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A team-by-team look at the most indispensable players (non-quarterbacks) in the division.

My basic rule of thumb on this one was to close my eyes and try to picture each team without certain key players. From there, I tried to gauge the impact on the team if each of those players was lost to injury -- or anything else.

In some cases, the answer was blatantly obvious. In others, I went with a player who might not be the best on the team, but his role and the depth situation behind him might have vaulted him over another player. In another case, I went with a player I’m not convinced is anything special, but chose him just because of the importance of his position.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: DONALD PENN

Penn’s the guy I’m not sure is all that great. But his importance was demonstrated right at the start of training camp when the Bucs broke down and gave Penn the huge contract he’d been seeking for months. The thought of putting quarterback Josh Freeman out there -- even on the practice field -- without a legitimate left tackle was just too frightening. For better or worse, Freeman is the franchise in Tampa Bay. At the very least, Penn's a decent left tackle. That means Freeman has a shot at staying upright and the Buccaneers have a shot at digging themselves out of a 3-13 hole. Besides, was there really another candidate for indispensable on Tampa Bay’s current roster?

ATLANTA FALCONS: CURTIS LOFTON

The easy answer here would be to go with running back Michael Turner, and I came very close to doing that. But you can make a case that the Falcons would be able to get by, somewhat like they did when Turner was banged up last season, with some combination of Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood and a little more emphasis on the passing game. Atlanta’s offense wouldn’t crumble totally without Turner. Without Lofton, the defense might. People are really just starting to realize how good the third-year linebacker is. This summer, he emphatically has taken over as the leader of this defense after staying quiet in deference to veterans Keith Brooking and Mike Peterson in his first two years. Lofton’s become an every-down linebacker and the most respected man on the defensive side of the locker room.

CAROLINA PANTHERS: JON BEASON

Choosing Beason over Steve Smith is sort of like choosing Lofton over Turner. It wasn’t easy, but I’m doing it. My logic is that, even with no other proven receivers, the Panthers at least still could move the ball on offense with the running of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. If something happens to Beason, the defense is done. Beason’s moving from middle linebacker to the weak side because Thomas Davis is injured. Beason will make at least as many plays in his new spot. Bottom line on this one came when someone with another team asked, “Who do you have to worry about blocking on Carolina’s defense besides Beason?’’ The question was asked rhetorically.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: JONATHAN VILMA

This was the easiest call of all. With apologies to Jahri Evans (you can get by without arguably the best guard in football if you’ve got quality on the rest of your line and the Saints do), it took about two seconds to settle on Vilma and it’s not just because of his obvious physical skills. When I was at New Orleans’ camp, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams went off on a tangent about how cerebral a player Vilma is. He also said something like, “Jon Vilma is the Drew Brees of this defense’’. That’s good enough for me.

A team-by-team look at the most indispensable players (non-quarterbacks) in the division.

No team can win consistently without a good quarterback. That's a given. So we remove that position from the equation for an exercise designed to identify other players whose play is inextricably linked to their team's success.

The way the 2010 season is shaping up, I don't see NFC North teams winning without elite efforts from the following:

CHICAGO BEARS: LANCE BRIGGS

National observers have hashed out the arrival of defensive end Julius Peppers, the return of middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and the installation of Mike Martz's offense. But let's be clear: Briggs plays the key playmaking role in the Bears' defensive scheme and has been their best player over the past several years. He's held together the injury-riddled and aging back seven of this once-proud defense, maintaining an elite level even as the play around him has deteriorated. While Peppers offers a new level of pass rush and Urlacher calls all of the defensive signals, the Bears' hopes for a defensive resurgence this season would be crushed if Briggs weren't on the field. That makes him indispensable in my book.

