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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.”

The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Eric Berry to become the cornerstone of their young defense. That project can now officially begin.

On the day Kansas City opened training camp at its new Missouri facility, it signed the hard-hitting safety. Berry agreed to a six-year contract with a whopping $34 million salary. The Tennessee product was the No. 5 overall pick and is considered a smart player who can make an instant impact. He was Kansas City’s premier addition on the defensive side of the ball.

It was imperative that Berry got into camp early. Kudos to both the Chiefs and to Berry for making it happen.

Kansas City has now wrapped up signing its draft class. There are now only two unsigned rookies in the AFC West: San Diego running back Ryan Mathews and Denver receiver Demaryius Thomas. Both negotiations could take a few days, but, at this point, there aren’t any indications that either player could be out for an extended period of time.

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 are continuing with the offensive line. We are going 14 players deep this year. If he is on the list, then he’s pretty good.

1. Ryan Clady, Denver, T: One of the best offensive linemen in the NFL. The Broncos hope he recovers from a partially torn patella tendon in his knee (which he suffered playing basketball) in time to start the season. Denver will miss him terribly if he can’t return right away.

2. Ryan Harris, Denver, T: Harris is an underrated player. He is a dominant right tackle who is extremely athletic. Denver’s offense suffered terribly when he injured his toe in the seventh game of last season.

3. Nick Hardwick, San Diego, C: Hardwick has been dealing with injuries in recent years. Still, he remains a top-flight center.

4. Kris Dielman, San Diego, G:He quietly goes about his business and is one of the better players at his craft. He’s a sturdy force on San Diego’s offense.

5. Marcus McNeill, San Diego, T: McNeill had a very good season in 2009. He is an upper-echelon left tackle and is just reaching his prime.

6. Chris Kuper, Denver, G: Kuper is a tough, hard-working player. Had Denver not given him a first-round tender, he likely would have been snapped up in restricted free agency.

7. Louis Vasquez, San Diego, G: He was the best rookie in the AFC West last year, becoming an instant impact player on the deepest line in the division.

8. Branden Albert, Kansas City, T: Albert is a work in progress. But he is a talented player. The Chiefs clearly think he can be the answer at left tackle or they would have taken Russell Okung instead of safety Eric Berry at No. 5 last month.

9. Robert Gallery, Oakland, G: Gallery is a solid player at guard. He is Oakland’s best offensive linemen. He needs better health in 2010.

10. Casey Wiegmann, Kansas City, C: Wiegmann may be aging, but expect him to help toughen the Chiefs’ offensive line with his return in 2010.

11. Brian Waters, Kansas City, G: Still, a very formable player. Waters is a pro’s pro. He's very steady. He’ll be a big reason why the Chiefs will run the ball well this season.

12. Ryan Lilja, Kansas City, G: He is another reason why Kansas City will be much better on the offensive line. He’s a rugged player.

13. Cooper Carlisle, Oakland, G: Carlisle just keeps ticking. Steady and quiet, he simply gets the job done.

14. Mario Henderson, Oakland, T: Henderson is still learning to play at the NFL level. He has a chance to be an above-average player.

» NFC draft analysis: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

For much of the offseason, the theme in the AFC West was players who never made it to the division and players who left.

However, the division took control during the draft. The AFC West made news -– and positive strides -- by bringing in talent.

The division's teams brought in some big-league talent this weekend. Headlining the AFC West newcomers are SEC stars Tim Tebow, Eric Berry and Rolando McClain. Add LaDainian Tomlinson’s replacement in San Diego, Ryan Mathews, and a new quarterback in Oakland, Jason Campbell, and the draft weekend provided many thrills for the division.

Forget the departures of Tomlinson, Antonio Cromartie and Brandon Marshall and the missed pursuit of Donovan McNabb in Oakland. The AFC West is making noise with key arrivals.

Best move

Oakland’s weekend. Love it. It started with the selection of McClain. What a great pick. When the Raiders took the middle linebacker from Alabama, it was an announcement that they were going to play the weekend straight. They were not interested in reaching for skill-position players anymore. It was nice to see them trying to improve their team by adding quality players at need areas. McClain will be an instant starter and he should soon be a star. The Raiders continued to help the run defense in the second round by selecting Texas defensive tackle Lamarr Houston. The Raiders got future help at tackle in the third and fourth rounds with nice prospects Jared Veldheer and Bruce Campbell. Oakland took speedy receiver Jacoby Ford in the fourth round. They wrapped up a terrific weekend by trading a fourth-round pick in 2012 for Campbell. These moves won’t necessarily make the Raiders a playoff team in 2010, but they are a great step in the right direction.

Riskiest move

Tebow is the riskiest prospect in the entire draft. Denver coach Josh McDaniels put his legacy on the line when he traded three draft picks to the Baltimore Ravens to take Tebow at No. 25. It is now up to make McDaniels to make him an NFL starter. For all his heart and desire, Tebow has to show he can be a true quarterback in the league.

Most surprising move

It was a surprise that San Diego jumped up so high to take Mathews. Because the running back class was so deep, the Chargers were expected to wait out the board. Instead, San Diego gave the Miami Dolphins a lot (the No. 28 and No. 40 picks along with backup linebacker Tim Dobbins) to take the rugged Fresno State star. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith clearly coveted Mathews so he went out and got him. The Chargers think Mathews will be a star and he was well worth the price tag as San Diego moves away from the Tomlinson era.

File it away

Berry is going to be a star. The Chiefs had their dream scenario when both Berry and Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung were available at No. 5. Berry was taken because of his potential to change the defense. Over the past decade, great safety play has been the key to the top defenses in the league. This is a young defense. Expect Berry to be known as one of the best playmaking safeties in the NFL within the next four years.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs were in a position of strength.

Their top two choices -- Russell Okung and Eric Berry -- were on the board Thursday night when the Chiefs picked at No. 5. Ignoring the desire to trade down, Kansas City took the opportunity to get better on defense by taking Berry.

It’s a good call. The Chiefs have gotten better this offseason, but most of the improvements have been on offense.

Berry is the first real improvements made on a young defense. This gives new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel something to play with.

I’m glad Scott Pioli didn’t succumb to the outdated thought that safeties shouldn’t be top-10 picks. Some of the best players in the NFL are safeties. They can change defenses.

The Chiefs’ defense needed a face and needed a leader. Berry will set the tone.

I love this pick.

Sure, Okung would have helped. But the Chiefs got better on the offensive line in free agency with the additions of Casey Wiegmann and Ryan Lilja. Left tackle Branden Albert is getting better. The need was bigger on defense.

The Chiefs have two picks -- No. 36 and No. 50 -- in the second round. The Chiefs can get better this weekend. They got off to a good start Thursday night.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Chiefs have their dream choice -- Russell Okung and Eric Berry are on the board.

Who is it going to be?

Just a feeling: They take Okung and pencil him at left tackle and move Branden Albert to right tackle.

Either way, the Chiefs can’t lose.

» NFC dream/Plan B: 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: Dream scenario/Plan B.

Denver: The Broncos will hope that both Alabama middle linebacker Rolando McClain and Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant are on the board when it makes its first pick at No. 11. Denver has needs at both positions and has investigated both players closely. If both players are on the board, Denver may have a tough decision to make. However, because of the Brandon Marshall trade to Miami, Denver may lean toward Bryant. If both McClain and Bryant are off the board (that may be unlikely,) Denver will likely attempt to trade down. The Broncos need a center and they could take Florida center Maurkice Pouncey in the mid-to-late part of the first round.

Kansas City: The Chiefs would love for Washington to bypass Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung. However, that may be wishful thinking. The Redskins may take him. However, Washington could also consider Oklahoma left tackle Trent Williams. The Chiefs like both Okung and Tennessee safety Eric Berry a lot. They would love for both players to be on the board. If so, Okung may be the choice. If Washington does take him, the Chiefs could easily nab Berry to anchor their defense. In the unlikely event both Okung and Berry are gone, that would likely mean either Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy would fall to No. 5. The Chiefs would likely entertain trade possibilities if that were the case. There have been some recent thoughts the Chiefs could take Texas safety Earl Thomas over Berry. If that’s the case, the Chiefs could look to trade down a few slots. Here is one thought that the Chiefs could shock the draft and take McClain at No. 5.

Oakland: The Raiders are in a pretty good position. They have several needs and they should be available to satisfy a need at No. 8. The Raiders need an offensive tackle and they should have several options. Williams, Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga, Anthony Davis of Rutgers and Bruce Campbell of Maryland could all be available for Oakland. Oakland could also look at McClain or Florida cornerback Joe Haden. Talk about Idaho guard Mike Iupati is picking up. I think the Raiders will have at least three players to choose from on the board when they pick. The Raiders should be very pleased with their choices at No. 8. Because Oakland is flexible, it could also trade down some slots to add more picks.

