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Continuing our 2012 AFC position-by-position rankings, here are the receivers. It’s a young, fairly unproven group that lost top players Vincent Jackson and Brandon Lloyd in the past year:

1. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City: With Jackson gone, Bowe, who received the franchise tag by the Chiefs this offseason, is the clear top receiver in the division.

2. Malcom Floyd, San Diego: Floyd is good, but he probably wouldn’t be ranked this high in most divisions. If he can stay healthy, he can be a star.

3. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland: I have a lot of respect for Heyward-Bey for taking a big step during the 2011 season. He still is not perfect and he has to prove he can be a consistent player, but he has a chance.

4. Demaryius Thomas, Denver: I bet Thomas will be ranked at least No. 2 on this list next year. The sky is the limit.

5. Eric Decker, Denver: Peyton Manning is already talking him up. You know what that means -- lots of catches.

6. Denarius Moore, Oakland: Moore showed flashes as a rookie and he has star potential. He will be given a chance to shine.

7. Robert Meachem, San Diego: Meachem is not as good as Jackson was, but he fits the Chargers’ vertical offense and he will make his presence felt.

8. Jon Baldwin, Kansas City: Baldwin has large potential and he easily could be in the top three on this list next year. He has to show he’s ready for the challenge.

9. Jacoby Ford, Oakland: I’m a big Ford fan, but his health and the presence of Heyward-Bey and Moore may make him a third option.

10. Vincent Brown, San Diego: The Chargers love this kid. Expect nice, big numbers this year.

11. Steve Breaston, Kansas City: He’s a solid, steady receiver who can help his team win.

12. Andre Caldwell, Denver: He will be interesting to watch. The Broncos think this free-agent pickup could make his presence felt.

13. Louis Murphy, Oakland: Murphy can’t stay healthy and other receivers may have bypassed him. But he’s a pro who knows how to come up with the big catch.

14. Eddie Royal, San Diego: The former Denver receiver will be given a chance to shine in the Chargers’ rotation.

15. Devon Wylie, Kansas City: This is a projection pick. The Chiefs love him and think he can come in and make some catches as a fourth-round pick.

If anyone has any questions of whether Peyton Manning has yet to take control of the Denver Broncos’ offense, rest easy.

Check out the words of new Denver receiver Andre Caldwell, in comments distributed by the team Thursday: “He’s literally leading everything. He’s setting us up, putting us in the right positions. He’s not running the drills — definitely he and [Eric] Decker go hand-in-hand with that — but he’s pretty much the leader in everything else.”

Caldwell is loving what he has seen from Manning, who missed all of last season with a neck injury. However, Caldwell has echoed the sentiment of so many other people who have worked out with Manning or watched him work out recently: The man’s on point.

“He looks great,” Caldwell said. “He looks ready to go. I’d go to war with him any day right now, so he looks fine and healthy to me.”

Caldwell signed with Denver as a free agent from Cincinnati. He noted the difference between starting the season with a veteran like Manning as opposed to rookie Andy Dalton last season with the Bengals.

“It’s a big difference,” Caldwell said. “The quarterback had to get adjusted to us [last year], but instead, Peyton is leading us. He’s showing us all the drills we need to do. He’s ahead of everybody, and he’s just our leader. Being with a rookie last year, our leader was on the O-line. This year it’s the quarterback. He’s leading everything that he does.”

Brandon Stokley is back with the Denver Broncos.

The veteran receiver has been expected to sign with Denver since Peyton Manning signed with the team four weeks ago. The two played together in Indianapolis and are close friends. Manning stayed at Stokley’s house when he visited Denver last month and the two have been working out together this year.

He is the second weapon Denver has signed that has played with Manning. Former Colts’ tight end Jacob Tamme inked with Denver last month. Stokley visited the Broncos -- whom he played for from 2007-09 -- on Monday and his agent tweeted Monday that he will sign with the team.

Stokley will turn 36 in June and he played just two games last season, with the Giants. He is near the end of his career. But he has a great chemistry with Manning and he can teach the Denver receivers how to adjust to playing with Manning, so he will have a role.

Stokley is considered to be one of the best slot receivers of all time, and he is great with other young athletes playing that position. I think he can have a huge impact on Denver receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas.

Decker and Stokley already have a relationship. When Decker suffered a serious foot injury in college, Stokley served as a mentor and sounding board for Decker because Stokley successfully returned from the same injury. The two have continued a friendship, so Stokley’s influence in the Denver locker room will extend beyond Manning.

Peyton Manning -- who has one of the most respected work ethics in NFL history -- is officially at work in Denver.

