5 second-year AFC players who could steal starting jobs in training camp

NFL players often struggle to find their way during their rookie year. Whether it be injuries, adjusting to the NFL game, or maybe they're behind veterans on the depth chart, there are many legitimate reasons for rookies not to play as much as they want in their first year.

Now in year two, these players from the 2025 class have a chance to make up ground. Can last year's role player become a starter? Or can the backup become a rotational piece? The sleeper, into a star?

Here are five second-year players in key training camp battles in 2026.

5 AFC training camp battles featuring second-year players

Tennessee Titans: Elic Ayomanor vs Calvin Ridley for WR3

Fourth-round pick Elic Ayomanor quietly became Tennessee's leading receiver as a rookie. He played over 600 snaps on offense, one of just five rookies to do that at the position, and had over 500 yards receiving with four touchdowns.

Tennessee made some significant investments at wide receiver this offseason. They drafted Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick in the draft, and made Wan’dale Robinson a top-30 paid wide receiver per average annual value. 

This is in addition to the complicated case of Calvin Ridley. Ridley is entering his third season with the Titans after missing over half the games last year. Many expected him to be a cap casualty this offseason, but after taking a pay cut he is back on the roster.

With Tate and Robinson likely to have their roles solidified, Ayomanor is likely competing most directly with Ridley. So far in camp, Ayomanor is making his case to be high on the depth chart. But the veteran Ridley won't go away quietly.

New York Jets: Azareye'h Thomas vs Nashon Wright for CB2

New York Jets Cornerback Azareye'h Thomas will try to make his mark in year two. After being selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Thomas played in just 311 snaps during his rookie year - most of which came in the second half of the season.

Thomas will be competing with incoming free agent Nashon Wright for the second cornerback spot across from Brandon Stephens. Wright was tied for second in the league in interceptions with five last season, which is key for the team that didn't record a single interception for an entire season for the first time since interceptions have been tracked.

Thomas is a big, strong, physical corner - which is how Head Coach Aaron Glenn likes them. But coming out of Florida State, I had some questions about his fluidity in coverage. If that's something he's been able to work on over the last year, there's no reason he can't win the starting job in camp.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. vs Chris Rodriguez for RB1

One of the most intriguing position battles in the AFC is unfolding in Jacksonville's backfield.

When Jacksonville selected Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, everyone's alarm bells went off regarding Head Coach Liam Coen. Coen had just come from Tampa Bay, where fellow fourth-round pick Bucky Irving put up over 1,100 yards with eight touchdowns in his rookie season.

But fellow 2025 draft member LeQuint Allen Jr and veteran Chris Rodriguez are also looking for carries, and it appears Jacksonville is taking a "committee" approach.

Tuten has all of the skills and explosiveness to carry the backfield in Jacksonville. But if he wants to be seen as a more full-time player, he'll need to show improvement in the specialty areas his teammates have already excelled at.

Las Vegas Raiders: Caleb Rogers vs Jackson Powers-Johnson and Spencer Burford for G

Caleb Rogers is a second-year man who was taken by the Las Vegas in the third round of last year's draft.

The Raiders are overhauling their offense and offensive line this offseason. They signed Tyler Linderbaum to a record-high contract in free agency and also added Spencer Burford from the San Francisco 49ers.

With Linderbaum and both tackles in place, the two starting guard jobs are coming down to Rogers, Burford, and Jackson Powers-Johnson. Rogers was able to play in the final six games for the Raiders last year. Hopefully, he can carry that momentum into a starting role this year.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter vs The Field for WR and CB

The two-way sensation Travis Hunter didn't have the start to his NFL career he imagined. He played in just seven games in 2025, playing roughly two-thirds of offensive snaps and one-third of the defensive snaps.

This year, Jacksonville is shifting its focus for Hunter to the defensive side. With Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, and Jakobi Meyers eating up the wide receiver snaps, Hunter seems to be fitting in nicely with the first team on the defensive side.

Hunter is a frontrunner for one of the starting outside corner jobs across from Montaric Brown. And with Jourdan Lewis in the slot, the biggest threat to Hunter is fourth-round pick Jarrian Jones. But Hunter's ceiling was always higher at cornerback than wide receiver, so he shouldn't have any problem holding onto this job in camp.

On offense, things get a little trickier. With the trio of Thomas Jr., Washington, and Meyers, there isn't a lot of room for Hunter to get on the field. Both Hunter and Thomas Jr. had some trouble with the offense last year, but if he can find his role in Liam Coen's system, he might just see the field more.

Hunter's athleticism, fluidity, and big-play ability made him an excellent prospect last year on both sides of the ball. If he can unlock those abilities with more comfort in the system, and in the NFL, the sky is the limit for him.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow