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After a strong second round in the AFC West, I thought there were some interesting developments in the third round in the division as well.

Let’s take a look:

Denver will worry about getting a bigger back later, but it was clearly interested in getting a faster, smaller running back in the third round. The Broncos traded up 20 spots (it gave up one its three fourth rounders as well as No. 87) to take San Diego State's explosive Ronnie Hillman.

He has been compared to Darren Sproles and he should have a place in Peyton Manning's offense. Denver’s trade was made shortly after San Francisco took Oregon’s speedster LaMichael James, so I think the Broncos wanted either James or Hillman and decided to pounce on Hillman after James was taken.

Willis McGahee will remain the starter, but Hillman should be dangerous. I wonder where this leaves 2009 top pick Knowshon Moreno. He will either be a 5-8 carry option behind McGahee or he could be on the outside looking in.

Moreno blew out his knee last year and he has since gotten a DUI. Hillman is clearly more in Denver’s plans than Moreno. Again, Denver will need to find a young power back sometime, but Hillman has an immediate place in this offense.

While Denver traded up for Hillman, San Diego moved up to take LSU safety Brandon Taylor.

Folks, San Diego is killing this draft. It is just slaying it. A trio of pass-rusher Melvin Ingram (No. 18), defensive lineman Kendall Reyes (No. 49) and Taylor (No. 73) is a wicked group to bring into one defense. All three players were taken later than projected and could all make immediate impacts. Major kudos to San Diego for having a strong plan.

Kansas City took its second offensive lineman of the day at No. 74 in the form of Oklahoma tackle Donald Stephenson. He is a one-year starter who has a lot of potential. I think he is a developmental player who gives the Chiefs options if they don’t want to re-sign left tackle Branden Albert after next season.

This draft may give a hint into what the Chiefs think of Albert, the No. 15 overall pick in 2008. In the second round, the Chiefs took guard Jeff Allen. If Albert doesn’t have a good year or if he does prices himself out of the Chiefs’ plans, Kansas City has options.

Oakland made its 2012 draft debut with the final pick of the day when it took Utah tackle/guard Tony Bergstrom.

I know some Oakland fans were disappointed that the choice was a developmental lineman while there were some sexier names available. But the truth is, picking at the spot is difficult and the new Oakland regime has a plan. Bergstrom is a good player, who is tough. He is a fine zone-blocking player. He deepens the line and he could vie for a starting spot in a year or two.

Unless the Raiders get extremely lucky, getting solid developmental players in this draft has to be the goal.

Marcus McNeill said he is planning to visit the Kansas City Chiefs. He was cut by the Chargers earlier in the week.

McNeill broke the news on his visit with the Detroit Lions. He is also scheduled to visit the Falcons and he said he won’t sign until he weighs all of his options. The news of the Kansas City visit begs some questions. The Chiefs are visiting with right tackle Eric Winston on Friday.

If Winston signs, the only way McNeill would join the Chiefs is if they want to replace Branden Albert at left tackle. I wouldn’t think they would want to replace Albert right now. If Winston doesn’t sign in Kansas City and McNeill does, McNeill would play left tackle and Albert could slide to right tackle. An Albert move to the right side has been discussed for a few years.

McNeill maintains he is now healthy following last season, which was cut short due to a neck injury last season. The Chargers cut him because he was owed a huge signing bonus. Interestingly, McNeill’s replacement is Jared Gaither, who was cut by the Chiefs during last season.

In other AFC West news:

NFL Network is reporting Oakland receiver Chaz Schilens is close to signing with the Jets. He was once a promising player for Oakland, but injuries derailed his Oakland career. UPDATE: Schilens is officially a Jet. He signed a one-year deal. He reunites with former Oakland position coach Sanjay Lal, who has the same job with the Jets.

ESPN’s Suzy Kolber reports the Cardinals are exercising a huge option for quarterback Kevin Kolb, so the Cardinals are out of the running for Peyton Manning. However, the 49ers have joined the race. For now, it appears the Manning chase is down to Denver, Tennessee and San Francisco.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports pass-rusher John Abraham is staying in Atlanta. Denver had been interested. Denver is also interested in Baltimore linebacker Jameel McClain, Tampa Bay linebacker Geno Hayes and Seattle cornerback Marcus Trufant.

Offseason movement starts Tuesday, when the free-agent signing period begins. Let’s take a look at the top needs of each team in the AFC West in free agency and in the draft:

Denver Broncos

1. Defensive line: The Broncos could use a stout defensive tackle even if Brodrick Bunkley returns. They need a tone setter. Denver hasn’t taken a defensive tackle in the first round since 1997 when it selected Trevor Pryce. Perhaps this is the time that streak ends.

Possible fits: The Dolphins' Paul Soliai, Memphis’ Dontari Poe, Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox, Michigan State's Jerel Worthy.

2. Secondary: Denver is too old at cornerback and too young at safety, especially with Brian Dawkins likely not returning. I think the Broncos will look to add to their secondary.

