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We have to wonder whether Johnathan Joseph's agreement with Houston means Oakland free-agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is headed to the New York Jets or elsewhere. The Texans were considered a favorite along with the Jets to land Asomugha.

The Texans’ agreement with Joseph means Houston didn’t feel like it could get Asomugha. The Jets reportedly want to hear an answer from the top free-agent prize, one way or another. Here is a thought that Asomugha is holding the Jets hostage. It seems like the Jets are getting antsy and they might soon decide to move away from Asomugha if he doesn’t come to a decision soon.

Of course, as long as he is still out there, the Raiders still have a chance. Could Asomugha be waiting to see whether the Raiders can clear the cap room to sign him? Who knows, but the longer this drags on, the more reasonable a question it becomes.

Meanwhile, no surprise that Kansas City cut receiver Chris Chambers and cornerback Jackie Bates. They clearly weren’t in the team’s plans. Chambers played well when the Chiefs claimed him in the second half of the 2009 season off waivers from San Diego. But he didn’t do much last season.

Greg Olsen's trade from Chicago to Carolina means another tight end is off the market. This hasn’t been a hot market for tight ends, so that is good news for the Raiders, who are trying to keep Zach Miller.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting freshly cut Vince Young wants to play for the Eagles. Earlier in the day, Schefter listed the Eagles and Raiders as potential suitors for the former Titans quarterback.

KC Joyner isn’t sure we’ll see a repeat playoff performance by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011.

In an ESPN.com Insider piece, Joyner points to quarterback Matt Cassel’s struggles to complete long passes as a major reason why he thinks the Chiefs -- who went 10-6 and won the 2011 AFC West title after winning a grand total of 10 games in the previous three seasons combined -- could slip this season.

Here is some of what worries Joyner about Cassel: His metrics in this category range from mediocre to abysmal. His 10.2 vertical YPA (vertical being defined as passes thrown 11 or more yards downfield) ranked 20th in the league last season. His 9.0 stretch vertical YPA (defined as passes thrown 20 or more yards) was even worse, as it ranked next to last among qualifying quarterbacks (175 pass attempts needed to qualify). (Note: these numbers include attempts and yardage totals posted on pass penalties such as defensive holding, illegal contact, pass interference, etc.)

Many might come to Cassel's defense by pointing out the subpar state of the Kansas City wide receiver/tight ends corps last season. It would seem awfully difficult to put together an effective vertical passing game when mediocre pass catchers such as Chris Chambers, Terrance Copper, Verran Tucker, Leonard Pope and Tim Castille all post at least 10 targets, as was the case last season.

Some will point to the addition of former Pitt wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin in the first round of the 2011 draft as a reason for optimism here.

However, the primary counter to that statement would be that Baldwin's first-year learning curve could be steep, given that a) the lockout could prevent him from getting much practice time prior to the start of the season and b) Scouts Inc. said that he is inconsistent and erratic in many areas.

Throw in the fact that Baldwin's 15.51 yards per reception average last season ranked him 68th among FBS pass catchers and it shows just how far he has to go before he can be considered an answer to the Chiefs' vertical receiving woes.

My thoughts? Cassel’s inability to complete the deep pass is clearly an issue. That’s why Baldwin was drafted in the first round. Kansas City recognized the issue and tried to fix it. That’s what good teams do.

The key is how fast Baldwin can make a difference in this area. Joyner points out the learning curve and he’s right, but he will be given every chance to succeed.

This season surely will not be easy for Kansas City. It is now the hunted. It has a tougher schedule than it did in 2010. But, in the end, this is a balanced team with good coaching. The Chiefs appear to be headed in the right direction, regardless of potential obstacles.

KANSAS CITY –- There was only one mild surprise on the Kansas City Chiefs’ inactive list Sunday for their AFC wild-card game against visiting Baltimore.

Veteran receiver Chris Chambers was inactive, while newly signed veteran receiver Kevin Curtis is active. Chambers has been disappointing this season and he might have played his final game in Kansas City. Curtis was signed Wednesday.

Also, Brodie Croyle is back to being the Chiefs’ backup quarterback while Tyler Palko is the emergency quarterback. Palko was the backup last week against Oakland. Here are Kansas City’s other inactives: receiver Quinten Lawrence, fullback Mike Cox, safety Reshard Langford, linebacker Charlie Anderson, center Rudy Niswanger and defensive tackle Anthony Toribio. Baltimore had no surprises on its inactive list.

