CAMP QUESTIONS, QB DEPTH CHARTS AND BUBBLE WATCH FOR ALL 32 TEAMS

Training camp opened for the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens last week. The remaining 30 teams will get going Thursday and Friday. Here's a sneak peek at the top storylines and more for all 32 teams

. AFC NORTH

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The Pittsburgh Steelers open training camp July 25 at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Here's a closer look at the Steelers' camp

TOP STORYLINE: Where's Le'Veon? Life without star back Le'Veon Bell has become an expectation after two years of rocky franchise-tag negotiations. Players have wised up to NFL business and know Bell might not be around for a while. The Steelers must adjust. Bell, who missed camp last year, averaged 3.46 yards per carry in his first three games upon return. The Steelers need contingency plans to avoid another slow start.

Life without star back Le'Veon Bell has become an expectation after two years of rocky franchise-tag negotiations. Players have wised up to NFL business and know Bell might not be around for a while. The Steelers must adjust. Bell, who missed camp last year, averaged 3.46 yards per carry in his first three games upon return. The Steelers need contingency plans to avoid another slow start. 

QB DEPTH CHART: Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Joshua Dobbs, Mason Rudolph. The Steelers have four quarterbacks and three spots. They will start Roethlisberger, develop rookie Rudolph and name either Jones or Dobbs a primary backup. Jones has experience and has grown into a capable quarterback, which a contending team should value. But if Dobbs and Rudolph have solid preseasons, perhaps Jones will have trade value.

BUBBLE WATCH: Running back Stevan Ridley. Ridley is a former 1,000-yard rusher who can create a role in the Steelers' depth chart, but the numbers game will be difficult to navigate upon Bell's return. Former third-round pick James Conner eyes a productive sophomore season, and fifth-round rookie Jaylen Samuels is an intriguing pass-catching option. That leaves two veterans, Ridley and Fitz Toussaint, working to solidify a role.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: First-round safety Terrell Edmunds will open camp behind Morgan Burnett and Sean Davis, but the Steelers might find a way to get Edmunds on the field early. His athleticism showed up in offseason workouts, and he's the kind of back-end communicator the Steelers covet. Edmunds could see the field as a dime linebacker or a third safety in Year 1.

CORNERING THE MARKET: The Steelers are experiencing their best corner depth in years. They have three solidified starters in Joe Haden, Artie Burns and Mike Hilton. They like the development of Cam Sutton, veteran Coty Sensabaugh has 33 career starts and Brian Allen is a fun 6-foot-3 project with a high ceiling. There's no reason why Pittsburgh should duplicate last season's 28th-ranked passing defense.

AGE AIN'T NOTHING ...: A franchise that once held onto aging veterans has gotten noticeably youthful in recent years. Twenty-nine players on the 90-man roster are 23 years old or younger. The Steelers have four players over 30, with Roethlisberger, 36, the only one older than 32. The youth movement is a byproduct of league trends but also the Steelers' desire to get faster, particularly on defense.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

The Baltimore Ravens open training camp on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Maryland. Here’s a closer look at the Ravens' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: All eyes will be on quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Lamar Jackson. Flacco is entering a critical season because the Ravens can trade or release him after the season, depending on how he performs. As safety Eric Weddle pointed out, Flacco has “obviously been challenged” by Baltimore's drafting Jackson in the first round. Flacco was impressive in spring workouts, aggressively pushing the ball downfield and showing more mobility by moving outside the pocket. Jackson, whom Baltimore drafted after trading up to the No. 32 overall pick, has impressed teammates and coaches with his speed and his dedication to learning the system. The Ravens have worked on special packages (lining him up at different positions) to get Jackson on the field immediately, but they are committed to developing him as a quarterback.

QB DEPTH CHART: The Ravens insist that Flacco is the team’s starting quarterback for the 11th straight season. The big question is who will serve as his primary backup. Robert Griffin III has previous starting experience, but Jackson has been getting the second-most reps in spring workouts. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he expects Jackson to be active on game days. It will be interesting to see how many quarterbacks the Ravens keep on the 53-man roster. They haven’t carried three quarterbacks in the regular season since 2009.

BUBBLE WATCH: Wide receiver Breshad Perriman. The 2015 first-round pick might not make it far this summer. Perriman is due a $649,485 bonus on the third day of Baltimore's training camp, and he has been among the bigger disappointments in team history. He didn’t produce more than 28 yards receiving in a game last season, and he has gone 15 games without a touchdown. Two high draft picks in 2016 also are fighting for roster spots after failing to crack the starting lineup: linebacker Kamalei Correa (second round) and defensive end Bronson Kaufusi (third round).

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Hayden Hurst. The first-round pick is the best pass-catching tight end on the team. There’s a reason the Ravens used the No. 25 overall pick on Hurst after not re-signing Benjamin Watson and not being able to lure Eric Ebron to Baltimore. The only experienced tight ends on the roster are those who excel in blocking (Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams) and on special teams (Vince Mayle). Hurst should make an immediate impact after standing out in the offseason with his hands, route running and quickness. How much does Baltimore’s passing game rely on this position? Only four quarterbacks since 2012 have completed more than 500 passes to tight ends: Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Tom Brady and Flacco. Third-round rookie Orlando Brown Jr. could start at right tackle for Baltimore this season.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Cincinnati Bengals open training camp on July 26 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Here’s a closer look at the Bengals' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: The Bengals didn’t exactly win over the support of their fans when they re-signed coach Marvin Lewis in January for a 16th season. The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since the 1990 season, and Lewis is 0-7, with their last playoff appearance coming in 2015. It’s an important year for the team and front office to prove they made the right decision in bringing back Lewis. In what looks like an effort to win back fans, the team recently introduced the "Jungle Pass," which will allow fans to attend eight home games for only $200. It’s definitely a tricky time for the franchise, and getting the fans back on board, and into seats, means winning early and often. That all starts with the offense, which was ranked last in the league last year. The Bengals promoted interim offensive coordinator Bill Lazor to the position full time this year, and they’ll need big seasons from quarterback Andy Dalton, wide receiver A.J. Green and tight end Tyler Eifert to turn things around.

QB DEPTH CHART: The Bengals have maintained that Dalton is their guy for the future, and that was made clear when AJ McCarron signed with the Buffalo Billsduring free agency. The Bengals signed Matt Barkley to contend for the backup spot, while seventh-round pick Logan Woodside is a practice-squad contender unless he has a fantastic camp and unseats Barkley for the No. 2 position. Don’t count out Jeff Driskel for the No. 2 spot, either, as the Bengals liked him enough to keep him on the roster as a third quarterback for the past two seasons. The Bengals ideally would like to keep only two quarterbacks this year.

BUBBLE WATCH: The Bengals already had one longtime starter on the bubble depart when they didn’t pick up Adam Jones' team option. There aren’t many other logical candidates except potentially defensive end Michael Johnson. Johnson is a valued member of the team and held in high regard by the coaching staff; however, he had a significant drop in defensive snaps last season. Johnson was moved inside as a defensive tackle on third down last season, and if he’s on the team this year, that could be his role. But snaps could be hard to come by with the likes of Carl Lawson, Jordan Willis and newly drafted Sam Hubbard around. Another name is Cedric Ogbuehi, who already lost his job when the Bengals traded for Cordy Glenn. However, it’s more likely that Ogbuehi will stay on as a backup considering $1.1 million of his base salary is guaranteed this season, the final year of his rookie contract.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: The obvious answer is center Billy Price, who was drafted in the first round with the intention of replacing Russell Bodine, who left in free agency. Price is progressing well after tearing his pectoral muscle at the NFL combine and recently said via Twitter that he was "fully cleared for football activities."

However, a sneaky starter could be safety Jessie Bates III. Although the Bengals already have starters George Iloka and Shawn Williams, don’t be surprised if Bates gets playing time early and often, even if it’s just as a third safety when the Bengals are in nickel or dime packages. The Bengals have a new defensive coordinator in Teryl Austin, and he could throw in a few surprises.

CAN EIFERT LAST THE SEASON?:Eifert’s status once again is uncertain after he sat out the Bengals’ minicamp with an unknown injury. That leaves his availability for training camp up in the air. Eifert has participated in only 10 games in the past two seasons due to back and ankle injuries. The Bengals’ offense hasn’t been the same since 2015, when Eifert played in 13 games and caught 13 touchdown passes. The team is going to need Eifert if it wants to get back to the playoffs, but at this rate, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be able to stay healthy for an entire season.

AUSTIN’S NEW DEFENSE: There’s a link between many of the defensive players taken by the Bengals in the 2018 NFL draft. They have the possibility to be ball hawks.

Bates had six interceptions and two forced fumbles during his final two seasons at Wake Forest, and fifth-round cornerback Darius Phillips had five career pick-sixes. Austin has made a point to emphasize creating turnovers during OTAs after the Bengals ranked 31st last season with only 14 takeaways.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Cleveland Browns open training camp on July 26 at the team's facility in Berea, Ohio. Here's a closer look at their camp:

TOP STORYLINE: The Browns did a lot of work to change the culture from a winless season in 2017, bringing in 17 new players via trade or free agency, hiring a new coordinator and taking a Lake Erie dive to "cleanse" the stench of winning one of 32 games since Hue Jackson was hired. Among the changes are a new quarterback, running back, receiver and two new cornerbacks. Rather than drag on a quarterback competition in training camp, Jackson named Tyrod Taylor the starter in the offseason. That has eliminated one annual question with this team; instead of wondering who will play, the offense can focus on learning and growing. Jackson and new GM John Dorsey hope the revamped roster can provide a fresh start as they try to wipe away the memory of an historically bad 2017. The Browns did a lot of work to change the culture from a winless season in 2017, bringing in 17 new players via trade or free agency, hiring a new coordinator and taking a Lake Erie dive to "cleanse" the stench of winning one of 32 games since coach Hue Jackson was hired. Among the changes are a new quarterback, running back, receiver and two new cornerbacks. Rather than drag on a quarterback competition in training camp,

QB DEPTH CHART: Taylor is solidly the starter. It's been a long time since the Browns entered a camp with clarity at this position, and it's been a long time since a quarterback gave the team the kind of professionalism and play that Taylor provided in the offseason. They are very happy with him, and his teammates clearly respect him. Baker Mayfield's spot will be determined in camp. He was given some reps with the second team in OTAs and minicamp, but the Browns will have to decide if they want their backup to be a rookie who has never played as opposed to the more experienced Drew Stanton. Mayfield would be the sexier pick, Stanton would be the safer pick. Mayfield will determine his spot with his performance during camp and preseason.

BUBBLE WATCH: Could wide receiver Corey Coleman be on the bubble? The roster numbers say no. The Browns need Coleman's talent and ability even more now that Josh Gordon has announced he will be away from the team indefinitely as part of his treatment program. Problem is Coleman has provided little but potential since his drafting, and the memory of him dropping that pass late in the season-ending loss in Pittsburgh is tough to erase. The Browns drafted Antonio Callaway and were happy with him before he was hurt. Rashard Higgins showed some ability late last season and in OTAs. Jeff Janis' special teams ability more or less ensures him a roster spot. Which leaves Coleman as a highly drafted player with question marks. "He understands this is a big, big year in his career," offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. "Year three is usually the make-or-break year of what kind (of player) you are going to be. I have made that clear to him."

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: The easy choice here is cornerback Denzel Ward, except there is no "could" about his status. Ward will start. The interesting rookie to watch will be running back Nick Chubb. Dorsey has never drafted a back as high as he drafted Chubb, and Chubb looked very good in offseason work. Yes, it was without pads, but Chubb showed an innate ability to find a hole and to make a jump-cut to find space before heading downfield. The intensity and challenge will ratchet higher in camp, but Chubb was praised by running back coach Freddie Kitchens for the "violent" way he attacks the line of scrimmage. One factor to keep in mind about Chubb that could keep him from starting: Veteran free-agent signee Carlos Hyde may have looked better in camp.