Possible fits: The Redskins' LaRon Landry, Boise State’s George Iloka, Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick.

3. Running back: The Broncos want to add a running back to pair with Willis McGahee and will address this need either in free agency or early in the draft.

Possible fits: The Raiders' Michael Bush, the Chargers' Mike Tolbert, University of Miami's Lamar Miller, Virginia Tech's David Wilson, Boise State's Doug Martin.

Scouts Inc. take: "I also think that they need a lot of secondary help overall. I also think they really need a QB, but that is probably a discussion for a different day."
-- Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc.

Kansas City Chiefs

1. Offensive line: The Chiefs need a tackle. If they go for a left tackle, they can move Branden Albert to right tackle or they can get one. They might also be interested in a guard.

Possible fits: The Saints’ Carl Nicks, the Dolphins' Vernon Carey, the Eagles' King Dunlap, Stanford's Jonathan Martin, Iowa's Riley Reiff.

2. Nose tackle: The Chiefs have the makings of a strong defense, but they are missing a nasty nose tackle. They need to find one this offseason.

Possible fits: The Dolphins' Kendall Langford, the Ravens' Cory Redding, Soliai, Cox or Poe

3. Inside linebacker: The Chiefs could use one more standout linebacker to flourish in Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 defense.

Possible fits: Boston College's Luke Kuechly, Alabama's Dont'a Hightower

Scouts Inc. take: "Right tackle is far and away their biggest need. I would say nose tackle is second."
-- Matt Williamson

Oakland Raiders

1. Cornerback: The Raiders currently don’t have any starting-quality cornerbacks on the roster.

Possible fits: The Saints' Tracy Porter, the 49ers' Carlos Rogers, the Cardinals' Richard Marshall, the Jaguars' William Middleton, Vanderbilt's Casey Hayward.

2. Linebacker: I get the sense that the new Oakland regime would like to find at least one new starter. I think they can get a cornerstone linebacker who can set the tone for the defense.

Possible fits: The Vikings' Erin Henderson, the Seahawks' Leroy Hill, the Bengals' Manny Lawson, West Virginia's Bruce Irvin.

3. Offensive line: The Raiders' offensive line is a work in progress and they may be looking for at least one new
starter.

Possible fits: Texans' center Chris Myers, Texans' guard Mike Brisiel, Miami of Ohio's Brandon Brooks.

Scouts Inc. take: "Cornerback is far and away their biggest need. I would put right tackle and interior offensive line second."
-- Matt Williamson.

San Diego Chargers

1. Linebacker: The Chargers desperately need a game-changing linebacker. It will be a top priority in the first round of the draft and in free agency.

Possible fits: The Texans' Mario Williams, Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw, USC's Nick Perry, Illinois' Whitney Mercilus.

2. Defensive line: The Chargers like youngsters Corey Liuget, Vaughn Martin and Cam Thomas, but could use a stud veteran in the middle.

Possible fits: The Seahawks' Red Bryant, Redding, Soliai, Washington’s Alameda Ta'amu.

3. Offensive line: The Chargers may have to make wholesale changes on the line because of Kris Dielman's retirement, and because center Nick Hardwick and left tackle Jared Gaither will be free agents.

Possible fits: Nicks, Carey, Stanford’s Martin, Stanford's David DeCastro, Wisconsin's Peter Konz.

Scouts Inc. take: "To me, the Chargers need a lot. Offensive line is a massive need. Some receivers would be nice if Vincent Jackson leaves. On defense, I think they could use a little something at every level, but their biggest two spots would be at outside linebacker and strong safety."
-- Matt Williamson.

The Kansas City Chiefs took a flyer on potential dominant left tackle. In the end, Jared Gaither has been cut without starting a game for the Chiefs.

The team announced the release of the massive Gaither (Profootballtalk.com first reported it) Tuesday. He could now possibly catch the interest of two AFC West teams.

While Gaither is a big name, the move really doesn’t affect this team much. The Chiefs didn’t have much invested in him and he wasn’t playing many minutes, even though there were packages for him. He did play in 10 of the Chiefs’ 11 games.

The Chiefs’ ideal plan was to bookend him with Branden Albert, but it become clear that Gaither -- a star-in-the-making in Baltimore before a back injury kept him out all last season -- was not up to speed for the Chiefs to make him a full-time starter.

Gaither also committed a key penalty in the Chiefs' loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

It will be interesting if San Diego or Oakland considers claiming Gaither. San Diego is missing six injured offensive lineman including starting left tackle Marcus McNeill. There aren’t any better available options than Gaither.

I don’t think he’d be as big of a priority for the Raiders. The Raiders brought in Gaither this summer, but had concerns about his back. Gaither played for Oakland head coach Hue Jackson in Baltimore.

San Diego has claiming priority over the Raiders based on team record.

UPDATE: The Chiefs signed tackle David Mims to the active roster to take Gaither’s place. He was on the practice squad all season. He is an undrafted free agent from Virginia Union. Mims is 6-foot-8, 336 pounds.

