Henry Roldán
The preseason just around the corner and positional duels within teams will be the order of the day with the mission of earning a starting spot for the 2022 NFL campaign.
Of course, there are many interesting cases to highlight, but here at JefeBet, we bring you a list with the ones that are projected to be the most exciting in the circuit.
Best Positional Duels for the 2022 Season
James Washington vs. Jalen Tolbert (WR – Dallas Cowboys)
With a depleted wide receiver corps, James Washington and Jalen Tolbert will not only fight to be the Dallas Cowboys’ number three wide receiver, but probably for a more prized trophy.
Michael Gallup, the team’s number two behind CeeDee Lamb, could start the season still recovering from a torn hamstring injury, and one of the aforementioned two would fill in for him in one of the positional matchups on our list.
Washington signed this season with Dallas after four years with the Steelers, where he did not receive the opportunities he theoretically deserved. Tolbert, meanwhile, was taken in the third round of the 2022 Draft and, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic, will be the one to take the job at the end of the preseason.
Chase Edmonds vs. Raheem Mostert vs. Sony Michel (RB – Miami Dolphins)
The Dolphins were one of the teams that made the most offensive moves during the preseason, including a trio of acquisitions to strengthen their ground game.
Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, and Sony Michel, all running backs with circuit experience, enter Miami’s preseason fighting for their roles in the scheme of Mike McDaniel, who likes to run the ball a lot.
Because he has the biggest contract, Edmonds is expected to be the number one, but Mostert is a guy who can play the air pass very well off the line of scrimmage, while Michel is a two-time Super Bowl champion. That’s a quite interesting fight within a team from which much is expected.
Allen Lazard vs. Randall Cobb vs. Sammy Watkins vs. Christian Watson (WR – Green Bay Packers)
The departure of Davante Adams opened a Pandora’s box within the Packers, as during this preseason, at least four receivers will be vying for the number one spot in the offense led by Aaron Rodgers.
Let’s start with Cobb, a 31-year-old veteran who has nine seasons playing alongside Rodgers. He is followed by young Lazard, who has been third in the receiving corps the past four seasons and could make the leap in quality in 2022.
Watkins, another experienced wide receiver, did not get off to a good start in his first season with Green Bay when he was placed on the active PUP list Tuesday with a foot injury. While Watson, a rookie taken in the second round, will have to contend with Rodgers’ historical reluctance with rookies.
Geno Smith vs. Drew Lock (QB – Seattle Seahawks)
Russell Wilson’s departure opened the debate in Seattle whether it was time to bring in an experienced quarterback or give a chance to two standouts, who were met with a huge door.
In the end, the second option is the one taken by the organization for the 2022 campaign. During this preseason, both Geno Smith and Drew Lock will be engaged in a close positional duel to be the number one offensive player.
Smith didn’t do too badly last season when Wilson was injured, but his performance wasn’t enough to carry a team to the postseason either. Lock, who arrived from Denver, left his only full season with a 4-9 record and led the league in interceptions with 15.
Baker Mayfield vs. Sam Darnold (QB – Carolina Panthers)
At the last minute, Sam Darnold got some serious preseason competition from the Carolina Panthers with the acquisition of Baker Mayfield.
Throughout spring break, the organization has been on the trail of the former Browns quarterback, and just when everything pointed to negotiations cooling off, Mayfield arrived in Carolina.
Darnold was the Panthers’ most respectable quarterback last year, but still, his 4-7 record and record of 9 TDs and 13 INTs is not an enticement. For his part, Mayfield is coming off an injury-plagued season, but he already knows what it’s like to take a team to the postseason.