REPLACING JOE THOMAS: The Browns have a tall task ahead in replacing this future Hall of Famer. Shon Coleman gets the first chance as he moves from the right to left side, but Coleman was stiff in pass protection on the right side in 2017 and if that continues it will be exposed more on the left side. Options if Coleman isn't the guy: Free-agent rookie Desmond Harrison got a lot of minicamp reps with the twos and threes. Rookie Austin Corbett could earn the spot, but he had limited offseason time at left tackle in minicamp. Free-agent signee Chris Hubbard was designated for the right side, but got some reps at left. Greg Robinson was signed after minicamp as a flier. The former second overall pick has been a disappointment with two teams. The most extreme possibility: Move Joel Bitonio outside if someone emerges who can play left guard. This option is always there, but the Browns did not use it in minicamp.

ON THE OUTSIDE: Gordon let the optimism of spring -- optimism overflows in Browns season, which is the offseason -- get to him when he called the receiving group the NFL's best. Options three, four, five and six are too unknown to make that statement yet. But with Gordon and Landry, the Browns could have the best starting tandem they've had in years -- provided Gordon returns to the team before preseason ends. Landry's role will be expanded from what he was asked to do in Miami, and in the offseason he showed skill, savvy and excellent hands. The key: Getting Gordon on on the field and ensuring he stays there. His talent is evident, and when he returned in 2017 he showed some of the same ability. His problem was that he wasn't in football shape. Presumably, with a full offseason, he should be in good condition when 2018 starts. He just has to avoid the off-field issues that have led to him being suspended for 54 of the Browns' last 64 games. His attitude in the spring seemed more whole, but he's brought much uncertainty back in the picture with his announcement that he will not be present for the start of camp, and with the word there is no timetable for his return.

AFC EAST

BUFFALO BILLS

The Buffalo Bills open training camp on July 26 at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, New York. Here’s a closer look at the Bills' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Are the Bills good enough to make the playoffs again after snapping their 17-year postseason drought? A strong final month of the season and help from AFC friends propelled a flawed Bills team into the playoffs in 2017. Since then, the Bills have changed offensive coordinators, traded their starting quarterback, lost two starting offensive linemen to retirement and allowed two defensive starters to sign elsewhere in free agency. Will their replacements make an immediate impact, or should the Bills be considered a team in the process of a quiet rebuild?

QB DEPTH CHART: AJ McCarron/Nathan Peterman, Josh Allen. There is no clear-cut No. 1 on the depth chart. McCarron and Peterman evenly split first-team reps during the spring, with Allen receiving some limited work with that group by minicamp in June. Coach Sean McDermott said at the conclusion of minicamp that the breakdown of practice time between the three should stay the same at the start of training camp. McDermott wants some clarity at the spot by the third or fourth week of training camp in order to build continuity within the offense. It will likely come down to McCarron or Peterman, but Allen's trajectory as the No. 7 overall pick should eventually put him in position to start.

BUBBLE WATCH: DE Shaq Lawson. The Bills' first-round pick in 2016 has thus far failed to emerge in the defensive schemes of either former coach Rex Ryan or current coach Sean McDermott. Comments from both Lawson and his coaches this offseason have made it clear he is at a crossroads with the team, which has prompted Lawson to shed extra weight and take a more disciplined approach to his game. The problem for Lawson is the Bills stocked up on defensive ends this offseason, signing former Redskins pass-rusher Trent Murphy to a three-year, $22.5 million deal while also bringing aboard Terrence Fede and Owa Odighizuwa. Once Murphy fully returns from a knee injury that kept him limited in the spring, Lawson will be competing for a rotational role, if not for his 53-man roster spot entirely. It also seems possible the Bills could trade Lawson after they dealt several draft choices by the Bills' former management -- including Marcell Dareus, Sammy Watkins and Reggie Ragland-- last year.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: MLB Tremaine Edmunds. The Bills allowed middle linebacker Preston Brown to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency, leaving a hole at a spot where Brown had played almost every snap since being drafted in 2014. To the surprise of general manager Brandon Beane, Edmunds was available at No. 16 overall in the April draft, and the Bills were able to trade up to land an athletic prospect who they hope can develop into the centerpiece of their defensive front seven. Edmunds, 20, will have huge responsibilities as a rookie in receiving play calls from the sideline and aligning the defense.

MONITORING LESEAN MCCOY: The NFL said Monday that it continues to review a July 10 home invasion in which McCoy’s ex-girlfriend reportedly was robbed of jewelry and beaten in an Atlanta-area house owned by the star running back. An attorney for the victim, Delicia Cordon, told ESPN that her client suspects McCoy played a role in the attack, but neither the Fulton County (Georgia) district attorney’s office, nor McCoy’s attorney, has commented on the case. Absent a last-minute decision by the NFL to place McCoy on the commissioner’s exempt list, it should be business as usual for McCoy when training camp begins. McCoy turned 30 on July 12, making him one of seven NFL running backs who enter training camp 30 or older. His age and mileage -- McCoy has the third-most career rushing attempts of any active player -- have naturally generated discussion about when he will decline. McCoy believes he can continue to be effective because his elusive playing style has allowed him to avoid taking many big hits. He showed little signs of wear and tear when on the field this spring. The question with McCoy this season seems to be less about whether he will still be effective and more about whether Chris Ivory, also 30, will be able to take more of the load off McCoy than Mike Tolbertdid last season.

POSITION BATTLES AT WIDE RECEIVER, OFFENSIVE LINE: The tightest competition this training camp appears to be at wide receiver and offensive line under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Top receivers Kelvin Benjaminand Zay Jones have injury and production questions they must answer, and beyond that, the position is a jumble of veterans (Jeremy Kerley, Andre Holmes, Rod Streater, Kaelin Clay, Quan Bray) and unproven prospects (Brandon Reilly, Austin Proehl, Ray-Ray McCloud, Malachi Dupre, Robert Foster and Cam Phillips) with little indication so far as to potential roles. The offensive line could also feature battles for starting jobs at every position except left tackle -- where 2017 second-round pick Dion Dawkins should be secure -- after the retirements of Eric Wood and Richie Incognito this offseason.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Miami Dolphins open training camp on July 25 at their training facility in Davie, Florida. Here’s a closer look at the Dolphins’ camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Will the Dolphins’ attempt at a culture change work? Coach Adam Gase was frustrated with his team’s performance in a 24-16 road loss to the Buffalo Bills last December. It erased gains toward the playoffs Miami had made after beating the New England Patriots six days earlier. That, along with some salary-cap factors, led to some high-profile departures this offseason. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry was traded to the Cleveland Browns, and both defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and center Mike Pouncey were released. Miami’s hope seems to be addition by subtraction, setting the stage for new voices to take over in the locker room.

Will the Dolphins’ attempt at a culture change work? Salary-cap factors led to some high-profile departures this offseason. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry was traded to the Cleveland Browns, and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and center Mike Pouncey were released. Miami’s hope seems to be addition by subtraction, setting the stage for new voices to take over in the locker room. 

QB DEPTH CHART: Ryan Tannehill, David Fales, Brock Osweiler, Bryce Petty. With Tannehill returning from his season-ending knee injury and looking to return to the form he showed in 2016, when he set a career high in passer rating, there is little intrigue about the starting job in Miami. The question is at backup quarterback, where according to the Palm Beach Post. Fales led the second-team offense in the spring and seems to have a leg up on the two newcomers, Osweiler and Petty, this summer.

BUBBLE WATCH: WR Leonte Carroo. The Dolphins' third-round pick in 2016 was limited to seven catches for 69 yards last season despite playing in 14 games. He has a chance to earn a role in a jumbled Dolphins wide receiver group without Landry. But Carroo must also contend with free-agent acquisitions Danny Amendola and Albert Wilson. With DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills also in line for playing time and 2017 seventh-round pick Isaiah Ford catching eyes this spring after missing last season with an injury, Carroo must make an impression this August.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: DB Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Boston Globe reported in May that owner Stephen Ross was not initially on board with the team’s selection of Fitzpatrick at No. 11, but now that Fitzpatrick is in the fold, he has the talent and background from Alabama to contribute immediately in the NFL. He might not start immediately over Reshad Jones or T.J. McDonald at safety, but the Dolphins are likely to find him a role as a third safety or simply as a fifth defensive back. In the modern NFL, defenses are in sub packages the majority of the game, and that is essentially a starting job. Fitzpatrick led the team in interceptions this spring, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

WHAT ABOUT THE 2017 DRAFT CLASS? The Dolphins had relatively little production from the top of their draft class last season. Defensive end Charles Harris, their first-round pick, started two games, played 47 percent of the defensive snaps and finished with two sacks. Linebacker Raekwon McMillansuffered a torn ACL and missed the entire season. There looks to be a clear path for McMillan to contribute this season after the release of Lawrence Timmons, who played in three-quarters of the defensive snaps in 2017. Harris will have to compete for playing time after Miami acquired defensive end Robert Quinn from the Rams in a trade this offseason. Eyes should be as much on Harris and McMillan this training camp as they are on the 2018 draft class.

FRANK GORE RETURNS TO MIAMI: Fans in South Florida will have their first chance to watch Gore practice for his hometown team this summer as he returns to the region more than 13 years after his final game at the University of Miami. Gore, 35, is the NFL’s oldest running back and ranks fifth all time in both rushing attempts (3,226) and rushing yards (14,026). If Gore starts three or more games this season, he will pass Walter Payton (184 starts) for the second-most all time among running backs behind Emmitt Smith (219). There is little question about whether Gore will one day be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but there is a question about his role in a backfield that also includes Kenyan Drake and 2018 fourth-round pick Kalen Ballage. How carries are distributed between the three backs to start the season could be decided in training camp.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The New England Patriots open training camp on July 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Here’s a closer look at the Patriots’ camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Harmony and continuity. Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are back together again after an offseason in which Brady and Gronkowski took a different approach by not taking part in voluntary workouts. Gronkowski had said immediately after the Super Bowl that he was weighing his future. Going back to last season, some had questioned how much longer the pillars in the organization would be together, but here they are again. In that sense, it's as if nothing has changed.

QB DEPTH CHART: Brady, Brian Hoyer, Danny Etling. The Patriots usually enter camp with just three, but they had Christian Hackenberg in for a workout in June as part of keeping emergency lists fresh. Can Etling, a seventh-round pick from LSU, possibly make a run at the No. 2 job the way Hoyer did in 2009 when beating out Kevin O’Connell? If not, the likelihood is that the Patriots would keep three quarterbacks.

BUBBLE WATCH: Running back Mike Gillislee entered last year’s training camp No. 1 on the running back depth chart, getting the first carries on the goal line, but he ultimately lost the job to Dion Lewis in Week 6 of the season and never got it back. Now, he might be fighting to simply stay on the roster after the Patriots signed Rex Burkhead to a three-year deal as a free agent, drafted Sony Michel in the first round, and also bring back James White. Also, incumbent punter Ryan Allen could be facing a challenge for his job from Corey Bojorquez.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: First-round pick Isaiah Wynn (No. 23 overall, Georgia) lined up at left tackle and left guard in spring practices and is part of the mix to replace departed Nate Solder as Brady’s blindside protector. His college teammate Michel should see plenty of action, as well, at running back alongside Burkhead, White and possibly Gillislee, Jeremy Hill, Brandon Boldenor Ralph Webb, while cornerback Duke Dawson (second round, Florida) should compete for playing time, most likely in the nickel package.