The San Diego Chargers’ offensive line issues may continue this weekend.

After guard Kris Dielman was put on the injured reserve with a concussion, fellow guard Louis Vasquez (ankle) and left tackle Marcus McNeill (stinger) didn’t practice Wednesday as the 4-5 Chargers open the practice week to prepare to play at Chicago on Sunday. Dielman’s replacement, Tyronne Green, didn’t practice Wednesday because of a hand injury. Newly signed Tony Moll could start at guard.

In addition to the Chargers problems on the offensive line, other players who didn’t practice Wednesday include receiver Malcom Floyd (hip), defensive tackle Antonio Garay (hip), cornerback Marcus Gilchrist (hamstring) and linebacker Shaun Phillips (foot). Both Phillips and Floyd have been out for several weeks.

The San Diego Union Tribune reports it is not expected that Floyd or McNeill plays Sunday.

In other AFC West news Wednesday evening:

• Former Denver quarterback Jay Cutler doesn’t seem interested in revisiting his rivalry with San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers.
• Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski, punter Shane Lechler and San Diego fullback Jacob Hester are leading their positions in the fan portion of the Pro Bowl voting. Fans account for a third of the voting power.

UPDATED NOTES: Kansas City tackle Branden Albert was reportedly one of the professional athletes who were present early Tuesday morning at a New York nightclub when a fatal shooting occurred.

The San Diego Union Tribune has a projected starting offensive line for the Chargers at Chicago due to three starters being injured. Warring, San Diego fans, it’s not ideal.

Denver quarterback Tim Tebow is opting not to judge some extra-zealous fans.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that defensive lineman Trevor Pryce is visiting the Raiders.

Pryce and the Raiders are expected to talk about a contract; the right deal could land Pryce with the team soon.

Pryce is 36 and he was last with the Jets last season; he previously starred for Denver and Baltimore. He is a leader and has a lot of experience. He’d fit in Oakland’s locker room. He was in Baltimore when Oakland coach Hue Jackson was an assistant.

Pryce would play both defensive end and defensive tackle for Oakland in a rotational situation. It might be a stretch to think he is a full-time player at this point, but he can help. The Raiders defense has struggled badly this season, so adding Pryce could be worth it.

In other AFC West news Thursday night:

Denver rookie starting right tackle Orlando Franklin practiced Thursday after the death of his younger brother Wednesday. He was excused from the team Wednesday, but the fact he was back at practice Thursday is a sign that Franklin is on pace to play Sunday. He has started every game for Denver this season.

Kansas City left tackle Branden Albert is not a fiery guy. But he took on a leadership role when his team needed him the most, during Sunday's victory over Minnesota, the Chiefs' first of the season.

Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen is still mad about his final days as a Chief.

Allen blasted Carl Peterson in a conference call with Kansas City reporters Wednesday for trading him to the Minnesota Vikings in 2008 because they did not want to give him a long-term deal. The Chiefs replaced him with Scott Pioli. Allen also took some lighter jabs at Kansas City chairman Clark Hunt, but Peterson was his main target. The Vikings visit Kansas City on Sunday.

"His name was Carl Peterson,” Allen said when he was asked to explain what he meant by earlier comments in the call about his problems in Kansas City.

“You can write that in caps. Obviously, I guess I had a problem with Clark [Hunt], too, because he chose Carl over me. When everything went down there, I didn’t appreciate being lied to. I was told I’d be getting a [contract] extension and everything and the way things played out. ... My biggest thing was, ‘Listen, I never lied to you guys. I show up and I bust my tail for you. Please don’t lie to me.’ After so many times of hearing they’re going to take care of you and they don’t and hearing the words Carl had to say about me, it’s tough to give it your all for somebody like that."

Allen said he didn’t have a problem with his coach, Herm Edwards, in Kansas City.

"Absolutely not,” Allen said. “Herm is one of my good friends to this day. Unfortunately, I think Herm got the raw end of the deal over there, too. The truth of the matter is we were an aging team. Herm drafted a bunch of guys and I feel he kind of got the shaft if you will. I loved playing for Herm and he's one of my favorite coaches."

Allen’s visit to Arrowhead Stadium will likely be more emotional for the fans than for the Chiefs. The staff and the roster have changed dramatically since he was traded. However, Allen was a favorite of the fans and I’m sure his juices will be flowing Sunday.

Allen has been terrific in Minnesota since the trade, where he's had 44.5 sacks. Only one player in the league, Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware, has more with 51.5

The trade has worked out for the Chiefs as well. They added Jamaal Charles and Branden Albert with picks acquired in the deal.

This unusual NFL season is about to start in two weeks. A lot has happened in the month since the lockout has been lifted. With the signing period and training camps over, let’s take a checkpoint look at each AFC West team:

Denver

Key pickups: Running back Willis McGahee, defensive tackle Ty Warren (he could be out for the year with a triceps injury), defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, defensive end Derrick Harvey, tight end Daniel Fells.

Key losses: Offensive tackle Ryan Harris.

