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The agent for free-agent fullback Owen Schmitt confirmed that his client will work out for the Oakland Raiders this week in their organized team activities.

Schmitt, who has been on the market all offseason, is a rugged blocker and played for new Oakland offensive coordinator Greg Knapp in Seattle.

Oakland fullback Marcel Reece has not signed his restricted free agency tender. He will eventually sign it because he really doesn’t have any other choice.

I could see Oakland signing Schmitt and figuring out whether to keep him on the 53-man roster after the preseason.

The San Diego Chargers couldn’t believe Melvin Ingram fell to them in last month’s draft, and they didn’t waste much time in officially making him a member of the team.

As a testament to the new rookie NFL world, the Chargers have announced they have signed Ingram. The South Carolina pass-rusher was the No. 18 overall pick in the draft. He was expected to be a top-10 pick.

With Ingram signed, the Chargers now can rest easy, knowing their top pick will be at training camp on time. The team also announced the signings of second-round pick Kendall Reyes (it was previously reported Tuesday) and seventh-round pick, center David Molk.

All three players signed for four years. Ingram’s deal has a fifth-year team option, which is standard for first-round picks. Ingram is the second first-round pick to sign this year, joining the Seahawks’ Bruce Irvin.

Because of the new CBA and rookie pay structure, draft-pick signings have become much easier to negotiate than in the past. Thus, draft picks are signing quicker than in the past.

I know a lot of Raiders fans wanted to see new general manager Reggie McKenzie make a big splash and compensate for having less than a full slate of draft picks by trading up in the draft.

McKenzie, in his first year as a GM, made one deal as he moved down 10 spots in the fifth round and added a seventh-rounder. However, there were no bold moves.

It was the right call because the Raiders have to stop mortgaging the future. Compensatory picks can't be traded, so the Raiders could only deal their fifth- and sixth-round picks this year. Those picks have little value, so McKenzie likely would have had to include future picks if he wanted to trade up and pick higher than No. 95.

The problem is Oakland has a reduced draft class again next year, so McKenzie would have been foolish if he dipped into that class. McKenzie is not a fool.

The Raiders still owe Cincinnati a first- or second-round pick next year and they still owe Seattle a fourth- or fifth-round pick in 2013. The Bengals, as part of the Carson Palmer trade, will get the Raiders' 2013 first-rounder if Oakland goes to the AFC title game. If not, the Bengals will get the Raiders’ second-round pick.

As part of the Aaron Curry trade, the Seahawks will get either Oakland's fourth- or fifth-round pick based on Curry’s playing time.

The Raiders were bailed out by three compensatory picks this year. Don’t expect much of a comp-pick haul next season. The Raiders signed several free agents and lost Jason Campbell and Michael Bush to Chicago as free agents. So, unless Bush goes off in Chicago or Campbell has to play because of an injury to Jay Cutler, the Raiders aren’t going to get much in the way of comp picks. Yes, Oakland released several players who caught on elsewhere but released players are not part of the comp-pick formula.

Thus, Oakland is looking at a small draft class for one more year. McKenzie is playing it smart by being patient and careful. By 2014, it should pay off with a full draft class.

In my opinion, the San Diego Chargers just made the best pick of the draft since the two top quarterbacks went 1-2.

And I’m not alone.

When the Chargers took South Carolina pass-rusher Melvin Ingram at No. 18, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper called it the best value pick of the draft.

Ingram is a top-10 player who becomes the impact defensive player the Chargers have craved. I believe he becomes an instant impact as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He is versatile and can play on the defensive line. He has been compared to James Harrison, and I think he will be a tremendous NFL player. Ingram might have fallen because teams didn’t know where to play him.

San Diego will put him on the field and watch him become one of its best players.

There is no way he should have fallen. The fact that Seattle took Bruce Irvin at No. 15 and bypassed a stellar player such as Ingram is a joke and a gift to San Diego.

Kudos to San Diego general manager A.J. Smith for staying patient and letting the board fall to him. There were reports the Chargers could try to trade up for Alabama safety Mark Barron. To me, Ingram is just as much of an impact player, who fills San Diego’s greatest need as a pass-rusher.

Folks, the three other AFC West teams will be hard-pressed to have a better draft because of this one pick alone.

Every year there are some small-school gems who warrant attention in the draft.