WHO EMERGES AT RECEIVER? With Julian Edelman facing a four-game suspension to open the season and Brandin Cooks traded to the Rams, the Patriots have a wide-open competition at receiver that includes Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Jordan Matthews, Kenny Britt, Cordarrelle Patterson, Malcolm Mitchell, Riley McCarron, Devin Lucien and 2018 sixth-round pick Braxton Berrios. Perhaps there is an addition before the start of camp to add to that mix, but outside of Edelman, the player with the most experience working with Brady is Hogan (his third season in New England). Brady often talks about the importance of building trust with his receivers, and that process is a bit further behind than in past years after Brady wasn't around for voluntary workouts in the spring.

FILLING MALCOLM BUTLER'S VOID: Outside of Super Bowl LII, when his benching was a top storyline, Butler had been a constant presence at cornerback for the Patriots from 2015 to 2017 by playing 98.8, 96.7 and 97.8 percent of the regular-season defensive snaps. With Butler now in Tennessee, the Patriots have a handful of candidates to step into his role, led by veterans Eric Rowe(fourth year) and Jason McCourty (10th year), and with some intriguing younger players such as Ryan Lewis (first year, University of Pittsburgh), Duke Dawson (2018 second-round pick, University of Florida), Keion Crossen (2018 seventh-round pick, Western Carolina) and J.C. Jackson (2018 undrafted free agent, Maryland). Stephon Gilmore is locked into one cornerback spot, but who plays opposite him will be one of the top storylines to monitor in training camp.

NEW YORK JETS

The New York Jets open training camp on July 26 at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey. Here's a closer look at the Jets' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Sam Darnold's development will be an every-day story in the quarterback-obsessed New York market -- and with good reason. After years -- no, decades -- in quarterback purgatory, the Jets finally have a legitimate blue-chip prospect at the most important position. Darnold, drafted third overall, has all the tools to be a terrific player. The coaches are particularly excited about his ability to improvise. They also like the way he's wired -- a demeanor that can be described as "SoCal chill." Perspective is important, though. Let's not forget Darnold, a mere pup at 21, had only three full seasons of quarterback experience in high school and college. There will be growing pains, but the Jets -- after two straight 5-11 seasons -- can't afford too many. This regime needs to show progress.

QB DEPTH CHART: It'll be Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater and Darnold, in that order, at the start of training camp, but it won't be a traditional depth chart. Bridgewater and Darnold will get a chance to win the starting job, as coach Todd Bowles attempts to stage a three-way competition while prepping his eventual starter for the regular season. Good luck. He tried it last year and it didn't work. McCown, who barely played in the preseason, wasn't comfortable until Week 3 and the team started 0-2. Look for Darnold to get the most preseason reps, followed by Bridgewater (trade bait?) and McCown. The feeling inside the organization is that Darnold has a legitimate chance to win the job. If his pre-season performance is on the same level as those of Bridgewater and McCown, it'll be hard to keep the rookie out of the lineup.

BUBBLE WATCH: With plenty of cap room, the Jets are under no pressure to dump high-salaried veterans. Those on the bubble include former draft picks who have disappointed, namely linebackers Lorenzo Mauldin and Dylan Donahue. Marginal veteran imports such as cornerback Rashard Robinson, running back Thomas Rawls and wide receiver Andre Roberts will be hard-pressed to make the roster.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Defensive end Nathan Shepherd, drafted in the third round, will get a chance to fill Muhammad Wilkerson's old spot on the line. In the spring, Shepherd split first-team reps with former Indianapolis Colts starter Henry Anderson. Shepherd has the physical ability to succeed on this level, but he's not in Kansas anymore. We mean that literally. He played at Division II Fort Hays State, and it's a long way from the small central Kansas school to the NFL.

DEFENSE NEEDS AN IDENTITY: Who are these guys? There's enough talent to be more than competitive, especially in the secondary, but the defense lacks a calling card. Here's a suggestion: Start making plays; that'll be the quickest way to build a reputation. The defense hasn't scored a touchdown since 2013, easily the longest drought in the league. It's time for defensive end Leonard Williams, linebacker Darron Lee and safety Jamal Adams -- former first-round picks -- to become disruptive players. Lee will call the defensive signals for the first time, a huge responsibility. The addition of $73 million cornerback Trumaine Johnson should help.

BATES MOTEL: New offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates has one of the toughest jobs in the NFL. He inherits a unit that ranked 24th in scoring, doesn't have a clear-cut starter at quarterback and doesn't have a single Pro Bowl player, past or present. Bates is the third coordinator in four years under Bowles, who has run out of mulligans. If Bates fails to develop Darnold and can't get this unit moving in the right direction ... well, they'll all be looking for jobs next year.

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON TEXANS

The Houston Texans open training camp on July 26 at The Greenbrier in West Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Here's a closer look at the Texans' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Can Deshaun Watson replicate his rookie season? All eyes will be on the second-year quarterback, who is returning from a torn right ACL and is coming off seven games (six starts) in which he threw for 1,699 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Coach Bill O'Brien said he's tweaking his offense to play to Watson's strengths, which means this attack could be even more fun to watch in 2018.

QB DEPTH CHART: Watson, Joe Webb III, Brandon Weeden. After the Texans didn't draft a quarterback, general manager Brian Gaine said he is happy with how the quarterback room is made up. Of course, this offseason the Texans will continue to look for other options as they see fit, but if Weeden or Webb III ends up being Watson's backup, the Texans will again struggle to win games if their 2017 first-round pick cannot stay healthy.

BUBBLE WATCH: The Texans were hopeful that Braxton Miller, who converted from quarterback to wide receiver, could be a productive part of the offense when they drafted him in the third round in 2016, but that has not panned out. Miller has dealt with hamstring injuries, missed three games as a healthy scratch in 2017 and has totaled 34 catches for 261 yards and two touchdowns over two seasons. Most notably, the Texans drafted a slot receiver in the fourth round, Keke Coutee, who will compete with Miller.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: In a crowded group of receivers, Coutee could start in the slot alongside DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller. Last year at Texas Tech, Coutee caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and 10 touchdowns. Coutee is on the smaller side, listed at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, but O'Brien said he thinks the speedy receiver has the right "body type for that position." Coutee should be another good weapon for Watson and also serve as a major contributor on special teams.

CAN J.J. WATT RETURN TO FORM?Along with Watson, the Texans also have a defensive star coming off a season-ending injury. Watt has played only eight games over the past two seasons, needing two back surgeries in 2016 and surgery last season after breaking his leg in Week 5. This offseason, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has said he feels "great," but he also knows the true test won't begin until he is back on the field for a regular-season game this fall.

WHO STARTS AT RUNNING BACK? With Lamar Miller coming off his worst NFL season and 2017 third-round pick D'Onta Foreman rehabbing from a torn left Achilles, the Texans have some questions at running back going into the season. They are hopeful Foreman is back by the season opener, and O'Brien said he could see Houston using the two, along with backup Alfred Blue, in a committee as they did last season.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The Indianapolis Colts open training camp on July 25 at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana. Here's a closer look at the Colts camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Andrew Luck, of course. Barring a setback, the quarterback will participate in his first training camp in two years after missing the 2017 season while recovering from right shoulder surgery. Luck threw a football for the first time since October 2017 on the first two days of the team's minicamp last month. Some training camp days will be lighter than others for Luck as the Colts want to simulate the regular season as much as possible for him. The best news with Luck is that he said he will "absolutely" play in the team's Week 1 game against Cincinnati. A healthy -- and effective -- Luck will help cover up some of the Colts' flaws and potentially make them a better team than some expect.

QB DEPTH CHART: The Colts have experience at their top quarterback spots with Luck and Jacoby Brissett, who started 15 games last season after being acquired from New England a week before the regular season. Coach Frank Reich didn't rule out the possibility of the Colts keeping three quarterbacks next season. The tricky part about that, especially if Luck is healthy, is that it'll take up a roster spot of another position. If the Colts do keep three quarterbacks, the final spot will be between Phillip Walker and Brad Kaaya.

BUBBLE WATCH: Tight end Erik Swoope looked like he would be ready to slide into the No. 2 role behind Jack Doyle after he had 15 receptions for 297 yards during the 2016 season. But a knee injury cost him all of last season, and not participating in offseason workouts because of his continued rehab didn't help his cause. The Colts signed 2014 first-round pick Eric Ebron to be the No. 2 tight end and the team has been impressed with Darrell Daniels.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: There is no "could start" when it comes to Quenton Nelson, the No. 6 overall pick in the April draft. The Colts didn't use a high draft pick to have Nelson begin his NFL career as a backup. He spent the entire offseason working with the first unit at left guard. Poor offensive line play has played a significant role in Luck getting knocked around most of his career and missing 26 games over the past three seasons. Nelson will join an offensive line that features left tackle Anthony Castonzo, center Ryan Kelly, right guard Matt Slauson (who worked with the first unit in offseason workouts) and right tackle Denzelle Good, giving Luck possibly the best line of his seven-year career.

THREE FIRST-TIMERS: The top three coaches -- Reich, offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus -- are all new to their roles. Reich is giving Eberflus most of the control of the defense, because Reich will be calling plays for the offense. Reich was able to learn how to juggle being the head coach and playcaller from Doug Pederson during the past two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

HURTING AT SAFETY: The projected starters at safety -- Malik Hookerand Clayton Geathers -- spent the offseason workout period rehabbing and watching from the sidelines. Hooker is still working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in Week 9 last season, and Geathers, who has played a total of 14 games over the past two seasons, didn't participate in workouts because of an unspecified injury. Matthias Farley and T.J. Green are the two primary candidates to work with the first unit if Geathers and Hooker are still hurting at the start of training camp.

Barring a setback, Andrew Luck will participate in his first training camp in two years after missing the 2017 season while recovering from right shoulder surgery. Luck threw a football for the first time since October 2017 on the first two days of the team's minicamp last month. Some training camp days will be lighter than others for Luck as the Colts want to simulate the regular season as much as possible. Luck says he will "absolutely" play in the team's Week 1 game against Cincinnati. 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The Jacksonville Jaguars open training camp on July 26 at the Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex. Here's a closer look at the Jaguars' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Myles Jack moves to middle linebacker full-time, and the hope is the transition goes smoothly. The team tried to move him there last season, but he struggled and defensive coordinator Todd Wash eventually moved Paul Posluszny from strongside linebacker back into the middle on first and second downs. Jack spent a lot of time during organized team activities and minicamp working on coverages and drops while he rehabbed a hand injury. Weakside linebacker Telvin Smith is one of the defense's best playmakers, but there's a void at strongside linebacker. Blair Brown and Donald Payne got a lot of reps there in the spring, but neither has an edge on the other. The depth is a huge question mark as well. The Jaguars need a couple of reliable players to emerge as solid special-teams players and guys who can start in a pinch because of injuries.

QB DEPTH CHART: Blake Bortles signed a three-year, $54 million contract extension through the 2020 season after he put together the best season of his pro career in 2017. Bortles had the best OTAs/minicamp of his career this past spring, too. Unlike last year, there are no questions about his status and whether the team believes in him. Cody Kessler, for whom the team traded in March, is the clear No. 2. Sixth-round pick Tanner Lee is likely headed for the practice squad.