DETROIT LIONS: CALVIN JOHNSON

It's true. Two of Johnson's three seasons have been limited by injury. He's never made the Pro Bowl and is known more for his freakish athletic skills than elite production. But those skills are what scare opponents into making rare adjustments and innovating exotic coverages to defend him. Consistent double coverage, with the occasional triple-bracket, is something most offenses dream of. A good coach can find all sorts of ways to capitalize on the corresponding mismatches elsewhere on the field. Without Johnson, you could defend the Lions traditionally and with modest fear. With him on the field, everything changes.

GREEN BAY PACKERS: CHARLES WOODSON

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, who championed cornerback Darrelle Revis' candidacy for the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year award that Woodson eventually won, put it best: "Woodson would be a better safety and a better linebacker, but he's not a better corner than Darrelle Revis." Indeed, the Packers revealed Woodson's full array of skills last season in Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme, using him just as effectively as a blitzer, a quasi-safety in run support and a cornerback they trusted in single coverage against an opponent's top receiver. Capers' scheme is based on putting the same players in different looks and sub packages, and no one does that better than Woodson. Without him, the Packers would have had to delete a substantial percentage of the schemes they used last season.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: ADRIAN PETERSON

A summer of personnel uncertainty has given tailback Adrian Peterson renewed relevance in the team's offense. Receiver Sidney Rice (hip) could miss half of the season. Slot man Percy Harvin has been sidelined most of the summer by migraines. Quarterback Brett Favre didn't arrive until last week. Peterson himself missed more than a week of training camp practices because of a hamstring injury, but he will enter the regular season as the Vikings' top offensive threat. Favre still has targets in Bernard Berrian and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, but it will be difficult for the Vikings to repeat their passing success of a year ago. That once again makes Peterson front and center in the team's offense.

A team-by-team look at the most indispensable players (non-quarterbacks) in the division.

This exercise was easy for every NFC West team but the Seattle Seahawks.

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc., writing for ESPN Insider, went with defensive lineman Brandon Mebane when putting together his Seattle choice. Mebane is a good player, but if he's in the mix as the non-quarterback Seattle can least afford to lose, the team must not have many impact players beyond Matt Hasselbeck. That is clearly the case as the Seahawks rebuild their roster.

ARIZONA CARDINALS: LARRY FITZGERALD

The Cardinals managed to win an even higher percentage of their games in recent seasons when former Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin wasn't available to them. They could always lean on Fitzgerald, one of the two or three best receivers in the league, to elevate his game as needed. Fitzgerald has 35 touchdowns over the past three regular seasons. He has nine touchdowns over the past two postseasons -- Randy Moss has 10 in his postseason career -- and has missed only one game over the past three seasons.

Fitzgerald's value has only increased now that Boldin is gone from Arizona for good. The on-field production is only part of what makes Fitzgerald so valuable. Fitzgerald also sets a standard of excellence for teammates to follow. He organizes an offseason training camp in Minnesota each summer. He constantly strives to improve the finer points of his game. This offseason, that meant working on getting better separation from receivers, something that could help him against the tougher coverages he'll likely face in the post-Boldin era.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: PATRICK WILLIS

Brett Favre's preseason debut this season lasted only four plays and Willis' violent (but clean) hit on the 40-year-old quarterback precipitated the early exit. Last season, Willis' hard (but clean) hit on Hasselbeck near the goal line left the quarterback with damaged ribs, affecting the Seahawks' overall viability.

Willis is a threat to anyone in his path on a football field. More than any other 49ers player, Willis sets the tone, making sure the team plays to the physical and emotional standards of coach Mike Singletary. The new contract Willis signed this offseason should only embolden him.

Take away Willis and the 49ers would lose some of their edge on defense. Their linebackers would suddenly look rather ordinary. Opposing quarterbacks would breathe easier (literally, in Hasselbeck's case).

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: RUSSELL OKUNG

Mebane wasn't a bad choice for Seattle, but the team's debilitating problems at left tackle last season made Okung an easy selection for me, particularly with tackle depth already thin following Ray Willis' latest knee issues.

The Seahawks fell apart last season when injuries forced them to use their projected fifth-string left tackle. Drafting Okung or another offensive tackle with the sixth overall choice bordered on being a necessity once it became clear Walter Jones' career was finished.