Brian Waters had nothing to do but ride and watch.

Nursing an injury for much of training camp, the Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl guard was relegated to jockeying an exercise bike instead of practicing with his teammates. With a perfect sideline view, Waters noticed something develop in the summer heat as he pedaled for countless hours.

The Chiefs had some extremely talented young players.

“Sitting there on the bike, our young guys really stood out to me,” Waters said this week. “I noticed the 2008 class was really developing out there, and then there was the rookie class. They were really something. The combination of those two classes really gave me hope that we might be on to something. Those two classes are a big reason why we’re where we are.”

There are several reasons why the 10-6 Chiefs – who won a total of 10 games in the previous three seasons – went from worst to first in the AFC West and will play host to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in the AFC wild-card round. The Chiefs are well coached, quarterback Matt Cassel has developed, the running game was tops in the NFL, the offensive line was strong, they didn’t make many mistakes, and the defense was aggressive and improved its pass rush. A lot of those reasons can be attributed to the development of Kansas City’s third-year players and rookie class.

“The Chiefs have some very good young players,” Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. said. “I think a big reason why this team improved so much is because of those two classes. There’s a ton of guys who are giving the Chiefs big-time contributions from 2008 and 2010.”

The 2008 draft -- buoyed by the Jared Allen trade to Minnesota – was the final contribution of the 20-year Carl Peterson era in Kansas City. Many league observers thought that draft class had a chance to be special. But it looked anything but special for the first two seasons, although second-round pick Brandon Flowers (cornerback) and third-round pick Jamaal Charles (running back) showed signs of being excellent players early on.

The two first-round picks, defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey (No. 5 overall) and left tackle Branden Albert (No. 15), were nothing special in their first two years. However, Dorsey and Albert have both made big progress this season.

Dorsey has flourished in defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 defense after struggling in the 3-4 under Clancy Pendergast last season. Dorsey has been the anchor of the defense, and he plays with a high motor. Many scouts thought the LSU star was the best player available in the 2008 draft, and he is now showing how good he is. Albert has melded well with the veterans on Kansas City’s line, and also has made major strides in 2010. There had been talk before the 2010 draft that the Chiefs would take Russell Okung with the No. 5 pick (who went one pick later to Seattle) and move Albert to right tackle.

The Chiefs have to be thrilled they didn’t make that move. Kansas City has its left tackle for the next several years, and it seems to have scored big with safety Eric Berry, the team’s top pick in 2010.

“Dorsey and Albert are showing why they were such high picks,” Williamson said. “Dorsey has been much better in the 3-4 than I thought he would be. He’s playing with a great purpose, and Albert is the best player on a good line.”

The showcase player of the Chiefs’ 2008 class, of course, is Charles. Kansas City drafted Charles out of Texas because of his blazing speed. The Chiefs hoped he’d be a nice change-of-pace player. In his third NFL season, Charles -- who along with Albert was a prize from the Allen trade -- has developed into the NFL’s premier game-breaker.

Charles was second in the NFL in rushing this season with 1,467 yards. His 6.38 per-carry average was the second highest single-season average behind the legendary Jim Brown, who averaged 6.4 yards a carry in 1963. If the Chiefs have a chance to beat the Ravens, it will start with Charles’ big-play threat.

The class, which also features right tackle Barry Richardson, also netted Kansas City’s two cornerbacks, who have a chance to be with the team for several years. While Flowers showed strong signs of being a good player (Williamson says he thinks Flowers can be a top-five cornerback), right cornerback Brandon Carr has come on strong this season. The fifth-round pick led the Chiefs with 19 passes defended, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

While Peterson and coach Herm Edwards’ swan song presented Kansas City with a terrific parting gift, the second draft class of the Scott Pioli-Todd Haley era has been a jackpot. Their first class was small and so far uninspiring besides kicker Ryan Succop, the final pick of the entire 2009 draft. But their second class has been one of the best rookie classes in the NFL, along with those of Oakland, New England and Tampa Bay.

In June, Haley said he didn’t think the task was too big for his draft class, and that was before he had seen the players in training camp. Through the regular season, Haley had to feel the same way. This class has been extremely productive.