San Diego: The Chargers have a lot of options as well. They have the 28th and 40th overall picks. They also have some pressing needs, most notably at running back and nose tackle. If Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews falls to No. 28, the Chargers will be temped to take him. If Mathews falls past Houston at No. 20, he could be available at No. 28. San Diego will also look at defensive tackles at No. 28 because the running back class is so deep and a good player could be available at No. 40. Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody will be considered. But keep an eye on UCLA’s Brian Price, too. There has been late talk that the Chargers are looking to him fairly intently. The Chargers will likely also look to trade up and down the draft from the 25-40 range.

Here is my reasoning for my choices in our mock draft, which posted earlier Monday:

Kansas City, No. 5: Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee

Why: Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung was off the board at No. 4 to Washington. Berry is the next best option. He can help change Kansas City’s defense. A tackle could be found in the second round.

Oakland, No. 8: Bryan Bulaga, tackle, Iowa

Why: Oakland needs a tackle. Bulaga is highly rated. With Okung and Trent Williams off the board, Bulaga is the next best tackle available. Oakland could look to other positions, but it needs to find a tackle, and Bulaga is a fine prospect.

Denver, No. 11: Dez Bryant wide receiver, Oklahoma

Why: With Jacksonville taking Alabama middle linebacker Rolando McClain at No. 10, this was an easy pick. Denver could trade down, but that doesn’t fly in this mock. I had to take somebody and the Broncos like Bryant. They also have a big need for a large receiver because of the Brandon Marshall trade to Miami.

San Diego, No 28: Terence Cody, defensive tackle, Alabama

Why: Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews was off the board. Nose tackle may be the call here. Cody is a big player who is a perfect fit for the Chargers’ 3-4 defense. However, I think San Diego could consider UCLA defensive lineman Brian Price as well.

There are several juicy AFC West story lines to watch for as the draft unfolds April 22-24. Let’s examine some of the more intriguing questions:

Will the draft change at No. 5? There are expectations that the drama of the draft will begin when Kansas City picks at No. 5. With Sam Bradford, Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy and Russell Okung expected to be the first four picks; the Chiefs represent the first question mark. Kansas City could take safety Eric Berry or a tackle such as Bryan Bulaga, Trent Williams or Anthony Davis. A trade down is also possible assuming Okung is off the board. No matter what the choice is, it will be fun when Kansas City is on the clock.

What will the Chargers do? There will be almost as much drama when the Chargers’ turn arrives. I expect them to be big draft-day players. They have the No. 28 and No. 40 picks. San Diego has big needs at nose tackle and running back. There are several solid running backs available and the Chargers will likely make one of them their new primary tailback. It will be interesting to see if the Chargers take a nose tackle or a running back first. They could also trade up (San Diego has two third-round picks in 2011 to use as bait) in the first round and get a premier player at either position. No matter what happens, expect San Diego general manager A.J. Smith to be in wheeling-and-dealing mode.

Will the Chiefs look at a Golden Domer? Kansas City has hired former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis to be the offensive coordinator. Could he talk the Chiefs into taking quarterback Jimmy Clausen at No. 5 or receiver Golden Tate with one of the team’s second-round picks? The Clausen selection would be stunning, considering Kansas City paid Matt Cassel so much money last summer. However, if Tate is available at No. 36, Kansas City may jump on him. He would fill a big need and he would have advantage because he knows the offense so well.

Will Bryant replace Marshall in Denver? The Broncos visited with Oklahoma State standout receiver Dez Bryant this week. Now that Brandon Marshall has been traded, Bryant could be the team’s choice at No. 11. Bryant is very talented, but the Broncos would be adding a new set off off-field issues after trading Marshall. This would be a big story if he ends up in Denver. The Broncos could trade down from No. 11 and still get Bryant, who could tumble because of his issues.

Will Mt. Cody rise in the AFC West? The Broncos, Chargers and the Chiefs have all shown interest in Terrence Cody, the huge nose tackle from Alabama. He is considered a prototype 3-4 nose tackle, and all three of those teams use that scheme. San Diego has the most pressing need for a nose tackle of the three. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Chargers used the No. 28 pick on Cody. The Chiefs could potentially look at him in the second round, and -- if he lasts -- so could Denver. Fellow defensive tackles Brian Price and Dan Williams could attract interest from AFC West teams. However, Williams may be taken in the first 15 picks.

Will the Raiders address their quarterback needs? The Raiders are clearly looking to upgrade their quarterback situation this offseason. It could happen in the draft. Clausen has been linked to Oakland with the No. 8 pick. But he does not have the huge arm coveted by Oakland owner Al Davis. Tim Tebow has talked to the Raiders. He’d likely require a second-round pick. Oakland has worked out Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka, a likely mid-round pick. It would not be a surprise at all if Oakland drafts a quarterback to develop.

