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Had Todd Haley remained the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, the selection of Dontari Poe may not have worked.

But the Chiefs are now Romeo Crennel’s team, and that’s why taking Poe at No. 11 in the NFL draft on Thursday might be a shrewd move for a team that has missed by taking defensive lineman high in the draft in the past decade.

Poe is a classic example of the long NFL draft process. He wasn’t considered a top pick when the massive Memphis defensive tackle entered the NFL draft. However, after he stole headlines at the NFL combine in February, he became a projected top-five pick. That happens when a 6-foot-3, 345-pound man runs a 4.98 40-yard dash and bench presses 225 pounds 44 times. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Poe is the only player over 330 pounds to run a sub-five second time since 2006.

However, after Poe put himself in the spotlight, teams closely dissected him and saw a player with immense ability that didn’t always show on the field against marginal competition. It was alarming and it still is.

“I’m still waiting for Poe to unleash the fury,” ESPN analyst Jon Gruden said moments after the Chiefs made him the pick.

This is what ESPN analyst Todd McShay had about Poe last week:

“I see the workout numbers, and I found myself wanting and waiting and wishing and hoping is what I keep saying. Every single play I watched from Memphis just hoping that he would make a big play. He will disrupt and he'll be involved in some plays, but for a guy that you're talking about potential top 10, top 12 pick, I just didn't see the production, and I just didn't see a guy who understands and has a great feel for the game, and that's not to say he won't develop, and he very well may, and one day he may be a junior Haloti Ngata. But Haloti Ngata coming out was a much better football player than Dontari Poe is right now, and that scares me, and that's why I've dropped him to where he is as the third best defensive tackle, somewhere in kind of the middle range … I've got him at 19 overall in the class.”

In the days leading up to the draft, there was talk that Poe’s lack of consistent game film would override his off-the-charts ability, and he’d be picked in the 20-25 range. However, the Chiefs took another swipe at a defensive lineman early in the draft. Bypassing a safe pick such as Stanford guard David DeCastro, the Chiefs went boom or bust with Poe.

The decision to take Poe is understandable. The Chiefs, who had an outstanding free-agency period, do not have many holes. If Poe fills the nose tackle position as the team hopes he does, the Chiefs will be one of the most talented teams in the NFL and a real playoff threat. According to ESPN Stats and Information, last season Kansas City had one sack, two batted passes and three tackles for loss by its nose tackle -- and that was from the aging Kelly Gregg, a free agent.

The Chiefs hope to get better production out of Poe than they have from other defensive linemen they've taken in the first round of recent years. The team took Ryan Sims at No. 6 in the 2002 draft and he was a terrible bust. In 2008, they took defensive end Glenn Dorsey at No. 5 and in 2009 they took Tyson Jackson at No. 3. Both Dorsey and Jackson remain in Kansas City, but they have not been impact players.

Yet, they have improved in the past two years under Crennel, who became the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator in 2010 before taking over for Haley. I think Crennel is a key to the Poe pick.

Crennel is known as one of the best defensive line coaches in NFL history and he is known for getting questionable motors to start.

Poe may have a new best friend in Crennel. He is nurturer and he believes in his players. We saw the impact Crennel had on the entire Kansas City roster. The players loved the difference between the impatient and often caustic Haley and the calm, encouraging Crennel.

If think Crennel will motivate and teach Poe. Haley would have berated him and goaded him. I have a feeling Poe may respond more positively to Crennel’s approach. Crennel will teach him to become an NFL player and use his natural ability. Remember, this kid started high school as a drummer in the band. He is still raw.

Crennel has the patience and expertise to make Poe a good player and get the most out of this pick. If not, it will go down as another swing and miss on the defensive line in Kansas City.

This is considered a deep draft class for defensive tackles.

The name that has been on the top of the list has been Memphis’ Dontari Poe. However, in recent weeks, Mississippi State’s Fletcher Cox has been getting a lot of attention, and many scouts think Cox could end up being drafted before Poe. Cox has better game film, and scouts think he might be a safer pick.

This is what ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay had to say about Cox on a conference call this week: “As far as the defensive tackles, it's a deep group, and there's a lot of talent here. Fletcher Cox, the more tape I watch, the more he just grew on me, and I love his versatility. I think he plays the game hard. I think he can rush the passer both from the inside and the outside, different styles, more of a three technique. On the outside he seals the edge and is stronger at the point of attack than when he plays on the inside, but I also see some ability to get off the quarterback with power moves and leverage moves as a left defensive end type or a 3-4 defensive end, as well, on occasion. I think he's the best of the group, I really do, and I think he'll continue to get better.”

It makes me wonder whether the Kansas City Chiefs could be interested in Cox at No. 11. There has been a lot of talk that Poe could be headed to the Chiefs. However, Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli is a huge believer in college production. Poe had mediocre game film, which is a red flag despite his terrific measurables and combine numbers.

The Chiefs’ biggest need is a nose tackle, and Poe is considered a better fit as a 3-4 tackle than Cox. Although he is versatile, Cox is considered a better defensive end prospect for a 3-4 team. The Chiefs used the No. 5 pick on Glenn Dorsey in 2008, and the No. 3 pick on Tyson Jackson in 2009. Both are serviceable, but neither has lived up to their draft status.

Perhaps Pioli will target Cox, and see where he best fits on the Chiefs’ defensive front. Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel is one of the best coaches in the league for getting production out of players.

Adding a quality player like Cox would only help Kansas City, regardless of where he lines up. I’m not saying the Chiefs are going to take Cox, but I think he has to be considered a possibility.

The San Diego Chargers got some good news Thursday as linebacker Shaun Phillips practiced on a limited basis for the first time after missing several weeks with a foot injury. Perhaps that is a sign the team thinks he may be able to play Sunday against Denver.

Meanwhile, running back Ryan Mathews took a step back. He did not practice Thursday with a knee injury. He was limited Wednesday. His situation will likely be monitored until game time. Receiver Malcom Floyd (hip), offensive linemen Marcus McNeill (neck) and Louis Vasquez (ankle) were among the players who did not practice Thursday. There is a strong chance all three players will not play Sunday.

Oakland is still having health issues at the skill positions. Receiver Jacoby Ford will likely be out again with a foot injury and rookie Denarius Moore hasn’t practiced this week with a foot injury. Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey did some light work Thursday after suffering a neck injury at Minnesota. Running backs Darren McFadden and Taiwan Jones aren’t practicing either and they look like they may miss Sunday’s home game against Chicago.

Kansas City guard Ryan Lilja has not practiced this week with a head injury and he likely will not play Sunday against Pittsburgh. Chiefs’ linebacker Demorrio Williams (groin) and defensive end Glenn Dorsey (knee) were both limited Thursday after practicing fully Wednesday.

The Broncos are pretty healthy this week.

Upon my arrival home from Denver, let’s take a look at some key AFC West injury developments heading in the remaining Week 11 action:

In Oakland, the Raiders will definitely be without running back Darren McFadden (foot), receiver Jacoby Ford (foot) and cornerback Chris Johnson (groin) again. However, the team is focused on whether or not star defensive lineman Richard Seymour (ankle) will play Sunday at Minnesota. The team is hopeful Seymour will play. But he missed the entire practice week. Safety Michael Huff suffered a setback and he is questionable to play with an ankle injury that kept him out of last week’s game.

McFadden hasn’t played since week 7. The team is hopeful he could potentially play next week against visiting Chicago. However, with backup Michael Bush playing well, there is no need to rush McFadden back. There’s no timetable for Ford’s return. He was hurt Nov. 10 at San Diego.

In San Diego, as expected, the Chargers will be without several key players. The Chargers’ injury woes begin on the offensive line. With standout guard Kris Dielman out for the year because of a concussion, the team will also be without left tackle Marcus McNeill (stinger) and will likely be without guard Louis Vasquez (ankle) Sunday at Chicago. He is listed as doubtful. The team has been expecting this problem all week.

Receiver Malcom Floyd (hip) and linebacker Shaun Phillips (foot) remain out. They’ve both missed multiple games. Standout defensive tackle Antonio Garay (hip) is questionable to play Sunday.

In Kansas City, defensive end Glenn Dorsey (knee), starting cornerback Brandon Flowers (back) and Brandon Carr (ankle) were limited for the second straight day of practice. They were joined on the limited list by safety Jon McGraw (shoulder). The four players will have an extra day to heal. Kansas City plays at New England on Monday.

Three key Kansas City defenders were limited in practice as they began preparing for Monday night’s game at New England.

Starting cornerback Brandon Flowers (back) and Brandon Carr (ankle) and defensive end Glenn Dorsey (knee) were all limited. The extra day before the game will help these players, but it seems their chances of playing may be questionable.

Other AFC West nuggets:

• The Chargers’ injury issues continue. Guard Louis Vasquez (ankle) and left tackle Marcus McNeill (stinger) and they likely won’t play. Receiver Malcom Floyd (hip), defensive tackle Antonio Garay (hip), cornerback Marcus Gilchrist (hamstring) and linebacker Shaun Phillips (foot) all didn’t practice, either. Both Phillips and Floyd have been out for several weeks.
• The Raiders placed fourth-round pick, cornerback Chimdi Chekwa, on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He suffered the injury in his only start of the season, Week 4 against New England. To take his place, Oakland signed second-year cornerback Bryan McCann. He has played 14 games the since the start of last season with Dallas and Baltimore.
• Oakland standouts, running back Darren McFadden (foot), receiver Jacoby Ford (foot) and defensive lineman Richard Seymour (ankle) are not practicing Thursday for the second straight day. The Oakland Tribune believes McFadden, who was hurt in Week 7, and Ford, who was hurt last week, will not play at Minnesota on Sunday, while Seymour has a solid chance to play.

This is the 11th and final player rankings of the 2011 offseason. It is a little different this year because we’re ranking the players before free agency starts and before rosters are set. We will adjust accordingly as we go along. Here are the top 40 players, in my opinion, in the AFC West. For this one, we did not consider rookies.

1. Philip Rivers, San Diego: He is an elite player at the most important position on the field.

2. Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland: There’s a reason he’ll be the top prize in free agency.

3. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City: One of the NFL’s most dynamic young players.

4. Antonio Gates, San Diego: He should end up in Canton.

5. Tamba Hali, Kansas City: One of the NFL’s best defensive players.

6. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City: He is a game-changing talent.

7. Richard Seymour, Oakland: Respected veteran changed Oakland’s defense.

8. Vincent Jackson, San Diego: Expect a strong rebound in 2011.

9. Ryan Clady, Denver: One of the game's premier left tackles.

10. Champ Bailey, Denver: Even at 33, he is special.

11. Eric Berry, Kansas City: He should be the game’s best safety soon.

12. Nick Hardwick, San Diego: An anchor to a strong offensive line.

13. Darren McFadden, Oakland: He is developing into a star.

14. Matt Cassel, Kansas City: Cassel has to continue to make strides.

15. Zach Miller, Oakland: He can make Oakland’s offense special.

16. Derrick Johnson, Kansas City: He is a serious playmaker.

17. Quentin Jammer, San Diego: Solid veteran is an anchor to a good defense.

18. Kris Dielman, San Diego: A steady hand on the Chargers’ line.

19. D.J. Williams, Denver: He is a tackling machine.

20. Marcus McNeill, San Diego: He’s an upper-echelon left tackle.

21. Shaun Phillips, San Diego: He is one of the division’s best pass-rushers.

22. Brandon Flowers, Kansas City: One of the game’s best young cornerbacks.

23. Eric Weddle, San Diego: A hard-nosed playmaker at safety.

24. Glenn Dorsey, Kansas City: He came on strong in 2010.

25. Tommy Kelly, Oakland: Massive defensive tackle had a big season in 2010.

26. Elvis Dumervil, Denver: If Dumervil bounces back from sitting out in 2010, he should be ranked higher next year.

27. Rolando McClain, Oakland: McClain has a chance to be one of the division’s better linebackers.

28. Brandon Lloyd, Denver: Lloyd came out of nowhere for a special 2010.

29. Shane Lechler, Oakland: The game’s best kicking specialist.

30. Ryan Lilja, Kansas City: A gritty, tough veteran guard.

31. Malcom Floyd, San Diego: He can make the spectacular catch look easy.

32. Brian Waters, Kansas City: A great veteran presence on a good line.

33. Jason Campbell, Oakland: Oakland will be depending on Campbell a lot this season.

34. Kamerion Wimbley, Oakland: He can get sacks in bunches.

35. Tony Moeaki, Kansas City: Second-year tight end is a player to watch.

36. Lamarr Houston, Oakland: He has a chance to be special.

37. Antonio Garay, San Diego: He had a strong 2010 season at 31.

38. Ryan Mathews, San Diego: He showed flashes as a rookie.

39. Michael Bush, Oakland: He and McFadden form a nice tandem.

40. Thomas Jones, Kansas City: He can still help the Chiefs at 33.

The AFC West as a whole appears to be a division set to succeed down the road. I could see all four teams being competitive by the time 2014 rolls around.

The Chargers have a strong program, and as long as Philip Rivers, who turns 30 this December, is the quarterback, San Diego will be relevant. Oakland snapped a seven-year streak of losing at least 11 games by going .500 last season and has a good core of young players. Denver has new leadership and some interesting young pieces. If Denver can draft well and figure out its quarterback situation soon, it can be on the right track by 2014.

But the team I have to go with is the Kansas City Chiefs.

How can I ignore the surprise 2010 AFC West champions?

The Chiefs remind me of the Green Bay Packers. The young Packers won the Super Bowl last season probably ahead of their time. The same thing goes for the Chiefs’ division crown.

This team had won a total of 10 games in the three seasons previous to 2010. Yet the young club jelled and won 10 games in coach Todd Haley’s second season.

There are no signs that the Chiefs are going anywhere but up in the next few years.

As long as quarterback Matt Cassel, 29, continues to make positive strides, there aren’t a lot of question marks in Kansas City. If Cassel fails, the Chiefs have Ricky Stanzi, a fifth-round pick this year, waiting in the wings.

The Chiefs have young stars Jamaal Charles, Dwayne Bowe and Tony Moeaki on offense and excellent youngsters such as Eric Berry, Glenn Dorsey, Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr on defense. The team has drafted well in recent years and appears to have drafted well in 2011. Rookies such as Jon Baldwin, Rodney Hudson, Justin Houston and Allen Bailey seem as though they have a chance to contribute right away.

It is a very well-coached club, so player development should come quickly.

This appears to be a team that has a strong master plan. In fact, the Chiefs are further along than the Scott Pioli-Haley tandem expected. So there is no reason to think Kansas City shouldn’t be a team to reckon with in the middle of this decade.

Free agent Kansas City linebacker Mike Vrabel is close to becoming an assistant coach at Ohio State, College Football Talk reported Thursday.

This move makes sense in some regards. He attended Ohio State and one of Vrabel's best friends is new Buckeyes coach Luke Fickell. The 35-year-old Vrabel is also nearing the end of his career. However, Vrabel has said he wants to play in 2011 and he is heavily involved in the lockout talks as a NFLPA executive committee member.

But if Vrabel's career is at an end, I wanted to look at how it would affect the Chiefs:

I think the biggest hit would be in the leadership department. Vrabel was basically a coach on the field and he was relied upon by the Kansas City coaching staff to instruct his teammates on the field. The Chiefs have a young roster and Vrabel’s leadership ability helped the defense quickly develop into a unit that played a huge part of a surprise AFC West title last season.

The Chiefs received two years of leadership out of Vrabel and he helped. If he is leaving, the young unit has learned from him and it should be OK because it does have vocal leaders like Derrick Johnson, Glenn Dorsey, Eric Berry and Brandon Flowers on the unit. But his daily presence would be missed.

I think the Chiefs would like him back in a certain role, but I don’t think the Chiefs would miss Vrabel much on the field. But the Chiefs have several young players, including third-round pick Justin Houston who they want to use as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

If this is the end for Vrabel in Kansas City, it has been a good ride. He was acquired with Matt Cassel for a second-round pick from New England on the first day former Patriots’ executive Scott Pioli could make a move as general manager of the Chiefs in 2009. Vrabel gave the Chiefs what they needed. He was a veteran presence on a young team. He helped the Chiefs become a division champion.

Vrabel could have lost interest after going from a perennial winner in New England to a team that was rebuilding. But he was a consummate professional in Kansas City. If Vrabel is going back to his alma mater, the Chiefs should have nothing but good memories of him.

This is the sixth 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. On to an improved group of defensive linemen:

1. Richard Seymour, Oakland: He is the class of the division. He is aging, but he is still a brilliant player.

2. Glenn Dorsey, Kansas City: He made great strides in 2010, his third NFL season. He had adjusted well to the 3-4, and he is the anchor to a young defense.

3. Tommy Kelly, Oakland: Kelly had his best NFL season in 2010, and he pairs very nicely with Seymour. He is tough when he is motivated.

4. Elvis Dumervil, Denver: Dumervil is back to end in a 4-3 after excelling in a 3-4 defense. He struggles against the run, but he is a force as a pass-rusher.

5. Lamarr Houston, Oakland: I really like this second-year player. He is a potential star.

6. Antonio Garay, San Diego: Garay had a terrific season in 2010. He is a tremendous nose tackle.

7. Luis Castillo, San Diego: Castillo is a solid player, but I’d like to see more impact plays.

8. Matt Shaughnessy, Oakland: He’s another fine young player for Oakland. He has made the most of his opportunities.

9. Tyson Jackson, Kansas City: Jackson has been just so-so. This is a huge season for the No. 3 overall pick of the 2009 draft.

10. Corey Liuget, San Diego: The No. 18 overall pick of the 2011 draft will start at end, and he will get a chance to make an immediate impact.

11. Wallace Gilberry, Kansas City: He’s an underrated player. He can get sacks in bunches.

12. John Henderson, Oakland: He is aging, but he can still help Oakland as a run stuffer.

13. Robert Ayers, Denver: This is a big season for Ayers, the No. 18 pick in 2009. New coach John Fox likes him, so he’ll get a chance to start.