It starts with Berry. While he is still learning, he has been a complete player and has the look of being a fierce player for a long time. Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. notes that Berry, who was named the NFL's defensive rookie of the month for December, is an excellent blitzer, strong in run support and continues to improve in coverage. Berry had four interceptions as a rookie. It’s noteworthy that Berry will be on the same field as the Ravens’ Ed Reed in his first postseason game. Berry has a chance to a have a Reed-like impact on the Chiefs in the coming years.

Second-round picks Javier Arenas and Dexter McCluster are both fine returners. Arenas has been decent as a nickel cornerback, and McCluster, when healthy, is a downfield target.

Next to Berry, perhaps the next most productive rookie has been third-round pick Tony Moeaki. Cassel looks to have complete trust in Moeaki, a tight end who can split the field and has soft hands. How good has Moeaki been? His rookie season has been much better than former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, the NFL record holder for all relevant tight end receiving marks.

Moeaki had 47 catches for 556 yards this season. His reception total was a team rookie record by 14 catches, and his yardage total was three yards off the team’s rookie mark. Safety Kendrick Lewis also has been a contributor this season.

“You have to give a lot of credit to the young kids,” veteran receiver Chris Chambers said. “They’ve come in here and acted like pros. They are a big reason why we’ve been so successful this season, no doubt about it.”

ST. LOUIS –- Brian Waters wants Kansas City Chiefs fans to fully appreciate what they witnessed Sunday and what they have in their quarterback.

Eleven days after having an appendectomy that limited him in practice and kept his availability for Sunday’s crucial game against the St. Louis Rams in question until moments before kickoff, Matt Cassel lifted the Chiefs to a crucial 27-13 win. The victory was an important step toward securing Kansas City's first AFC West championship since 2003.

“After today, fans have to appreciate this guy,” said Waters, the Chiefs’ standout 11-year guard. “I know a lot of people doubted Matt, but they shouldn't doubt him anymore. There’s no question he’s our leader and he’s a very good football player. I told him before the game that he didn’t need to be Superman out here today ... but on a few plays, he actually looked like Superman.”

Added Kansas City running back Thomas Jones on Cassel’s performance: “For a guy to come back, after having an organ removed from his body ... it’s definitely extraordinary.”

If the Chiefs end up going to the playoffs, Cassel’s performance Sunday will go down in Kansas City annals as one of the more heroic performances in its professional sports history. Cassel never truly tested his strength all week and sat out a portion of pregame warm-ups just to save energy.

“This is not a common thing,” Kansas City coach Todd Haley said. “[It’s] not a thing we have had a lot of experience with, so you have to depend on the medical staff and be sure that you are not putting someone in a compromising situation.”

Well after backups Brodie Croyle and Tyler Palko were on the field throwing balls to receivers, Cassel gingerly entered the field and played short toss with a Kansas City support member. Yet, when the game started, it was clear Cassel was on the field for more than a cameo appearance or merely moral support. He was playing to energize Kansas City's playoff hopes.

Cassel moved without pain and led Kansas City to 20 unanswered points. In the end, Cassel was his usual efficient self, completing 15 of 29 passes for 184 yards. He threw for one touchdown and was intercepted once. Those aren’t exactly classic star numbers. But without Cassel leading this offense, the Chiefs have proved they can’t move the ball.

“I knew he was either going to be throwing up blood or making plays,” Waters said of Cassel.

Added St. Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo: “I think his statement was, 'Hey, I’m not afraid to run it, I’m not afraid to throw it. I’m here to play ball.’ "

On Sunday, Cassel led Kansas City to 27 points. Last week, with Cassel resting on his couch, the Chiefs had 67 yards offense as the Croyle-led squad was brutalized, 31-0, against San Diego.

After Cassel’s performance and its bounce back from last week's disaster-by-the-sea, Kansas City is now 9-5. If the Chiefs win their final two games -- at home next week against Tennessee and on Jan. 2 against Oakland -- they will win the division. If the Chiefs -- who are 6-0 at home this season -- lose once and San Diego (8-6) wins its final two games, the Chargers will win the division. San Diego plays at Cincinnati next week and at Denver to close out the season. (Check out ESPN's NFL Playoff Machine and playoff standings.)