Story of camp: There has been quarterback news nearly at a daily clip. The fallout is this: Kyle Orton is the starter, Brady Quinn looks like he has the edge to be the backup and second-year quarterback Tim Tebow is currently the third-stringer after a less-than-spectacular training camp. Don’t expect Denver to trade or cut Tebow. He should be in Denver this year, but perhaps being nothing more than a special-package player. Give credit to both Orton (who was nearly dealt to Miami in the days right after the lockout ended) and to Quinn. Both have played well during the tumultuous time at the position.

Keep an eye on: Denver’s defense. The Broncos took a hit with Warren’s injury. He was the team’s big-ticket pickup and he was signed to give stability at the team’s weakest area. But the Broncos seem to have made some strides on defense this summer. The unit, which was No. 32 in the NFL last year, seems more aggressive and it has some playmakers. Pass-rushers Elvis Dumervil (back from missing all of last season with a pectoral injury) and No. 2 overall pick Von Miller look like they could give this unit life. It's clear new head coach John Fox has already positively impacted this unit.

Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson's view: "Denver may be better than people realize. I don’t love the offense, but it will be OK. Defensively, I think they will be much better. I think the front office had a promising offseason as they rebuild.”

Kansas City

Key pickups: Receiver Steve Breaston, defensive tackle Kelly Gregg, fullback Le'Ron McClain, offensive tackle Jared Gaither, linebacker Brandon Siler (he is out for season with a torn Achilles).

Key losses: Defensive linemen Ron Edwards and Shaun Smith

Story of camp: The defending AFC West champions had a nice, quiet, productive camp -- until the final days of it. The Chiefs built great momentum after adding several key veterans to an already-impressive roster. The only controversy was whether or not coach Todd Haley was taking a chance by taking camp slowly as a precaution because of missed time during the offseason due to the lockout. Then, the bombshell hit. It was reported that first-round pick Jon Baldwin and veteran running Thomas Jones had a locker room fight. Baldwin hurt his hand as a result and he is expected to miss the rest of the preseason. The Chiefs aren’t talking about it, but it is a strike against Baldwin, who had character concerns at Pitt. The Chiefs took Baldwin to help them win right away. This event isn’t a devastating blow, but it has to raise concerns.

Keep an eye on: Of all of the Chiefs’ moves, the signing of Gaither may be the most intriguing -- and the most promising if he can stay healthy. Before he missed all of last season with a back injury, Gaither was considered one of the better young left tackles in the NFL. Assuming he can play, Gaither could play either left tackle or right tackle. If he plays left tackle, Branden Albert would move to right tackle. He could further solidify a good line.

Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson's view: “I think Kansas City is the second-best team in the division. Give the Chiefs credit. They have surrounded Matt Cassel with every possible weapon to help make him successful. They are also solid on defense. I just don’t think they are as good as the Chargers.”

Oakland

Key pickups: Tight end Kevin Boss, quarterback Trent Edwards, quarterback Terrelle Pryor

Key losses: Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, tight end Zach Miller, guard Robert Gallery

Story of camp: The Raiders lost some big names and they added some big names as they began the Hue Jackson era. However, a late-round pick from Tennessee stole the show in camp. It has been all about receiver Denarius Moore. He made headlines virtually every day in camp with one spectacular catch after another. Most importantly, he has played well in preseason games and he looks polished. Expect the Raiders to give this kid a chance to contribute right away once the regular season starts.

Keep an eye on: The Raiders’ health has been an issue all camp. Several players have missed serious time. Thus far, though, it doesn’t look like many key players will miss time in the regular season other than receiver Louis Murphy, who had surgery on an undisclosed injury, and young linebacker Travis Goethel is likely out for the year with a knee injury. The team said he won’t play at Denver on Sept. 12, but it hasn’t said how long he will be out. Other players such as Boss, receiver Chaz Schilens and cornerback Chris Johnson all could be back for the opener, which is part of an ESPN “Monday Night Football” doubleheader. Thus far, most of the injuries have been nagging and fairly minor. But sometimes the injury bug hits a team and doesn’t stop all season. For now, this is mostly a preseason nuisance.

Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson's view: "There are things I like. I love the front seven. I love Darren McFadden. But Jason Campbell is an average quarterback on a good day and the offensive line is in flux. Overall, inconsistencies make this the third best team in the division.”

San Diego

Key pickups: Linebacker Takeo Spikes, safety Bob Sanders, pass-rusher Travis LaBoy

Key losses: Running back Darren Sproles, linebacker Kevin Burnett, receiver Legedu Naanee.

Story of camp: I didn't sense this team scrambling to make up for lost time following the lockout. For the most part, the key components of this team are in place and several players worked out together locally during the length of the lockout. The Chargers had seemingly a zillion free agents and they kept the players they wanted. So, it has been a smooth camp in San Diego as continuity has been the key.