14. Trevor Scott, Oakland: Scott has a chance to be very good. He has natural pass-rushing ability.

15. Ron Edwards, Kansas City: He’s steady. The Chiefs want more help at tackle, but Edwards is OK.

16. Shaun Smith, Kansas City: The Chiefs need to bring him back. He can make an impact.

17. Marcus Thomas, Denver: Denver wants this free agent back.

18. Allen Bailey, Kansas City: The Chiefs are very excited about this third-round pick. He could play right away.

19. Kevin Vickerson, Denver: Denver re-signed him in March.

20 Vaughn Martin, San Diego: It’s time for this project to make a move.

21. Cam Thomas, San Diego: The Chargers still have high hopes for this second-year player.

San Diego’s Mike Tolbert is one of the more physical running backs in the NFL. At 5-foot-9, 244 pounds, Tolbert is a bruiser, who is known for bowling over defenders on his way to an extra yard or four.

Tolbert has taken his aggression to an interesting place during the lockout: The boxing ring. Tolbert has started working out in a San Diego area gym after working out with his teammates. Tolbert said he is in supreme shape.

While Tolbert plans to stick to football, he clearly has the aptitude for the ring.

“Mike Tolbert can be a fighter, without question,” his trainer David Soliven said.

It will be interesting to see how superior conditioning gleaned from the boxing ring will translate to the football field when the season starts.

In other AFC West nuggets Sunday afternoon:

Pro Football Weekly takes a look at whether or not the Raiders should take former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft. There’s no doubt, with the lockout still going on, that is one of the most intriguing questions in the AFC West these days. We’ve addressed it a lot and I still think the Raiders, or any other team, should only take Pryor if it can get him in the fourth round or lower. The problem is, the Raiders don’t have a fourth-round pick next year. They don’t have a second rounder, either. So, if the Raiders do take Pryor in the supplemental draft, their 2012 picks would dwindle to four. That’s risky business

• Pro Football Weekly looks at how Kansas City linebacker Tamba Hali needs some sack assistance from defensive ends Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson. Hali had 14.5 sacks last season while Dorsey and Jackson combined for three sacks in 2010. Yeah, it sounds like Hali needs some help from the big fellas.

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. ranked the defensive lines in the AFC West in an Insider piece.

This is how Williamson ranked them: 1. Oakland; 2. Kansas City; 3. San Diego; 4. Denver.

That makes sense to me. Let’s face it; the AFC West is an offensive division. That’s where the strengths of most teams in the division are. San Diego has a strong defense. Kansas City’s defense is on the rise and Oakland’s defense has good potential. Denver’s defense is a mess.

Overall, defensive line play in the division hasn’t been strong, but Oakland has built itself a strong line and it is the best part of its defense. It has a unique mix of veteran experience and youth.

San Diego’s defensive line play has been solid but not spectacular, even though nose tackle Antonio Garay has developed into an underrated stalwart. First-round pick Corey Liuget has instantly improved this line.

Kansas City’s front three revolves around Glenn Dorsey, who improved immensely in 2010, his third NFL season. Denver’s defensive line is a work in progress and it must find tackle help in free agency. So, I think Williamson accurately ranked these units.

There are high expectations for this defensive line draft class.

San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith says this is the strongest group available in the draft. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said that he hasn’t seen such an impressive defensive line group at the combine and in workouts.

That’s why defensive tackles Marcell Dareus of Alabama and Nick Fairley of Auburn both could be top-five picks. Defensive ends Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson and Robert Quinn of North Carolina may not be far behind Dareus and Fairley. The Denver Broncos are studying defensive linemen closely and may take Dareus at No. 2.

Even though the talent is high at this position, Denver -- and every other team picking in the top five -- must beware. Taking a defensive lineman with a top-five pick is a major gamble.

Over the past 20 years, 24 defensive linemen have been taken with top-five picks -- with extremely mixed results. For every Julius Peppers (drafted No. 2 in 2002) and Ndamukong Suh (drafted No. 2 in 2010), there are busts like Dewayne Robertson (No. 4, 2003), Courtney Brown (No. 1, 2000) and Steve Emtman (No. 1, 1992).

Even though he likes this group of defensive linemen, McShay acknowledged earlier in the offseason that the bust rate for defensive linemen is “shockingly high.” Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. said he thinks defensive line and wide receiver are “neck-and-neck” as the riskiest positions in the first round behind quarterback, which is in a different league when it comes to draft uncertainty.

Williamson thinks one of the reasons many top defensive linemen fail is a sense of entitlement. He said top defensive linemen are rare because of their combination of size, speed and ability. They are pampered from an early age and may not work as hard as other, less-coveted players.

“I think it comes down to them just being very special people/athletes,” Williamson said. “If you notice, a high percentage of the stud DT talent comes from huge colleges. For example: When I was at Pitt, we just couldn't get great DT recruits. There are just so few people in the world with their size that can move like stud DTs need to. They are very coveted and go to massive programs. Even at the college level, they are freakish enough that they often don't have to work extremely hard to be great. When they get to the NFL, that all changes ... and they often don't adapt in terms of professionalism and work ethic.”