“As the quarterback, I certainly want to be out there as much as possible,” Cassel said. “Any chance I had to play this week, I was going to do it.”

Cassel’s presence clearly lifted Kansas City.

“To see our quarterback rush back after an injury like that was impressive,” Kansas City receiver Chris Chambers said. “It made us all elevate our game. Matt showed he’s something special.”

Last season and earlier this season, many Kansas City fans were dissatisfied with Cassel, who was acquired from New England in 2009 and was given a $40 million deal. After a sluggish start in 2010, many thought the Chiefs should not exercise the option on Cassel after this season and perhaps pursue Philadelphia’s Kevin Kolb in the offseason. Over the past two months, though, Cassel has been one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. He has thrown 24 touchdown passes with just five interceptions this season.

Kansas City has the NFL’s best running game (it added 210 yards on the ground Sunday) and a surprisingly stout defense -- the basis of a solid team. On Sunday, Cassel showed he’s the nucleus of the team. It is clear he is going to be the Chiefs’ quarterback for the long term. If Kansas City is still playing in January, Cassel will give them a fighting chance.

“He was [a hero],” Waters said. “What he did out there and how he lifted us today was a big deal.”

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 8:

Playing time has to be earned in Haley’s world: It will be interesting to see if Kansas City receiver Chris Chambers and defensive end Tyson Jackson play this Sunday against Buffalo. Both players have been healthy scratches in recent weeks, but Jackson did play some last week. Jackson was the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2009 and Chambers was re-signed at a healthy price this offseason. Still, that’s the way it works on Todd Haley’s team. If you don’t produce, you don’t play, no matter when you were picked or how much money you make. It is working because the Chiefs are 4-2 and a very united team. So, unless Jackson and Chambers start working harder in practice, the team will move on without them.

Could Chris Johnson be right? The day after Oakland whipped host Denver 59-14 for the team’s greatest moment since the 2002 season, talkative right cornerback Chris Johnson said the Raiders are the most talented team in the NFL. It’s time for Johnson and his teammates to back up that talk. Oakland hasn’t won two straight games in the past 23 games. If the Raiders can beat visiting Seattle, even their record at 4-4 and win back-to-back games, perhaps the Raiders will be ready to take the next step. If not, Johnson’s big talk will sound rather empty.

A weekend in London: The Broncos’ reward for a 45-point home loss to Oakland? A long flight to London, where they will face San Francisco in the NFL’s annual regular-season game in England. Unlike other teams in the past, the Broncos are not spending the entire week in London. They departed after Thursday’s practice. The 49ers left earlier in the week. Denver coach Josh McDaniels said the organization researched the situation and decided to go this route. The idea is to make the week as normal as possible and keep the players comfortable working in their own surroundings as long as possible. Let’s see if it works.

Are the Chargers tough enough? Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. doesn’t think so. Horton thinks a big reason why the Chargers are 2-5 despite being ranked No. 1 in the NFL in both offense and defense is a lack of toughness. The Chargers have made countless mistakes this season. Here’s a taste of what Horton had to say: “When a team is not mentally tough and doesn’t do the little things to win, bad things usually happen. That is the story of the Chargers ... even though this team shows glimpses of being a good team on both sides of the ball, they don’t do it consistently and all those gaudy stats are meaningless.”

Chiefs have found the right mix on offense: In the past two weeks, the Chiefs’ offense has been balanced and the result has been very encouraging. After scoring just three field goals in a loss at Indianapolis, the Chiefs have scored 73 points in the past two games. A big reason for the offensive explosion is the pass is being setup by the run. The Chiefs have the No, 1 ranked run offense in the NFL. When the Chiefs scored 42 points in a win over Jacksonville on Sunday, they had 236 yards on the ground. That gave quarterback Matt Cassel the ability to make plays and he completed 13 of 18 passes. If the run continues to setup the pass in Kansas City, Cassel and the entire offense may thrive.

Oakland running back Darren McFadden was rewarded for his brilliant performance in the Raiders' historic win at Denver on Sunday.

McFadden was named the AFC offensive player of the week for his role in Oakland’s 59-14 win at Denver. It was a single-game scoring record for the history-rich Raiders. McFadden surely did his part.

He had 165 yards rushing on 16 carries and he scored four touchdowns in the rout. I couldn’t agree more with the AFC’s decision. McFadden was our AFC West High Energy player of the week for his dominant showing in Denver.

