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Top 25The Wire
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
10matching battles · All · Specialists

Best specialist battles

The most open, consequential, and active starting-job competitions.
Washington CommandersCommanders
NFL · NFC East · specialist
Crowded room
Job at stake
Kick returnerKick returner
Why this battle matters

A specialist job with a single spot on the chart behind it — one name handles the duty, and the room rarely keeps two.

Current read

No meaningful separation — the current chart lists McCaffrey first, and a second published chart flips the order. 2025 snaps with this team: 174 to 348.

Chart currentOrder verified · Sep 17
Job still live
Lions
Kick returner
TKTom Kennedy
JSJacob Saylors
Slight edge

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

Job still live
Packers
Kick returner
SMSkyy Moore
BMBo Melton
Leader emerging

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

Crowded room
Clemson
Punt returner
BWBryant Wesco Jr.
TMT.J. Moore
Leader emerging

Returning usage is nearly even at 9.1% and 8.9% of team plays.

Crowded room
Notre Dame
Kick returner
AWAneyas Williams
NJNolan James Jr.
Leader emerging

Returning usage is nearly even at 6.7% and 5.6% of team plays.

Browse all battles

8 of 10 shown · grouped by stakes and openness
Leaders emergingA favourite exists, but the job remains live.
8 battles
Wide-open
Commanders
Kick returner
NFL · NFC East
LMLuke McCaffreyYear-3 veteran22% snaps ’25 · 11 rec · 203 yds · 3 TD
True toss-up

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

High confidence
Jaylin LaneYear-2 veteran19% snaps ’25 · 16 rec · 225 ydsJL
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 17
3 contenders
Lions
Kick returner
NFL · NFC North
TKTom KennedyYear-8 veteran9% snaps ’25 · 4 rec · 36 yds
Slight Kennedy edge

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

High confidence
Jacob SaylorsReturning starter-level snaps59% snaps ’25 · 2 car · 11 ydsJS
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 17
2 contenders
Packers
Kick returner
NFL · NFC North
SMSkyy MooreYear-5 veteran33% snaps ’25 · 5 rec · 87 yds
Moore leads, job still live

Two published charts disagree on the order for this job.

High confidence
Bo MeltonReturning starter-level snaps42% snaps ’25 · 4 rec · 107 yds · 1 TDBM
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 17
2 contenders
Clemson
Punt returner
College · ACC
BWBryant Wesco Jr.Returning player9% usage ’25 · 10 PR · 8.1 avg
Wesco Jr. leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 9.1% and 8.9% of team plays.

High confidence
T.J. MooreReturning player9% usage ’25 · 52 rec · 837 yds · 4 TDTM
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 17
3 contenders
Notre Dame
Kick returner
College · FBS Independents
AWAneyas WilliamsReturning player7% usage ’25 · 2 KR · 9.5 avg
Williams leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 6.7% and 5.6% of team plays.

High confidence
Nolan James Jr.Returning player6% usage ’25 · 1 KR · 19 avgNJ
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 17
4 contenders
Middle Tennessee
Kick returner
College · Conference USA
DTDJ TaylorReturning player7% usage ’25 · 8 KR · 17.4 avg
Taylor leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 6.8% and 7.8% of team plays.

High confidence
Cam'ron LacyReturning player8% usage ’25 · 38 rec · 529 yds · 3 TDCL
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 14
2 contenders
South Carolina
Kick returner
College · SEC
NHNyck HarborReturning player6% usage ’25 · 11 KR · 22 avg
Harbor leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 6.2% and 5.2% of team plays.

High confidence
Donovan MurphReturning player5% usage ’25 · 14 rec · 197 yds · 1 TDDM
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 17
4 contenders
Michigan
Kick returner
College · Big Ten
MKMicah Ka'apanaReturning player5% usage ’25 · 1 rec · 8 yds
Ka'apana leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 4.9% and 8.5% of team plays.

High confidence
Andrew MarshReturning player9% usage ’25 · 17 KR · 22.2 avgAM
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 16
2 contenders