BUBBLE WATCH: The roster is pretty much settled and there isn't a notable veteran who is in danger of not making the squad. Right tackle Jermey Parnellis really the only notable veteran who could lose his starting job, mainly because he turns 32 in July and the fact the team drafted his eventual replacement. However, Parnell has played well the past two seasons when he wasn't bothered by an injury and is a big reason the Jaguars have cut their sack totals in each of the past two seasons (34 and 24, respectively). However, the Jaguars drafted offensive tackle Will Richardson in the fourth round in April. Richardson worked with the second and third teams behind Parnell throughout OTAs and it doesn't appear the Jaguars are going to give him a lot of first-team reps (if any). Parnell should be the starter in 2018, but that could change if he gets hurt or Richardson has a monster camp.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Hard to see any rookie earning a starting job without an injury (even Richardson is unlikely), but the one with the best chance would be receiver DJ Chark. The second-round pick from LSU impressed teammates with how quickly he seemed to pick up the offense, his smooth route running and his hands. The 6-foot-4 Chark made perhaps the most impressive catch of OTAs/minicamp when he jumped to snag a pass and managed to get the toes of both feet in before falling out of bounds. Marqise Lee, Donte Moncrief and Keelan Cole are the Jaguars' top three receivers, but if Chark continues to impress he should get significant playing time and could possibly end up a starter before the season ends.

TESTING THE RECEIVERS: The Jaguars will have joint practices with Minnesota on Aug. 15-16 at Minnesota State University, Mankato. It's going to be a very good test for the offense, because the Vikings' defense led the NFL in yards allowed, scoring, third-down conversions and also gave up the fewest TD passes last season. The Jaguars' receivers will be tested by two of the league's best defensive backs -- cornerback Xavier Rhodes and safety Harrison Smith -- and Jaguars coach Doug Marrone can come away feeling pretty good about that group if it holds its own. Outside of Lee and possibly Moncrief, the receivers still have a lot to prove.

TOUGH DAYS AHEAD: Expect a mentally and physically grueling camp in Year 2 under Tom Coughlin and Marrone. That's what happened last year -- at one point the players went 15 consecutive days in full pads -- as Marrone and Coughlin tried to change the culture. It clearly worked: the Jaguars were the league's biggest surprise in 2017, going 10-6, winning the AFC South and coming within 10 minutes of reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Marrone has talked often about re-establishing the foundation every year, so it's going to be another tough month.

TENNESSEE TITANS

The Tennessee Titans open training camp practices on July 26 at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tennessee. Here's a closer look at the Titans' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Marcus Mariota's continued footwork development and progress within new coordinator Matt LaFleur's modernized scheme is the top story. Mariota spent much of the six-week break trying to get the playbook down. We'll see if the offense moves faster and becomes more productive in training camp than it was in the spring. Mariota is entering a huge Year 4, and he'll have to play much better than he did in 2017. Another key storyline will be what new coach Mike Vrabel plans to do different to get this team to the next level.

QB DEPTH CHART: Mariota is the unquestioned starter, but the backup quarterback situation is something worth watching. Mariota has missed at least one game in each of his three seasons, so history tells us that at some point Tennessee will need its backup to play an important role. Blaine Gabbert is the No. 2 and has plenty of experience, but can he win a game when the Titans need it? Rookie Luke Falk is likely to make the roster as a developmental No. 3 and could become Mariota's long-term backup.

BUBBLE WATCH: Titans' 2016 second round pick Kevin Dodd saw his bubble burst Tuesday, being released after failing to report to training camp. Tight end Phillip Supernaw is the next player who could be on the bubble. The Titans re-signed veteran Luke Stocker and signed undrafted free agent Ethan Wolf as worthy competitors for his third tight end spot. Supernaw was a favorite of former head coach Mike Mularkey, making the team in each of the past three seasons, but there is a new regime in charge that could de-emphasize heavy tight end sets.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Rashaan Evans was drafted in the first round to be the Titans' present and future at inside linebacker. He has flashed some of his versatility and willingness to learn, but Vrabel gave an honest -- yet cautious -- assessment of his performance during spring workouts: "He's not where he needs to be to start for our defense, and that's OK." Free-agent signee Will Compton has taken many of the first-team inside linebacker reps opposite Wesley Woodyard, but it would certainly be a disappointment if Evans didn't win that role by Week 1.

RECEIVER VOID: On paper, the Titans' biggest concern is whether they have enough reliable talent at receiver. They are counting on Corey Davis to be their No. 1 option. He has shown plenty of potential, but he has been limited by injuries thus far in his career. Rishard Matthews is a strong No. 2 who led the wide receivers with 795 yards last season, but the other options are unproven. It's a position the Titans might try to address during training camp by adding a veteran free agent. Big-name options like Dez Bryant and Jeremy Maclin are still available. Titans GM Jon Robinson could also examine the trade market.

DB PARADISE: There's something special cooking in the secondary, and they appear ready to reach the next level with many of their top players ascending and the addition of cornerback Malcolm Butler. Kevin Byard is coming off an All-Pro season that saw him tie for the NFL lead in interceptions. Logan Ryan brings leadership and Super Bowl-champion pedigree. Butler does, too. Adoree' Jackson might have the most potential of the entire unit. This group believes it can be the NFL's best kept secret and is excited to prove that to the rest of the NFL.

AFC WEST

DENVER BRONCOS

The Denver Broncos open training camp on July 28 at the UC Health Center in Englewood, Colorado. Here's a closer look at the Broncos' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: The Broncos' ability to rebound from last season's 5-11 finish will hinge on two questions: Is quarterback Case Keenum the solution, and has the team done enough on defense to take full advantage of Von Miller in his prime? Keenum was the centerpiece of the Broncos' work in free agency, and the team's decision-makers believe his career-best season with the Vikings last year (3,547 passing yards and 22 touchdowns) will not be an anomaly. On defense, first-round pick Bradley Chubb has the potential to be the kind of pass-rusher who can absorb some of the almost constant attention offenses direct at Miller.

QB DEPTH CHART: From the moment Broncos general manager John Elway announced Keenum was the team's "top choice" among the available quarterbacks in free agency, Keenum has been the starter. That leaves any intrigue at the position, for the first time since Peyton Manning's retirement, with the No. 2 spot. Paxton Lynch is a former first-round pick who lost back-to-back training camp battles with Trevor Siemian. He now finds himself trying to fight off Chad Kelly for the No. 2 job. Kelly was the final pick of the 2017 draft and spent his rookie season on injured reserve. And if the Broncos don't see everything they need to from Lynch and Kelly, there is always a possibility they bring in someone with more experience at some point.

BUBBLE WATCH: Wide receiver, where the Broncos have used four combined picks in the past two drafts, is suddenly a crowded position. Rookies Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton can work themselves into backup roles behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders if they keep their offseason momentum. Jordan Taylor's work in the return game as well as his reliable hands on offense makes five receivers. That could put either Carlos Hendersonor Isaiah McKenzie -- both 2017 draft picks -- on the roster bubble.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Not could -- will start. And that's outside linebacker Bradley Chubb. The Broncos have big plans for Chubb, who was the No. 5 overall pick in this past April's draft. Chubb was already trending toward the starting lineup with his combination of size, athleticism and technique before Shane Ray continued to seek medical opinions about his injured wrist.

ROOKIE REBOUND: After back-to-back rookie classes that had minimal impact, the Broncos are poised to see several first-year players carve out significant roles in the season to come. Start with Chubb, Sutton, Hamilton and running back Royce Freeman, all of whom were either working with the starters or the second team regularly during the Broncos' organized team activities and minicamp. Freeman, a 239-pound back with 4.5 speed, has shown quality vision and footwork during non-contact work. If that form holds true during training camp and the preseason, he will push Devontae Booker to be the team's lead back. Freeman has also shown quality hands in the passing game, so he has the potential to get playing time on third down and other longer-yardage situations. Linebacker Josey Jewell is another player in the team's rookie class who could carve out some playing time.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Few players, other than Keenum of course, will carry more pressure to replace a starter from last season than Bradley Roby. A big reason the Broncos traded Aqib Talib to the Los Angeles Rams in the offseason was they believed Roby was ready to move from defensive regular to full-time starter. Or as cornerback Chris Harris Jr. put it "the difference between 600 plays and a thousand plays ... it's what you do on those other 400 that will show if you're ready for that." Talib was named to four Pro Bowls during his four seasons with the Broncos and often found himself locked up on the opposition's best receiver, especially if it was one of the bigger wideouts in the league. Roby has been an opportunistic playmaker -- he has three career touchdowns off turnovers -- but now has to be a consistent presence in a defense that expects to be one of the league's best.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Kansas City Chiefs open training camp on July 26 at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. Here's a closer look at the Chiefs' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: The Chiefs are making their first change at quarterback since 2013, when they traded for Alex Smith. His replacement, Patrick Mahomes, isn't just any QB but the first drafted by the Chiefs in the first round since 1983. But the Chiefs aren't viewing this as a developmental season for Mahomes, who played in just one game last year as a rookie. They're expecting him to play well and for the offense -- which includes top veteran skill players in tight end Travis Kelce and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins -- to score a lot of points.

QB DEPTH CHART: The Chiefs are fully committed to Mahomes as the starter. Veteran Chad Henne, signed over the winter as a free agent, is solid as the top reserve. The only real depth-chart intrigue at this position is over the final roster spot, where another veteran free-agent addition in Matt McGloin battles undrafted rookie Chase Litton. Expect McGloin to win that battle but Litton to stick around on the practice squad.

BUBBLE WATCH: Unless injuries do the work for them, the Chiefs face their most interesting roster decisions at running back. Starter Kareem Hunt led the NFL in rushing last season as a rookie, but the Chiefs have four others who have been productive NFL backs at one time or another. Charcandrick West led the Chiefs in rushing in 2015, but he faces a challenge for a roster spot from two free-agent additions, Damien Williams and Kerwynn Williams. The Chiefs like West as a pass receiver and blocker and special-teams player, so he could be difficult to unseat.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Third-round linebacker Dorian O'Daniel won't play in the regular defense but should see a lot of work on obvious passing downs and special teams. O'Daniel is only 220 pounds, so the Chiefs don't view him as a run defender. But he showed the speed, coverage skills and knowledge of the defensive schemes during offseason practice that he'll compete for a regular job in passing situations.

ESTABLISHING A DEFENSIVE IDENTITY: The Chiefs over the offseason put an emphasis on getting tougher defensively, particularly against the run. They signed a nose tackle in Xavier Williams, an inside linebacker in Anthony Hitchens and drafted defensive players with their top five choices. They can't afford to wait long for their efforts to pay off. The Chiefs struggled on defense most of last season and allowed three long touchdown drives in the second half of last season's playoff loss to the Titans. The Chiefs also need more from their pass rush. One of their top edge rushers, Dee Ford, returns after missing most of last season with an injury.

WHO'S WHERE ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE? The Chiefs finished offseason practice unsettled at two starting line spots. Center Mitch Morse was unable to practice while rehabbing a foot injury, and the Chiefs were searching for a starter at left guard. The Chiefs need a quick return from Morse at camp and to resolve the left guard issue as soon as possible. If their line isn't functioning well when the regular season begins, the Chiefs will have a difficult time achieving their offensive potential.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

The Los Angeles Chargers open training camp on July 28 at Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, California. Here's a closer look at the Chargers' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: The Chargers have not addressed how the team will replace No. 1 tight end Hunter Henry, who suffered a torn ACL in his right knee on the first day of organized team activities in May and is out for the year. The Chargers have to figure out how to fill the void. Signed away from the Denver Broncos in free agency, Virgil Green probably will move into the No. 1 tight end role, however, the Chargers have a group of unproven players behind him. One player to keep an eye on is receiver Mike Williams, who can be used as a big target for Philip Rivers in the middle of the field. Williams looked more explosive during offseason work after an injury-ridden rookie season. The Chargers also could bring back Rivers' security blanket, future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates.