Williamson said he believes Dareus will buck the trend and have a strong NFL career and be worthy of a top-five pick. However, he said he has concerns about Bowers and Fairley because they were “one-year wonders [who] would disappear at times.”

Studying the history of failure at the position and trying to figure out if this year’s prospects can succeed in the NFL has been one of the Broncos’ toughest tasks. Vice president of football operations John Elway has acknowledged the risk involved in studying defensive linemen.



“It’s so hard to be able to find guys with that size that have athletic ability,” Elway said. "Whether they’re raw coming out of college or they’re polished coming out of college, people see that athletic ability with the size and the speed. You just can’t find that, it’s very difficult to find those type of athletes that are that big later in the draft. That’s why I think you see so many of those guys with the speed and the size do not go very deep in the draft.”

Perhaps last year signaled a change in the trend. Detroit took Suh at No. 2 and Tampa Bay took Gerald McCoy at No. 3. Suh was brilliant and McCoy was impressive before he was injured. Denver would love to get a player of Suh’s or McCoy’s caliber in the form of Dareus.

The decade before 2010 didn’t produce anyone great other than Peppers, although Mario Williams, who was taken No. 1 in 2006, has become a good player.

The Chiefs took defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey at No. 5 in 2008 and defensive end Tyson Jackson No. 3 in 2009. Dorsey came on strong last season and was a big part of an improved defense after a slow first two seasons. Jackson has shown some flashes, but he has yet to show he was worthy of a top-five pick. Like Dorsey, St. Louis defensive end Chris Long, taken at No. 2 in 2008, began to make strides in 2010.

Denver can’t afford to wait on production if it takes a defensive lineman with the No. 2 pick. The Broncos were last in the NFL in total defense and points allowed in 2010. Elway has said numerous times that the Broncos have to get this pick right. In a perfect world, the Broncos would take a defensive lineman and begin their resurrection. History, though, shows it’s not that simple.

This is the second in a three-part series of an examination of the past three draft classes of each AFC West team leading up to the NFL scouting combine at the end of the month. Last week, we looked at the 2008 class.

Our second part is the 2009 class:

Denver

First pick: No. 12, running back Knowshon Moreno

Total picks: 10

Stars: No player has stood out yet. First-round picks Moreno and defensive end/linebacker Robert Ayers, have not established themselves. Both could end up being good players, but there is also a bust possibility for each.

Duds: Again, Moreno and Ayers need to show something soon. Second-round pick Alphonso Smith was a disaster (more about him in the next section). Fellow second-round picks safety Darcel McBath and tight end Richard Quinn, have done very little as well. Moreno, Ayers, Smith, McBath and Quinn were all taken in the first 64 picks, partly because of the Jay Cutler trade. Yet, Denver has gotten very little out of this group.

The Smith whiff: This is one of the reasons why Josh McDaniels was fired after 28 games. McDaniels made several questionable personnel decision, and this one was particularly poor. Denver traded it 2010 first-round pick (which turned out to be No. 14) to take Smith at No. 37. Smith was replaced four times as a rookie (including by an undrafted rookie), and Denver gave up on Smith last preseason. It traded him to Detroit for backup tight end Dan Gronkowski.

What’s the future of this class? It all depends on the five players from the first two rounds. This was supposed to be a nucleus draft. But if these players don’t develop quickly, this class will be looked at as a total failure.

Kansas City

First pick: No. 3, Tyson Jackson, defensive end.

Total picks: Eight

Star: The player who has been the most productive out of this class so far was kicker Ryan Succop. He was the final pick of the entire class. Yes, the fact that Succop has been the best player of this class says a lot.

Duds: It may be too early to call Jackson a bust, but he hasn’t been overly productive. Jackson has had his moments, and he may turn into a reliable, productive player. But I’m not sure he’ll ever become a player worthy of being taken No. 3. The Chiefs may regret not taking nose tackle B.J. Raji. He went to Green Bay at No. 9 and has become an integral part of the Packers’ 3-4 defense. The Chiefs run the same defense.

Slow start to Pioli era: The first two seasons of the Scott Pioli era in Kansas City have been mostly golden. His 2010 draft class was terrific, and he has made good veteran pickups. But his first draft class doesn’t look overly impressive.

What’s the future of this class? If Jackson doesn’t develop -- 2008 top pick Glenn Dorsey came on in his third year so there’s time for Jackson -- the class will be looked at as being very weak. However, it has to be noted that the team did score linebacker Jovan Belcher as an undrfated free agent. He was a 15-game starter in 2010, and he looks like he has a fine future.

