The NFL preseason schedule will start July 31, with the common season to comply with on Sept. 4.
Forward of the beginning of video games, Yardbarker NFL writers highlight the most popular place battles in coaching camp for every NFC group.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | Working again | The Cowboys will most likely play operating again by committee with Javonte Williams (513 dashing yards for Denver final season) and Miles Sanders (205 dashing yards for Carolina in 2024). Nonetheless, somebody have to be No. 1 to take stress off QB Dak Prescott, who was sidelined 9 video games final season due to a hamstring damage.
NEW YORK GIANTS | Cornerback | Deonte Banks and Cor’Dale Flott have competed for 2 years, with Banks floundering at instances. Flott will make one other run for the beginning job, splitting first-team snaps with Banks in camp.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | No. 3 receiver | A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are 1-2, however previous damage issues with them have the Eagles searching for a No. 3 who is usually a 1 or 2 in a pinch. Jahan Dotson, obtained in a commerce with Washington final yr, did not impress final season (216 yards receiving), so the 2022 first-round choose should compete towards Johnny Wilson, a 2024 sixth-rounder trying to advance.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Working again | Brian Robinson (799 yards dashing in 2024) is No. 1 coming into camp, however he should show himself immediately or he will not be with the group in 2026. Chris Rodriguez might get third-and-short carries, and Austin Ekeler is wholesome after two 2024 concussions, so Robinson is in a show-me state of affairs. —Rick Snider
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | Proper guard | The Cardinals should shield QB Kyler Murray and open operating lanes to succeed. A key cog in doing so is correct guard. Though second-year professional Isaiah Adams appears to have the within edge to begin, rookie Hayden Conner, a three-year starter at Texas, shouldn’t be neglected.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Linebacker | The Rams have a robust line of defense, however their linebackers have not proved they will excel in move protection. Among the many present crop of gamers to have performed a snap within the NFL, none have a Pro Football Focus coverage rating above 70, which constitutes nicely above common. Insert rookie Chris Paul Jr., who had a 78.1 coverage grade at Ole Miss final season, and the Rams have themselves old school place battle brewing.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | Nickel again | The 49ers are banking on a brand new set of cornerbacks to take over at nickel again: veteran Tre’ Brown and third-round choose Upton Stout. That is a dangerous enterprise with probably six new starters on protection. However as coaching camp continues, the 49ers should decide which participant most closely fits new DC Robert Saleh’s protection. The group should additionally decide if Brown or Stout can play nicely sufficient to forestall Deommodore Lenoir from needing to vacate the skin cornerback place, thereby weakening the protection.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Tight finish | The Seahawks opened the door for a good finish competitors by releasing veteran Noah Fant after drafting Elijah Arroyo within the second spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft. Incumbent AJ Barner could have the early higher hand, however Arroyo is predicted to get each alternative to win the job. QB Sam Darnold targets tight ends (119 in 2024 with Minnesota), so whoever wins the battle can be an integral a part of the offense. —Sterling Bennett
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | Left deal with | Braxton Jones returns because the three-year starter at left deal with, however he’s nonetheless recovering from the season-ending ankle fracture he suffered in 2024. Second-round choose Ozzy Trapilo is an NFL-ready deal with who will battle Jones for his beginning spot.
DETROIT LIONS | Middle | With Frank Ragnow asserting his retirement this offseason, Detroit’s main focus in coaching camp can be testing potential new beginning facilities. Veteran guard Graham Glasgow has expertise enjoying heart and could be the most secure possibility, however don’t depend out rookies Tate Ratledge and Kingsley Eguakun.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Offensive line | The Packers have three gifted offensive linemen vying for 2 beginning spots at left deal with and proper guard. Rasheed Walker (LT) and Sean Rhyan (RG) are the favorites in camp, however 2024 first-round choose Jordan Morgan is a menace to steal a beginning job.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Inside linebacker | Blake Cashman is secure atop the depth chart at ILB, however the battle for the second beginning spot between Eric Wilson and Ivan Tempo Jr. may have defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ consideration all through camp. Behind these three, there could also be just one extra roster spot obtainable amongst Kobe King, Max Tooley, Brian Asamoah II and Austin Keys. —Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | Edge-rusher | After investing closely in its edge-rush rotation by choosing Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. throughout the first spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft and signing veteran Leonard Floyd in free company, Atlanta should choose who’ll get probably the most snaps on the place. With 2024 third-rounder Bralen Trice, who missed all of final season with a torn ACL, and 2022 second-rounder Arnold Ebiketie within the combine, the competitors for taking part in time needs to be heated.
CAROLINA PANTHERS | Tight finish | “They’re the lifetime of what we’re attempting to do,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales stated of his tight ends in July (h/t ESPN), however the group’s depth chart on the place is murky. Tommy Tremble, the unofficial TE1, was positioned on the lively/bodily unable to carry out checklist lately, permitting second-year professional Ja’Tavion Sanders and rookie Mitchell Evans to surpass him.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | QB | The Saints are the lone NFC group with an open QB competitors, placing all eyes on 2025 second-round draft choose Tyler Shough as he makes an attempt to beat out Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener for the beginning function. If he earns it, Shough will become the first Saints rookie QB to begin Week 1 since Archie Manning in 1971.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Security | Rookie Shilo Sanders is one among 5 undrafted free agent safeties vying for a roster spot within the defensive backfield together with Marcus Banks, Kaevon Merriweather, JJ Roberts and Rashad Knowledge. With Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr. entrenched as starters, the Buccaneers probably received’t have room for everybody. —Eric Smithling