QB DEPTH CHART: Rivers is the unquestioned starter, and has not missed a game since taking over as the Bolts' top signal-caller in 2006. However, the Chargers will have competition for the No. 2 job between Cardale Jones, the incumbent, and Geno Smith, who signed a one-year deal to join the Chargers this offseason. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said the competition between those two probably will be decided during preseason play. Undrafted rookie Nic Shimonek out of Texas Tech also has shown some flashes of playing well during offseason work.

BUBBLE WATCH: Outside linebacker Kyle Emanuel has been used primarily as a starter the past two seasons as an early down run stuffer. However, Emanuel played only 290 defensive snaps last season, and the Chargers selected USC product Uchenna Nwosu in the second round of this year's draft because he offers more versatility as a pass-rusher in obvious situations. Emanuel finished with 33.5 sacks at North Dakota State but has recorded only 3.5 sacks in three NFL seasons. Emanuel could stick around because of his ability to contribute on special teams.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: The obvious choice here is first-round draft pick Derwin James. Selected No. 17 overall, James played mostly near the line of scrimmage as a strong safety with the second unit during offseason work, as defensive coordinator Gus Bradley focused on the Florida State product learning a new system. However, James should find a way into the starting lineup by the time the regular season starts because of his athleticism, ability to get people on the ground in space and cover talented tight ends such as Kansas City Chiefs pass-catcher Travis Kelce in the middle of the field.

BATTLE FOR L.A., YEAR 2: The Chargers experienced an uphill climb in the first year of the team's relocation from San Diego to Los Angeles. The Chargers lost their first three home games at their temporary home, the 27,000-seat StubHub Center, as opposing fans took over the stadium. Moreover, they have yet to make much headway into carving out a niche in the ultra-competitive L.A. market. Still, the Chargers hope to attract more fans by continuing to be more involved in the community and putting a winning product on the field -- the Bolts have been picked by several NFL prognosticators to win the AFC West.

LEGION OF BOOM 2.0: Bradley oversaw the creation of the Legion of Boom while serving as the defensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks, and has now put together a similarly talented defensive backfield with the Chargers. Cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett have Pro Bowls to their credit, strong safety Jahleel Addae is an ascending player and James is expected to compete for defensive rookie of the year honors. Along with those four, slot defender Desmond King consistently made plays last season as a rookie, and Trevor Williams more than held his own as a replacement for an injured Verrett last season. With Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa consistently creating pressure off the edge, the Chargers could lead the league in interceptions in 2018.

NFC EAST

DALLAS COWBOYS

The Dallas Cowboys open training camp on July 26 in Oxnard, California. Here’s a closer look at the Cowboys’ camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Are the Cowboys closer to the 13-3 team that had the best record in the NFC in 2016 or the 9-7 team in 2017 that missed the playoffs? They lost Jason Witten to retirement and released Dez Bryant, but the Cowboys believe they have the core of a team in place that can make the playoffs for the third time in five years. When the expectations have been low in recent years, like they were in 2014 after three straight 8-8 finishes and in 2016 after a 4-12 finish plus Tony Romo’s training camp back injury, the Cowboys have found success. Jason Garrett is signed through 2019, but if he does not get the Cowboys back to the playoffs, his eighth full season could be his final one as Jerry Jones’ coach.

QB DEPTH CHART: Dak Prescott is the undeniable leader and starter. This figures to be the most important season of his career because it could lead to a mega payday, with the Cowboys eligible to sign him to an extension for the first time after the 2018 season. He will be asked to do more without Witten and Bryant, and he needs to show he can make the passing game go. Cooper Rushwon the No. 2 job last year in preseason action (six touchdowns, no interceptions) over Kellen Moore, who is now the quarterbacks coach. Rush will be pushed by fifth-round pick Mike White, but the Cowboys could find themselves keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

BUBBLE WATCH: The Cowboys don’t appear to have a lot of position battles to be won in training camp, and they don’t appear to have many veterans on the roster bubble with camp about to start. Such is life when the roster has just three players who are 30 or older. A year ago, Chaz Green entered camp with the inside track on winning the left guard spot. While he won the job, it was more out of default than how he played. He was replaced early by Jonathan Cooper and moved to swing tackle, where he struggled filling in for an injured Tyron Smith. The Cowboys have added depth to their offensive line through the draft and free agency, and that puts Green’s roster spot in jeopardy.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Second-round pick Connor Williams should start at left guard. The Cowboys have made no pretense about giving him every opportunity to be the starter by having him line up with the first team since the first organized team activity. He is making the transition from tackle at Texas to guard in the NFL, but the Cowboys believe Williams has the athleticism and strength to make the move with ease. The Cowboys’ top three picks, including first-rounder Leighton Vander Esch and third-rounder Michael Gallup, could also find their way into the starting lineup or, at the very least, playing a ton of snaps.

BACK TO THE TOP: Ezekiel Elliottwas limited to 10 games last season because of a suspension, and he still finished just 17 yards short of 1,000 yards on the year. Without the potential of a looming suspension, the Cowboys believe Elliott will look more like the back who led the NFL with 1,631 yards as a rookie in 2016. To make the lives of Prescott, the defense and the coaching staff a lot easier, the Cowboys need Elliott to be among the league leaders in 2018. Without Witten and Bryant, he could play a much larger role in the passing game than he has in his first two years.

A GAME-CHANGER: The Cowboys did not make any big free-agent pickups. Nor did they make any big-time trade acquisitions. They stood by their board when it came to the draft. The biggest addition they made was adding Kris Richard as passing game coordinator after he had a successful run with the Seattle Seahawks. In the offseason, the Cowboys' defense looked much more aggressive, especially in the secondary, and played with much more attitude. The Cowboys’ identity over the past decade or so has been their offensive strength, but this could be a year the defense makes a much bigger impact.

NEW YORK GIANTS

The New York Giants open training camp on July 25 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Here's a closer look at the Giants' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: How the Giants and star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. handle the summer will be interesting. They're dealing with a delicate situation, barring an contract agreement before the start of camp. Beckham wants a new deal and is not expected to put himself at risk in live drills or preseason games until it's done. He will show up to camp but not put himself at risk. The Giants don't want to alienate their top playmaker. If they botch this, it could derail their season.

QB DEPTH CHART: It's Eli Manning's show once again even at 37 years old with a new coach and general manager. He's the clear-cut starter and first-team option. Davis Webb has a year under his belt and is the No. 2 after a strong spring, with rookie Kyle Lauletta, this year's fourth-round pick, next in line. Alex Tanney fills out the rotation as a likely camp arm.

BUBBLE WATCH: The Giants overhauled their offensive line this offseason and veteran guard John Jerry is no longer near the top of the pecking order despite starting 16 games three of the past four seasons. His roster spot could be in jeopardy. The Giants will also have intense competitions at wide receiver, cornerback and free safety, where there are a handful of players (Roger Lewis, Russell Shepard, B.W. Webb, William Gay and Curtis Riley to name a few) who could either play significant roles or be cut depending on how the summer plays out.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START:Running back Saquon Barkley was the No. 2 overall pick. He's going to start and handle a heavy workload. Second-round pick Will Hernandezalso looks as if he's going to be a day one starter. He finished the spring as the first-team left guard. Defensive lineman B.J. Hill, a third-round pick out of North Carolina State, has a strong chance to start at defensive end with Josh Mauro suspended the first four games of the season.

FREE SAFETY COMPETITION: This should be the most interesting competition of training camp. Darian Thompson, Andrew Adams, Curtis Riley and Michael Thomas all appear to have a realistic chance to win this starting job alongside Landon Collins. Thompson is the incumbent who has something to prove. Adams also has starting experience. Riley is the newcomer who impressed this spring and Thomas is the trusty veteran who has worked with defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo his entire career. It's anyone's job to take.

NEW LOOKS: The Giants made a lot of changes this offseason. They're debuting new offensive and defensive schemes. This summer will provide a clearer look at what coach Pat Shurmur and defensive coordinator James Bettcher want their units to become. Shurmur should get to experiment at some point with Beckham, Barkley, Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram on the field together. Bettcher will need to dig deep to find some pass-rushers from a young group behind Olivier Vernon. The Giants will learn a lot about themselves this summer.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The Philadelphia Eagles open training camp on July 26 at the NovaCare Complex in South Philly. Here’s a closer look at their camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Carson Wentz versus the clock. Wentz's progress in his recovery from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee was obvious during spring workouts. He showed decent mobility and was able to take part in a good portion of practice, including seven-on-sevens by the time the Eagles reached minicamp. "I think the biggest thing right now is just keep pushing along until I'm cleared [for contact]," Wentz said. "As you see out here I'm doing quite a bit. Obviously the biggest, last hurdle is going to be the contact part." That could come at some point this summer for Wentz, who continues to target Week 1 for his return. His health remains the most important factor as the Super Bowl champs turn their attention to the 2018 season.

QB DEPTH CHART: Fortunately for the Eagles, they have Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles at the ready if Wentz is unable to go. The team reworked Foles' contract to reward him if he sees action this season. The new deal includes $14 million worth of incentives. The coaching staff also is high on No. 3 Nate Sudfeld, the third-year QB out of Indiana. They believe he has starter potential. So the Eagles are in pretty good shape at QB.

BUBBLE WATCH: Running back is going to be an interesting position to watch during camp. Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement and Darren Sproles occupy the first three spots. After that, there's a cluster of players including Wendell Smallwood, Donnel Pumphrey, Matt Jones and Notre Dame rookie Josh Adams fighting for a spot. Wide receiver offers similar intrigue, with veteran Markus Wheaton competing with younger players such as Shelton Gibson, Greg Ward and Bryce Treggs for a place on the 53-man roster.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Tight end Dallas Goedert isn't in line to take over the No. 1 tight end role -- that belongs securely to Zach Ertz. But there's a good chance he'll have a role in this offense if the promise he showed this spring carries through the summer and into the fall. The second-round pick was a big-time playmaker at South Dakota State, and showed off his soft hands and ability to separate during OTAs. At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, he could be another red-zone option for Wentz.

KEY PLAYERS ON THE MEND: Besides Wentz, there are a host of Eagles players recovering from injury. DE Brandon Graham (ankle), WR Alshon Jeffery(shoulder) and DT Tim Jernigan (back) are among those who weren't able to practice this spring. Sproles (ACL), LB Jordan Hicks (Achilles) and LT Jason Peters (ACL, MCL) are all coming off season-ending surgery. Lots to monitor here.

TRADE(S) IN THE CARDS?: Executive VP of football operations Howie Roseman does not believe roster building is restricted to free agency and the draft. He likes to wheel and deal as much as any GM in the league. Last August, he traded WR Jordan Matthews and a third-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for CB Ronald Darby. Interestingly enough, there's been trade buzz around Darby this offseason. Would they be willing to part with Foles if a QB-hungry team came calling, like the Vikings did a couple years back for Sam Bradford? As with most anything, it all comes down to the offer.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

The Washington Redskins open training camp on July 26 in Richmond, Virginia. Here’s a closer look at the Redskins’ camp:

TOP STORYLINE: The Redskins missed the playoffs the past two seasons and this coaching staff can’t afford a third straight miss. Jay Gruden, whose contract runs through 2020, already has survived longer than any other coach under owner Dan Snyder. To help take the so-called next step, the Redskins traded for quarterback Alex Smith and focused on improving their run game. Smith’s progress will be monitored closely, considering they opted for him over keeping Kirk Cousins.

QB DEPTH CHART: Smith is the clear starter. The Redskins traded with Kansas City to land him this offseason. Smith replaces Cousins, whom the Redskins decided not to use the franchise tag on for a third straight year. Colt McCoy, entering his fifth season in Washington, is entrenched as the No. 2 quarterback. Kevin Hogan is the third quarterback; there’s no guarantee he will make the final roster.