The ankle injury Okung suffered in the second exhibition game threatens the Seahawks more than an injury to any other non-quarterback might. Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu and left cornerback Marcus Trufant were also in my thoughts for this discussion, but this is a quarterback-driven sport and Okung's presence affects the quarterback more than the presence of any other player on the team.

ST. LOUIS RAMS: STEVEN JACKSON

The Rams have one Pro Bowl player on their roster and it's Jackson. The team lacks a proven backup at the position, heightening Jackson's value. Throw in the Rams' transition to a rookie quarterback and the team arguably needs Jackson more than before.

Jackson is so good, however, that he might still be the most indispensable non-quarterback in the division even if he played for the 49ers, Seahawks or Cardinals. The will Jackson showed in carrying the offense last season convinced me he's a special player, not just a talented one. The way Jackson ran against the 49ers last season while the Rams trailed 35-0 would have made Walter Payton proud.

A team-by-team look at the most indispensable players (non-quarterbacks) in the division.

With the possible exception of the Eagles, I believe that every team in the division would be in big trouble if its starting quarterback went down, so obviously that position is indispensable. But for one blog post only, it's not all about the quarterback.

We've chosen four players whose presence on the field is essential to their team's success. In narrowing down my list, I tried to think of which players each team would have the most trouble replacing. The biggest second-guess might come with the Dallas Cowboys because you could make a strong argument for nose tackle Jay Ratliff being one of the most indispensable players in the division. Alas, I went in a different direction.

DALLAS COWBOYS: DEMARCUS WARE

With apologies to the Freeney and Allen camps, I believe Ware has become the most feared pass-rusher in the game. You take him off the field and the Cowboys lose a lot of their identity.

Ware's capable of putting up huge sack totals, but it's his ability to constantly draw double- and even triple-teams that puts him in an elite class. With Ware on the other side, Anthony Spencer is becoming one of the league's best pass-rushers.

Ware's willingness to sacrifice numbers to elevate his teammates is a huge part of his game. And he's one of the rare pass-rushers who also does an excellent job against the run. You could make an argument that he's the best defensive player in the league, and that makes him indispensable to the Cowboys.

NEW YORK GIANTS: JUSTIN TUCK

Starting to notice a trend here? I think Tuck is trying to replace Michael Strahan as the backbone of this unit. When Strahan retired after the Super Bowl win, Tuck wasn't quite ready to inherit the leadership void. But now that Antonio Pierce is no longer in the locker room, general manager Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin have basically told Tuck that he must be The Man.

Last season, Flozell Adams reached out and tripped the Giants' defensive end in Week 2, leading to a painful shoulder injury. Because he was limited the rest of the season, Tuck didn't feel like he had the right to criticize his teammates.

Now that he's healthy, he will be the messenger for defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. Osi Umenyiora and Mathias Kiwanuka might have Tuck-like skills, but they don't have his credibility inside the organization. As Tuck goes, so go the Giants. In my book, that makes him indispensable.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: DESEAN JACKSON

I believe Jackson is now the most dangerous player in the league. Whether it's on punt returns or crossing patterns, he constantly puts pressure on the other team.

Having a player who is that dangerous can cover up mistakes in other areas. The Eagles feel like they're never out of a game because of players such as Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Jackson won't have as many catches as Maclin this season, but he'll find the end zone at least 12 times when you combine his punt returns and receiving touchdowns.

We all made a huge deal of Devin Hester a few years ago, but obviously Jackson is the more complete player. Someone pay this man so he can go on about his business.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS: BRIAN ORAKPO

In Orakpo, the Redskins have an elite pass-rusher who's learning how to separate quarterbacks from the ball.