Oakland

First pick: No. 7, receiver, Darrius Heyward-Bey

Total picks: Seven

Stars: Third-round pick defensive end Matt Shaughnessy and fourth-round pick Louis Murphy; both could be longtime contributors for the Raiders. Neither may end up being a star, but they should be productive players who ended up being good-value choices.

Duds: You have to continue to question the choices of Heyward-Bey and second-round pick Mike Mitchell. Both players were considered large reaches on draft weekend and neither has established themselves as a sure things. Both players have potential, but it may be unrealistic to think either will be stars.

Why not Crabtree? Until Heyward-Bey starts playing like a top pick, he will be compared with San Francisco receiver Michael Crabtree, who was taken three picks later. Crabtree was considered a much better all-around prospect than Heyward-Bey, who impressed Oakland owner Al Davis with his great speed. So far, Crabtree has been the better pro. Crabtree has 103 catches and eight touchdowns in 27 NFL games. Heyward-Bey has 35 catches and two touchdowns in 26 NFL games.

What’s the future of this class? If Heyward-Bey and Mitchell make big strides, this will be a pretty good draft. If not, it will be remembered as one of missed opportunity. But again, Shaughnessy and Murphy are good players, and seventh-round pick Brandon Myers is a nice role player. So, at least, Oakland is getting something out of this class, and it may be the best class in the division from 2009.

San Diego

First pick: No. 16, linebacker Larry English

Total picks: Eight

Star: Third-round pick Louis Vasquez may be the best player of this class in the entire division. He has been a starter in San Diego since Day One. He looks like he’ll be a 10-12 year starter. He was a terrific value pick.

Duds: There wasn’t much value of this draft beside Vasquez. English -- like the four other first-round picks in this division --- could end up being a bust. English has been injury prone and unimpressive. He was drafted as a pass-rusher, but he has just five sacks in 24 NFL games. He is a hard worker who could still develop. But he has to show something in 2011.

Message to Merriman: The drafting of English was the Chargers’ first public indication that they were losing patience with Shawne Merriman. English was clearly taken to be Merriman’s replacement. The oft-injured Merriman was cut in 2010.

What’s the future of this class? The Chargers have hope for fourth-round picks defensive end Vaughn Martin and guard Tyronne Green. If they can develop, there will, at least, be some value in the class other than Vasquez. But if English turns out to be a bust, this class will be remembered as a failure.

On the next three Fridays we will present a three-part series examining the past three draft classes of each AFC West team leading up to the NFL Scouting combine at the end of the month.

Our first part is the 2008 class:

Denver

First pick: No. 12, left tackle, Ryan Clady

Total picks: 9

Stars: Clady is the standout of this class. He is one of the NFL’s best left tackles and one of the prizes of Denver’s roster as it begins the John Fox era. Receiver Eddie Royal had a great rookie season under Mike Shanahan in 2008 and bounced back with a positive third season after a sluggish 2009 season. There’s still time for him to be a consistent, quality NFL receiver.

Duds: There are no players on this list that stand out as being terrible value picks. However, that doesn’t mean this was a productive draft for the long haul.

Not much left: Shanahan’s final draft class in Denver was one of his best. Denver got great production out of this class in 2008. But once he came to Denver in January 2009, Shanahan’s replacement, Josh McDaniels, had no interest in moving forward with many of Shanahan’s players. McDaniels jettisoned running backs Peyton Hillis and Ryan Torain, center Kory Lichtensteiger and cornerback Jack Williams. They all caught on elsewhere and Hillis -- who showed signs of stardom under Shanahan -- has become a star in Cleveland. Promising safety Josh Barrett was lost on waivers because McDaniels didn’t follow normal protocol when the player was put on the injured reserve.

What’s the future of this class? Fox doesn’t have much to work with. Only fullback Spencer Larsen, Clady and Royal remain. They are three good players, but this class had so much promise.

Kansas City

First pick: No. 5, defensive lineman, Glenn Dorsey

Total picks: 12

Stars: Dorsey, left tackle Branden Albert, cornerback Brandon Flowers, running back Jamaal Charles, cornerback Brandon Carr and right tackle Barry Richardson all were key players on the Chiefs’ first AFC West championship team in seven years in 2010.

Duds: There were really not any major whiffs on this list. Third-round pick, tight end Brad Cottam, had dealt with a serious neck injury, but he was showing signs of becoming a decent player before his injury.

The Jared Allen payoff: Albert and Charles were drafted with pieces obtained in the Allen trade with Minnesota. Losing Allen was difficult, but the Chiefs wanted to reload and spend the money it would take to secure Allen. Kansas City received two very good players in the trade. Charles and Albert are the type of talents that can help Kansas City for the much of this decade.

