The Sports Xchange

While there is plenty of the usual nonstop hype about first-round draftees during the NFL’s organized team activities, there are many more intriguing players selected lower who are destined to make major impacts.

For every Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota — the quarterbacks taken 1-2 in the 2015 NFL Draft and anointed as instant stars — there are a dozen lesser-known players drafted lower, or not at all, who are already making their bids for recognition.

Based on input from The Sports Xchange correspondents covering every NFL team, we will take a look at some of the more interesting rookie battles that do not include players drafted in the first round.

Here is a look at one such battle on every team in the NFL. (Teams are listed alphabetically. Information includes player’s name, position, height, weight, college and draft round and overall selection.)

ARIZONA CARDINALS

–Rookie battle watch: J.J. Nelson, wide receiver, 5-10, 156, UAB, Round 5 (159th overall). With the top three spots already locked up by Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown, there will be an intense competition at the No. 4 wide receiver position.

Nelson, who ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, is battling it out with fellow speedsters Jaron Brown and Brittan Golden, along with undrafted free agents Jaxon Shipley, Damond Powell, Trevor Harmon and Ryan Spadola. Nelson’s stiffest competition likely will come from Jaron Brown and Golden, but Nelson might have an edge with his special-teams abilities as a returner and gunner.

John Brown, who dazzled as a rookie in 2014, sees a lot of himself in Nelson, saying, “He’s a kid that can come in like I did and learn. He asks a lot of questions and I think he can be a big help.”

ATLANTA FALCONS

–Rookie battle watch: Tevin Coleman, running back, 5-11, 206, Indiana, Round 3 (73rd overall). After cutting Steven Jackson and not re-signing Jacquizz Rodgers, the Falcons are looking for someone to carry the load at running back. Last year they drafted Devonta Freeman in the fourth round and this year they took Coleman in the third round, setting the stage for a duel.

Both are taking snaps with the first team during OTAs.

Coleman has not been shy when he has gotten his opportunity and has flashed the speed that helped him rush for 2,000 yards last season at Indiana.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

–Rookie battle watch: Maxx Williams, tight end, 6-4, 249, Minnesota, Round 2 (55th overall). The Ravens made a statement by selecting Williams in the second round only one year after giving veteran Dennis Pitta a five-year contract worth $32 million.

Pitta didn’t even make it through the first month of that deal. On Sept. 21 he re-injured his right hip, which has been dislocated twice and surgically repaired over a two-year period.

Williams is favorably compared to Pitta and is expected to take over the starting role in offensive coordinator Marc Trestman’s tight end-friendly system.

BUFFALO BILLS

–Rookie battle watch: John Miller, guard, 6-3, 303, Louisville, Round 3 (81st overall). If we can assume that free agent signee Richie Incognito is the starting right guard, then the Bills have one very clear opening on the offensive line: left guard. Early in OTAs, Miller is seeing plenty of time with the first unit, which also includes tackles Cordy Glenn and Seantrel Henderson and center Eric Wood.

Miller was a player the Bills coveted in the third round. They loved that he was a four-year player at Louisville, and his run-blocking toughness is exactly what Greg Roman is looking for in his running scheme. With veteran Chris Williams still absent for all offseason workouts, Miller’s primary competition is second-year player Cyril Richardson and swing backup Kraig Urbik. It looks like Miller is going to get a real chance to win the job.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

–Rookie battle watch: Devin Funchess, wide receiver, 6-4, 232, Michigan, Round 2 (41st overall). The Panthers traded away their third- and sixth-round picks to jump up 16 spots for Funchess. But the second-rounder isn’t guaranteed a role as Carolina’s No. 2 receiver.

Funchess’ move up the depth chart is for now blocked by veteran Jerricho Cotchery and 2012 second-round pick Stephen Hill. Ultimately, the Panthers hope to pair Funchess with 6-foot-5 No. 1 wideout Kelvin Benjamin.

CHICAGO BEARS

–Rookie battle watch: Eddie Goldman, nose tackle, Florida State, Round 2 (39th overall): Goldman faces plenty of pressure to produce immediately in order to win the starting nose tackle spot from Jeremiah Ratliff, Ego Ferguson or Will Sutton.

