NFL preseason 2015: Players with most to prove

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) reacts after an incomplete pass during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Jets 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; General view of footballs before a game between the Houston Texans and the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Every year, the National Football League opens up training camp and players begin competing for coveted jobs. For some, it is simply about maintaining their statuses as starters, while other guys are trying to climb the ranks and crack the starting lineup. Then there is the bottom of the roster, where men frantically battle to keep their dreams alive.

This season, 32 teams will break camp for the NFL regular season with 53 men on each roster, along with 10 more per practice squad. However, 90 men are comprising each roster heading into camp. The simple math tells us that 2,880 players are in camp today, and only 1,696 will make up the active rosters come September 10 when the New England Patriots take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener.

Before then, each team will play four preseason games (with the Steelers and Minnesota Vikings playing five). This will be the proving ground for the youngsters and the veterans. Without question, each team has a handful of players who both the front office and fans will be watching intently. Let’s go through each roster and pick out the one player who has the most to prove this preseason.

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