PHILADELPHIA As with any season, there are position battles in training camp that will capture plenty of attention. That is just as true for perennial playoff teams as it is for bottom-feeder teams.So as the Eagles conduct their first training camp practice on July 29, there will be several spots up for grabs. A few of them will be for starting jobs, while others will be for key backup roles. And as we know, some of the competitions can last all the way up until the Eagles' first regular-season game.The Eagles open their season against the Washington Commanders on Sept. 13.Buy Philadelphia Eagles tickets"This is a long, long process that we're being diligent about every single day to continue to get better," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "I know it's like, 'Well, that's coach-speak.' That's just really how we live and how we go about our business of just staying locked into the present."Here, then, are the Eagles' top 6 position battles heading into training camp, ranked in inverse order:6. Offensive line: Markel Bell vs Fred JohnsonThis would seem like a slam dunk for Johnson, who has served as the backup at both right and left tackle in each of the past two seasons. And Johnson has been busy, starting eight games last season in place of right tackle Lane Johnson. The season before, he started five games, mostly for left tackle Jordan Mailata.While Fred Johnson performed admirably last season, he didn't make anyone forget about Lane Johnson. Bell, who's 6-foot-9, 346 pounds, was drafted in the third round last spring, with the possibility of one day replacing Lane Johnson, who's 36 years old. The Eagles gave Bell a few chances with the first team during spring organized team activities (Lane Johnson didn't attend those sessions). We'll get a better idea once the pads come on in camp and during the preseason games. But if Bell does impress this summer, the Eagles could waive Fred Johnson.HURTS LOCKED IN: Can Eagles' Jalen Hurts silence critics, thrive in defining season?5. Tight end: Eli Stowers vs. Grant CalcaterraWe know that Dallas Goedert is TE1 as the veteran returned for one more season. We also know that Johnny Mundt, signed in free agency, is the so-called blocking tight end. That leaves Stowers, the Eagles' second-round draft pick, battling with Calcaterra, entering his fifth season, to be Goedert's backup. Neither is an accomplished blocker.Clearly, the Eagles would want Stowers to win this job. But keep in mind that Stowers came to college as a quarterback and really has only two seasons as a tight end. In addition, Calcaterra has served as Goedert's fill-in since 2022, and Goedert missed at least three games in each season from 2022-24.Stowers would be on the roster regardless, but Calcaterra would likely be waived if he doesn't win the job.4. Edge rusher: Nolan Smith vs. Arnold EbiketieWe know Jonathan Greenard, whom the Eagles traded for in April, is considered the top edge rusher, with 12-sack seasons for the Vikings in 2023 and 2024. We also know that Jalyx Hunt is a budding star after leading the Eagles in interceptions last season with three.What we don't know is how the Eagles really feel about Smith, their first-round pick (No. 30 overall), in 2023. Sure, the Eagles picked up Smith's fifth-year option for 2027, guaranteeing him $14 million that season. But Smith, dealing with a triceps injury for most of last season, had just three sacks in 2025. And the Eagles signed Ebiketie in free agency after he had six sacks in each of the 2023 and 2024 seasons.Both players should be in the four-man rotation. But if Greenard is playing the vast majority of the defensive snaps, then there won't be many snaps left for the No. 4 guy.SIRIANNI SURVIVAL: How Nick Sirianni survives as Eagles coach. Think ChatGPT, Vic Fangio3. Backup QB: Andy Dalton vs. Tanner McKeeSirianni sort of indicated that there would be a battle for the No. 2 job behind Jalen Hurts when he was asked in the spring if McKee is still the backup quarterback. "I'm not ready to say anybody is anything as far as positions," Sirianni said. "We don't have to make any determinations there."McKee was the backup last season. But the Eagles traded for Dalton last spring. Dalton, 38, is entering his 16th season and has just under 40,000 career passing yards. If the Eagles feel Dalton is a capable backup, they could possibly trade McKee later this summer and get a mid-round pick in return. This could be an intriguing battle.2. Safety: Marcus Epps vs. Michael CarterThis is a marquee matchup for the Eagles because it's one of the few spots where a starting job is up for grabs. In this case, it's the starting job next to Drew Mukuba, the Eagles' second-round pick in 2025. Then again, Mukuba broke his leg late last season, and he might not be a lock as the No. 1 safety, although he was a full participant in the spring practices.Both Epps and Carter are veterans. Epps started in Mukuba's place to finish off last season, while Carter, acquired last October in a trade, has served as a nickel corner throughout his NFL career. This one could take a while to play out.1. Wide receiver: Makai Lemon vs. Dontayvion WicksThis is the most important battle of training camp because the winner will become WR2 next to DeVonta Smith, who is the Eagles' WR1. Smith is expected to replace A.J. Brown's production after Brown was traded to New England in June following four straight seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards.Smith has three such seasons under his belt. So either Lemon or Wicks will then have to replace, or come close to, Smith's production. Lemon was the Eagles' first-round pick, and he projects more as a slot receiver. He had 1,156 yards receiving last season at Southern Cal.But the Eagles traded for Wicks last spring. He has experience in the system that new Eagles OC Sean Mannion is installing from their time together in Green Bay. Plus, the Eagles signed Wicks to a one-year extension for 2027 worth $12 million. While the loser of this battle will be WR3, keep in mind that those opportunities could be few and far between. Jahan Dotson was the Eagles' No. 3 receiver in each of the past two seasons, and he had just 37 receptions total during that time.In other words, if Lemon can establish himself as a reliable receiver as a rookie, he should get the bulk of the playing time with Smith. If not, Wicks could get that No. 2 spot, and Lemon's chances could come sporadically, especially considering the Eagles also signed veteran free agents Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore. That would not be a good sign for the Eagles' passing game in general.Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of theEagles championship season in Flying High, a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal.Details at Fly.ChampsBook.comThis article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Ranking Eagles' 6 top training camp battles. Why safety is not No. 1