Bedard: Breaking down the 11 biggest positional battles in Patriots camp

We've already given you our initial 53-man roster. Now let's dig a little deeper on the individual battles that will determine roster spots and starting positions. We'll also pick a winner.

11. Backup QB: Brian Hoyer vs. Jarrett Stidham

This has the potential to give the Patriots another roster position — and a lot of BSJ members want Hoyer to be released, retained as a coach and then be an emergency QB, if needed — but the reason this is the lowest-ranked battle is that it's a real long shot. Stidham looked very much like a project in minicamps, and that's to be expected with him coming from two of the worst college offenses (Baylor, Auburn) in terms of producing pro quarterbacks. No, I don't see Danny Etling being a factor. He had a subpar minicamp and appeared to see the writing on the wall as he started to practice other offensive positions.

Stidham would have to make a ton of progress, I think, for the Patriots to entertain releasing Hoyer due to his depth of knowledge of the offense. Plus, Hoyer and Bill Belichick had a little bit of a handshake deal when Hoyer returned — he really did not want to move again. Maybe a coaching position would handle that. But, in general, there's too much risk in a QB who will be 42 in a few weeks to go with a very green backup.

Winner: Hoyer.

10. Depth TE: Ryan Izzo vs. Andrew Beck vs. Stephen Anderson

Ben Watson is suspended for the first four games (and I'm not sure he's a lock to make the roster in any event). Matt LaCosse could very well end up being the starter and, perhaps, only tight end on the initial roster. So I expect TE positions to be at a premium in the post-Gronk era with a lot of 4 WR sets. All of these guys are sort of different. Izzo is the best all-around. Beck, an UDFA, is a glorified fullback/H-back and may actually be competition for FB James Develin. Anderson is more athletic but hasn't really shown much.

Winner: Izzo.

9. Fifth interior OL: Ted Karras vs. James Ferentz vs. Brian Schwenke

The Patriots could very well go with just three or two tackles considering when/how Yodny Cajuste and Cole Coston return from PUP. I could very much see a scenario where Isaiah Wynn, Marcus Cannon and Cajuste are the only tackles on the roster, meaning Joe Thuney could be getting a lot of snaps at left tackle, if he's not the starter altogether.

So if the Patriots go skinny at tackle, that means they'll keep an extra interior player and fourth-round pick Hjalte Froholdt is the fourth player beyond the starters. That means there's room for one more. Karras got the nod last year, but Schwenke was in the mix until he got hurt. He might be the better overall player, but we haven't seen it yet. Ferentz is more of a center, while others are G/C.

Winner: Karras.

8. Depth Edge: Derek Rivers vs. Keionta Davis vs. Trent Harris vs. Shilique Calhoun

This may very well be moot when Deatrich Wise returns — he'd be the fourth edge player and that's all they might keep. But the Patriots could keep one more if they make some other moves (like trades) or there are injuries at other positions.

All of these guys need to flash and flash early to get into the mix, especially Rivers, the former third-round pick. Chase Winovich might just be his replacement in any event. Keionta Davis is obviously a staff favorite because he started three games last season before they finally woke up, realized he wasn't that good and he was a healthy scratch for the final 13 games. I don't have any real evidence of this other than my eyes, but Calhoun could be a dark horse off of his minicamp performance.

Winner (if there is one): Rivers.

7. Starting LCB: Jason McCourty vs. J.C. Jackson vs. Duke Dawson vs. Joejuan Williams

This is where things get interesting. To me, other than Williams (unless he gets a lot better than what he showed in minicamp), this is wide open between McCourty, Jackson and Dawson (with Keion Crossen on the outside). McCourty has the edge in experience and he was pretty good last season. Jackson is the young up-and-comer whose time as a starting CB might very well be now. Dawson is the second-round pick who is a complete unknown.

Winner: Jackson.

That could lead to the departure of McCourty if there is a roster crunch (no injuries).

6. Starting two-down RB: Sony Michel vs. Damien Harris

We figured this would be a no-doubter, but then Michel missed the entire offseason after a knee scope and is now on PUP. That leaves one huge opening for Harris, the third-round pick. Michel was good as a rookie but, let's be honest, it's not like he was making a lot of guys miss or yards on his own. The production in the running game came from the line and the offensive scheme/philosophy. A lot of their runners were productive when they were on the field. The problem with Michel is his durability. He doesn't have a great history of that, plus he was a non-factor in the passing game. Could Harris be more durable and a more well-rounded back? Sure, could happen.

Winner: Michel.

5. Depth WR: Phillip Dorsett vs. Dontrelle Inman vs. Jakobi Meyers

Depending on Josh Gordon's status, these players could be facing off for one or two spots. Dorsett is Mr. Reliable, who doesn't really get the respect he deserves, but doesn't really go inside. Inman is much taller (6-3) so he's a better boundary option — but he's always had inconsistent hands and on his fifth team. Meyers is an undrafted free agent who is bigger and thicker than Dorsett.

Winner: Dorsett (then Meyers, if Gordon isn't back).

4. Safety/special teams: Nate Ebner vs. Terrence Brooks

Ebner has been a BB favorite for a while and is one of the core special teamers, but he's increasingly had durability issues. He's in the final year of his contract, and releasing him would save about $1.5 million on the cap. Brooks just got a two-year deal and played more special teams snaps for the Ravens than Ebner did.

Winner: Brooks.

3. Startling slot CB: Jonathan Jones vs. Duke Dawson

This is where the title bouts take place, with the loser likely going home ... or to another team. Jones is the defending champion and played very well both at slot and at safety (in the Super Bowl) when given an opportunity. Anyone looking at advanced stats for slot corners should have their heads examined. It's almost a no-win position and you're just trying to keep from being busted. Jones did his job very well. But the Patriots drafted Dawson in the second round for a reason, and he's been healthy since the last half of last season. The Patriots need more young players playing on their rookie deals. Dawson counts $2 million less on the camp than Jones, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Winner: Dawson, with Jones traded.

2. Starting MLB: Elandon Roberts vs. J'Whaun Bentley

Roberts is the incumbent, but only because Bentley tore his bicep in the third game. He was already the starter and Roberts was on the bench. Bentley earned that starting spot from his work, mostly in the games when he went to another level. That's not to take anything away from Roberts, who has steadily improved and become a legit NFL starter. But something hast to give. This will depend on whether or not Bentley can pick up where he left off.

Winner: Bentley, with Roberts traded.

1. Punter: Ryan Allen vs. Jake Bailey

Geez, thanks a lot, Bill. Allen could have been the Super Bowl MVP and the thanks he got was Belichick trading up in the fifth round to draft Bailey. Yet Stephen Gostkowski, who has missed seven kicks in his last 10 postseason games (including five in the Patriots' final game the last four postseasons), earned himself a new, two-year deal this offseason. Go figure.

That's a lot of draft capital to spend to cut a rookie so, unless Bailey is a disaster (he's got a huge leg that needs some directional work), hard to see Allen sticking around.

Winner: Bailey, with Allen possibly being traded.