Ranking NFC North Positional Battles
The NFC North is among the toughest divisions in the entire National Football League.
Following a unique offseason, each team will be looking to field a roster that can become a divisional winner.
Ahead of training camp, there will be several compelling storylines and positional battles to follow for all four teams.
Here is a ranking of the top-four positional battles to pay attention to:
4.) OT Aviante Collins vs. Rashod Hill
The battle for the backup tackle position is one that many supporters of the Minnesota Vikings are paying attention to.
Hill has maintained the edge in this battle since 2017.
Collins has been the backup, but displays the tools and skill set necessary to take the next step forward in his career.
Hill is among the longest-tenured linemen on the roster.
Hill has been able to remain healthier than Collins, and possesses the edge in experience and size.
The cap number is a factor that could factor into this battle, too.
Minnesota could end up saving $750,000 in cap space if Collins is let go, while there is no cap advantage to cutting Hill.
3.) WR Allen Lazard vs. Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is among the best receivers in the NFL.
Packers supporters will be focused on who should be the No. 2 option in two-receiver offensive sets.
Scouts and defensive coordinators are expecting to see a significant amount of progression from Valdes-Scantling.
His productivity was nonexistent at the end of the 2019 season.
Lazard was able to make a name for himself, and should compete for targets due to his size and catch radius.
If his momentum continues, he could end up being the winner of this positional battle.
2.) QB Nick Foles vs. Mitchell Trubisky
The Chicago Bears' starting quarterback situation has become intriguing all of a sudden.
Chicago invested heavily to draft Trubisky with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, he has yet to establish himself as Chicago's franchise passer.
So, the organization went out, and gave up a draft pick and made a financial commitment to Foles.
This is arguably one of the most intriguing battles in the entire league.
1.) RB Kerryon Johnson vs. D'Andre Swift
Johnson will be looking to jump-start his career in his third season in the league.
As a result of multiple knee injuries in his first two seasons, Johnson has not lived up to his potential.
The Lions would not have invested another second-round pick on a running back if the staff was content with the rushing attack.
After struggling for several seasons to establish a consistent rushing attack, Detroit will be looking to implement a running back-by-committee approach.
Swift and Johnson will be battling for snaps, and Detroit's offense should end up being the victor of this positional battle.
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