the favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
Running Back: Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball
Denver released Willis McGahee earlier in June and might be prepared to part ways with Knowshon Moreno, a former first-round pick. This seems to indicate that it is fully prepared to go into the 2013 season with a combination of Hillman and 2013 second-round pick Montee Ball running the ball behind Peyton Manning. This of course if Hillman and/or Ball can prove they are capable of pass protecting in front of Manning. At this point, Moreno is the best pass-blocker on the roster, which is big in front of Manning.
Ball, who comes into the NFL as one of the most productive running backs in recent college football history, will need to make adjustments before earning a starting gig for a Super Bowl contender.
Those close to the situation in Denver believe that Hillman will open the regular season as the starter before Ball takes over at some point early in the year. Either way you look at it, both will play a huge role in Denver's offense this season. It's important to remember that the Broncos did average over 30 rush attempts per game in 2012, so this isn't a minor battle.
Safety Battle: Quentin Jammer, Rahim Moore, Mike Adams and Quinton Carter
You now have four or five candidates to start at two safety positions for a secondary that seems to be in flux. Despite making a huge mistake against the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs this past January, Moore has upside and should earn one of the two starting gigs. According to Pro Football Focus, Moore ranked 13th among all safeties in pass coverage last season. That's not too shabby for a first-year full-time starter.
The other safety position is where it gets interesting. Denver added former San Diego Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer to the mix at safety, despite the fact that he has not played that position in 11 NFL seasons. John Elway and Co. did so after flirting with Charles Woodson, who signed with the division-rival Oakland Raiders.
Jammer can play both strong safety and free safety.
It appears that Jammer, despite inexeperience playing this position, could win the starting gig. Mike Adams ranked 64th overall in pass coverage last season, while Carter only played in three games after struggling as a rookie in 2011.