Finally, after five installments, here is the first of what will be two new categories in this year's Sleepers Series. While The Unclaimed Positions is similar to The Crowded Situations, the distinction between these two groups is that the latter involved a depth chart in complete flux (the Rams' receivers), while the category you are about to read entails specific positions that are up for grabs between a handful of players.

Obviously, there are more position battles that will go on in training camps than I've detailed below, but the ones I've focused on for this group are here because the starters that emerge to claim the open roles are prime sleeper candidates to monitor on the waiver wire. The three positions I examined are the starting QB battle in Arizona, the fight for the right to be Peyton Manning's No. 3 receiver in Denver—likely the slot position—and the No. 2 wideout spot opposite Steve Johnson in Buffalo.

- Kevin Kolb, QB, Arizona Cardinals (6-3, 218 ; age 27)

For the second straight year injury issues opened the door to Kolb possibly losing his starting job, as backup John Skelton came in and went 6-2 in his absences while posting decent numbers and leading several comebacks. Now Kolb will need to outplay Skelton during the preseason to be the Day 1 starter in 2012 and the competition could be a close one. Whoever does win the job will have the benefit of a suddenly deep receiving corps highlighted by Larry Fitzgerald and rookie first rounder Michael Floyd. If Floyd can be even close to what Anquan Boldin once was opposite Fitz, the duo should make any quarterback look like a solid No. 2 fantasy performer with the upside to get some matchup-based starts.

- John Skelton, QB, Arizona Cardinals (6-6, 244 ; age 24)
In his final four games of 2011 Skelton threw for 291 yards per contest and seven scores against four of the leagues better passing defenses. He may not get it done in the prettiest fashion, but Skelton is still a young pro and came from Fordham's tiny football program so he's still developing. His overall size allows him to hold up in the pocket despite contact and see over the line with ease to find throwing lanes, while his big arm gives him plenty of juice to make any throw he needs to. Having proven that he can beat tough defenses and win games, Skelton could beat Kolb outright for the starting job in the preseason or potentially replace him if Kolb struggles out of the gate. When you consider the addition of Floyd to play opposite Fitzgerald, it's hard not to like either Cardinals' signal caller as a sleeper.

- Andre Caldwell, WR, Denver Broncos (6-0, 190 ; age 27)
In two of the last three seasons, Caldwell was the starting slot receiver for the Bengals, and even finished second on the team in 2009 with 51 catches. A hard worker with a good blend of size and quickness for the slot, Caldwell could emerge as Manning's third wideout option in Denver. It's expected that former Manning pal Brandon Stokley will give Caldwell a tough time earning the job, but given Stokley's advanced age, it's also possible the two will end up splitting snaps at the position to keep the elder statesman fresh and thus negate each other's fantasy value.

- Brandon Stokley, WR, Denver Broncos (6-0, 192 ; age 35)

Stokley's lone season of any fantasy glory came way back in 2004 when you know who just so happened to toss 49 scores that year. Barring the extreme unlikelihood that the pair of mid-thirty-somethings can turn the clock back eight years, don't expect much from Stokely except for him to possibly steal targets and snaps away from younger, more athletic players like Caldwell.

- Jason Hill, WR, Denver Broncos (6-1, 202 ; age 27)

The Jaguars inexplicably waived Hill in late November of last season despite him leading the team in receiving at the time of his departure. But the Jaguars' loss could be the Broncos' gain if the career underachiever develops strong chemistry with Manning during the offseason. While he'll enter training camp behind Caldwell and Stokley in the rotation, he could challenge to be the top backup to either Eric Decker or Demaryius Thomas on the outside, which could put him just one injury away from a major role in a passing offense led by one of the all-time greats.

- Matt Willis, WR, Denver Broncos (6-0, 190 ; age 28)

Though he's a gritty competitor with relatively sure hands and a good feel for finding the soft spots in coverage, Willis figures to be the odd man out in Denver. After toiling on the practice squad for two seasons, Willis finally got some action on the field last year and even out-produced Eddie Royal. Nevertheless, it's highly unlikely the Broncos will carry six receivers, so unless Willis dramatically upstages Hill during the preseason, expect him to land back on the practice squad or at the bottom of some other team's depth chart. If he can somehow stick on Denver's active roster, he's worth keeping an eye on solely because he'd be a potential Manning target. Or need I remind everyone of "The Blair White Project"?

- Donald Jones, WR, Buffalo Bills (6-0, 209 ; age 24)

With David Nelson locked into the slot position, the leg up in the race for the No. 2 opposite Johnson belongs to Jones at the moment. But that could change with just one training camp. Already discussed in The Once Walking Wounded, third-year wideout Marcus Easley could be stiff competition for the role if he's finally healthy, but of the players vying for the spot, Jones offers the best combination of experience and speed. Additionally, the role belonged to Jones at the start of last year prior to him battling a high ankle sprain that ultimately landed him on IR. Should Jones lock up the spot again, he could finally give the Bills a much-needed vertical threat and it's possible he could develop into a decent flex in the team's pass-happy scheme.

- Derek Hagan, WR, Buffalo Bills (6-2, 215 ; age 27)

Hagan finished 2011 with a 7-catch, 89-yard day versus the Patriots, and the journeyman receiver should be in line to challenge Jones and Easley for the final starting spot on the depth chart. As one of the team's bigger wideouts, Hagan is more of a possession receiver who is capable of running reliable routes and moving the chains, but is unlikely to produce many explosive plays. While he brings some experience and good polish to his game, the coaching staff may prefer to go with a speedier body to put opposite Johnson, particularly with the latter combining with Nelson to provide the chain-moving plays. Unfortunately for Hagan, that could mean he doesn't even make the final roster, as the fifth receiver slot will go to rookie T.J. Graham and the team will likely want to finally see what Easley can do in the regular season.

- Naaman Roosevelt, WR, Buffalo Bills (6-0, 201 ; age 24)

One beautiful 60-yard catch and run for a score against the Giants is about all Roosevelt brought to the table in his second season in Buffalo. But that one play is enough to keep him in mind when the team goes to training camp. Easley has never been healthy in his brief career and Jones has also struggled with injuries during his two seasons, so Roosevelt could be just a couple injuries away from getting a shot at providing an extended look at his skills. And if Nelson were to go down, Roosevelt, as the team's next best slot option, could even find himself starting. If all guys remain healthy though, expect Roosevelt to be changing uniforms or going to the practice squad come September.

- T.J. Graham, WR, Buffalo Bills (5-11, 188 ; age 22)

Speed, speed and more speed. That's what Graham was drafted to bring to Buffalo, and that's what they will try to employ during his rookie season. As primarily a deep threat however, it is unlikely the third-rounder will get enough reps to crack any fantasy rosters. It would take a surprising training camp from the raw burner to earn regular playing time and unless a slew of injuries hit the Bills receiving corps (like the last two years), Graham is not going to bring much more than the occasional big play.