BUBBLE WATCH: It’ll be interesting to see what they do at running back and defensive line. The Redskins drafted Samaje Perine in the fourth round last year, but he’d be considered the fourth back -- at best -- entering camp behind Derrius Guice, Rob Kelley and Chris Thompson. They also like Byron Marshalland Kapri Bibbs. Their depth along the defensive line improved by drafting Daron Payne and Tim Settle. The coaches love Ziggy Hood, who can now focus on playing his more natural end position thanks to Payne’s arrival. But he’s at the end of the rotation along with players such as Anthony Lanier and Phil Taylor.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: The Redskins should have two rookie starters -- first-round pick Payne along the defensive line and second-round pick Guice at running back. Payne worked with the starting group at nose tackle all spring and that’s not expected to change. Guice worked behind Kelley at running back, but is too talented to end up doing so when the season begins. The coaches respect Kelley quite a bit, but Guice has a chance for an excellent first season.

HEALTH MATTERS: The Redskins have several key players who spent the offseason rehabbing after surgeries, including offensive tackles Trent Williams(knee) and Morgan Moses (ankles), running back Thompson (leg) and tight end Jordan Reed (toes). Gruden said some players will be limited at the start of camp, though Williams and Thompson have expressed confidence in being ready. Defensive lineman Stacy McGee underwent groin surgery late in the spring and might not be ready at the start, either.

ON THE SPOT: A handful of players. Receiver Josh Doctson has a lot of talent and improved throughout his second season. This will be his second full season and he must take a big step; he showed signs of doing so this spring. Corner Orlando Scandrick, who asked for his release in Dallas, is 31 and must show he can still be a solid starter. He’ll help in the slot if nothing else. Left guard Shawn Lauvao re-signed after another injury-filled season. He must stay healthy and be productive.

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO BEARS

The Chicago Bears open training camp on Friday at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Here’s a closer look at the Bears’ camp:

TOP STORYLINE: The offense. Chicago’s offense looked dreadful under former coach John Fox, whom the team fired after a 14-34 three-year stretch. The Bears hired 40-year-old Matt Nagy to improve the club’s sagging morale and to install the offensive system that veteran head coach Andy Reid used in Kansas City. Chicago’s fortunes in 2018 hinge on Nagy and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s ability to get the offense up to speed.

QB DEPTH CHART: There’s no quarterback controversy in Chicago this summer. Trubisky, the second overall pick of the 2017 NFL draft, is the unquestioned starter. He appeared in 12 games as a rookie to mixed reviews. The Bears paid veteran Chase Daniel, who played under Nagy in Kansas City, $7 million guaranteed to serve as Trubisky’s primary backup. Another former Nagy quarterback, veteran Tyler Bray, is the Bears’ third quarterback.

BUBBLE WATCH: The Bears don’t have many compelling training camp battles, but it’ll be interesting to see how many wide receivers make the 53-man roster. High-profile free-agent pickups Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel are locks to make the team. Same with 2018 second-round pick Anthony Miller out of Memphis. The Bears were pleased with how Kevin White, the seventh overall choice in 2015, looked during the offseason program, so that could leave veterans Joshua Bellamy (valuable on special teams), Bennie Fowler and Marlon Brown, and seventh-rounder Javon Wims fighting it out for the final couple of spots.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START:Linebacker Roquan Smith, whom the Bears took eighth overall out of Georgia. The plan is for Smith to start immediately alongside Danny Trevathan at inside linebacker. Given Smith’s speed, he figures to be an every-down player on Chicago’s defense -- the strength of the team. Former Iowa center James Daniels -- drafted in Round 2 -- figures to be in the mix for a starting job at left guard. Miller is expected to work as a slot receiver on offense.

READY OR NOT: The Bears report to training camp early this summer because of their participation in the Hall of Fame game versus the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 2. Chicago hasn’t played in five exhibition games in a single preseason since 2005. The Bears were scheduled to be in the Hall of Fame Game in 2011, but it was canceled due to the NFL lockout.

ROAD TO RECOVERY: Two of the Bears’ best players on offense -- right guard Kyle Long and Robinson -- both missed the majority of the voluntary offseason program recovering from injuries. Robinson took part in certain individual drills in minicamp, but the Bears held him out of all team-related work. However, Nagy said Long and Robinson are both expected to be full go when the club arrives in Bourbonnais. Former first-round pick Leonard Floyd also sat out the bulk of the offseason -- Floyd suffered a knee injury last year -- but he returned to action in minicamp.

DETROIT LIONS

The Detroit Lions open training camp on July 27 at the team’s practice facility in Allen Park, Michigan. Here’s a closer look at the Lions’ camp:

TOP STORYLINE: It’s a new regime in Detroit, but will the Matt Patricia-Bob Quinn combination fare any better than the others, which haven't been able to lead the Lions to the league championship game in 60 years? Quinn and Patricia have brought with them many aspects from their old place of employment, New England, and while this storyline will play out over multiple years, it is the No. 1 concern of the Lions at this point.

QB DEPTH CHART: Matthew Stafford is the entrenched starter. The real battle is for the No. 2 spot, where veteran Matt Cassel will compete with third-year pro Jake Rudock. There’s a chance the Lions will keep all three quarterbacks on the roster, but there’s also a real possibility that only one of the backups earns a job in Detroit this fall.

BUBBLE WATCH: Every position will have players on the bubble, but the three positions to pay most attention to are safety, running back and wide receiver. At safety, do the Lions keep five? And if they do, is Miles Killebrew among them? Once a player who seemed headed toward starter status, he’s now in a fight for his job. At running back, how the Lions handle Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner will be something to watch, and a plethora of players should compete for the Nos. 4 and 5 receiver roles. While TJ Jones should be safe as the No. 4 receiver, strong camps from other players could push him toward the bubble.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: In the case of first-round pick Frank Ragnow, it’s not a “could” start, it’s a “should” start. He has taken all of the first-team reps at left guard during practices open to the media and seems to be settling in there. Beyond Ragnow, second-round pick Kerryon Johnson may start at running back in some games, but he still should have a role each week and could end up as the featured back by the season’s end.

PASS-RUSH PROBLEMS: It's been an issue for years, and aside from Ezekiel Ansah -- who again did very little work in the spring -- the Lions do not have a player who has shown that he can consistently rush the passer. Detroit largely ignored the need in free agency and during the draft, so it remains a problem heading into training camp. Kerry Hyder and Anthony Zettel have both flashed in prior seasons, but can they put it together for more than one year? And how much can free-agent linebacker Devon Kennard provide? A combination of those three players needs to supplement Ansah’s totals for Detroit to have defensive success.

HOW THE TEAM ADAPTS DEFENSIVELY: The answer to this will become more apparent throughout the season, but after being primarily a 4-3 team for years, how can many of Detroit’s players handle learning a new multiple system on a week-to-week basis? They’ve practiced multiple looks in the spring and figure only to enhance that during training camp. That said, until the Lions really show they can handle it every week, it will be a big-time question.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Green Bay Packers open training camp July 27 at their regular practice facility across from Lambeau Field. Here's a closer look at the Packers' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: The Packers' revamped defense under new coordinator Mike Pettine will be under examination during each and every practice. The early returns in OTAs were strong; during one of the public practices, it picked off Aaron Rodgers twice. Granted, those were not padded practices. Certainly there will be days when Rodgers and the offense pick apart the defense, but once the pads go on, the real evaluation of the unit begins in earnest. It will be worth watching where the pass rush comes from considering that beyond Clay Matthews and Nick Perry, there are no proven outside rushers. Perhaps the addition of defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson will improve the interior rush. The cornerback position also has been revamped with the signing of veteran Tramon Williams and the addition of the top two draft picks, Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson.

QB DEPTH CHART: For now, it's still Brett Hundley behind Rodgers. But don't be surprised if at some point during training camp DeShone Kizer emerges as the No. 2. Hundley will get his chances to prove he's better than what he showed last season when he made nine starts after Rodgers broke his collarbone, but the trade for Kizer (who started 15 games as a rookie last season for the Browns) showed a clear intent to upgrade the backup spot in case something happens to Rodgers again. Undrafted rookie Tim Boyle is the No. 4 entering camp.

BUBBLE WATCH: This isn't so much a bubble watch but rather an injury watch that could turn into a major roster decision on Bryan Bulaga. The veteran right tackle probably won't be on the field for the start of training camp; he'll likely start on the physically unable to perform list while still rehabbing a torn ACL suffered in November. It also might be a long shot for him to be ready to start the season. If the Packers feel good about the addition of veteran Byron Bell and the depth Jason Spriggs and Kyle Murphy provide, then perhaps they'd move on from Bulaga even when he's ready to go.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Either Alexander or Jackson had better start. That's why new general manager Brian Gutekunst used his first- and second-round picks, respectively, on the pair of cornerbacks. If Kevin King and Williams man the outside positions, then perhaps Alexander could start in the slot in the nickel package.

RUNNING BACK BY COMMITTEE: The great thing about having three capable running backs is that if one runs into trouble or gets injured then there are options. The flip side is it could take away from the rhythm of the offense if the back changes every couple of series. So Packers coach Mike McCarthy will have to sort out how he plans to use Ty Montgomery, Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones, all of whom played the No. 1 role at different times last season.

THE PHILBIN EFFECT: Training camp should shed some light on what the return of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin means for that side of the ball. Philbin, during his previous stint in that job, was the perfect muse for McCarthy when it came to deciding what's good -- and more important, what's bad -- about the offense and play selection. He has the respect of Rodgers, who has already raved about Philbin's impact.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The Minnesota Vikings open training camp July 28 at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota. Here's a closer look at what to expect.

TOP STORYLINE: By the time training camp rolls around, Kirk Cousins will have had about 3½ months to learn the Vikings' playbook. His summer plans included going over the concepts he didn't grasp during the initial install and discussing how he wants certain plays designed with his coaches. Cousins' feel for the offense and how the quarterback executes the scheme is not only the storyline of training camp but of the entire 2018 season. However, not everything rests on the shoulders of the Vikings' $84 million investment. Minnesota still has several unanswered questions with its offensive line, which lost its leader after the death of veteran coach Tony Sparano at age 56 on Sunday. Training camp will serve as a time for continued experiment among its starting five until the Vikings find which combination works best. Pat Elflein is on schedule to return for camp, meaning Nick Easton will move back to left guard. It's the right side of the line that remains up in the air between where Mike Remmers will play and who will fill the remaining spot. In each of the past two seasons, issues on the O-line caused mostly by injuries led the Vikings to slip down the stretch. In hopes of avoiding a repeat of that this season, it will be crucial for Minnesota to find the right combination to protect Cousins.

QB DEPTH CHART: The Vikings know the importance of having a capable backup quarterback after former second-stringer Case Keenum helped lead them to last season's NFC Championship Game. Trevor Siemian brings invaluable experience as a starter and impressed coaches with his accuracy and ability to operate the huddle more quickly as the spring wore on. Minnesota hopes it never encounters a situation where Cousins isn't able to play, but having Siemian in the wings is a solid insurance policy. Behind Siemian is second-year pro Kyle Sloter, who continues to be held in high regard by the franchise despite no regular-season reps. The Vikings' fourth QB in training camp is Peter Pujals, an undrafted free agent from Holy Cross who signed with Minnesota in May.