Derek Carrier is one of those players. He is a huge receiver with great measurables. But he is from tiny Beloit College.

Among the teams seriously investigating Carrier are the Raiders and the Broncos. He had made two visits, one to Oakland and another to Seattle. Other teams have been checking into him.

If Carrier went an SEC school, he’d likely be an early-round pick; as things stand, he is expected to go in the sixth or seventh round. There is no doubt that he is a project, but there is a lot to like.

He is 6-foot-3, 240 pounds and ran a 4.49 40-yard dash. He has a 40-inch vertical jump and did a three-cone run in 6.69 seconds, which is off the charts.

Most important, Carrier has shown he can produce. He had 75 catches and l12 touchdowns last season. The only knock on this specimen is the level of competition he has faced.

Still, someone is going to get a potential standout -- and there is a chance he lands in the AFC West.

Silver and Black Editors reports defensive tackle John Henderson has retired. He was recently cut by the Raiders after two seasons with the team. He has experienced several injuries recently.

Denver free-agent defensive lineman Derrick Harvey has signed with Cincinnati. He was a non-factor in Denver last season.

Oakland is still in on Cincinnati defensive end/linebacker Manny Lawson. But so is Green Bay and Indianapolis.

New York Giants defensive lineman Dave Tollefson visited Seattle. Oakland has shown interest in Tollefson, but finances may be an issue. Tollefson is a Bay Area native and former Oakland practice squader.

Cincinnati re-signed defensive tackle Pat Sims, winding down the market at the position even more. Denver badly needs a defensive tackle. It will probably draft one at No. 25 in next month’s draft.

UPDATE: Not so fast. The folks who reported the Henderson story said they made a mistake and Henderson is not retired. Translation: If someone offers a Henderson a deal he likes he probably will consider playing. Two years ago, when he signed with the Raiders, Henderson did so in June and this year could be a similar situation.

UPDATE II: I just talked to Henderson’s agent, Joel Segal. Here is what he had to say: “John is absolutely not retired.” So, there you go.

It’s been three days since Peyton Manning signed with the Denver Broncos and speculation began that he would be joined by multiple former Indianapolis teammates.

The opportunities are shrinking. Manning’s longtime center Jeff Saturday, who visited Denver on Wednesday, has signed with Green Bay, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

While the team is still working on Colts’ tight end Jacob Tamme, the Broncos did sign tight end Joel Dreessen on Friday. Dreessen is a good second tight end who had 28 catches last season.

If Tamme does sign that would likely mean Colts’ veteran Dallas Clark will not come to Denver. If Tamme signs elsewhere (Seattle is hotly pursuing him), perhaps Clark will be in the picture. Denver also wants to develop second-year tight end Julius Thomas.

Other former Manning teammates Denver could consider include running back Joseph Addai and receiver Brandon Stokley.

I don’t think the fact that Saturday is not coming to Denver is a huge loss. Sure, It would have helped Manning’s transition to the offense, but third-year center J.D. Walton is a solid player who did well last season. Manning and Walton will find a rhythm and Walton didn’t deserve to be replaced by a 37-year-old simply based on a previous comfort level.

In other news:

Yes, the Broncos’ trade of Tim Tebow to the Jets has been delayed by protocol. But, don’t be fooled. Tebow will be a Jet.

New England signed Denver free-agent fullback Spencer Larsen. Denver didn’t have much interest in bringing him back.

Kansas City right tackle Barry Richardson has visited the St. Louis Rams. He has been replaced by Eric Winston, who is a major upgrade from Richardson.

The slow running back market moved some Wednesday when New England’s BenJarvus Green-Ellis agreed to terms with Cincinnati. That could help move along Michael Bush's process.

The Oakland backup tailback has suffered from the slow market. He is likely out of the mix in Cincinnati. He is also getting interest from the Bears, Seahawks and Jets. Maybe the Green-Ellis agreement may move things along faster for Bush.

I could see Oakland getting back in the mix. The problem is Oakland has other needs and limited cap room. Bush could be interested to going back to Oakland because it doesn’t look like he will get a starter’s job, at this point. If he has to remain a back-up, Bush may want to continue to play in Oakland.

The free-agent running back market has been slow to develop and Michael Bush has been a part of that unexpected lag.

