With the 2016 New England Patriots training camp underway, it is that time of year that players battle for recognition and earn roster spots. There are a handful of close position battles in Foxboro, here are some notable ones:

Center

The center position is perhaps the closest on the team, considering there are only two players fighting for the job. The plan was to have third-year man Bryan Stork start, with last year’s undrafted rookie David Andrews as the backup. Although Stork is more experienced and has a higher ceiling, his health has been a question recently with his string of concussions. He has already exited a training camp practice with concussion symptoms, and not long after that, offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia stressed the importance of continuity on the line. There is still a month left before the regular season, but it seems that Andrews has claimed the inside track.

Projected Starter: Andrews

Guard

After drafting Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason in the 2015 draft, the Patriots drafted Joe Thuney in 2016, and acquired Jonathan Cooper from Arizona in exchange for Chandler Jones. The Patriots also return Josh Kline, as well as swingman Marcus Cannon. The competition at guard was the widest open of the battles, but early on in camp, we seem to already have a bit more clarity.

Cooper, who has been injuryplagued in his young career, has already missed most of camp with a mysterious lower leg i-njury. Jackson has also been battling injuries this offseason, and Cannon seems to be shifting towards a full-time tackle. Kline was New England’s most consistent interior lineman in 2015, and early reports suggest that Bill Belichick and Scarnecchia have taken a liking to Thuney, making these two the frontrunners.

Projected Starters: Kline, Thuney

Wide Receiver

Numbers are what make this the most competitive position battle in the 2016 camp. Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and newly-acquired Chris Hogan have emerged as the front runners to be starters, however the final (projected) two spots are up for grabs.

Returning receivers competing are Keyshawn Martin and Aaron Dobson. New additions in the mix include veteran Nate Washington who was signed as a free agent, and draftees Malcolm Mitchell and Devin Lucien. Belichick admires players with versatility, and Martin is the most dynamic of the remaining bodies with his contributions to special teams. It also makes sense to assume that the Patriots will like to break in one of the new rookies. Malcolm Mitchell (drafted in the fourth round) is the more polished product, but Lucien (drafted in the seventh round) has already turned heads in practice … It’s close, but Mitchell has the better upside. Although Washington is a respectable player, his age makes him the odd man out, along with draft bust Dobson.

Projected Depth Pieces: Martin, Mitchell

Defensive End

Some were upset with the Chandler Jones trade, but even after losing their top pass-rusher, the Patriots look poised to have an above-average group of defensive ends.

Jabaal Sheard and Rob Ninkovich return and are the front-runners, but the Patriots also added Pro Bowler Chris Long. 2015 rookies Trey Flowers and Geneo Grissom also return, along with a handful of others, to make this an extremely deep group. Ninkovich and Sheard seem locked in as the starters, so the battle is ultimately for the No. 3 spot as the top rotational player. Long should be the favorite to land the spot considering his credentials, but don’t be surprised to see Flowers or Grissom leap frog to No. 3.

Projected No. 3: Long

Cornerback

Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan are locked in as the starters at cornerback, but spots 3-4 are wide open. Second-year pro Justin Coleman was the primary nickelback in 2015, but struggled in his rookie campaign. 2015 seventh-rounder Darryl Roberts flashed great potential early in camp last year before missing the entire regular season and playoffs due to injury. The Patriots also used their second round pick this year on Alabama’s Cyrus Jones, and also acquired veteran E.J. Biggers in free agency.

Coleman has impressed early on in camp, and Jones has shown his versatility in the return game. If the Patriots keep five corners, the fifth spot will be between Roberts and Biggers. Upside may be the deciding factor in this race, making Biggers the odd man out.

Bench Locks: Coleman, Jones

— Sports Staff Writer Alex Sponseller can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @ JournalTsports.