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Position Battles
Position battles

Jobs still in play

The most compelling open starting jobs across the NFL and college football.

61 contested jobs tracked · 55 projected starting roles · Updated Sep 12
55matching battles

Best battles across NFL and college

The most open, consequential, and active starting-job competitions.
Cincinnati BengalsBengals
NFL · AFC North · starter
Crowded room
Job at stake
Starting tight endStarting TE
DSDrew SampleReturning starter-level snaps
True toss-upHigh confidence
MGMike GesickiYear-9 veteran
Why this battle matters

The winner projects to open the season as Cincinnati’s starting tight end, a full-time role in an NFL offense.

Current read

No meaningful separation — the current chart lists Sample first, and a second published chart flips the order. 2025 snaps with this team: 595 to 321.

Chart currentOrder verified · Sep 12
True toss-up
Ravens
Starting WLB
TSTrenton Simpson
TBTeddye Buchanan
True toss-up

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

Crowded room
Memphis
Starting QB
MSMarcus Stokes
ANAir Noland
Slight edge

Both contenders hold current top-two listings in the room.

Crowded room
Michigan
Starting TE
ZMZack Marshall
HHHogan Hansen
Slight edge

Both contenders hold current top-two listings in the room.

Crowded room
Eagles
Starting OLB
JHJalyx Hunt
JGJonathan Greenard
Slight edge

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

Browse all battles

8 of 55 shown · grouped by stakes and openness
Must-watch starting jobsThe most open and consequential competitions.
8 battles
Bengals
Starting TE
NFL · AFC North
4-player room · no clear top two
1DSDrew SampleWithin range2MGMike GesickiWithin range
True toss-up

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

High confidence
All Jr., Endries also hold current listings in the room
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 12
4 contenders↓
Ravens
Starting WLB
NFL · AFC North
TSTrenton SimpsonYear-4 veteran36% snaps ’25 · 2.5 sk · 1 pd
True toss-up

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

Medium confidence
Teddye BuchananReturning starter-level snaps57% snaps ’25 · 0.5 sk · 1 pdTB
Availability watch
Buchanan listed OUT · Sep 12
2 contenders↓
Memphis
Starting QB
College · American Athletic
MSMarcus StokesPortal addition4-JR
Slight Stokes edge

Both contenders hold current top-two listings in the room.

High confidence
Air NolandPortal addition2/3 · 13 yds · 0 TD · 3-SOAN
New contenders
3 portal additions in the room · Sep 12
5 contenders↓
Michigan
Starting TE
College · Big Ten
ZMZack MarshallReturning player4% usage ’25 · 16 rec · 199 yds · 1 TD
Slight Marshall edge

Both contenders hold current top-two listings in the room.

High confidence
Hogan HansenReturning player6% usage ’25 · 6 rec · 74 ydsHH
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 12
8 contenders↓
Eagles
Starting OLB
NFL · NFC East
JHJalyx HuntReturning starter-level snaps61% snaps ’25 · 6.5 sk · 3 int · 3 pd
Slight Hunt edge

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

Medium confidence
Jonathan GreenardReturning starter-level snaps52% snaps ’25 · 3 sk · 3 pdJG
Availability watch
Greenard listed OUT · Sep 12
4 contenders↓
Cardinals
Starting RG
NFL · NFC West
IAIsaiah AdamsReturning starter-level snaps67% snaps ’25 · YR 3
Slight Adams edge

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

High confidence
Jon Gaines IIYear-4 veteran30% snaps ’25 · YR 4JG
Availability watch
Adams listed OUT · Sep 12
3 contenders↓
Chiefs
LB
NFL · AFC West
CMCooper McDonaldYear-2 veteran6% snaps ’25 · YR 2
Slight McDonald edge

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

High confidence
Jeffrey BassaYear-2 veteran4% snaps ’25 · YR 2JB
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 12
2 contenders↓
Jets
Starting LCB
NFL · AFC East
ATAzareye'h ThomasYear-2 veteran28% snaps ’25 · 7 pd
Slight Thomas edge

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

High confidence
Nahshon WrightReturning starter-level snaps96% snaps ’25 · 5 int · 11 pdNW
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 12
2 contenders↓