Manning met the media Monday after the Broncos began their offseason program. ESPN broadcasted his media briefing and it was clear Manning is in full business mode. Gone was the suit he wore last month in his introductory news conference. Monday, Manning was dressed in a Broncos cap and workout clothes and spoke of the importance of taking advantage of all the time he can get with his new teammates. The theme of Manning’s media session was summed up when he said, “You can’t show up in September and expect to complete passes.”

Asked for his impressions of the Denver area, Manning said his time there has been “all business” and that he has been essentially living at the team’s facility.

Manning said he is getting in sync with Denver center J.D. Walton. The two, along with several other teammates, have been working out regularly together on their own.

Manning is clearly impressed with third-year receiver Eric Decker. Manning called Decker the “veteran” of the receivers group and spoke highly of him. Manning said the coaching staff wants to move Decker around and use him in several different ways. Decker and Demaryius Thomas are Denver’s starting receivers. Manning said the group, as a whole, seems to be a hardworking unit.

It is clear the ability to work hard is what the Broncos’ new leader is looking for from his new teammates.

First Take discusses Eric Decker's comments on Peyton Manning, and if they believe Manning can lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl.

Denver Broncos

Denver receiver Eric Decker, a guest on ESPN Radio's "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," says Peyton Manning is throwing great , and that there is "no question" the quarterback's arm strength is sufficient enough to play in an NFL game.

In his monthly offseason mailbag, Mike Klis of the Denver Post says the Broncos could be looking for a running back in the draft.

Arizona State's Brock Osweiler fits Denver's profile for a backup quarterback, writes Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post.

Legwold says starting guard Chris Kuper, who had ankle surgery in January, will be ready for training camp in July.

Kansas City Chiefs

Seventeen college prospects received invites to take part in the Chiefs' local pro day on Tuesday afternoon at the club’s training facility, writes Josh Looney of the team's website.

Chiefs receiver Steve Breaston discussed the Saints' bounty scandal in a radio interview in Kansas City, and Breaston says illegal hits won't end overnight.

Oakland Raiders

New GM Reggie McKenzie told Peter King he's fine with the price the Raiders paid to land quarterback Carson Palmer from the Bengals last season.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers' class of free agents is an acquired taste, writes Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Here are some highlights from our AFC West chat, which was held earlier Thursday:

Denver

Fred from Knoxville, Tenn.: Are the Broncos solid enough at their wide outs or do they need to add another good route runner?

Bill Williamson: They are pretty happy. A lot depends on Thomas and Decker taking the next step. They like Caldwell a lot as well. I could still see them taking a receiver fairly early in the draft and former Peyton Manning teammate Brandon Stokley is always a deep rotation possibility.

Kansas City

Steve from KCMO: Do you like the Chiefs additions this season? I think they are finally ready to go to the playoffs and make a deep run. What are your thoughts?

BW: Yes, no doubt. I like that team a lot. if Cassel can take advantage of his weapons, the defense takes the next step and the team continues to rally behind Crennel, I see a playoff team.

Oakland

Chris from Fargo ND: Hey Bill, do you see Wheeler making an impact in Oakland? Wimbley is a better pass rusher but if you take away his 4 sack game he really didn't have much of an impact in the sack department. Can Wheeler provide that same impact?

BW: Wheeler has said he looks forward to having a chance to rush the passer more, but he does not have Wimbley's pass-rushing ability. Wheeler will make more of an impact as a run stuffer, which is huge.

San Diego

Martin from Sweden: Your thoughts of the latest 'depth' addition to the chargers WR/PR group?

BW: I think it really runs four deep with Meachem, Floyd, Brown and Royal. If can they all stay healthy, I kind like the group. Rivers likes to spread the ball around.

As I digested and began to react to the news that Peyton Manning is about to become a Denver Bronco, I wondered to myself whether the Broncos could be poised to make another huge move.

I wasn’t the only one in our ESPN blog network. Yes, Jamison Hensley, I also believe the Denver Broncos should perhaps consider making a play for Pittsburgh restricted free agent Mike Wallace.

Any team that wants to sign Wallace to an offer sheet must hope the Steelers don’t match. If the Steelers don’t match, the team that signs Wallace must surrender its first-round pick to Pittsburgh. Denver has the No. 25 pick in the draft. The game-breaking Wallace is well worth the No. 25 pick.

Wallace (whom Pittsburgh drafted with a pick acquired from Denver) would likely be interested in playing with Manning, and the feeling would likely be mutual. In Denver, Wallace would be the No. 1 receiver and team with promising receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker. That would be a tremendous group for Manning.