With Ray McDonald now out of the picture at one of the defensive end spots, the Bears are short of players experienced in the 3-4, two-gap front. They need Goldman to step up immediately and not so much beat out the veterans but show he can anchor the middle so they can move Ferguson and Ratliff more often to the five-technique spot, where they might be more comfortable.

If Goldman struggles, it will mean the 6-4, 293-pound Ratliff will have to spend more time at nose, where he’s not as effective. Ferguson might have better size to play there than Ratliff, but he hasn’t manned that spot in the NFL.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

–Rookie battle watch: Tyler Kroft, tight end, 6-51/2, 246, Rutgers, Round 3 (85th overall). With free agent Jermaine Gresham seemingly out of the picture, the Bengals need a big body not afraid of blocking to team with receiving tight end Tyler Eifert in the two-tight-end sets that offensive coordinator Hue Jackson favors.

After Eifert missed all but one quarter last season with a dislocated elbow and separated shoulder, the tight-end sets Jackson envisioned — with a pair of down-field threats who could block — were virtually gone. While Gresham went to two Pro Bowls in five seasons, he was underrated as a blocker in the rough-and-tumble AFC North. But the Bengals feel Kroft, a good route runner who ran a more than competent 4.67 seconds in the 40-yard dash during his pro day, gives them enough in both catching and blocking to inject life back into the double tight formation.

They saw him do plenty of both at Rutgers and made him their top-rated tight end. After leading Rutgers with 43 catches and 573 yards, Kroft caught just 24 balls last season when they needed him to block in a new run-oriented offense.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

–Rookie battle watch: Duke Johnson, running back, 5-9, 207, Miami, Round 3 (77th overall). The battle between Johnson and second-year player Terrance West should be one of the best of training camp. The Browns took Johnson in the third round because the plan this year is to throw the ball out of the backfield more than they did last season.

Coach Mike Pettine set the stage for the battle by saying West has “untapped potential.” Johnson left the University of Miami as the Hurricanes’ all-time leading rusher, with 3,519 yards. He caught 38 passes last season and 69 for his career.

DALLAS COWBOYS

–Rookie battle watch: La’el Collins, offensive tackle, 6-5, 305, LSU, free-agent signing. Collins is a first-round talent from LSU who went undrafted because he was sought for questioning in the death of a former girlfriend. He was never labeled a suspect and has since been cleared.

When the Cowboys signed him, they liked his ability to play tackle or guard. But starting right tackle Doug Free is rehabbing from offseason foot surgery, so Collins will begin his NFL career at right tackle, where he will split time on the first team with Darrion Weems.

Collins could move to left guard to challenge Ron Leary for the starting job. But for now — and perhaps permanently — he is at tackle. Free missed five games last season because of injuries and likely has one more year with the Cowboys. If Collins lives up to expectations and develops quickly, Free’s departure from the starting lineup could come sooner rather than later.

DENVER BRONCOS

–Rookie battle watch: Ty Sambrailo, offensive tackle, 6-6, 307, Colorado State, Round 2 (59th overall). Sambrailo could benefit from a wide-open competition on the offensive line. Although he began OTAs working behind Chris Clark at right tackle, it would be no surprise if the athletic former Colorado State standout earns the starting job by training camp.

Sambrailo’s biggest challenge could be learning right tackle. He played every position but center on the offensive line at Colorado State, but most of his experience came at left tackle. He worked at right tackle during Senior Bowl week in January.

DETROIT LIONS

–Rookie battle watch: Ameer Abdullah, running back, 5-9, 201, Nebraska, Round 2 (54th overall). After ranking 28th in rushing in 2014, the Lions targeted help in the run game this offseason. Abdullah’s battle for playing time in the backfield will be one of the top competitions this summer. With starting running back Joique Bell returning and Theo Riddick proving to be a threat as a pass catcher, Abdullah could have limited opportunities as a rookie, but neither Bell nor Riddick is a top back in the NFL.

