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
Best NFL linebacker battles
The most open, consequential, and active starting-job competitions.
Baltimore RavensRavens
NFL · AFC North · starter
Job at stake
Starting weakside linebackerStarting WLB
Trenton SimpsonYear-4 veteranTeddye BuchananReturning starter-level snaps
True toss-upMedium confidence
Why this battle matters
The winner projects to open the season as Baltimore’s starting weakside linebacker, a full-time role in an NFL defense.
Current read
No meaningful separation — the current chart lists Simpson first, and a second published chart flips the order. 2025 snaps with this team: 407 to 651.
Availability watchBuchanan listed Q · Sep 17
High-stakes job
Chiefs
LB
Slight edge
Browse all battles
2 of 2 shown · grouped by stakes and opennessMust-watch
Ravens
Starting WLB
NFL · AFC North
True toss-up
Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.
Medium confidence
Availability watch
Buchanan listed Q · Sep 17
2 contenders↓
Must-watch
Chiefs
LB
NFL · AFC West
Slight McDonald edge
Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.
High confidence
Availability watch
McDonald listed IR · Sep 17
2 contenders↓