But interest in the Raiders running back's services has been picking up. ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting Bush will visit the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday. In Seattle, he’d be reunited with former Oakland head coach Tom Cable and former Raiders tight end Zach Miller.

Bush has already visited the Bears (where former Oakland starting quarterback Jason Campbell recently signed) and he is supposed to visit Cincinnati Monday. Former Oakland head coach Hue Jackson is on the Bengals’ staff.

At this point, it seems like Bush will not get a contract to start. Because of that, you would think he would consider remaining in Oakland as Darren McFadden’s partner. But because the Raiders have some cap restrictions and other needs (they are still hunting for several cornerbacks, including Shawntae Spencer and Tracy Porter), re-signing Bush right now may not be a top priority.

But if the market for Bush cools down, perhaps a return to Oakland would become more realistic.

Now we know why the Chargers brought back Charlie Whitehurst.

The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that the Chargers (who signed safety Atari Bigby on Friday night) cut longtime No. 2 quarterback Billy Volek. Whitehurst will now back up starter Philip Rivers. The paper reported the Chargers saved $750,000 in roster bonus by cutting Volek.

Denver, Kansas City and Oakland are all looking for a backup and the experienced Volek could interest all three.

Two years ago, San Diego traded Whitehurst, then its No. 3 quarterback, to Seattle in a deal that moved the Chargers up 20 spots in the second round of the 2011 draft. San Diego also received a third-round pick last season. Seattle had hoped Whitehurst was their quarterback of the future. Whitehurst started four games, threw 155 passes and had three touchdowns in Seattle.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Chargers signed Bigby, who formerly played for Green Bay and, most recently, Seattle. The six-year veteran has started 35 NFL games. The Chargers would like to draft a safety soon, but Bigby will be in the rotation. He replaces Steve Gregory, who signed with New England.

Meanwhile, San Diego running back Mike Tolbert is visiting another team Saturday and there is strong chance he will sign there. The Chargers could turn to Kansas City’s Jackie Battle as a backup if Tolbert leaves. Tolbert has also visited the Chiefs.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Washington Redskins have landed safety Brandon Meriweather.

Denver is looking for a veteran safety with Brian Dawkins considering retirement. Meriweather did visit with Denver. The Broncos also visited with Cleveland’s Mike Adams.

Schefter reports former Seattle cornerback Marcus Trufant will visit the Broncos on Friday.

The Broncos have otherwise been quiet in free agency -- despite having $38 million in cap room -- as they wait for Peyton Manning to make a decision.

Meanwhile, San Diego's four-year deal with left tackle Jared Gaither includes an $8 million signing bonus. His 2012 contract is fully guaranteed.

As the Denver Broncos continues to wait for Peyton Manning to decide if he will sign with the team, they may have seen the door close on a potential trade partner for Tim Tebow.

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed former Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne to back up 2010 No. 10 overall pick Blaine Gabbert. Tebow is from Jacksonville and the team’s new owner, Shahid Khan, has said he would have drafted Tebow in 2010 had he owned the team.

The Jaguars may not have any room for Tebow now. It would be surprise if there was much interest in him on the trade market elsewhere around the league. If Manning does sign, Tebow may have to be kept to season behind Manning.

In other AFC West news:

Oakland linebacker Kamerion Wimbley has yet to hear from the Raiders. More than $17 million in salary and bonuses will kick in by the weekend if the Raiders don’t cut or restructure the deal. Odds are Wimbley will be cut, because there has been no communication. Wimbley is open to doing a new deal, but is not taking a pay cut.

Maybe the Raiders are resigned to keeping the strong pass-rusher, since they won’t get better by cutting him. Again, the odds are Wimbley will be cut, but Oakland’s silence makes one wonder what its plans are.

The agent for former Oakland guard Robert Gallery said the Seahawks will cut him. San Diego could be a possible destination if the Chargers want a veteran left guard and he conceivably could go back to Oakland if the Raiders want to move Stefen Wisniewski to center. Both teams could do a lot worse.

Seattle tight end John Carlson decided to cut his trip to Kansas City short and head to Minnesota. He will likely sign with the Vikings on the trip.

The Chiefs were hoping to pair Carlson, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, with Tony Moeaki, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. The Chiefs are expected to host right tackle Eric Winston and running backs Mike Tolbert and Peyton Hillis on Wednesday.