BUBBLE WATCH: A handful of veterans might be on the verge of being released when the Vikings finalize their 53-man roster. Brian Robison took a $2 million pay cut to return to Minnesota for his 12th season. What role he fills in the defensive-line rotation and whether younger players like Stephen Weatherlyand Tashawn Bower make a push for his position will be determined in camp. First-round cornerback Mike Hughes will compete for a job returning punts and kickoffs with longtime special-teams vet Marcus Sherels. Kai Forbath enters training camp in competition with fifth-round pick Daniel Carlson. Undrafted free-agent cornerback Holton Hill received praise from coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman during the spring and could earn a roster spot.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Minnesota might not be in any rush to pitch a competition at nickel corner between Hughes and Mackensie Alexander, but the first-round pick should see time in the return game early on. Aside from Hughes, kicker Carlson probably has the best shot of any rookie to win a starting job.

CHANGES ON DEFENSE: After Hughes was drafted in April, Zimmer hinted at wanting to experiment with four-cornerback looks when the Vikings are in various nickel packages given the flexibility and depth they have at the position. Terence Newman could certainly be a part of those substitution packages as a corner, but the veteran might be better suited as a rotational defensive back, particularly after getting ample reps at safety this offseason. Pro Bowl linebacker Anthony Barr might also see his role transition after working more on the outside this spring. Barr used to rush the passer often in college (23.5 sacks in 2012-13 at UCLA) but has spent his four NFL seasons primarily dropping back into coverage. One of the Vikings' missions this offseason was to shore up their defensive-line rotation. Barr might soon become part of that if his reps in the spring are any indication of future usage.

COMPETITION IN THE RECEIVING CORPS: The No. 3 receiver position is one of the more intriguing battles in training camp. At the end of the spring, Laquon Treadwell had emerged as the leading candidate for the job, but he'll have to ward off the likes of Stacy Coley, Kendall Wright and Brandon Zylstra over the next month. Minnesota kept six receivers on the 53-man roster last season and has a deep crop of players to sort through behind Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.

CONTRACT WATCH: The Vikings have a handful of contract situations to work through in the near future. Last year Minnesota awarded extensions to Xavier Rhodes, Everson Griffen and Linval Joseph before heading down to Mankato or at the beginning of training camp. Danielle Hunter signed a five-year extension at the end of June, leaving Diggs and Barr on the verge of playing into a contract year unless the players and their representation are able to work out an extension with the front office before the season.

NFC SOUTH

ATLANTA FALCONS

The Atlanta Falcons open training camp on July 26 at their home practice facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Here's a closer look at the Falcons' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: There's no bigger storyline than the status of top wide receiver Julio Jones, who stayed away from offseason workouts and mandatory minicamp because of a contract dispute and is set to skip the start of training camp, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Jones has three years and almost $35 million left on the five-year, $71.25 million contract extension he signed in August 2015, an extension that included $47 million guaranteed. Yes, the Falcons typically don't reward players with new contracts until they're at least entering the final year of their deals, but this would appear to be a different case with arguably the league's best receiver. Satisfying Jones now by shuffling money in his current contract or adding incentives wouldn't be too far-fetched. However, Jones waiting until next year and until after Odell Beckham Jr. gets paid would seem to be a wise move from his side. If Jones opts for an extended holdout, it will be interesting to see how it affects a locker room expecting to make another Super Bowl run. Jones, looking for his fifth consecutive season of 1,400-plus receiving yards, means everything to the Falcons' offense, which could return to dominance in the second year under offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.

QB DEPTH CHART: Matt Ryan, the 2016 MVP, is now the league's highest-paid player after signing a five-year, $150 million extension that included $100 million guaranteed. Expect Ryan to take all the snaps, just like he did last season. Ryan, 33, has shown excellent durability, having not missed a game since turf toe sidelined him during the 2009 season. Behind Ryan, the Falcons have veteran Matt Schaub, who turned 37 in June. Schaub is set to make $3.25 million in the final year of his contract, so releasing him would save that much against the cap. But unless undrafted rookie Kurt Benkert steps up and beats out his fellow Virginia Cavalier, expect Schaub to back up Ryan once again.

BUBBLE WATCH: The Falcons asked a pair of veteran players to accept pay cuts -- offensive guard Andy Levitre and defensive end Brooks Reed. Levitre, penciled in as the starting left guard, was limited during the offseason while recovering from triceps and knee injuries. If his body doesn't heal, the Falcons might have to proceed with Ben Garland or Wes Schweitzer at left guard with Brandon Fusco on the right. Levitre is due $4.5 million in the final year of his deal and carries a cap figure of $5.875 million. Reed will make $3 million and count $3.94 million against the cap. Reed's teammates have praised him for his relentless effort and consistent ability to set the edge.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: First-round pick Calvin Ridley has all the tools to be an immediate contributor. He can line up outside opposite Jones and be an instant threat. When the Falcons took the field for their two postseason games last season, they started Jones and Mohamed Sanu at receiver with 11 personnel: two tight ends, two receivers. So, it will all depend on the alignment, but expect Ridley to be on the field a lot. He's a fluid route runner with great speed and the ability to establish separation. "He's the real deal. And he's a good person. He's not walking around like he thinks he's hot s---. He's walking around like a really good dude," Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen said of Ridley. Keep an eye on second-round pick Isaiah Oliver, too, a cornerback who's already shown great ball skills playing outside, according to his teammates.

IN THE RUNNING: With all the talk about Jones, Ridley, Ryan and the passing game, let's not forget the Falcons have a pretty dynamic running back duo with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Freeman wasn't happy with his performance last season, which included playing through a severe knee injury late in the season. He visited the doctor after minicamp and received full clearance. Freeman and Coleman have combined for 55 total touchdowns since 2015. They are threats in the passing game as well and could thrive even more as runners if the line comes together and if Sarkisian finds a reliable blocking fullback to sprinkle in every once in a while.

ON THE DEFENSIVE: The Falcons have the talent and confidence to evolve into one of the league's top defensive units after finishing in the top 10 in both total defense and scoring defense a year ago. Led by 2017 Pro Bowlers Deion Jones and Keanu Neal, the Falcons have as much speed as any defense around. And if they get former sack champ Vic Beasley and cornerback Desmond Trufant playing back at Pro Bowl levels, they really could be dangerous. The biggest concern is on the interior of the defensive line next to rising star Grady Jarrett, where newcomer Terrell McClain hopes to hold it down. The most significant emphasis for the entire unit is creating more turnovers after just 16 takeaways in '17, which ranked tied for 27th in the league.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

TOP STORYLINE: The implementation of Norv Turner's offense. Turner replaced Mike Shula as offensive coordinator to help take quarterback Cam Newton's game to another level. Surrounding Newton with more weapons is a part of that. Early signs Newton is adapting to this scheme that has more high-percentage passes have been good. But until Newton faces a full pass rush in pads, as he will in camp, it's still a guessing game as to how the 2015 MVP will perform.

QB DEPTH CHART: Newton, Garrett Gilbert, Taylor Heinicke. This will be the first time Newton hasn't had veteran Derek Anderson as his backup since he entered the league in 2011. Gilbert hasn't taken a snap in a regular-season game, and Heinicke has played in one game. So the focus beyond whether Newton has adapted to Turner's system will be whether one of these young quarterbacks can play at a level that will give Carolina a chance to win should something happen to Newton.

BUBBLE WATCH: Wide receiver Damiere Byrd showed flashes before injuries ended his 2017 season. But with a rebuilt core of receivers featuring Devin Funchess, Torrey Smith, Jarius Wright, D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel, it will be tough for Byrd to crack the five-man rotation unless Samuel isn't fully recovered from a leg injury. Linebacker Ben Jacobs also could be on the bubble as a backup and special-teams standout after the Panthers drafted linebackers Jermaine Carter (fifth round) and Andre Smith (seventh round). Seventh-round pick Kendrick Norton could make veteran Kyle Love expendable at defensive tackle.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Cornerback Donte Jackson. The rookie out of LSU was drafted in the second round to bring a swagger to the secondary that hasn't been there since Josh Norman in 2015. Jackson will be given every chance to start ahead of free agent Ross Cockrell and veterans such as Captain Munnerlyn. Jackson worked with the first team a lot during offseason workouts. If he performs well enough in the preseason to start opposite James Bradberry, it will go a long way toward making this a top-10, maybe top-5, defense.

KAEPERNICK BACKS UP CAM? It probably won't happen, but if Gilbert and/or Heinicke don't show early in the preseason that they are capable backups for Newton, then perhaps the Panthers would turn to former San Francisco starter Colin Kaepernick? Perhaps new owner David Tepper might be more open to Kaepernick than former owner Jerry Richardson, despite the controversy that has followed the quarterback since he first knelt during the national anthem in 2016. Newton said a year ago that Kaepernick deserves to be on a roster. So if you're looking for veteran help, there's probably nobody better -- or more available -- than Kaepernick, whose game is similar to Newton's.

SAFETY NET: The Panthers are hoping free-agent signee Da'Norris Searcy can fill the free safety role opposite Mike Adams. Coach Ron Rivera said during offseason workouts, "it's like two heads who have been together for a while." But Searcy's career declined last season to the point he was replaced as the starter at Tennessee. Adams is 37. If one of these two gets injured or underperforms, there is a lot of inexperience behind them.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The New Orleans Saints open training camp on July 25 at their home practice facility in Metairie, Louisiana. Here's a closer look at the Saints' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Will Marcus Davenport and Cameron Meredith emerge as instant-impact players? The Saints head into the season with some serious Super Bowl buzz after being one play away from reaching the 2017 NFC Championship Game. And they loaded up on players in free agency and the draft who could help put them over the top (including veteran defensive players Demario Davis, Kurt Coleman and Patrick Robinson). But Davenport and Meredith are by far the most intriguing newcomers to watch this summer, because of their upside and the mystery surrounding them. Davenport is a tantalizing rookie pass-rusher who is trying to make the leap from Texas-San Antonio to the NFL. And Meredith was on the verge of becoming a breakout receiver for the Chicago Bears last summer before he suffered a major knee injury.

QB DEPTH CHART: There's no mystery at the top, where Drew Brees is still thriving at age 39 (he's on pace to become the NFL's all-time passing yardage leader in October). The battle behind Brees is fascinating, though, since second-year pro Taysom Hill is trying to live up to the massive hype created last season when Sean Payton suggested he could one day become Brees' successor. The dual-threat athlete will have to beat out former Houston Texans starter Tom Savage for the gig. Undrafted rookie J.T. Barrett will also try to prove he's worth keeping and developing.

BUBBLE WATCH: Several veterans could be squeezed out this summer since the Saints have built up so much depth in recent years. Linebacker Manti Te'o is projected as a backup after the Saints added Davis. Cornerback P.J. Williams, receivers Brandon Coleman and Tommylee Lewis, and defensive end Hau'oli Kikaha will also have their work cut out for them at crowded positions.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: Davenport is the only rookie expected to step in and play a major role immediately, since the Saints didn't have a second-round pick. Third-round receiver Tre'Quan Smith is an exciting prospect with size and speed, but it's hard to see him passing both Meredith and Ted Ginn Jr. right out of the gate. Fifth-round safety Natrell Jamerson, among others, could emerge as a key special-teams contributor right away.

"YEAR 2 LEAP" OR "SOPHOMORE SLUMP"? Are you the glass-half-full or glass-half-empty type when it comes to your sports clichés? The Saints had one of the greatest rookie-class performances in NFL history last season, with running back Alvin Kamara and cornerback Marshon Lattimore becoming the first teammates in 50 years to sweep the NFL's Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards. They had five rookie starters, including offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, safety Marcus Williams and linebacker Alex Anzalone. So what will they do for an encore? Kamara, Lattimore and third-year Pro Bowl receiver Michael Thomas all insisted they won't let the early success get to their heads and that they're determined to become all-time greats by getting better and better each year. If that happens, it's a scary thought for the rest of the league.