Will there be veteran trades? The Marshall trade may not stop the veteran action in the division, Denver is also shopping tight end Tony Scheffler. He could be had for a mid-round pick. There is also the possibility Oakland could pursue Washington quarterback Jason Campbell on draft day. Campbell could likely be acquired for a mid-round pick and Oakland has reportedly shown interest. Baltimore tackle Jared Gaither is reportedly on the block. Both Oakland and Kansas City could add a tackle. Gaither would likely cost a second-round pick. There is also the possibility of San Diego acquiring a veteran running back such as Marshawn Lynch or Marion Barber if they become available. Still, the odds are San Diego looks to the rookie class for its new tailback.

Will the Raiders go defense first? The Raiders’ greatest need is at left tackle. But it wouldn’t be a stunner if the Raiders used the No. 8 pick on a defensive player. The Raiders are said to have been snooping around Alabama middle linebacker Rolando McClain (who Denver could take at No. 11). Florida cornerback Joe Haden said he has received a lot of interest from Oakland. A Haden-Nnamdi Asomugha cornerback combination would be intriguing for the next few years.

Will the Tebow project continue in the AFC West? Tebow visited with Denver this week. The Broncos have two picks in the second round and could pull the trigger on the project then. Tebow has met with Oakland officials. It would be wild to see the pristine Tebow in the Silver and Black. He wouldn’t be ready to contribute right away, but he could be an interesting project. While I don’t think the Chargers would address a quarterback before the third round, Tebow could be a possibility if he fell. The Chargers need to develop a young quarterback and Norv Turner can do wonders with quarterback prospects. It would be an interesting pairing.

Will the Raiders add a receiver? The Raiders have studied the likes of Bryant, Tate and Mardy Gilyard. It’s not out of the question that the Raiders will look at receivers early in the draft. It would be intriguing. The Raiders have a lot of young, promising players at the position. What they need is a veteran presence. If a top receiver is taken in Oakland, what does it mean for the development of existing youngsters Chaz Schilens, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy?

Will Toby Gerhart pound his way through the AFC West? The rough-and-tumble Stanford tailback is on the radar in San Diego and in Denver. The Chargers make more sense because they have more of a pressing need. However, the Broncos also like the Heisman Trophy runner-up. The Broncos need a big back. I could see Gerhart, who is rising up draft boards, ending up in this division.

Will the Broncos find their new center? If the season started today, the Broncos would not have a starting center. They are looking for one in the draft. The Broncos love Florida’s Maurkice Pouncey. But taking him at No. 11 may be too high. The Broncos may have to move -- possibly up, perhaps down -- to get Pouncey. He is on their wish list, though. Boston College’s Mark Tennant and Baylor’s J.D. Walton are other possibilities.

» NFC Big Question: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

The Chiefs will have a tough decision to make with the fifth pick in the first round. Will they take a left tackle or standout Tennessee safety Eric Berry?

The intrigue of the draft next week may start when Kansas City picks at No. 5.

It looks as if St. Louis will take quarterback Sam Bradford, Detroit and Tampa Bay will take defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy and Washington will likely take left tackle Russell Okung.

Then, it could get complicated. The Chiefs will have a tough decision because there is no clear-cut pick. If Okung somehow slips past Washington, he will be in the mix. If not, Berry could be the choice.

Left tackles Trent Williams of Oklahoma, Bryan Bulaga of Iowa and Anthony Davis of Rutgers are considered top-level tackles. Yet, taking them at No. 5 may be a bit of a reach.

So, the Chiefs may have to decide whether to take a left tackle (Branden Albert would then move to right tackle) or Berry, who is considered the best defensive back available in the draft.

Some believe taking a safety at No. 5 is too high. But Berry, who visited with the Chiefs this spring, is considered a game-changing player.

I believe if Okung is off the board and the Chiefs don’t have a great offer to trade down, Berry will be the choice. The Chiefs have a big need at safety and Berry would be a great addition to a team that has a dire need for an impact player on defense.

The winner of this week’s AFC West “you pick it” feature is the Kansas City Chiefs bringing in top prospects Russell Okung and Eric Berry for pre-draft visits.

The other candidates were Donovan McNabb being traded from Philadelphia to Washington after being pursued by Oakland, and the Raiders' interest in Washington quarterback Jason Campbell.