In other AFC West news:

Tennessee owner Bud Adams told a local television station that the team will meet with quarterback Peyton Manning and he expects Manning to make a quick decision. The Broncos are one of the teams interested in Manning. The Broncos have been very quiet in free agency despite having $38 million in salary-cap room. It is clear the Broncos are waiting to see what Manning will do.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Chicago safety Brandon Meriweather was planning to visit Denver, but will now first visit Washington. The Broncos want a veteran safety.

The Oakland Raiders have been quiet in free agency so far Tuesday, other than seeing former starting quarterback Jason Campbell leave for Chicago.

This may be a reason: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports when free agency opened Tuesday the Raiders had a league low $639,966 of cap space.

Now, that will improve when the release of tight end Kevin Boss kicks in. Oakland could also cut linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and defensive tackle John Henderson. So, Oakland (which already cut three other players and restructured the contracts of several players) will get some enough cap room to sign a few players and sign their small draft class.

But the question for rookie general manager Reggie McKenzie is this: Why didn’t he do all of his salary-cap shaving prior to free agency starting. Players are signing at a fast rate. I know Oakland is going to bargain shop, but there is no reason why it should give other teams a head start for any player. The Raiders’ don’t have a starting quality cornerback on the roster and top cornerbacks like Cortland Finnegan and Carlos Rogers are already off the market.

In other AFC West news:

• UT-San Diego reported that the Chargers want former practice squader Frank Summers to be the repair fullback. Jacob Hester, if he is re-signed, would spell Summers and play special teams.
• Add the 49ers to the list of the teams that want Oakland receiver Chaz Schilens. The Phoenix native is visiting the Cardinals on Tuesday and the Jets reportedly like him, too.
• NFL.com is reporting Seattle tight end John Carlson will visit the Colts in addition to the Chiefs.
• The Raiders reportedly gave defensive lineman Desmond Bryant a second-round tender in restricted free agency. It would be a shock if another team tried to sign him to an offer sheet.

The Kansas City Chiefs might be ready to spend some big money in free agency. ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting the Chiefs are one of three teams that have a visit set up with standout right tackle Eric Winston who was a surprise salary-cap dump in Houston

Schefter reports Miami and St. Louis are also looking to visit with Winston. He would be a terrific fit in Kansas City. He’d be a major upgrade over Barry Richardson, who was the weak link of Kansas City’s offensive line. Winston would solidify a unit that has been in flux the past few years. The University of Miami product started every game for the past five years in Houston.

Signing Winston would also likely allow the Chiefs to concentrate on signing either a defensive tackle or linebacker in the first round of the draft.

The Chiefs -- who have franchise receiver Dwayne Bowe and who have added cornerback Stanford Routt -- have a lot of salary cap room and should be able to sign Winston if they chose to. The Chiefs are entertaining Seattle tight end John Carlson on Tuesday.

In other AFC West news:

• Oakland free agent Michael Bush bashed folks for reporting that he is visiting the Cardinals. Bush earlier tweeted that he was in Arizona, but said nothing about visiting the Cardinals.
• Schefter is reporting that Denver free agent Eddie Royal does not yet have a deal done with the Redskins. It has been reported elsewhere that the deal is done. Yet, Schefter said both sides are working to finalize a deal. It makes sense. Royal performed well for Washington coach Mike Shanahan as a rookie in Denver in 2008.
• The Raiders have officially announced they have cut tight end Kevin Boss. His release was first reported Monday. His agent tweeted earlier Tuesday he expected his client to be cut Wednesday.
• Schefter reported that the Broncos were one of a few teams to opt to take the extra $1.6 million in salary cap room next year instead of this year. Most teams were given the extra cap room because cap money was taken away from the Redskins and the Cowboys because of cap infractions. The Raiders were one of two teams not to be rewarded extra cap room because of a lesser infraction. The Raiders didn’t face any more penalties.
• Yet another veteran guard is available. Carolina cut Travelle Wharton. If the Chargers want a veteran to replace the recently retired Kris Dielman, they’ll have their choice. However, the team will likely put Tyronne Green at the spot.
• Former Oakland starter Jason Campbell has agreed to a one-year deal with Chicago, according to Schefter. I will have more thoughts on this deal later Wednesday.