As spring practice continues across the Pac-12, position battles rage. Jobs can still be earned during training camp in August, but this time of year provides prime opportunity to make a move and potentially solidify areas of uncertainty on the roster. We’re looking at which position battles are most critical across the league this offseason, continuing with the Stanford Cardinal.

1. Quarterback: This is critical for Stanford to take pressure off Christian McCaffrey in 2016. Last season, Kevin Hogan did a phenomenal job of doing just that, passing very efficiently while also changing games with his legs. The Cardinal need either Ryan Burns or Keller Chryst to provide a similar counter-threat.

The duo looked capable during last Saturday's spring game, overcoming slow starts to deliver crisp downfield throws with solid pocket presence. Both quarterbacks measure 6-foot-5 and about 230 pounds, so it's rather hard to differentiate between the two with just a simple eye test, especially since their levels of athleticism are about equal, too.

In the end, the winner of this competition will be the one who demonstrates the best mastery of Stanford's large playbook. Expect the battle to rage until August.

Stanford coach David Shaw needs either Keller Chryst or Ryan Burns to step up and bring the Cardinal quarterback position into focus this season to take pressure off Christian McCaffrey. Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

2. Offensive line: Last year, the left side of the Stanford offensive line did two very important things: It kept Hogan clean, and it rammed the way for McCaffrey's record-breaking campaign on the ground. So the Cardinal must find a way to replace left guard Joshua Garnett, left tackle Kyle Murphy and center Graham Shuler, because that trio had a huge role in the team's big-time offensive success.

Stanford will spend the rest of the offseason determining whether Casey Tucker, who started at right tackle last year, is the man for all-important left tackle job -- the one that will stand guard over the new quarterback's blind side. Tucker started the spring game at left tackle, but David Shaw said that his spot there has not yet been cemented. So far, David Bright is the only lineman that the Cardinal fully trust to run either tackle position. If Tucker impresses enough come August, he'll lock down left tackle, while Bright will man the right side.

3. Inside linebacker: Last year, Blake Martinez led the Pac-12 with 141 tackles. He also made possibly the biggest defensive play of the year for Stanford, jarring the ball loose from USC's Cody Kessler to set up Solomon Thomas’ scoop-and-score touchdown, which sent the Cardinal well on the way to their title game win.

With Martinez gone, Stanford is digging deep into its pool of options to replace some prolific production. Jordan Perez, Kevin Palma and Noor Davis have all seen significant action in the past. Sean Barton, Bobby Okereke and Mustafa Branch have also thrown their names into the mix. That's six bodies gunning for two starting spots. Even if those two front-line positions are set early in training camp, this competition is critical for the Cardinal to establish depth on the interior.

Stanford's secondary is also hosting a similarly crowded battle. With a bevy of names competing for four starting spots in the defensive backfield, we may see plenty of shuffles come fall. Defensive depth, though, is always welcome -- especially in the world of fast-paced Pac-12 offenses.