I think the McNabb story line was the most important. Now, the Raiders have to move on in their search for a quarterback. But this is your feature, so the Kansas City story line is the winner. Below are some of your responses. Thanks to everyone who participated:

Tom from Kansas City: Okung and Berry visiting the Chiefs is the big story. The Chiefs are going to get better either way,

Aaron from Syracuse: Well, McNabb to Oakland was just a rumor. Campbell to Oakland is just a rumor. Okung and Berry both actually talked with the Chiefs, so I'd make that the top story. Especially now that Okung is on Washington's radar and Berry still on the Bucs' short list, could the Chiefs lose out on both of these players?

Parker from Spokane: Bill, Story of the week has got to be the Jason Campbell possibility in Oakland. Yes, not landing McNabb is the big media hit but it really doesn't affect the division and who knows how interested the Raiders really were at that price (a 2nd and a 3/4th). Also, of course the Chiefs are looking at their options for their #5 pick, as I am sure they have been for weeks/months. But both of these fall short of the legitimate possibility that Jason Campbell could be the starting QB for the Raiders this season. There are only going to be a few teams interested in him (Bills, Raiders and Jags come to mind) so the asking price should be low. Also, he is a great fit for Al Davis' offense with his strong arm and the fact that he is very careful with the ball.

Hank from St. Louis: The two college kids visiting Kansas City is the story of the week. These are two very talented players and the Chiefs should be excited about both of them.

Tony from Denver: I like Okung and Berry. I like that my Chiefs are looking at them. That’s the big news of the week.

The candidates are:

McNabb doesn’t go to Oakland: Despite Oakland’s interest, Philadelphia sent quarterback Donovan McNabb to Washington. Yahoo! Sports reported McNabb would have retired if he was traded to Oakland.

Oakland interested in Campbell: It was reported the Raiders are interested in Washington quarterback Jason Campbell now that McNabb is replacing Campbell as the starter.

Chiefs eye top prospects: Kansas City, which has the No. 5 pick in the draft this month, visited with Oklahoma State left tackle Russell Okung and Tennessee safety Eric Berry.

Choose your story of the week and hit my mailbag with your thoughts. I will post some of your responses later in the week.

The latest version of Mel Kiper and Todd McShay’s mock drafts are available for ESPN.com Insiders . Let’s look at their picks for the AFC West teams:

Kansas City, No. 5

Kiper’s pick: Eric Berry, Tennessee, safety

McShay’s pick: Bryan Bulaga, Iowa, tackle

My thoughts: I think I’d go with Berry here. Both experts have Oklahoma State tackle Russell Okung going to Washington at No. 4. If that’s the case, I’d take Berry and address the tackle position with one of the Chiefs’ two second-round picks.

Oakland, No. 8

Kiper’s pick: Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame, quarterback

McShay’s pick: Trent Williams, Oklahoma, tackle

My thoughts: The Clausen choice certainly jumps out. If this happens it would be the story of the draft in the division. It’s possible. Clausen should be available at No. 8 and the Raiders have been sniffing around quarterbacks.

Denver, No. 11

Kiper’s pick: Earl Thomas, Texas, safety

McShay’s pick: Rolando McClain, linebacker, Alabama

My thoughts: The Thomas pick is interesting. He is moving up draft boards. I think Denver would be served well with either pick. But I’d lean toward McClain because he appears to be a safe pick at a position of need.

San Diego, No.28

Kiper’s pick: Ryan Mathews, Fresno State, running back

McShay’s pick: Terrence Cody, Alabama, defensive tackle

My thoughts: This is the Chargers’ great dilemma: A running back or a nose tackle in the first round? Mathews would be tough to bypass if he fell to No. 28. Cody is intriguing because he’s a perfect fit.

Philadelphia’s trade of Donovan McNabb to Washington on Sunday night impacted the AFC West more than just marking the end of Oakland’s pursuit of the quarterback.

It could also impact Denver receiver Brandon Marshall and the Kansas City Chiefs’ first-round pick.

Some thought Washington would trade for Marshall by offering the No. 37 overall pick in the draft as part of a package. The Redskins gave up that pick in the McNabb deal. Washington still has the No. 4 overall pick, but there is virtually no chance the Redskins would give up that pick for Marshall. The only team to show any interest in the restricted free agent is Seattle.

With its need for a quarterback satisfied, Washington is expected to use its top pick on a left tackle. The best tackle available is Russell Okung of Oklahoma State, and he's now considered Washington's favorite target.

Kansas City has a big need at left tackle and safety. Analysts speculated that the Chiefs will choose between Okung and Tennessee safety Eric Berry. Both players visited the Chiefs last week. But if Okung is gone at No. 4, it would mean Berry might now be a Chief as a result of Sunday night's trade.