• Meanwhile, an ESPN Stats and Information blog looks at the statistical impact of the Oakland third-year running back is making this season.

• Kansas City receiver Chris Chambers is confused why he has been a healthy scratch the past couple of games. Chambers was a sparkplug when he was claimed off waivers from San Diego last season. But he was ineffective as a starter early this season and he has been replaced by Terrance Copper.

• Oakland starting receiver Louis Murphy is reportedly dealing with a bruised lung.

• Because Denver is flying after practice Thursday to London to play San Francisco on Sunday, the Broncos are working on a Monday Night Football schedule. Denver practiced Tuesday. Safety Brian Dawkins and cornerback Andre Goodman returned to practice. Both players missed the past two games.

• The Chargers may be headed for their third local television blackout in four home games. The team announced Tuesday that they have a whopping 9,000 tickets to sell by Thursday’s blackout deadline. The only game to sell out this season was Sunday against New England. The Chargers’ 2-5 record probably is not helping ticket sales this week.

• In a video, ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer takes a look at how the AFC West will play out.

• It is time to make a fantasy move on Denver’s Kyle Orton and Brandon Lloyd?

• San Diego signed linebacker David Herron on Tuesday. Linebacker Cyril Obiozor was cut.

• Denver cut linebacker Diyral Briggs and released tight end Riar Greer off the practice squad.

The Kansas City Chiefs got good news Thursday when defensive end Tyson Jackson (knee), right tackle Ryan O’Callaghan (groin) and receiver Chris Chambers (finger) were taken off the injury report.

The big news here is that Jackson should be ready to play extensively Sunday against Jacksonville. The No. 3 overall pick in 2009 hasn’t played since Week 1. Jackson played well in the game against San Diego after having a slow rookie season. His presence should make an improving defense stronger.

• San Diego will get to see the Chargers play on Sunday. At 2-4, the city may not be all that thrilled to do so, however. With that said, the team sold enough tickets for the game to be declared a sellout by Thursday’s deadline. The two previous games in San Diego this season have been blacked out. Before this season, San Diego sold out 48 straight home games. However, their current steak may not last long. The team announced there are 12,000 seats available for the Oct. 31 home game against Tennessee. If the Chargers lose to the Patriots, there will likely be little chance that game will be sold out.

• It is being reported out of Kansas City that Chiefs defensive lineman Shaun Smith won his appeal on a $10,000 fine by the NFL. He was fined for grabbing the groin area of San Francisco tackle Anthony Davis in Week 3.

• It looks like Oakland rookie Jared Veldheer is getting close to becoming the full-time starting left tackle.

• Joining other teams, the Broncos voted to de-certify the union in case there is a lockout.

San Diego Chargers star tight end Antonio Gates didn’t practice Wednesday because of a toe injury he suffered in a loss at St. Louis on Sunday. He could miss Sunday’s game against New England.

Receiver Legedu Naanee didn’t practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury that kept him of the Rams’ game. Naanee will be needed because No. 1 receiver Malcom Floyd will likely not play against the Patriots with a hamstring injury. Running back Ryan Mathews was kept out of Wednesday’s practice because of a nagging ankle injury.

Mathews is expected to play, but if Gates, Floyd and Naanee are out, San Diego will be hard pressed to score points against the Patriots.

• It appears Kansas City defensive end Tyson Jackson is making strides to getting back on the field. He practiced fully Wednesday. He has been out since Week 1 with a knee injury. Receiver Chris Chambers (finger) and right tackle Ryan O’Callaghan (groin) also practiced fully for the Chiefs.

• Kansas City signed defensive lineman Atiyyah Ellison. He had six starts for Jacksonville last year. The Chiefs play Jacksonville on Sunday. Ellison takes over for Alex Magee, who was traded to Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Here are some details of the deal.

• In his rookie watch on ESPN.com, Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. shows excitement over the play of Oakland defensive lineman Lamarr Houston. Oakland may have a real find in the second-round pick.

• San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers and Denver quarterback Kyle Orton made ESPN.com’s MVP watch.

• Former NFL salary cap man Andrew Brandt has an interesting look at the recent contract extension signed by San Diego left tackle Marcus McNeill.

