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5 New Orleans Saints Training Camp Battles to Watch in 2015

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New Orleans Saints Training Camp Battles to Watch in 2015

Drew Brees New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints were one of the more disappointing teams in the NFL last season. Many thought that the Saints would be a playoff-bound team, but instead they struggled. Drew Brees finally started to show some signs of slowing down, while the defense performed poorly after being successful the previous year. The Saints may have a lot of turnover in 2015, and here are five position battles to watch during the team's training camp.

5. Tight End: Benjamin Watson vs. Josh Hill

Benjamin Watson New Orleans Saints
Dennis Wierzbicki – USA TODAY Sports

5. Tight End: Benjamin Watson vs. Josh Hill

Benjamin Watson New Orleans Saints
Dennis Wierzbicki – USA TODAY Sports

When the New Orleans Saints traded Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks, it wasn’t clear who would replace Graham in their offense. It still isn’t. The team didn’t draft a replacement, so the job will likely be decided by a battle between veterans Benjamin Watson and Josh Hill. Neither is terrific, but I would give Watson the upper hand off the bat because he has had a very productive career, and Brees probably trusts him.

4. Inside Linebacker: Dannell Ellerbe vs. Stephone Anthony

Dannell Ellerbe New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY Sports

4. Inside Linebacker: Dannell Ellerbe vs. Stephone Anthony

Dannell Ellerbe New Orleans Saints 2
Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY Sports

When the team acquired Dannell Ellerbe in the Kenny Stills trade, it looked like he would be a starter. Now, it looks like he'll have to fight to start. The team took Stephone Anthony late in the first round of the draft, and they seem to have a lot of faith in him. While Ellerbe may be the starter heading into training camp, expect Anthony to push for playing time, and the young, athletic linebacker could win the position battle.

3. Rush Linebacker: Hau'oli Kikaha vs. Parys Haralson

Hau'oli Kikaha New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY Sports

3. Rush Linebacker: Hau'oli Kikaha vs. Parys Haralson

Hau'oli Kikaha New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY Sports

Given the current uncertainty surrounding Junior Galette, it is going to be important for the team to have a backup plan in case he gets suspended. If he is punished, then the two logical candidates to start across from Anthony Spencer are rookie Hau'oli Kikaha and veteran Parys Haralson. While Kikaha has great potential, he has some injury issues, so it will be interesting to see if he can fight off Haralson to earn playing time.

2. Right Tackle: Zach Strief vs. Andrus Peat

Andrus Peat New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY Sports

2. Right Tackle: Zach Strief vs. Andrus Peat

Andrus Peat New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY Sports

When you take an offensive lineman 13th overall, you typically have good faith in him, but Andrus Peat is currently listed as a backup on the team’s depth chart. Zach Strief has been a solid tackle for the Saints, so Peat may have trouble beating him out for the job in his rookie season. If Peat can’t win the job, he would likely be a backup tackle or end up starting at the left guard position. It will be interesting to see what happens there.

1. Starting Running Back: Mark Ingram vs. C.J. Spiller

C.J. Spiller New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY Sports

1. Starting Running Back: Mark Ingram vs. C.J. Spiller

C.J. Spiller New Orleans Saints
Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY Sports

Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller have very different running styles, so I’m interested to see which one wins the battle. If Ingram wins, I expect the Saints to utilize a run-heavy offense and use Ingram plenty on early downs. If Spiller wins, he’ll function in a Darren Sproles-like role to help New Orleans use their pass game to beat their opponents. I feel like the style of offense the team uses will be decided by who wins the running back battle.

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