Keep an eye on: A lot has been made of the arrival of Spikes and Sanders to the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL. But don’t discount impact of No. 18 overall pick Corey Liuget. The Illinois product has been outstanding. He has taken over the preseason games at times. He is an explosive defensive end who quickly gets into the backfield. The game doesn’t seem too big for Liuget. Expect him to be an instant starter and have a chance to be a premier player early in his career.

Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson's view: “I think San Diego is clearly the class of the division. I don’t think people are paying enough attention to this team. I love the offense. Philip Rivers is good as it gets. He has great weapons. Defensively, this team has added playmakers at every level. If the special teams can improve even marginally, they are going to win a lot more games. This could be the year. I think they are a sleeper team that could win it all.”

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Been looking for post-lockout, smashmouth NFL action?

Hope you didn’t come to Chiefs camp during the past three weeks.

Kansas City's training camp wasn’t the most exciting place in the NFL. The Chiefs started very slowly, only going to pads last Sunday. The team’s starters did virtually nothing in a 25-0 loss to Tampa Bay last Friday night. Coach Todd Haley said he may take the same approach this Friday at Baltimore.

It’s a lockout-caused plan for Haley as the Chiefs take the big-picture approach and begin their AFC West title defense.

Haley was concerned about the length of the lockout and didn’t want to rush his team into action because of the lost time. He wants this team to be fresh for the season. Other teams have crammed in as much physical play as possible. Haley, known for his physical camps in his first two years in Kansas City, is taking a much different approach.

At this point, he said, getting his team conditioned to make up for lost time is more important to him than practicing hard. Haley said he will concentrate on heavy football drills toward the end of the preseason to ensure the team stays as healthy as possible heading into the regular season.

The coach is taking some heat for taking the cautious approach. Many fans are concerned that the Chiefs will not be ready when they open the regular season against visiting Buffalo on Sept. 11.

“I’m sticking to my convictions,” Haley said. “This is what is best for this team. I believe we will be ready for the season.”

The Chiefs picked up the intensity in practice this week, but they will not turn their starters loose until the third preseason game. There is even a chance that the starters will play in the final preseason game, which routinely doesn’t happen around the league.

“This is the approach Coach Haley wants us to take,” Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel. “We are fully behind him.”

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Work with the quarterback: Cassel’s development is still the No. 1 priority for this team, and camp time is essential. There is no doubt that Cassel progressed last season, but he fell off at the end of the season and now has to get used to working with new quarterback coach Jim Zorn after a one-year stint with Charlie Weis as a his offensive coordinator. Weis now has the same job at the University of Florida. Cassel and Zorn lost valuable time due to the lockout. However, they are said to have built a good relationship and gotten comfortable working together this summer.

2. Spread the ball around: The Chiefs are spending this camp getting their varied passing-game weapons in order. This can be a dangerous passing offense and this camp is being spent on how to best utilize it. Cassel has many directions in which to look. It starts with No. 1 receiver Dwayne Bowe, but the Chiefs have given him help by drafting Jon Baldwin in the first round and signing slot receiver Steve Breaston, who played for Haley in Arizona and caught 77 passes in 2008 under Haley’s guidance. Add tight end Tony Moeaki and running back/receiver Dexter McCluster and there are a lot of options. Figuring out the best way to utilize all of them is what camp is for.

3. Figuring what’s best for Charles: It has driven many Kansas City fans crazy that the Chiefs don’t give Jamaal Charles more carries. Thomas Jones had 245 rushing attempts last season, while Charles had 230. Jones fell off toward the end of the season, but Charles was spectacular. He had 1,467 rushing yards, second in the league. The Chiefs want to increase his numbers but also want him to stay fresh and healthy, so don’t expect his workload to fly through the roof. To help both Charles and Jones, who will likely get 8-10 carries per game, the Chiefs signed former Baltimore fullback Le'Ron McClain, who runs the ball more than the average fullback. The Chiefs are working all three backs during this camp to figure out the most advantageous carry distribution.

ARE THEY GOING TO JARED?

The Chiefs’ camp got interesting last week when the team picked up former Baltimore left tackle Jared Gaither. Known as an above-average left tackle, Gaither missed all of last season with a back injury. The Raiders considered signing him early in camp, but they passed because of his back.

The Chiefs signed Gaither during camp and he is now practicing with the second team. If his back holds up, there is a strong chance he could move into the starting lineup and send Branden Albert to right tackle. Albert, a first-round pick in 2008, has been a decent but not great left tackle. The Chiefs have long considered making him a right tackle, where many scouts think he’d flourish. If he moves to right tackle, Albert would replace Barry Richardson. If the massive Gaither (6-foot-9, 340 pounds) is healthy and motivated, this could be a significant move for Kansas City.

CHIEFS MAY NEED TO BACK IT UP AT QB

The Chiefs are keeping a close eye on backup quarterbacks Tyler Palko and rookie Ricky Stanzi during camp. The two struggled in the preseason opener last week. If they continue to struggle, Kansas City could potentially consider bringing in a veteran backup such as Jake Delhomme to be the No. 2 quarterback. Still, Stanzi, a fifth-round pick from Iowa, should be a lock to make the team. Palko will have to increase his production to survive the final cuts.

