NFL Position Battles to Watch

NFL.com Senior Analyst Pat Kirwan, who also hosts Sirius NFL's Moving the Chains (with Tim Ryan), spent his weekend researching key NFL camp match-ups for 2008 (while the ladies in his family watched Sex in the City). Making sure to check out both the offensive and defensive breakdown of this article is a must for any fantasy GM hoping to get a leg-up on the competitions, particularly in deep leagues. Below are a couple of battles that will hold particular importance in fantasy leagues this year.

QB - The depth-chart battles in five NFL cities will rule the headlines during the NFL pre-season - Baltimore, Miami, Chicago, Arizona, and Kansas City. Frankly, I believe Leinart is going to parlay his newly anointed start status into an Eli Manning-like maturation this season. As a fantasy GM, I cannot get excited about the QB battle in Chicago because of the team's complete lack of depth and play-making skills at the WR position. The player in this group who should really surprise GMs this year is Josh McCown.

RB - The major competition at the RB position are in Chicago, Carolina, and Oakland. I'd avoid overpaying for any Carolina back this year, as they never seem to emerge as expected. Remember when Williams was the next big thing in CAR? Benson is showing up with new resolve, potentially enough to dupe some inexperienced GMs into taking the bait on draft day. The story in Oakland is a complete mess. Don't over pay for McFadden, because Bush is a solid starter in this league and Fargas has shown flashes.

WR - Several options are emerging in Jacksonville, New Orleans, and Buffalo. Label me a Robert Meachem fan this year, as I expect big things from this draft-day super-sleeper. Lance Moore is another excellent player. GMs should downgrade the sloppy-handed Devery Henderson - he'll never be as good as the butter-fingered Darrel Jackson, which is saying something.

TE - The battle in Seattle for the coveted TE position in Holmgren's West Coast offense is up for grabs. The Hawks reached for John Carlson for a reason, expect him to start and perform. Seattle's recent draft history is impressive. Remember the last second-round draft reach? He is now an All-Pro MLB.

D - Not all teams play individual defensive players. If you do, keep an eye on several players, including Merling (MIA), Sims (CIN), Ellis (NO), Gholston (NYJ), Connor (CAR), Phillips (NYG), and Jenkins (DAL)