The Houston Texans appear set to have much more competition in training camp than the team had a year ago. 

It's obvious who will be the starter at certain positions like quarterback, but others are more ambiguous. As has been a theme in the Nick Caserio era, the team brought in several veterans on one-year deals that could compete for starting jobs. 

With that being said, I want to identify the three position battles that will be the most entertaining to watch this summer.

Wide Receiver

The wide receiver room is much more talented in Houston than it was a year ago. John Metchie III will make his long-awaited debut and will join rookies Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson and veterans Robert Woods and Noah Brown as newcomers to the team. Holdover Nico Collins should also be healthy for the season and looks to pick up where he left off in 2022. 

Metchie, Woods, Brown, Dell, and Collins should be considered locks. That likely leaves just one spot up for grabs, with the rookie Hutchinson competing against Steven Sims, Jalen Camp, Amari Rodgers, and more. 

Additionally, the top of the depth chart should have some serious competition as the team hopes for one of these receivers to become a No. 1 option. 

Running back 

Dameon Pierce will likely get the bulk of the carries once again after a solid rookie season. Veteran Devin Singletary was signed in free agency and should fill the Rex Burkhead role from last season. 

However, Singletary has plenty of starting experience from his Buffalo days and could challenge Pierce if the young back struggles. 

Behind that duo, there could be an interesting competition. Veteran power back Mike Boone was signed in free agency and Xazavian Valladay is an interesting UDFA. Veteran special teamer Dare Ogunbowale and 2022 UDFA Gerrid Doaks round out the depth chart. 

With Pierce and Singletary taking most of the snaps, the team could likely roll with just three RBs. This means Boone, Ogunbowale, Doaks, and Valladay could be competing for one spot. Can Valladay or Doaks show enough to warrant a spot? Will Boone's recent signing be enough to push Ogunbowale out? 

EDGE

One starting spot is locked up with the addition of rookie Will Anderson Jr. The other will likely go to Jonathan Greenard, who has shown flashes but has been inconsistent. 

It will be interesting to see if anyone can challenge Greenard for the starting role. Chase Winovich, rookie Dylan Horton, Demone Harris, or UDFA Ali Gaye could make a case for serious playing time with a strong summer. It will be interesting to see if veteran Jerry Hughes is kept around for his age 35 season or if the team prefers to give snaps to younger players.

Jacob Martin returned to Houston this offseason, and the team also has Derek Rivers and Adedayo Odeleye on the roster. This is a much deeper group than it was a year ago and some good players will be pushed off of the roster. 

Featured image via © Jeff Hanisch | 2019 Aug 8