OBSERVATION DECK

• The team loves the addition of nose tackle Kelly Gregg. He has been a leader, has been working hard in camp and has been a positive influence on young players, including draft pick Jerrell Powe.

• The Chiefs are working on increasing their turnover numbers on defense. They had the eighth-fewest takeaways in the NFL last season.

[+] Enlarge
Denny Medley/US PRESSWIREFirst-round draft pick Jon Baldwin, along with new acquisition Steve Breaston, are expected to make an impact this season.
• Baldwin was hampered by some minor issues. Camp observers said he struggled early in camp getting off the line of scrimmage, but the coaching staff is confident the No. 26 overall pick in the 2011 draft will catch up quickly. Baldwin had a reputation for being difficult in college, but the Chiefs haven’t seen any of indications of that and are more than satisfied with his attitude.

UPDATE: ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed that Baldwin is doubtful for the rest of training camp after a locker-room fight with Jones. Baldwin’s incident occurred after the Chiefs brass praised his attitude. This event has to be alarming for the team.

• Veteran backup Jerheme Urban has been running with the first team with Bowe as Baldwin and Breaston get acclimated. Don’t expect that to last. Baldwin and Breaston were brought in to play a lot of snaps.

• Haley has paired veterans with rookies to help the younger players through camp. The players room together, and Haley often matches up players from opposite sides of the ball to help team continuity.

• Veteran Andy Studebaker has been working with the first team at outside linebacker opposite star pass-rusher Tamba Hali. The Chiefs are going to use several players to pressure the quarterback, but Studebaker has a chance to have a key role while rookie Justin Houston learns the team’s system.

• McCluster has been working mostly out of the backfield as Haley suggested he would in May. Still, expect McCluster to line up at receiver some as well. The Chiefs are looking to create as many matchup problems as they can with McCluster, especially on third downs.

• Rookie DE Allen Bailey has a chance to contribute right away as a pass-rusher. He has been working diligently in that area in camp.

• Rookie offensive lineman Rodney Hudson has been looking good. The second-round pick could play at guard and at center.

• The team also likes the progress of second-year guard Jon Asamoah, who has a chance to shine in the aftermath of the release of Brian Waters.

• Former San Diego inside linebacker Brandon Siler is making a push for major playing time. He is a solid talent who also helps on special teams.

• Linebacker Cameron Sheffield has played well. And he could be a contributor. He missed all of last season after suffering a neck injury in the preseason.

• One undrafted free agent to watch is Temple linebacker Amara Kamara. He has caught on to the defensive scheme very quickly.

• Cornerback Jalil Brown, a fourth-round pick out of Colorado, has been impressive and has a chance to be contributor in some packages and on special teams.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- One of the hot topics at the Kansas City Chiefs camp is if Jared Gaither will cause Branden Albert to move to right tackle from left tackle.

Kansas City recently signed Gaither, the former Baltimore left tackle who is coming off a back injury that kept him out all of last year, and he has been practicing behind Albert at left tackle. Yet, Gaither could move into the first team at some point. Or Gaither could move to right tackle and Albert could stay put. The team hasn’t decided what to do yet. But it’s clear they signed Gaither with hopes of him starting.

Whatever happens, Gaither said he and Albert are fine with it. After all, this isn’t their first rodeo together. Gaither and Albert were teammates at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia several years ago as high school players. Gaither said he was the right tackle and Albert was the left tackle. They are close friends.

“It doesn’t matter where we play,” Gaither said. “I just want to play. I just want to fit in wherever I can.”

If I had to guess, this how I see this scenario working: Once Gaither gets the rust off, he’ll get a chance to play left tackle and Albert will be moved. The Chiefs have been taking about moving him for some time.

Regardless of where they play, adding a healthy Gaither will be a boon for Kansas City. He insists his health is not an issue.

“I’m 100 percent healthy now,” said the 6-foot-9, 340-pound Gaither who doesn’t move like a man with a ginger back. “I’m ready to go.”

Their coach at Hargrave, Robert Prunty, is bursting with pride to have his two former players on the same line.

“What a story, can you imagine two players from the same high school line are on the same line in the NFL,” said Prunty, now an assistant at Texas Tech. “It’s amazing … Kansas City has two good players. I’m so proud of them. They are both great kids.”

Remarkably, Prunty coached three other current Kansas City players at Hargrave over the years. They are cornerback Brandon Flowers, tight end Leonard Pope and defensive tackle Jerrell Powe.

Gaither ended up in Kansas City after he visited Oakland early in training camp, but he departed without a contract. It’s been reported the Raiders didn’t like what they saw in his physical. Gaither said he wasn’t sure what the situation was, but added he is pleased the Chiefs wanted him.

If he doesn’t suffer a setback, the feelings surely will be mutual.

San Diego tight end Antonio Gates practiced fully Sunday. He hasn’t been practicing much due to a nagging foot injury.