Even after signing Manning, the Broncos might be able to construct a winning deal for Wallace. The speedster is only 25, so this would be a long-term commitment, perhaps well beyond Manning’s years.

The only bad part of it is it would take money and a draft pick away from helping the defense. I think Denver needs to continue to work on the defense. But adding Wallace is a plausible move the Broncos should consider.

Here are some reactions from ESPN’s network of analysts on the pending singing of Peyton Manning in Denver:

On Manning’s relationship with John Elway being a key part of the decision…

“What started out as a friendship between the two men -- them having played golf together before in the past -- grew over the course of the last 10 or so days, and I think without John Elway in the front office, the Broncos probably would not have been able to bring home Peyton Manning. That was probably the key element here.”

- NFL Insider Adam Schefter

“Everyone just got better, particularly on the offensive side. If you’re Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas, wide receivers, you are just thrilled, because the ball is going to come out with perfect timing in every single play. If you’re Knowshon Moreno or Willis McGahee or someone they draft, you know you’re always going to run into good looks, because if you get eight in the box, Peyton is going to get out [of] the play and throw the ball down the field. … Besides the skills set, the intelligence set, all players around him know they got a better quarterback.”

-- NFL studio analyst Ron Jaworski

On why Manning might have chosen Denver…

“Knowing Peyton Manning, he wants to be part of the process. It’s very important to him what the coaching staff is like, how flexible they are, how engaged they are in doing it maybe a different way, not just the way they’ve done it before. … Peyton is just smarter when it comes to football than most people in the NFL. His functional football intelligence is greater than 98 percent of the league. So, he sees things a little bit differently. He wants to go somewhere where he knows he can put his fingerprint on it, that the organization will support him, and I think Denver was probably the best fit from day one. … Peyton Manning makes everybody around him better. Not just players. He makes coaches better. He makes front-office people better. He puts everybody at a heightened awareness, and they do their jobs more efficiently and more diligently when he’s in the building.”

-- NFL studio analyst Trent Dilfer

“We can all speculate on why he made the decision. I think there’s no doubt that what he has in mind is to end his career by winning the Super Bowl. John [Elway] was able, along with [Broncos owner] Pat Bowlen, to sell that to Peyton Manning.”

-- NFL analyst and former Broncos linebacker Tom Jackson

On what the addition of Manning means to the Broncos and the NFL overall…

“He can really make a big huge difference for this team. It’s not just the one incremental step to the Super Bowl. If he can take this team to the Super Bowl, it really says ‘I did it.’ … There’s a lot of upside there for Peyton, and a nice comfortable fit. … This is a team -- young coaches that obviously can make adjustments. I think Peyton will be very careful. I don’t think he’s going to come in and break a lot of glass, but he will be collaborative and make sure he does his system.

“It’s going to force the whole country to kind of look west, and that will be good for everybody in the AFC West, but it will be a balance of power. Peyton Manning doesn’t have five or six, seven years to do this. He needs to do it now. The immediate result of him coming to Denver is Denver now needs to go win a Super Bowl -- quickly. That’ll be the story of the year. It will be interesting to see how quickly they do manage to get into the playoffs. They got into the playoffs with Tim Tebow. Now can they extend that with Peyton Manning?”

-- NFL analyst Steve Young

On how the Broncos will measure success with Peyton Manning …

“In the next two or three years, if they don’t win the division and win a playoff game, then it didn’t work. … The pieces are in place to be successful going forward throwing the football. Those pieces were not in place with Tebow.”

– "Monday Night Football" play-by-play voice Mike Tirico on ESPN Radio’s "Scott Van Pelt Show"

On what’s next for Tim Tebow with the Broncos’ addition of Manning …

“They’re going to try to do anything they can do to trade him. Ultimately, from a football perspective, if you talk to football people within this league, I don’t think any football people really want him on their football team … I don’t think they want to deal with the circus that is Tim Tebow, and also the fact that he doesn’t have the quarterbacking skills necessary to play in this league … I think the guy’s a good football player. I don’t think there’s any question about that. I don’t think he’s a good quarterback. I don’t think he has the skill set that you have to have to play quarterback in this league. And there’s a lot of teams, I mean, let’s face it -- I live in Denver -- I saw that circus on a week-to-week basis in person. And there’s not too many teams I think that really want to deal with that in their city.”

-- NFL analyst Mark Schlereth, a two-time Broncos Super Bowl champion who still lives in the Denver area

“The more I studied him in an NFL setting, the more disturbed I was that he has no clue what he’s looking at. His IQ as a football player is not very good. That is why they have to come down and make it some [kind] of a college-form system that he’s comfortable with in Florida. He can’t execute, from a cerebral aspect, a pro-style system.”