• The Broncos signed tight end John Nalbone and defensive lineman Mitch Unrein to the practice squad.

HOUSTON -- Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Tyson Jackson will miss his fourth straight game Sunday against the Houston Texans with a knee injury.

Jackson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2009 draft, was hurt opening night against the Chargers. After a poor rookie season, Jackson was playing well in that game.

Starting Kansas City receiver Chris Chambers is out with a finger injury. He is expected to be replaced by Terrance Copper. Right tackle Ryan O'Callaghan is out again and will be replaced by Barry Richardson. Key Kansas City rookie safety Kendrick Lewis is also out.

In Denver, running back Knowshon Moreno was limited for the second straight day and he is questionable. He has been out for three games with a hamstring injury. Denver desperately needs a boost to the league’s worst run attack. Rookie receiver/returner Demaryius Thomas has been limited after missing the past two days of practice with a concussion he suffered Sunday at Baltimore. He is questionable to play.

• In Kansas City, defensive end Tyson Jackson is questionable to play with a knee injury. He’s been out since Week 1. Rookie safety Kendrick Lewis (hamstring) and receiver Chris Chambers (finger) were added to the injury list Friday and they are questionable to play Sunday at Houston.

• In Oakland, in addition to Jason Campbell playing for Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder) at quarterback, running back Darren McFadden (hamstring) is questionable to play at San Francisco. He didn’t play last week. Guard Robert Gallery (hamstring) is looking like he’ll play for the first time since Week 1.

• In San Diego, receiver Legedu Naanee didn’t practice all week. He is doubtful. Buster Davis will likely start for Naanee. Running back Ryan Mathews has practiced fully the past two days and he is probable with an ankle injury.

It is going to be a crucial season for several young players in the AFC West, where training camp begins in three weeks. Here's a look at 10 division players who are expected to have breakout years:

Branden Albert, left tackle, Kansas City: This is Albert’s third year with the Chiefs, who took him with the No. 15 overall pick in 2008. He was inconsistent as a rookie, but he made improvements as last season went on. If he continues to make strides, he should be fine. Kansas City gave him a big vote of confidence when it didn’t take left tackle Russell Okung in the first round of the draft this year and move Albert to right tackle. Kansas City selected safety Eric Berry instead with the No. 5 pick.

Antoine Cason, cornerback, San Diego: The Chargers felt good enough about Cason to trade Antonio Cromartie to the Jets this offseason. Cason, the No. 28 pick in 2008, takes over as starting right cornerback in San Diego. He played extensively in his first two seasons and lost playing time early in 2009, but bounced back and finished strong. The Chargers want more consistency and toughness than Cromartie provided. Cason, a smart playmaker, should be up to the task.

Glenn Dorsey, defensive lineman, Kansas City: Dorsey probably shouldn’t be on this list anymore. The No. 5 overall pick in 2008 was expected to already be an established stud going into his third season. While Dorsey has played well occasionally, he has been far from a dominant player. Many scouts and coaches thought he was the top player in the 2008 draft, but he has been a big disappointment. He has had two different coaching staffs in the past two seasons and had a hard time adjusting to the 3-4 defense in 2009. He may be moved around the defensive line this year as the Chiefs try to find the best spot for him. He must perform this season or it could be his last in Kansas City.

Malcom Floyd, receiver, San Diego: Floyd, who had 45 catches for 776 yards in 2009, came on strong last season as he took over for Chris Chambers as San Diego’s No. 2 receiver. More is expected out of this late bloomer in 2010. Star receiver Vincent Jackson is expected to hold out for several weeks. That means Floyd, who will turn 29 in September, may be Philip Rivers’ top receiving option outside of tight end Antonio Gates. The ball will be flying out of Rivers’ hand and Floyd will be expected to play like a No. 1 receiver. (Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. has more on Floyd here in his Pressure Point story.)

Darren McFadden, running back, Oakland: Like Dorsey, McFadden has been disappointing. Drafted one pick behind Dorsey in 2008, he has had only one good NFL game, in the second week of his rookie season (164 rushing yards). A practice star, McFadden has not made an impact in games and has been injury prone. Running backs have short shelf lives, and the talented McFadden must get it going. The Raiders expect him to shine along with Michael Bush.