New Kansas City offensive lineman Jared Gaither has started out practicing at left tackle. If healthy, he could soon join the starting lineup and force Branden Albert to move to right tackle.

Little-known safety Kyle McCarthy is making a push in Denver.

San Diego defensive lineman Vaughn Martin realizes it’s time for him to develop.

Former Buffalo starting quarterback Trent Edwards is trying to take advantage of an opportunity in Oakland. He has a good chance to be Jason Campbell’s backup. Edwards looked solid in the Raiders’ preseason opener last week.

New Denver coach John Fox gets a thumbs up from a local columnist.

Peter King has the scoop on why Oakland kicked off to start both halves of the preseason opener against Arizona. I guess it’s the preseason for everyone.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been stealthly during free agency, picking up quality players without much fanfare.

They potentially outdid themselves Thursday morning when the team announced they signed former Baltimore left tackle Jared Gaither.

There are plenty of questions, but if Gaither -- who is 6-foot-9, 340 pounds -- is healthy, he is a solid upgrade to their line. At the least, he is a solid backup who is recovering from back injury that kept him out of action all of last season. The Raiders jumped on Gaither early in camp and likely would have signed him had they been pleased with the results of his physical.

The Chiefs could be put Gaither in at left tackle and move Branden Albert to right tackle. It has long been thought that Albert could move to right tackle or Gaither could replace Barry Richardson at the spot. Or Kansas City could give Gaither more time to heal and use him as a backup to start the season.

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. loves the addition.

“If healthy and motivated, he is a Pro Bowl left tackle,” Williamson said. “He can also play right tackle, but he’s a prototype left side. Love the signing. He’s the final piece of their offensive line puzzle.”

Gaither is the third former Baltimore player Kansas City has signed this offseason, joining Kelly Gregg and Le'Ron McClain. The Ravens beat the Chiefs in the wild-card round in the playoffs last season.

Overall, I like the Gather signing. There is no guarantee that he is ready to go, but if he is, he just made a good offensive line very good. It’s a worthwhile gamble.

» NFC: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South » Unrestricted FAs

A look at the free-agent priorities for each AFC West team:

Denver Broncos

1.Trade Kyle Orton or name him the starter: The Broncos need to make a decision at quarterback quickly. There will be some teams in need of a veteran quarterback and the Broncos will surely field calls about Orton. If they get a decent offer in return (second or third-round pick) I could see Denver trading him and going with second-year quarterback Tim Tebow. If Orton is not traded early in the new league year, we’d have to assume Denver is going to give him the opportunity to hold off Tebow.

2. Sign a defensive tackle: The Broncos have long had a major hole at this position. It needs to upgrade its defense, which was ranked 32nd in the NFL last season. It begins at this position, which Denver bypassed in the draft. Potential free-agent targets include Seattle’s Brandon Mebane and San Francisco’s Aubrayo Franklin,although he is a better fit for 3-4 teams.

3. Sign a running back: New Denver coach John Fox recently said signing a running back is the team’s top free-agent priority. I think the above-mentioned projects are more pressing, but there’s no doubt Denver needs help at the position. It needs a veteran to pair with third-year running back Knowshon Moreno. We could see the Broncos trying to reunite Fox with former Carolina back DeAngelo Williams.

Top free agents: Tackle Ryan Harris and defensive tackle Marcus Thomas.

Kansas City Chiefs

1. Sign a nose tackle: The Chiefs have a few needs and more than $30 million in salary-cap money to play with. They can get to work. The team could use a stout anchor for the 3-4 defense. The Chiefs tried to sign Shaun Rogers prior to the lockout and they want a veteran. Franklin could be the answer.

2. Sign an offensive tackle: If the Chiefs get an upgrade at tackle, they should have a very strong line. They could sign a right tackle (a position they considered in the draft) or they can sign a left tackle and move Branden Albert to right tackle. Possible names to consider include Matt Light (who has New England ties to Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli and quarterback Matt Cassel) or New Orleans' Jermon Bushrod or a right tackle like Tyson Clabo or San Diego’s Jeromey Clary.

3. Sign a receiver: The Chiefs are a dangerous offensive team. But they could use a slot receiver to do along with No. 1 receiver Dwayne Bowe and first-round pick Jon Baldwin. A name to keep an eye on is the Cardinals’ Steve Breaston. He played for Kansas City coach Todd Haley in Arizona.

Top free agent: Center Casey Wiegmann.

Oakland Raiders

1. Re-sign tight end Zach Miller: Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is the best free agent in the NFL. But it will be difficult for Oakland to keep him. The Raiders must do what it takes to sign Miller. He is one of the game’s best young tight ends and he is arguably the team’s most important offensive player. He is the team’s most reliable receiving target. The Raiders love Miller and tried to sign him to a long-term deal prior to the lockout. Signing him before he hits the market will be and should be the team’s top priority.

2. Sign a couple offensive linemen: The Raiders’ offensive line is in flux. It has some interesting young players, but it needs to find a way to add some veterans somewhere -- despite the team’s salary-cap limitations.