Abdullah has some traits the Lions like in Bell and Riddick. Though his actual height is only 5 feet 8 3/4 (rounded to 5-9 on rosters), he can run inside with some power at 205 pounds. He also had success as a receiver out of the backfield at Nebraska. Abdullah could take over as the top back in 2015, and how he performs this offseason might dictate how quickly that happens.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

–Rookie battle watch: Jake Ryan, linebacker, 6-2, 240, Michigan, Round 4 (129th overall). Ryan isn’t being anointed a savior, much less a starter, just yet. Much as he did with first-round draft pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at safety last offseason, defensive coordinator Dom Capers will take a wait-and-see approach with Ryan.

The presence of versatile All-Pro Clay Matthews will help in easing the fourth-round selection into the fold at an inside linebacker position that experienced big turnover with the February cuts of longtime starters A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones.

“Clay Matthews is a great pass rusher,” coach Mike McCarthy said when the team’s OTAs started. “He’s going to continue to play as many different positions as we can get out of him. He’s a great player, and we need to give him opportunities to make plays.”

In early OTA workouts, Matthews reprised his late-season role by moving from his natural spot of outside linebacker to work alongside Sam Barrington in the middle. Barrington started the final seven games last season, including both playoff contests. Ryan, meanwhile, was relegated to reps with the second-string defense.

HOUSTON TEXANS

–Rookie battle watch: Jaelen Strong, wide receiver, 6-2, 217, Arizona State, Round 3 (70th overall). With Andre Johnson’s departure, the Texans have a wide-open spot at wide receiver.

Strong will compete with veterans Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington for playing time alongside No. 1 starter DeAndre Hopkins, who sat out early OTAs. Strong’s size and frame were evident during practice. He also dropped a ball that was catchable when he was working his way through his first official day as a rookie.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

–Rookie battle watch: Josh Robinson, running back, 5-8, 217, Mississippi State, Round 6 (205th overall). With the decision to release Trent Richardson and not re-sign free agent Ahmad Bradshaw during the offseason, the Colts are looking for Robinson to perhaps be the primary backup behind starter Frank Gore.

The jury is still out on fourth-year veteran Vick Ballard, who has missed the last two seasons with knee injuries. Ballard’s rehab is reportedly ahead of schedule, but he has not gotten any on-field work during the team’s OTA sessions.

“Josh Robinson is a ball of energy,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “A very quick learner. (He) does a good job of taking lesions from the classroom to the practice field.”

Right now, his biggest competition is coming from returning veteran Daniel “Boom” Herron, who had increased playing time over the last month of the 2014 season, and second-year veteran Zurlon Tipton.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

–Rookie battle watch: T. J. Yeldon, running back, 6-2, 226, Alabama, Round 2 (36th overall). The Jaguars haven’t been comfortable at the running back spot since they elected not to resign Maurice Jones-Drew after the 2013 season. They drafted Denard Robinson in the fifth round of the 2013 draft; and, while he played in all 16 games that year, he had just 20 rushes for 66 yards as he was used at a number of positions. Last year the Jags signed Toby Gerhart and declared him the starter, but he injured his ankle and was ineffective or unavailable too often.

The Jaguars showed their concern by drafting Yeldon in the second round. They liked his size, speed and consistency (two seasons of over 1,100 rushing yards before finishing with 979 his senior year). Yeldon will be given every opportunity to win the starting job that both Robinson and Gerhart had the same chance at. All three backs might be on the final roster and possibly two others — Storm Johnson and Bernard Pierce.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

–Rookie battle watch: Chris Conley, wide receiver, 6-3, 213, Georgia, Round 3 (76th overall). The starting wide receiver opposite Jeremy Maclin is the most important position competition in the Chiefs’ OTA sessions.

Second-year returnee Albert Wilson, who made the roster last year as a free-agent rookie, ran with the No. 1 offense in early OTA practices.

Conley is expected to push Wilson. Conley presents a bigger target (6-3 compared to Wilson at 5-9) and has just as much straight-line speed. Wilson was the best receiver in Georgia State football history, with 175 receptions for 3,190 yards and 23 touchdowns. At Georgia, Conley caught 117 balls for 1,938 yards and 20 touchdowns.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

–Rookie battle watch: Jamil Douglas, guard, 6-4, 304, Arizona State, Round 4 (52nd overall). Douglas is battling third-year player Dallas Thomas for the starting job. Thomas has been unreliable in his two seasons, barely getting on the field as a rookie and not doing much to turn heads last season. A third-round pick in 2013, Thomas played both tackle and guard but didn’t stand out at either.

In early OTA work, Douglas showed some decent ability against tackle Jordan Phillips, the second-round pick from Oklahoma. Douglas was part of a second-team unit that got shoved around by the second-team defensive line. Still, Douglas should push Thomas in a closely contested battle through training camp.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

–Rookie battle watch: T. J. Clemmings, offensive tackle, 6-5, 309, Pittsburgh, Round 4 (110th overall). Clemmings could be the key to the offensive line making a significant step forward after a disappointing 2014 season. The highly rated big tackle from Pittsburgh fell to the fourth round because of concerns about an old stress fracture in his foot that he wasn’t even aware of. He has never played guard, but he is being given the opportunity to start there as a rookie.

Veteran Brandon Fusco, the team’s second-best lineman behind center John Sullivan, is moving to left guard, where he will help struggling left tackle Matt Kalil. If Clemmings can handle the move inside, his size and strength next to right tackle Phil Loadholt will be a boost to the running game as well as the pass protection for second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

If Clemmings fails, the team could be forced to move Fusco back to right guard, insert veteran super sub Joe Berger at one of the two guard spots or give David Yankey a shot. Yankey was so raw and physically immature for the NFL as a rookie last year that he didn’t play a single snap.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

–Rookie battle watch: Tre’ Jackson, guard, 6-4, 330, Florida State, Round 4 (111th overall). Last year, fourth-round rookie center Bryan Stork went from the middle of the Florida State offensive line to earn a starting job in New England. Line coach Dave DeGuglielmo is probably hoping for a second hit of Seminole luck this summer with Jackson.

Like Stork, Jackson is a fourth-round pick with a chance to start immediately on a team that probably has openings at both guard spots. Dan Connolly, a starter at either guard or center for the last five seasons, remains a free agent and Ryan Wendell was a guard out of need, not choice, last fall.

Jackson likely will battle fellow fourth-round pick Shaquille Mason (Round 4/131st overall) for at least one guard opening. Jackson is seen as a more pro-ready product out of a pro-style college offense, while Mason is a shorter prospect from an option attack at Georgia Tech who may need some grooming.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

–Rookie battle watch: P.J. Williams, cornerback, 6-0, 194, Florida State, Round 3 (78th overall). After signing cornerback Brandon Browner in free agency to pair with two-year starter Keenan Lewis on the outside, the Saints wanted somebody to step in as their new nickel corner. So they picked up two in the draft, Williams and Damian Swann (Round 5, 167th overall, Georgia). They will be competing against veteran free-agent acquisition Kyle Wilson.

Of the two draftees, Williams, rated by some as a first-round prospect, has the inside track on the slot job. Williams slid down draft boards after an early April arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence, a charge that was later dropped because of a lack of evidence. He also reportedly left the scene of an accident in October, but he returned 20 minutes later.

Williams played the nickel spot in his first two seasons at Florida State, where he built a reputation as a sure tackler.

NEW YORK GIANTS

–Rookie battle watch: Geremy Davis, wide receiver, 6-2, 217, Connecticut, Round 6 (186th overall). Davis will be among those fighting for one of the roster spots behind virtual locks Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle and Dwayne Harris.

Davis’ primary competition appears to be second-year player Corey Washington, who at 6-4 and 214 pounds is the latest in the big-body type of receivers the Giants have gravitated toward.

While Washington has been impressive with the offense, making some eye-catching receptions, this battle more than likely will come down to who embraces and performs on special teams.

