Miami Dolphins training camp begins in just one week so that means position battles are ready to be waged in earnest. Miami juggled a bunch of players on the defensive side of the ball in order to improve a unit that was highly disappointing during the second half of last season. Many of those moves were made along the defensive line putting the starting job of veteran tackle Earl Mitchell in serious jeopardy.

Mitchell was added via free agency in the summer of 2014 to replace the departed Paul Soliai. He played in all sixteen games, but rarely did anything to excite Dolphins’ fans. His 22 tackles and just two sacks belied the $9 million guaranteed he was granted by the Dolphins. The former Arizona Wildcats’ defender is penciled in on the top of the depth chart heading into next week, but that spot doesn’t seem secure.

The top free agent signee for the Dolphins this offseason was defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh. The ex-Detroit Lions’ superstar will start as one of the tackles in Miami’s 4-3 scheme. Mitchell will be pushed for his starting slot by another former Lions’ tackle C.J. Mosley. Mosley was a late addition to the Dolphins’ roster this summer, but his familiarity playing next to Suh may give him an edge over Big Earl. Suh and Mosley were a tandem wrecking crew against the run while in Detroit and stopping the run is Miami’s biggest priority on defense this year. Mitchell did not ruin the opponent’s rushing game as much as anticipated last fall, making Mosley a better choice.

Miami used its second-round draft choice in May on Oklahoma Sooners’ run-stopper Jordan Phillips. Although he doesn’t figure to see a ton of reps with the first unit in camp, an impressive showing by Phillips may force the Dolphins’ defensive coaches to edge him past the incumbent. Phillips is five years younger than Mitchell and he has a hidden  explosiveness waiting to be released.

It doesn’t figure that career backup A.J. Francis will push Mitchell for his starting role, but a sleeper may be second-year player Anthony Johnson. The undrafted free agent out of LSU did not make an impact on the defense last season, but he has the same size as Mitchell and a knack for opening eyes in practice. It would be great to see more of Johnson on meaningful snaps once the exhibition season starts. He is a few years younger and a lot cheaper than Mitchell.

With Mitchell in the middle of a four-year, $16 million contract it is doubtful that he will take a back seat to anyone except maybe Mosley. With the Dolphins pushed up against the salary cap, it would not come as a surprise if Mitchell is not only removed from the starting lineup, but sent packing from the team as well. If Miami is looking to acquire more depth at another position, it is reasonable to think that Mitchell is replaceable.

Nik Zirounis is an NFL/Dolphins writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @realnikz and like him on Facebook