Knowshon Moreno, running back, Denver: There also is a lot of pressure on Moreno, the No. 12 overall pick last year. After starting the season fairly well, Moreno nosedived dramatically. He was terrible in the final month of the season as Denver fell out of the playoff race after starting 6-0. He had 173 rushing yards and averaged 2.7 yards a carry in the final four games of the season. He is the starter again, but he must show he can carry the load for the entire season.

Legedu Naanee, receiver, San Diego: Like his teammate Floyd, Naanee will have a lot resting on his shoulders if Jackson decides to sit. Naanee will likely be the No. 2 receiver in that scenario and, in many ways, will have more pressure than Floyd. At least Floyd had nine starts in 2009. Naanee, who only had one start in 2009, must take the leap from role player to starter.

Eddie Royal, receiver, Denver: No one would have expected Royal to be on this list a year ago. After his rookie campaign, Royal already looked established. He had 91 catches and was a spark plug for Mike Shanahan’s offense in 2008 after being a second-round pick. Shanahan’s decision to draft Royal over DeSean Jackson seemed warranted. Now that pick is being questioned after Royal stumbled in Josh McDaniels’ offense, netting only 37 catches for 345 yards last season. Royal, who was the targeted receiver 79 times last season opposed to 129 times the season before, will probably play in the slot this season. Denver thinks he can bounce back. If not, he just may end up being a small backup receiver/return man, which is acceptable, but so much more was expected from him after his breakout year.

Chaz Schilens, receiver, Oakland: Schilens was a seventh-round pick in 2008 and showed promise as a rookie with 15 catches. Because of Oakland’s young receiving crew, Schilens, 24, was Oakland’s No. 1 receiver last season. While he missed the first half of the season with a broken foot, he had a decent finish with 29 catches for 365 yards in eight games. Schilens has the look of a player who can become a fine receiver. But he is still green and must show he can stay healthy. If so, he could be on his way to a big career.

Trevor Scott, linebacker, Oakland: The sixth-round pick in 2008 has 12 sacks in two NFL seasons, including seven last season. He was moved from defensive end to outside linebacker and will be given a chance to start in 2010. If Scott can show he can hold his own in coverage and in running situations, he could be a standout. He has terrific pass-rush skills.

Our AFC West position-by-position rankings continue. We are looking at the receivers today.

It’s an interesting group. The unit is very young in the division. This list is sure to change dramatically in the next couple of years as it moves away from the Brandon Marshall era. I’m only listing players I think can make an impact this season.

1. Vincent Jackson, San Diego: Jackson is by far the best in this class and is a superstar in the making. He’s big, fast, he works hard and he has great hands. He has it all.

2. Malcom Floyd, San Diego: There is a big drop off from Jackson to Floyd, but the Chargers are very excited about him. He’s tall, athletic and has a chance to break out in 2010.

3. Chris Chambers, Kansas City: He revitalized his career after the Chiefs claimed him off waivers from the Chargers last season. He is Matt Cassel’s favorite target and is still a solid playmaker.

4. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City: Bowe is very talented. But he has to show more consistency after a bad 2009 season. If he gets his head straight, he can be a standout.

5. Chaz Schilens, Oakland: All Schilens needs is to stay healthy. He has terrific talent. but has yet to really show it. He can jump up this list next year.

6. Jabar Gaffney, Denver: Gaffney is an underrated player. He’s a perfect fit for Josh McDaniels’ offense. He’ll be replaced on this list by some of the younger players as soon as next year, but he is a solid player this season.

7. Eddie Royal, Denver: This is a big year for Royal. He had a disastrous second season after starring as a rookie. He had 91 catches in 2008 and just 37 last season. He has played well at this level but needs to show he can do it again.

8. Louis Murphy, Oakland: Murphy has great potential. He was solid as a rookie but will need to catch the ball with more consistency. Still, I think he is a riser.

9. Legedu Naanee, San Diego: Naanee is a good player. He’s a very nice No. 3 option and is very versatile.

10. Demaryius Thomas, Denver: He’s a top-rated rookie. Denver expects a lot from him and he will get a chance to shine very quickly.

11. Dexter McCluster, Kansas City: I’m excited to see how the Chiefs use this small, but speedy slot receiver. I think the sky is the limit.

12. Eric Decker, Denver: If he can come back quickly from a foot injury, Decker could have a quick impact. He is a very intriguing prospect with great hands.

13. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland: Heyward-Bey doesn’t have good hands at all and that’s why he is behind three rookies on this list. He was horrible during his first year and still didn’t fix his catchings issues at last week’s minicamp. He has potential with great speed, but a receiver is nothing without reliable hands. He has a lot of work to do.

There was speculation for months before the draft that the Chiefs might be tempted to reunite quarterback Jimmy Clausen with Charlie Weis, his former coach at Notre Dame and the new offensive coordinator in Kansas City.

However, the Chiefs bypassed Clausen twice (at No. 5 and No. 36 overall). It was a clear vote of confidence for quarterback Matt Cassel.

Because Cassel signed a $40 million contract last year, the idea of acquiring Clausen sounded a little farfetched. But the Chiefs can get out of the Cassel contract after this year.

By not taking Clausen, Kansas City indicated they still believe Cassel will succeed as their quarterback.

They gave Cassel additional help this offseason by signing running back Thomas Jones, bringing back receiver Chris Chambers, upgrading their offensive line and adding a speedy slot receiver/running back in second-round draft pick Dexter McCluster. Cassel struggled last season at least in part due to a lack of weapons and a porous offensive line. It will be interesting to see what he can do now with a better supporting cast.

The fact that the Chiefs didn’t take Clausen means they think Cassel will succeed.

» NFC Needs Revisited: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

» Draft Watch: Biggest needs (2/17) | Busts/gems (2/24) | Schemes, themes (3/3) | Recent history (3/10) | Needs revisited (3/17) | Under-the-radar needs (3/26) | History in that spot (3/31) | Draft approach (4/7) | Decision-makers (4/14) | Dream scenario/Plan B (4/21)

Each Wednesday leading up to the NFL draft (April 22-24), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today’s topic: Biggest needs revisited.

Denver: The Broncos have added three potential starting defensive linemen and a backup quarterback (at least for the time being) in Brady Quinn. Those two positions are probably out of the question for Denver in the early rounds. The Broncos do have plenty of needs, though. The Broncos will be looking for an inside linebacker after the release of starter Andra Davis. Alabama’s Rolando McClain has to be considered a possibility at No. 11. Denver is also looking for help on the offensive line at guard and at center. The Broncos will surely take a young interior offensive linemen early. With Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall’s future in flux, Denver has to be on the hunt for a receiver. This is a position the Broncos could address early.

Kansas City: The Chiefs have been aggressive in free agency. But because the Chiefs have to improve in many areas, there is plenty to target in the draft. Kansas City has been targeting several veteran offensive linemen, but I think it will try to draft an offensive lineman in the first round or with one of its two second-round picks. The Chiefs still have a big need at safety. If he is available, Tennessee’s Eric Berry has to be a real possibility with the No. 5 pick. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kansas City looked at a linebacker in the first three rounds, either. Even though veteran receiver Chris Chambers has re-signed, look for the Chiefs to try to get younger at the position, perhaps in the second round. The team’s need for a running back was filled with veteran Thomas Jones in free agency.

Oakland: The Raiders have been shedding veterans much more than they have been bringing in players so far in free agency. The need wish list still starts at tackle. The Raiders have long had a dearth there. There probably will be several solid choices at tackle with the No. 8 overall pick. Oakland has to consider this a priority position. The Raiders could also use a young quarterback in the early-to-middle rounds. With running back Justin Fargas cut, the Raiders also could use another running back, but it won’t be a high-round priority. With veteran Gerard Warren cut, Oakland will need a defensive tackle, probably in the early rounds. Linebacker is also an area Oakland may try to address early.

San Diego: The Chargers have as many draft needs as they’ve had in several years. The Chargers have seen several veterans leave through free agency, trade or release. The team has a lot of depth, but reinforcements are needed at several areas. The two main areas of need remain running back and nose tackle. San Diego will address these areas early. It just depends how early. The Chargers could potentially take two running backs early. It is a deep running back class, so San Diego will have options. San Diego really needs a nose tackle now that veteran Jamal Williams has been released and signed by Denver. Because nose tackles are more difficult to find than running backs, the Chargers may address this area first. San Diego could use help at tight end in the middle rounds and perhaps even a third-string quarterback. Linebacker and cornerback could also be addressed in the late rounds.