Training camp 2010 has the makings to be one of the most competitive in recent memory in New England. Endless roster spots, roles and starting jobs will be on the line this July and August on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. As we head toward the opening of training camp on July 29, PFW will take a closer look at some of the more competitive areas on the roster. We’ll map out the scenario and then offer our opinions on how the competition might play out. But, more importantly, we’ll open up debate to you, the reader. In the end, you make the call!

Today we break down the battles along the defensive line, competition that includes both the starting job at right defensive end and a number of spots at the bottom of the depth chart.

On the roster: Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, Gerard Warren, Mike Wright, Damione Lewis, Myron Pryor, Ron Brace, Darryl Richard, Brandon Deaderick, Kade Weston, Adrian Grady, Kyle Love

Why the competition?:
Though the Patriots can no longer roll out the no-questions-asked, first-round defensive front of Warren, Wilfork and Richard Seymour, the New England defensive line remains a potential strength of the team.

The biggest question, though, is who can step up and fill Seymour’s vacated right defensive end spot. Two potential answers are actually fellow first-round draft classmates of Seymour’s from 2001 – free agent additions Gerard Warren and Lewis. Both are solid if unspectacular pros. The former has essentially been a full-time starter in his previous NFL stops in Cleveland, Denver and Oakland. The latter is a solid locker room presence and at least a capable on-field contributor. Both would seem to be more suitable every-down options than the now-departed Jarvis Green.

Gerard took the bulk of the reps at right defensive end this spring next to Wilfork, so it at least appears he’ll have the first chance at winning the starting job. Interestingly, if Lewis isn’t in the mix as a starter the veteran former Panther and Ram could be in a battle for his roster life. After the starting jobs are handed out, with Ty Warren and newly-rich nose tackle Wilfork locks for two of the spots, Wright is the most established veteran. His versatility is his strength, and while he may not be an NFL starter he’s a great luxury as a backup, sub player and special teams contributor.

Maybe the most heated battles along the defensive line will be for the backup jobs and final spots on the roster. Bill Belichick generally keeps seven or eight guys on the line. That means if Warren, Wilfork, Warren and Wright (No wonder Seymour got traded! Maybe he would have stuck around if his name had been Weymour!) are roster locks then the other guys are battling for three or four jobs.

Pryor would seem to have the edge among the second-year players, with the sixth rounder having seen more action than the 2009 second-round pick Brace and the practice squader Richard. Though Pryor did little to standout as a rookie in terms of making plays, he impressed enough to get significant reps. Brace, for what it’s worth, has spoken openly this spring about what he learned as a little-used rookie and what’s expected of him moving forward.

The rookie class brings a couple seventh-round picks in Deaderick and Weston. Both have the size and supposed athleticism for the 3-4, but the former may have the advantage early on coming from Nick Saban’s Alabama defense that has some similarities to what the Patriots do.

As has been the case for virtually the entirety of Wilfork’s time in New England, finding a true backup nose tackle is always a big part of the competition for defensive line roster spots. Although, no one has really emerged in that role over the years.

Will Gerard Warren bring some consistency to the starting job at right defensive end? Could we see Wilfork, as was the case on occasion out of necessity last season, play some end? Which of the young players has the most upside? Can Brace bounce back from a tough campaign and make that Year 2 jump that so many people talk about? Can the defensive line, as a whole, be good enough to take some of the pressure off the young linebacking corps?

Andy Hart says…
It looks like Gerard Warren will get the nod at RDE. He’s a solid vet and I think he’ll be an upgrade over Green and the rest from last fall. That WWW line is a solid starting unit. Brace has talked the talk this spring, but now he must prove it. I have my doubts. Beyond Wright, there’s not a lot to count on with the backups. WWW must stay healthy, in my eyes, or it could be a long year up front. Wilfork is as important as any player on the team not named Brady.

Erik Scalavino says…
Based on spring practice results, I’m expecting newcomer Gerard Warren to have the inside track to start at right defensive end alongside Wilfork and Ty Warren, with Wright a virtual lock as the proven, versatile backup. The real battle will be for the remaining reserve spots. Lewis most likely makes it, leaving Brace and Pryor as the frontrunners for the final two jobs, in all likelihood. At least one will probably not make the cut, meaning there’s an opening for Richard or one of the rookie/first-year players. Brace got a lot of reps in the spring, meaning the coaches are giving him every chance to succeed, but I wouldn’t feel confident betting on him.

Paul Perillo (yes, he’s finally back from vacation!) says…
The Patriots are better situated to fill the Richard Seymour void with veterans Gerard Warren and Damione Lewis, which should help. Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren give the team a solid starting group, particularly against the run, and Mike Wright does a nice job getting after the passer in subpackages. It would be a nice bonus if one of the many youngsters develops and contributes in 2010, otherwise this is a thin group.
Now that you’ve read the predictions from the PFW boys, give us your thoughts on the competition on the defensive line with a comment below!