That gives Davis a slight advantage. Last year, Washington often found himself on the outside looking in on game day because he didn’t distinguish himself on special teams. Davis has said he enjoys the physical nature of the role and hopes to use his size and physicality to make plays as a punt gunner.

NEW YORK JETS

–Rookie battle watch: Lorenzo Mauldin, defensive end, 6-4, 259, Louisville, Round 3 (82nd overall). Mauldin landed in a pretty good spot to prove his pass-rushing skills. The Jets’ top two pass rushers are Jason Babin and Calvin Pace, but Babin just turned 35 and Pace turns 35 in October and neither player is a sure thing to make the final roster.

Mauldin could convince the Jets it is time to move on from the veterans if he displays during training camp some of the form he showed at Louisville, where he had 20.5 sacks in three seasons.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

–Rookie battle watch: Clive Walford, tight end, 6-4, 251, Miami, Round 3 (68th overall). Walford is bigger and looks like he may be faster than nominal incumbent Mychal Rivera. Walford’s play has been eye-opening, prompting a comparison to former Raider Raymond Chester.

With fullback Marcel Reece able to take on many of the H-back or flex roles Rivera did last year, and Walford possibly a gifted receiver, it’s a position group that bears watching throughout training camp.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

–Rookie battle watch: Eric Rowe, cornerback, 6-1, 205, Utah, Round 2 (47th overall). Rowe is one of four players battling for the starting cornerback job opposite Byron Maxwell. The three others are Nolan Carroll, Brandon Boykin and free-agent signee Walter Thurmond.

Boykin is the Eagles’ nickel corner, and defensive coordinator Bill Davis would prefer to keep him inside. Davis also doesn’t want to rush Rowe. So it’s likely Carroll or Thurmond will open the season as the starter, with Rowe being used in sub-packages against bigger wideouts and tight ends. It is also possible, but not probable, that Rowe could end up at safety with Malcolm Jenkins.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

–Rookie battle watch: Senquez Golson, cornerback, 5-9, 176, Mississippi, Round 2 (56th overall). His real height is only 5-8 1/2, but making this roster is not a tall order. All he has to do is crack the nickel defense, which wasn’t worth a penny last year.

The Steelers are renowned for not having a Pro Bowl cornerback since Rod Woodson in the 1990s and things got worse during 2014. Ike Taylor retired and Brice McCain, who started nine games, left as a free agent. Golson was the Steelers’ answer to all of that when they drafted him in the second round.

The starters on paper are William Gay and Cortez Allen, who was benched for ineffectiveness in the first half of last season. There really is no nickel right now, unless special-teamer Antwon Blake counts. So in the early going it is Golson vs. Blake for the third corner; and, if Golson succeeds there, the road is still open to a starting berth for the rookie.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

–Rookie battle watch: Rob Havenstein, offensive tackle, 6-7, 321, Wisconsin, Round 2 (57th overall). The Rams went heavy for offensive linemen after the first round of the draft, and the rookies’ development will go a long way toward determining how much the Rams’ offense can improve in 2015.

Havenstein seems to be the favorite to win the starting job at right tackle, and there doesn’t appear to be much competition after last year’s starter, Joe Barksdale, signed with San Diego.

However, fourth-round pick Andrew Donnal could inject himself into the battle. The veteran who might be in the mix for the job is Garrett Reynolds, who was signed away from Atlanta. Rams offensive line coach Paul Boudreau coached Reynolds with the Falcons.

Most likely, Reynolds will compete with third-round pick Jamon Brown at one of the guard spots. Rodger Saffold will be one starter, but he can play either side. Brown was a tackle at Louisville, but he will get his first pro experience at guard. The final drafted lineman, sixth-round choice Cody Wichmann, can’t be counted out in the competition at guard.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

–Rookie battle watch: Denzel Perryman, inside linebacker, 5-11, 236, Miami, Round 2 (48th overall). With inside linebackers Donald Butler and Manti Te’o coming back, Perryman comes to a defense that seemed to be set at that position, although now it appears general manager Tom Telesco has a different perspective.