-- NFL analyst Merril Hoge

Hall of Fame quarterbacks rarely lose in the clutch.

The Duke did it again in Denver.

On the biggest day in Denver Broncos history since John Elway won his second straight Super Bowl 13 years ago, Elway displayed his acumen as an NFL executive by landing perhaps the biggest free-agent prize in NFL history.

Peyton Manning is going to be a Denver Bronco. Just as important, Tim Tebow is likely going to be a former Denver Bronco.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen have reported that Manning has instructed his agent to complete a deal with the Denver Broncos, and Manning told the San Francisco 49ers and the Tennessee Titans of his decision to play elsewhere. Mortensen reports that working out the contract details is a formality.

According to Schefter, Manning’s head was leading him to San Francisco, but his heart was with Elway and the Broncos. The relationship between Elway and Manning is a major reason Manning is going to play in the Rocky Mountains. Legendary quarterbacks like to hang out with one another.

When he arrives in Denver, Manning -- who the Broncos are confident will be able to bounce back from a neck injury that cost him the 2011 season -- will enjoy the presence of a kindred spirit unlike any he’s had before in an NFL building. Manning knows Elway will understand everything he is thinking, and Elway will do everything it takes to make Manning successful in Denver.

Landing Manning became a quest for Denver’s organization last month when it became clear that Manning would be released by the Colts. It was obvious Elway was never completely comfortable moving forward with Tebow as the starter even though Elway and head coach John Fox said Tebow earned the right to go to training camp as the starter.

One of the reasons the Broncos had planned to stick with Tebow was they didn’t have any other viable options. The Broncos are not in the position to draft Stanford’s Andrew Luck or Baylor’s Robert Griffin III, and no other rookie prospect appears ready to take over a team. The free-agent class offered no major upgrades.

Then Manning became available, and everything changed.

Manning offered Denver the perfect escape route from Tebow-mania. Because Tebow was a huge fan favorite, the Broncos knew it would be difficult to part ways with him. But who can argue with the Manning-Tebow swap? Tebow-mania is dead in Denver. Manning-mania is taking over.

Expect the Broncos to try to trade Tebow. The Florida legend could attract interest in Jacksonville or Miami. Mortensen also said New England (where former Denver coach Josh McDaniels, who drafted Tebow, is the offensive coordinator) could be interested. Mortensen said Tebow could be released if Denver can’t find a trade partner.

Even though Manning, who turns 36 on Saturday, is not going to be a long-term fixture in Denver -- I’d expect three solid seasons from him -- the Broncos are more than comfortable going all in on Manning and moving away from Tebow.

The Broncos tired of the weight of the focus being solely on Tebow. They also were weary of his inability to become a pure pocket passer. Now, instead of having to wait on and answer questions about Tebow’s development, Denver can toss Manning a ball and let him take over.

While Elway was a huge factor in Denver's landing Manning, do not underestimate the role of Fox. He is a player-friendly coach who will allow Manning the freedom to do what he likes. Fox and Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy proved last year with Tebow they are flexible enough to allow the quarterback to dictate the offense.

The option offense is out. The line-of-scrimmage artistry of Manning is in.

Expect the Broncos to aggressively add some pieces who will fit with Manning. Denver’s offense was more run-oriented with Tebow. Now, it will be more passing-oriented. Expect the Broncos to reach out to Manning’s former center, Jeff Saturday, and perhaps tight ends Dallas Clark or Jacob Tamme. I wouldn’t be surprised if another receiver was added even though Manning was intrigued by the idea of working with young receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker.

Fox needs to continue to improve the young defense. The Broncos have been in talks with several defensive free agents, and with Manning all but secured, Fox can focus on beefing up that side of the ball.

The Broncos were often the center of the NFL universe last season with Tebow, and they should be again for a completely different reason. Expect Denver to get a full allotment of prime-time games in 2012 as the football world wants to see whether Manning and Elway can chase a combined fourth Super Bowl ring.

There’s a new franchise star in Denver, and it's only fitting that the greatest Bronco of them all is the reason why.

With the Denver Broncos' season over after a 9-9 season, let’s look at five keys for the Broncos as they move forward:

The quarterback: It is expected to be Tim Tebow’s job next season. He will need to improve in the offseason. The Broncos will want to see his footwork improve and they will want to see him become a more consistent passer. Tebow’s improvement will be a key in the offseason.

Secondary help: Denver could be looking for a lot of help in this area. Right cornerback Andre Goodman had a tough night at New England and he was picked on at times. I could see Denver looking to draft a cornerback early. Also, safety Brian Dawkins may retire and the Broncos have some unproven youth at safety. I could see that position being an area in which Denver adds a veteran.

