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Position Battles
Position battles

Jobs still in play

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

60 contested jobs tracked · 50 projected starting roles · Updated Sep 17
14matching battles · NFL · All positions

Best NFL battles

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 17
Crowded room
Steelers
Starting TE
PFPat Freiermuth
DWDarnell Washington
True toss-up

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

True toss-up
Ravens
Starting WLB
TSTrenton Simpson
TBTeddye Buchanan
True toss-up

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

High-stakes job
Broncos
Starting DE
MRMalcolm Roach
EUEyioma Uwazurike
Slight edge

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

High-stakes job
Jets
Starting LCB
ATAzareye'h Thomas
NWNahshon Wright
Slight edge

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

Browse all battles

8 of 14 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 17
4 contenders↓
Steelers
Starting TE
NFL · AFC North
PFPat FreiermuthReturning starter-level snaps52% snaps ’25 · 41 rec · 486 yds · 4 TD
True toss-up

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

Medium confidence
Darnell WashingtonReturning starter-level snaps50% snaps ’25 · 31 rec · 364 yds · 1 TDDW
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 17
3 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 Q · Sep 17
2 contenders↓
Broncos
Starting DE
NFL · AFC West
MRMalcolm RoachYear-7 veteran38% snaps ’25 · 4 sk
Slight Roach edge

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

High confidence
Eyioma UwazurikeYear-5 veteran37% snaps ’25 · 3.5 skEU
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 17
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 17
2 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 Q · Sep 17
4 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
Availability watch
McDonald listed IR · Sep 17
2 contenders↓
Falcons
Nickel CB
NFL · NFC South
ATAvieon TerrellRookieROOKIE R2 · $2.6M APY
Slight Terrell edge

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

High confidence
Billy Bowman Jr.Year-2 veteran27% snaps ’25 · 1.5 sk · 1 int · 2 pdBB
Availability watch
Bowman Jr. listed Q · Sep 17
2 contenders↓