Fresh from signing a long-term contract, Butler was so-so last year. His tackles were down and his angles were bad. An arm injury kept him from the final two games. Te’o showed improvement as the season matured, with some of his better games coming in the final month as he finished with 60 tackles. But it was just adequate, not spectacular, and Te’o often gets crushed on running plays.

So maybe Telesco is looking for more from a run defense that finished No. 30 in total yards and yards per carry. Perryman, considering where he was drafted, will get an opportunity to improve those rankings, and possibly at the expense of Butler and/or Te’o.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

–Rookie battle watch: Eli Harold, outside linebackers, 6-3, 247, Virginia, Round 3 (79th overall). Harold is unlikely to start as a rookie, but that might have been said about last year’s third-rounder, inside linebacker Chris Borland, and he became a defensive fixture by season’s end.

Harold likely will enter training camp as the club’s No. 5 outside linebacker, but the prospects for moving up the ladder are good, considering the top four are Aldon Smith, a former star who served a lengthy suspension in 2014; Ahmad Brooks, a veteran the club is not sure it wants to keep; Aaron Lynch, an untested second-year player; and Corey Lemonier, a dependable type who seems best-suited to be a backup.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

–Rookie battle watch: Frank Clark, defensive end, 6-3, 271, Michigan, Round 2 (63rd overall). Seattle’s controversial second-round pick could make all the hubbub worth it if he can forge a role as a pass rusher this season.

In so doing, he would make moot all the talk about the future of Bruce Irvin, whose option for 2016 was not exercised.

The Seahawks think Clark can play both strong-side and weak-side defensive end, the latter a critical role (called the LEO position) in the team’s defense. Irvin, listed as a linebacker, often plays the LEO role on passing downs. The Seahawks will give Clark every opportunity to bite into Irvin’s time.

TAMPA BAY BUCANNEERS

–Rookie battle watch: Kenny Bell, wide receiver, 6-1, 197, Nebraska, Round 5 (162nd overall). Bell will battle veteran Louis Murphy for time on the field. Bell is the Cornhuskers’ all-time leading receiver in yards and touchdowns. He has good speed and outstanding hands.

Eventually, the Bucs must replace wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who is 32, and Bell eventually will be an outside receiver. But, like Murphy, he may find playing time as the slot receiver in Dirk Koetter’s offense.

TENNESSEE TITANS

–Rookie battle watch: Jeremiah Poutasi, offensive tackle, 6-5, 235, Utah, Round 3 (66th overall). One of the least solidified positions for the Titans is right tackle, where a variety of players tried to fill the void a year ago. Michael Oher, signed to start in that spot a year ago, was released and signed by the Panthers, leaving an open competition in Tennessee.

Poutasi is believed to be the eventual favorite to land the starting role. But in OTAs and in minicamp, he will get a challenge from Byron Bell (signed away from the Panthers) and career backup Byron Stingily, who re-signed with the Titans.

If Poutasi shows what the Titans expect from him, the job should be his. If not, they will have to decide between Bell and Stingily to fill the opening on the offensive line.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

–Rookie battle watch: Arie Kouandjio, guard, 6-5, 310, Alabama, Round 4 (112th overall). Holdover starters Chris Chester and Shawn Lauvao did not play well last season. Former third-round picks Spencer Long (214) and Josh LeRibeus (212) were also in the mix, but Kouandjio is the only one among them acquired since Bill Callahan became Washington’s line coach this offseason.

So that says a lot about the returnees as well as Kouandjio.

A starter at Alabama the past two seasons, he said his tenure with the Crimson Tide taught him “toughness. Patience. Discipline. Commitment. Effort. … Making sure your body dies before your mind does and just pushing through. Your body’s capable of doing way more than sometimes you allow it to.”

The Redskins would like to see that from this rookie.

“(There are) going to be some tough days, (but) Kouandjio’s a detailed guy,” coach Jay Gruden said. “He loves football. He practices hard. He wants to hear every ounce of criticism, (accept) every ounce of coaching and (try) to translate that onto the next rep.”

–Frank Cooney, founder and publisher of The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com, is in his sixth decade covering football and is a selector for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. TSX correspondents contributed to this story.