By Jeff Paur
RealTime Fantasy Sports

One of the trickier things to follow during the offseason is position battles. And this season is no different. We have several teams with key positions to be determined in training camp and preseason action. A lot can change between now and the start of the season. And it seems more and more, teams are going with a platoon system at running back, which isn't something fantasy owners like to hear.

All this leads to many sleepless nights for fantasy owners. Below is a look at some of the key position battles for the coming season. One position to keep a close eye is the receiver spot. For the first time in a few seasons, we have several teams with starting receiver jobs open.

Vikings quarterback. We fully expect Sage Rosenfels to start, but Tarvaris Jackson won't just let him have the job. The Vikings claim there will be a competition and Jackson actually performed pretty well last season after getting benched early in the year. Rosenfels has more upside and experience, though. But stranger things have happened. We have a felling Jackson won't go down quietly.

Broncos quarterback. Just like the Vikings quarterback spot, you would think the guy traded for has a clear upperhand in the starting spot. Kyle Orton has plenty of starting experience and is a winner, which is a plus. He is the likely starter in Denver. But Chris Simms is looking for a chance and the Broncos present him an opportunity. He has the skill set to be a productive NFL player, but hasn't done anything in a few years, which hurts his chances. Orton should be the starter in Denver, but Simms will try and push him.

Broncos running back. The Broncos used a first-round pick on Knowshon Moreno, hoping to find their No. 1 back for the next several seasons. The Broncos aren't just going to hand Moreno the job, though. He has a stable of backs behind him on the depth chart looking for playing time. Correll Buckhalter, Ryan Torain, LaMont Jordan and J.J. Arrington all have a shot at carries for the Broncos. Buckhalter makes the most sense to challenge Moreno. He does well in the passing game and had some big games with the Eagles in a starting role. All Broncos backs have some experience and bring different positives and negatives to the table, though. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Broncos rotating a lot of backs, but Denver hopes Moreno grabs hold of the job and provides a stable back for the offense.

Lions quarterback. Daunte Culpepper has lost a bunch of weight and is getting into top shape for the first time in a few seasons. He needs this type of commitment if he hopes to start from day one in Detroit. The Lions used the first pick of the draft on Matthew Stafford, but he won't be thrown into the fire unless he is ready. And at this point, it seems Culpepper will at least begin the season as starter. Stafford will be given a shot at playing time, though, and should get some work at some point during the season - maybe sooner than later, especially if the Lions are losing.

49ers quarterback. The 49ers seem to be having a quarterback battle every season. This year is no different. Shaun Hill started much of last season and is the favorite to keep the job. But Alex Smith is healthy again and looking for a chance to start. He will battle Hill for the right to start in San Francisco. Smith has better overall talent than Hill, but that hasn't translated to results on the field. Hill is an accurate passer with a so-so arm, but just seems to make plays when called upon.

Seahawks running back. Julius Jones was good at times last season, but was inconsistent. He has a solid track record, but not spectacular. T.J. Duckett knows the Seahawks new offense, so he could be in the mix for carries. The Seahawks aren't just going to hand over the starting job to Jones. If he isn't producing, Duckett could get some starts.

Jets quarterback. With Brett Favre gone after a season, the Jets are looking for a starting quarterback. So they traded up in this year's draft to select Mark Sanchez. He will compete with Kellen Clemens for the starting job this season. The Jets seem likely to give Sanchez every chance to start, but if Clemens beats him out, he'll start. Clemens has been erratic in past chances, turning the ball over and making poor decisions. But he has a plus arm, picks up offenses quickly and moves around the pocket pretty well. Sanchez is the better overall talent, though. He comes from a pro style offense and produced big numbers in college. He has just a year of starting experience, though, which is a concern. Sanchez is the favorite in this one, but nothing is set in stone.

Browns quarterback.  Both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn were equally bad last season. Neither got it done, which is why we have a battle on our hands this preseason to determine the starter in Cleveland. Anderson had a breakout year two seasons ago, but faltered last year. He made poor decisions and turned the ball over too much. Quinn doesn't have much experience, though, and some question if he can be an NFL starter - indecisive, so-so arm, doesn't take chances downfield. Neither is a sure thing, making this position battle a tossup.

Jags receiver. The Jags released troubled receiver Matt Jones during the offseason. His off the field issues became too much, but Jones' absence leaves a hole at receiver. Jones was the leading receiver last season. So the Jags have some openings at receiver. The Jags signed Torry Holt during the offseason to hopefully take over the No.1 receiving duties, but Holt is no sure thing after a few down seasons. Dennis Northcutt and Mike Walker also will compete for a starting spot, but will be pushed by Troy Williamson and a host of other receivers. The Jags have a lot of openings at receiver, which will be sorted out during training camp and the preseason.

Raiders receiver. Like the Jags, the Raiders have a ton of openings at receiver. Javon Walker is the best bet to start, but he isn't even certain to start. Walker has been plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness the last few seasons. After him, take your pick at a number of options - rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Chaz Schilens, Arman Shields. The Raiders will be a run-first team with three great options at running back, but one of these receives could breakthrough in a starting role, giving some fantasy teams some unexpected value.

Cowboys receiver. The departure of Terrell Owens makes Roy Williams the No. 1 receiver, but the other starter is yet to be determined. Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton are the candidates to start. Austin makes the most sense since he is a vertical threat with big-play ability. He isn't a finished product. Crayton is the safer option, but does a good job in the slot and hasn't excelled in a starting role when given a chance in the past.

Bears receiver. The Bears passing game should be improved with Jay Cutler throwing the ball this season. But the Bears need some receivers to step up if they hope their passing game takes a big step forward. Devin Hester is penciled in as the No. 1, but the other starting job is up for grabs. Second-year receiver Earl Bennett barely saw the field his rookie season, but the Bears like his potential and feel he has a good shot to take that other starting job. Rashied Davis and rookie Juaquin Iglesias are the other likely candidates to start. Davis has produced some in spot duty, so he'll be a challenge for Bennett. Iglesias is unproved, but was a polished receiver in college and instantly upgrades the Bears depth at receiver.

Bucs running back. Derrick Ward was signed to a pretty big contract this offseason, but Tampa has some capable starting backs already on their roster. There will be a competition in Tampa for the starting job. Earnest Graham, last year's starter, and Carnell Williams are Ward's competition. Williams is recovering from another knee injury, so he seems a long shot to start. But Graham is another story. He is a former 1,000-yard back that has a better track record than Ward. We wouldn't be surprised to see a platoon situation in Tampa with Graham and Ward sharing carries.