3. Figure out secondary: If Asomugha and safety Michael Huff leave, the Raiders will need to get their youngsters up to speed quickly or try to find a veteran experience. I think we’ll see a mixture of both if Asomugha and Huff both leave as expected.

Top free agents: Asomugha, Huff, Miller and guard Robert Gallery.

San Diego Chargers

1. Re-sign safety Eric Weddle: The safety is a playmaker who will be very popular on the open market. The Chargers don't want him to get there. The Chargers have the salary-cap room to keep their top in-house options, and Weddle is at the top of the list. There is no reason for the Chargers to lose him and I think this key part of the NFL’s No. 1 ranked defense will remain with the Chargers.

2. Figure out receiver situation: Top receiver Vincent Jackson will be franchised. No. 2 receiver Malcom Floyd is unrestricted and he could get a big offer elsewhere. Backup Legedu Naanee is also expected to leave. The Chargers could use a veteran receiver. I doubt they will spend big money on the top names available, but they could look for a bargain or swing a trade for a veteran like Carolina’s Steve Smith.

3. Figure out inside linebacker situation: The Chargers could lose inside linebackers Stephen Cooper, Kevin Burnett and Brandon Siler. They would like to keep Burnett. Still, I could see the Chargers trying to find another inside linebacker to compete to star. They could also look for an edge rusher at outside linebacker.

Top free agents: Floyd, Weddle, Clary, Burnett, quarterback Billy Volek, receiver Legedu Naanee, linebacker Stephen Cooper, linebacker Brandon Siler and running back Darren Sproles.

The AFC West fared well in our left tackle Power Rankings, which were released Tuesday.

Denver’s Ryan Clady finished third behind Cleveland’s Joe Thomas and Miami’s Jake Long. Thomas beat Long by one voting point, 76-75. Clady was a distant third with 55 points. San Diego’s Marcus McNeill was tied for eighth with 20 points. No other AFC West left tackles received a top-10 vote. Fifteen left tackles received votes.

I voted Clady third and McNeill ninth.

Clady is an elite player, who is growing. I could see him on the top of this list soon. He is one of the best things going for Denver as it rebuilds.

McNeill is not at the level where Clady is, but he is an upper-echelon player at a key position. The Chargers missed him when he held out early in the season and the team was smart to extend his contract.

I also like the other two left tackles in the division, Kansas City’s Branden Albert and Oakland’s Jared Veldheer. Both players have potential to reach this list at some point. Albert is entering his fourth season and Veldheer was a rookie last year.

What do you think of the AFC West left tackles? Fill up the comment section below with your thoughts.

This is the fifth in our series of position-by-position rankings. It is a little different this season because we’re ranking the players before free agency starts and before rosters are set. We will adjust accordingly as we go along. Onto to a solid group of offensive linemen:

1. Ryan Clady, Denver: Clady was a little rusty early last season due to an offseason knee injury. He is still an upper-echelon player and a cornerstone on a weak Denver team.

2. Nick Hardwick, San Diego: Cagey, tough veteran is the anchor of a strong line.

3. Kris Dielman, San Diego: Big, tough Pro Bowler who is a lot to handle for defensive tackles.

4. Marcus McNeill, San Diego: There’s a reason why the Chargers gave him a long-term deal. He solidifies this line.

5. Ryan Lilja, Kansas City: He was a great addition last year. He helped set the tone for a strong run game and is a real tough guy.

6. Brian Waters, Kansas City: He’s aging, but Waters is still near the top of his game. He’s a great leader.

7. Casey Wiegmann, Kansas City: The Chiefs hope to get one more season out of the steady Wiegmann.

8. Chris Kuper, Denver: He’s an underrated player who gives Clady a lot of help on the line.

9. Louis Vasquez, San Diego: The young guy on the Chargers’ offensive line has been a good fit.

10. Branden Albert, Kansas City: He’s a good, not great, player who needs to improve in 2011.

11. Jeromey Clary, San Diego: Everyone wants the Chargers to replace him, but he’s a gamer.

12. Jared Veldheer, Oakland: Veldheer has a chance to zoom up this list soon. I look forward to seeing him at left tackle for a full season.

13. J.D. Walton, Denver: He got great experience as Denver’s center last season and has potential.

14. Cooper Carlisle, Oakland: Oakland could replace him. But he always gives an honest effort.

15. Barry Richardson, Kansas City: Like Clary, everyone wants to replace him. But Richardson looks like he has another season in him with the Chiefs.

16. Zane Beadles, Denver: Like Walton, Beadles got a lot of great experience as a rookie last season. He’s not great, but he should get better.

Footnote: Veteran Ryan Harris (Denver) and Robert Gallery (Oakland) are expected to leave through free agency and that’s why they are not listed. We are not averse to listing rookies, but we are keeping promising rookies Stefen Wisniewski (Oakland), Orlando Franklin (Denver) and Rodney Hudson (Kansas City) and second-year player Bruce Campbell (Oakland) off this list. I simply want to see each of these guys play before ranking them.