Running back help: The Broncos ran the ball great in 2011. They were the NFL’s top-ranked running team. But Willis McGahee, 30, got nicked up a lot and he will need some help. Knowshon Moreno is coming off an ACL injury and he may be best suited as a third-down back next season. Watch for Denver to pursue a running back either in free agency or early in the draft.

Defensive line: Every year Denver is expected to add a stout defensive tackle in the draft and they don’t. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley and Marcus Thomas played well this season. They are both free agents and Denver will want to bring them back, especially Bunkley. Ty Warren will also be back next season after missing all of this season. Still, Denver may add some reinforcements.

Receiver help: Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker are a nice starting point, but Denver will need another reliable option, perhaps a veteran possession player. It may be a long shot that free agent Eddie Royal comes back.

I arrived in the Boston area early Saturday morning and wanted to catch up on some news that occurred during my travels Friday:

Interesting move by Denver by signing David Binn. The longest-tenured San Diego Charger of all time is now a key figure in Denver’s playoff run. Binn will be the Broncos’ long-snapper Saturday night at New England. Binn played 17 seasons for the Chargers — but hasn’t seen the field since the first week of the 2010 season.

Binn replaces Lonie Paxton, who is out for an undisclosed personal reason. He missed the entire week of practice.

The pressure will be on Binn. Heavy underdogs, the Broncos can’t make many mistakes at New England. Binn is one of the most accomplished long-snappers in the history of the NFL, but he will be fighting the rust Saturday night.

Meanwhile, as expected, Denver receiver Eric Decker is out with a knee injury. Safety Brian Dawkins is doubtful with a neck injury.

Denver long snapper Lonie Paxson missed his second straight day of practice because of what Denver coach John Fox described as a family matter.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family,” Fox told reporters in Denver. “He’ll be day to day just like all of our injuries.”

Guard Russ Hochstein would likely be the long snapper for Saturday night’s divisional playoff game at New England if Paxson can’t play, especially if the weather is bad.

Meanwhile, as expected, safety Brian Dawkins (neck) and receiver Eric Decker (knee) did not practice Thursday. It would be a surprise if either player plays Saturday night. Denver pass-rusher Elvis Dumervil was limited for the second straight day with an ankle injury.

In other AFC West news:

Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel said on Sirius radio with Rich Gannon that he will not relinquish his defensive play-calling duties. That has been expected.

Chris Sprow thinks the 49ers’ Justin Smith would be a good fit in San Diego. In an Insider piece, Scouts Inc. thinks Oklahoma pass-rusher Ronnel Lewis could fit with the Chargers. San Diego is sure to try to add a pass-rusher this offseason.

Four Broncos to watch Saturday night in a divisional playoff game at New England. Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET:

Brodrick Bunkley, defensive tackle: Bunkley had a terrific game against Pittsburgh in the wild-card round and he quietly had a solid season. He is going to have to disrupt the middle of the New England offensive line as the Broncos try to slow Tom Brady.

Quinton Carter, safety: Carter had a strong game against Pittsburgh. The rookie is really coming around. With New England focusing on tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez (who had a huge game against Denver last month) so often, Carter is going to have to come up big again.

Willis McGahee, running back: McGahee shredded the Patriots in Week 15 before he was injured. McGahee has been a star for Denver this year as he had 1,199 yards on the ground. He fumbled twice and lost one that allowed the Steelers to tie the game and send it to overtime on Sunday. McGahee is going to have to play a strong, clean game Saturday night.

Eddie Royal, receiver/returner: With Eric Decker dealing with a knee injury, Royal is going to have to play a big role in this game. He caught a touchdown pass against Pittsburgh. With Demaryius Thomas -- who had four catches for 204 yards, including an 80-yard catch to win the game in overtime --likely getting extra attention from New England, Royal is going to have to make some plays.

Denver safety Brian Dawkins remained out of practice with a nagging neck injury.

It has been bothering him for several weeks. He did not play Sunday against Pittsburgh and it may be a long shot that he plays Saturday against New England.

Also, as expected, receiver Eric Decker did not practice. He reportedly has a knee strain. He is not expected to play. Denver long-snapper Lonie Paxton did not practice because of personal reasons.

Defensive end Elvis Dumervil was limited by an ankle injury. He is a defensive key, so if he is limited Saturday night, it could adversely affect the Broncos. Harassing New England quarterback Tom Brady is a must for Denver and Dumervil is an integral part of Denver’s pass rush.