REPLACING INGRAM: Mark Ingram's four-game suspension to start the season created an unexpected dilemma for the Saints -- and will create a wide-open battle for the No. 2 running back job in camp. The Saints signed veterans Terrance West and Shane Vereen as insurance after they wrapped up organized team activities and minicamp. But they will have to prove they are better options than young contenders Boston Scott, Trey Edmunds and Jonathan Williams. One way or another, Payton said he is determined not to overwork Kamara to fill the void.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open training camp on July 25 at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. Here's a closer look at the Buccaneers' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Starting quarterback Jameis Winston will miss the first three games of the regular season because of suspension. Aside from missing the first half of a game against Clemson in 2014, this is the first time Winston has received significant punishment for his off-the-field behavior. Winston's has been omitted from the franchise's promotional videos heading into training camp and is not among the players featured on murals outside Raymond James Stadium. Though Winston will still be able to participate in training camp and preseason games, how will the ban affect him, and how will it affect the perception of the Bucs' franchise quarterback within the organization, among teammates and in the community?

QB DEPTH CHART: After Winston, there's veteran backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started three games for the Bucs last season and won two of them. Their third quarterback, Ryan Griffin, adds an interesting dynamic. Prior to suffering a sprained shoulder last year during camp, many thought he was actually outplaying Fitzpatrick. That's why the Bucs signed him to a one-year contract extension last year despite already having two healthy quarterbacks. Going into his fifth year, Griffin has yet to throw a pass in a regular-season game, but a strong camp could make things interesting as far as who ultimately replaces Winston.

BUBBLE WATCH: Running back Charles Sims is the biggest name on the Bucs' bubble. The 2014 third-round draft pick had more than 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2015, and he averaged 4.5 yards a carry in 21 touches last season. But as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, he didn't re-sign until the day of the draft, and it was $800,000, just barely over league minimum -- that's not much commitment. With Ronald Jones now in the fold, along with Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers, plus undrafted free agent Shaun Wilson turning some heads with his pass-catching ability, could Sims be the odd man out?

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: First-round draft pick Vita Vea will start opposite Gerald McCoy at defensive tackle. There's a good chance Jones can grab the starting running back spot. The rookie to watch is cornerback Carlton Davis -- can he beat out Vernon Hargreaves and Ryan Smith to start on the outside opposite Brent Grimes? "He's off to one of the fastest starts of the rookies," coach Dirk Koetter said of Davis, who was getting plenty of first-team reps during mandatory minicamp.

OFFENSIVE LINE UPDATE: The right side of the O-line remains a big question mark, with starting right tackle Demar Dotson missing mandatory minicamp while recovering from offseason knee surgery and projected right guard J.R. Sweezy getting released in June. Dotson has been cleared to participate in camp. Caleb Benenoch, who saw action in 13 games last season with five starts, stepped into Sweezy's role this offseason. Considering the Bucs' 3.64 rushing yards per carry over the past two seasons ranked 30th in the league, the Bucs can't afford another year of getting pushed around up front, especially if they have to rely even more on the ground game given Winston's suspension.

D-LINE ROI: On paper, the Bucs made major upgrades to their defensive line in drafting Vea, trading for Jason Pierre-Paul and signing Beau Allen, Vinny Curryand Mitch Unrein during free agency. The $54.5 million allocated to their defensive line in 2018 ranks second only to the Dallas Cowboysin cap spending. So it's not that their 22 sacks from last season "should" improve. It's a must. "You don't really find out what you have until you put the pads on," McCoy said. How long will it take the unit to start producing results, though? "I don't know, to where we're gelling? It could be midseason, it could be beginning of the season. It could be two weeks into training camp. The only way to control that is to be the best 'us' every day," McCoy said.

NFC WEST

ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Arizona Cardinals open training camp on July 28 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Here's a closer look at the Cardinals' camp:

Top storyline: Sam Bradford's health and how it'll affect his availability will be the top storyline of Cardinals camp. His reps were limited in organized team activities but increased during minicamp. Coach Steve Wilks said multiple times this offseason that Bradford is the starter, but first-round pick Josh Rosenis being groomed to handle first-team snaps if needed. Bradford's injury history is well documented and one ailment could sideline him and thus thrust Rosen into the starting job.

QB depth chart: Bradford has been named the starter throughout the offseason by Wilks as long as he's healthy. What'll be intriguing to watch during training camp is how the backup reps are divided between Rosen and veteran Mike Glennon, who was signed as a free agent in March. There's a good chance Rosen could win the backup role and Arizona could end up either releasing Glennon or carrying three as an insurance policy in case Bradford goes down and Rosen struggles in his first NFL action.

Bubble watch: There are a handful of veterans on the bubble when training camp starts. Among them are Glennon, whose status could be affected by Rosen. However, the safe bet would be to keep Glennon on the roster so, if Bradford goes down, Arizona has two capable quarterbacks in Glennon and Rosen ready to play. Wide receiver Brice Butler is another player to watch on the bubble. He wants to be Arizona's No. 2 receiver, but a shaky offseason has that goal in question. A.Q. Shipley's job could be in jeopardy if rookie offensive lineman Mason Cole stands out during camp. Speaking of ...

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: One of the position battles to watch in training camp involves a rookie who could win the job. Offensive lineman Mason Cole, Arizona's third-round pick out of Michigan, can push incumbent center A.Q. Shipley for the starting job. Cole hasn't missed a start in 104 games -- or the equivalent of eight years -- and has the experience and skill set to slide into the starting lineup.

DAVID JOHNSON WATCH: The Cardinals' star running back wasn't at minicamp because he wanted a new contract. On Monday, Johnson and the team announced that Johnson would indeed report for training camp. However, Johnson will begin camp this season without a new deal.

CB2 NEXT TO P2: The cornerback job opposite of Patrick Peterson is still up for grabs heading into training camp, thus making it one of the top positions to follow. Arizona has brought in seven corners to compete for that job. But if one hasn't separated himself from the pack yet, how long will that take?

LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Los Angeles Rams open training camp on July 26 on the campus of UC Irvine in Irvine, California. Here's a closer look at the Rams' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: Super Bowl or bust. After a surprise turnaround in 2017 that included a playoff appearance for the first time since 2004, the Rams went all-in, bolstering their roster with the acquisitions of All-Pro cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib and receiver Brandin Cooks, as well as All-Pro defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh. The time is now -- and the clock is ticking -- for the Rams to make a Super Bowl run with a loaded roster unlikely to stay intact for long, with big pay days awaiting Todd Gurley II and Jared Goff in the near future.

QB DEPTH CHART: From seven winless starts as a rookie to leading the NFL's highest-scoring offense last season, Goff, the top overall pick in 2016, goes into his third season with a newfound sense of ownership of coach Sean McVay's offense after spending a year in the system. Sean Mannion will once again backup Goff in the final season of a four-year deal. Brandon Allen and Luis Perez will compete for the No. 3 spot.

BUBBLE WATCH: Veteran defensive lineman Dominique Easley impressed coaches during training camp last season before tearing his ACL, prompting the Rams to give him another chance and sign him to a one-year deal worth $1.85 million. But there's uncertainty how the former first-round pick will perform coming off a third significant knee injury dating back to college.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: It's very unlikely that any rookie will crack the starting lineup. The Rams traded their first-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for Cooks. Their first two selections, in the third and fourth round, were offensive linemen Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen who will spend the season learning behind veterans. Linebacker Micah Kiser, a fifth-round pick from Virginia, competed at inside linebacker through the offseason program, but is not expected to win the job.

HOLD OUT WATCH: It remains to be seen whether reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald will report to camp. Donald is scheduled to earn $6.9 million in the final season of his rookie contract but is seeking a new deal that could pay him in excess of $20 million per season. He did not attend the offseason program and did not report to minicamp. McVay said he does not expect to see Donald until a resolution is reached.

ENCORE: Expectations of a repeat performance for Todd Gurley are high. Last season, Gurley was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year after he rushed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns and caught 64 passes for 788 yards and six touchdowns. The challenge for Gurley, a fourth-year pro, will be greater this season as opponents have had plenty of time to study film and learn how McVay deployed the multi-dimensional back.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The San Francisco 49ers open training camp on July 26 at their training facility in Santa Clara, California. Here's a closer look at the 49ers' camp:

TOP STORYLINE: If all goes as expected, the three words Jimmy Garoppolo hates most -- small sample size -- will no longer be tied to the Niners' franchise quarterback. Garoppolo, entering his fifth season, is finally going to be the undisputed starter and get a chance to prove he can succeed over the course of a full season. The expectations surrounding the Niners are huge for a team that was 6-10 a year ago. Most of that optimism is tied directly to the belief that Garoppolo can be the player who led San Francisco to five straight wins to close out last season over the course of a 16-game schedule and, perhaps, beyond.

QB DEPTH CHART: Let there be no doubt, this is Garoppolo's offense and, really, his team. The Niners will go as far as he can take them. Second-year signal caller C.J. Beathard is his backup after getting some valuable starting experience in 2017. Nick Mullens spent last year on the practice squad and will get the chance to continue to develop behind Garoppolo and Beathard, though it's unlikely the 49ers will carry three quarterbacks on the active roster.

BUBBLE WATCH: Winnable roster spots won't be as abundant this year as they were last year, but there are still a few veterans who could be pushed for spots. Receiver Aldrick Robinson will get plenty of competition from the likes of Kendrick Bourne and Richie James for a place on the receiver depth chart. Guard Joshua Garnett was a first-round pick just two years ago and has re-shaped his body to better fit the scheme, but with Jonathan Cooper and Laken Tomlinson positioned to win starting jobs, Garnett will have to prove that fit to win a spot. The fact that others, such as Erik Magnuson and Mike Person, bring more versatility could also factor into that competition. Also, running back Joe Williams has some work to do to win a job in his second season after entering the league as a fourth-round pick many believed could push for a starting job.

THIS ROOKIE COULD START: First-round pick Mike McGlinchey was poised to handle the starting right tackle job immediately after the Niners traded Trent Brown to the New England Patriots. McGlinchey's polish and ability to make a difference in the run game appealed to the 49ers and he should step in from day one. None of the other 49ers rookies are as much of a sure thing, though second-round wideout Dante Pettis has a good shot to be the team's punt returner right away after a record-breaking college career at Washington in that role. Third-round linebacker Fred Warner could also have a chance to play early as Reuben Foster serves a two-game suspension, and fifth-round cornerback D.J. Reed could potentially push for playing time in the slot and as a kick returner.

RICHARD SHERMAN'S RECOVERY: The Niners' biggest offseason addition was held out of organized team activities this spring, but Sherman looks poised to participate fully in camp. Sherman's ability to regain his previous form will be one of the biggest storylines of this camp and the season. During the offseason program, Sherman wasted no time taking on a leadership role for the secondary. Now, he will have the chance to lead by on-field example.

SORTING OUT THE SECONDARY: Assuming Sherman jumps into his expected starting role, the Niners will have plenty of other competition at spots on the back end. Jaquiski Tartt will start at strong safety but there's a lot to figure out when it comes to free safety, the other outside corner job and the nickel corner. Jimmie Ward spent the spring working at outside corner and could push Ahkello Witherspoon for a starting job opposite Sherman. He also could battle Adrian Colbert for the free safety spot and/or K'Waun Williams for the slot role. Or, perhaps, those players stay put and Ward serves as a sort of highly-paid utility man in the defensive backfield. The Niners also need to figure out whether Reed can push Williams for the nickel job and identify their best candidate to be the backup strong safety.