What’s the future of this class? This was the final class of the Carl Peterson era, and it was a good one. A big reason why the Scott Pioli-Todd Haley era looks bright is this class. I’ve heard some league observers say this class was one of the best of its decade. I’m not sure if that will pan out, but if the Chiefs continue to grow as an organization, the 2008 class will be seen as a nucleus draft. It was the best class in the AFC West in 2008.

Oakland

First pick: No. 4, running back, Darren McFadden

Total picks: 5

Stars: McFadden is the centerpiece of this class. After an injury-plagued two-year start to his NFL career, McFadden became the player he was expected to be when Oakland took him. The former Arkansas star was one of the NFL’s most dynamic running backs in 2010. He is very versatile, and he is a matchup headache. He’s a bright spot for this organization. Safety Tyvon Branch has a nice future. He was better in 2009 than in 2010, but he’s a keeper. Pass-rusher Trevor Scott (sixth round) and receiver Chaz Schilens (seventh round) have potential to be good players.

Duds: McFadden was in danger of being known as a bust, but that notion is off the table. The only pick from this class not on the roster is receiver Arman Shields. He never played for Oakland and that hurt because he was a fourth-round pick, but it wasn’t a colossal loss.

Hall trade hurt: The Raiders gave up second- and fifth-round picks to Atlanta for cornerback DeAngelo Hall. He played eight games in Oakland before the Raiders shocked the league and cut him because of a sluggish start. That second-round pick would have been nice to keep around.

What’s the future of this class? It could end up being a dandy even though it was such a small class. McFadden looks like a star. If Branch can make strides and if Scott and Schilens can become reliable contributors, this will end up being a solid class.

San Diego

First pick: No. 28, cornerback, Antoine Cason

Total picks: 5

Stars: Cason is the best of this small, uninspiring class. Cason started for the first time in 2010 and showed great promise. He took over for the traded Antonio Cromartie. The assignment wasn’t too big for Cason at all.

Duds: The worst part of this class is that there just wasn't enough that came out of it. Only Cason and fullback/special teams player Jacob Hester are still with the team. The other three picks, taken in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, never made any contribution.

Was Hester worth it? San Diego traded a second-round pick in 2009 and a fifth-round pick in 2008 to take Hester with the No. 69 pick of the draft. San Diego general manager A.J. Smith said at the time that Hester was a longtime target. He replaced Michael Turner, who went to free agency. Hester hasn’t developed into a consistent rushing threat. But he plays often and he has a role on the team. The development of 2008 undrafted rookie Mike Tolbert has limited Hester’s role.

What’s the future of this class? The Chargers will have to hope Cason sticks around as a long-term starter. That way, San Diego could be getting something from this class. This, overall, was the worst class of the division in 2008. Saving this class are undrafted players Tolbert, who could soon get a lucrative new deal from the team, and offensive lineman Brandyn Dombrowski, who provides valuable depth.

The beautiful thing about our ESPN.com NFL blog network is that we can steal from each other and the authorities will not be called. It’s the offseason -- anything goes. This stolen idea is so good it’s been lifted twice.

With my finger prints all over this robbery and with another Pro Bowl in the books, let’s take a look at one player from each AFC West team who could soon become a Pro Bowl selection.

I know you all have your opinions as well, so fill up the comment section below on your thoughts for the next Pro Bowl representative from each team:

Denver, Chris Kuper, guard: It’s difficult to crack the Pro Bowl as an offensive lineman, but Kuper is a strong player. He has been in the NFL for five seasons and he is an interior force. He is a very versatile player.

Kansas City, Glenn Dorsey, defensive tackle: There are a lot of young stars-in-the-making in Kansas City and you could go any way. But Dorsey had the kind of season in 2010 that was immediately expected of him when the Chiefs took him with the No. 5 pick in 2010. He has adjusted to the 3-4 defense and he is very disruptive.

Oakland, Marcel Reece, fullback: Like Kansas City, there are plenty of young stars ready to shine in Oakland. I’m going with Reece because he is an out-of-the-box selection. Yes, Darren McFadden is a star and he should have been to the Pro Bowl this season. But so probably should have Reece. He is an offensive spark plug and a favorite of new head coach Hue Jackson. Reece can block, run and catch the ball. He is a tough, smart player who gives Oakland’s offense a hard edge.

San Diego, Antoine Cason, cornerback: Cason finished the season playing at a high level. He and fellow cornerback Quentin Jammer were a big reason why San Diego had the No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL. Cason, a first-year starter in 2010 after being a first-round pick in 2008, is a smart, instinctive player who has a nose for the ball. The AFC West is stacked with strong cornerback play and Cason is a name to remember for the long haul.