What I love about Orakpo is his willingness to make changes. He's constantly in the film room studying offensive tackles and he doesn't want any of them to have a book on him. He has a wide array of counter moves and he's quickly embraced the concepts of Jim Haslett's 3-4. Here's what Orakpo told me during my recent visit to Ashburn, Va.:

"I'm always going forward in this defense" he said. "I want to be chasing the quarterback at all times, and this defense makes that possible."

In a division with some elite pass-rushers, Orakpo has refused to take a backseat to anyone. And I love his honesty. The Houston native grew up hating the Cowboys and he's taken it to the next level now that he's playing for their rival. Everyone wants to talk about Donovan McNabb this season, but if the Redskins are to make a playoff run, the defense must lead the way. Orakpo's the most indispensable member of that unit.

A team-by-team look at the most indispensable players (non-quarterbacks) in the division.

The most crucial player isn't necessarily the most skilled or most popular. In some cases, he might not even be the best player within his unit.

When you factor all the circumstances -- position, strength of his backup, importance to the team dynamic -- a player's worth sometimes can exceed his status.

Keep that in mind as you consider the AFC East's most indispensable players. The aim of this project is to focus on non-quarterbacks because of their inherent importance to a team, but Tom Brady is the only one in the division who would rank atop his roster even if quarterbacks were included.

BUFFALO BILLS: LEE EVANS

It's difficult to propose any member of the Bills as indispensable. Their competitive expectations are the same with a full roster as they are without any single player. But their most talented player is receiver Lee Evans. No other position on Buffalo's roster has a bigger drop-off in skill and experience from its best player to the next-best.

Although many observers will become enamored with rookie running back C.J. Spiller's jaw-dropping moves, the Bills do have other quality backs. Without Evans' presence as a downfield threat, defenses will load the box and suffocate any semblance of a run game the Bills hope to mount. Even if Evans doesn't produce, he keeps defenses somewhat honest.

MIAMI DOLPHINS: JAKE LONG

There's a temptation to go with receiver Brandon Marshall here because he's the sexy offseason acquisition. But we can't be certain how much he's going to alter the Dolphins' run-dominant offense. In 2008, they won the AFC East without a great receiver. In 2009, they were respectable because they're so great at running the ball.

The main reason for that is left tackle Jake Long, who has established himself as an elite offensive lineman with two Pro Bowl selections in as many seasons. Long is a 6-foot-7, 317-pound mountain. He paves the way for Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams and makes the Wildcat possible. It also can be argued that Long is a more important teammate to Chad Henne than Marshall will be. With Long protecting his blind side, Henne has peace of mind.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: VINCE WILFORK

Based on the way the Patriots' offense sputtered without Wes Welker in the playoffs last year, he'd be a good choice. Or you could go with the transcendent abilities of Randy Moss. But the Patriots have an emerging group of young receivers, and Brady won three Super Bowls with a hodgepodge of targets.

That's why nose tackle Vince Wilfork is the Patriots' most indispensable non-quarterback. Wilfork is, by far, their most important defensive player. He absorbs multiple blockers on any given play, allowing the players around him to make plays. Remove him from the field, and the Patriots' defense gets pretty ordinary.

NEW YORK JETS: D'BRICKASHAW FERGUSON

Darrelle Revis is their best player, but the Jets believe they can win without their all-galaxy cornerback because they still have Antonio Cromartie, Kyle Wilson and Dwight Lowery. Nose tackle Kris Jenkins is important, but the Jets managed to have the top-rated defense without him for the past 10 games of the 2009 season. Nick Mangold is the NFL's best center and crucial to the offensive line.

But the most indispensable Jet is left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Remove him from the field and the run game suffers. Minus Ferguson, a quarterback with knee problems and not known for making the best decisions under duress has edge-rushers chasing him around. I'm fairly certain the Jets would rather not entrust Mark Sanchez's continued health to Wayne Hunter, an eight-year pro with one career start.

A team-by-team look at the most indispensable players (non-quarterbacks) in the division.

The NFL, perhaps more than any professional sport, is a league filled with replaceable players. By sheer numbers, fielding 22 players on offense and defense makes it difficult for a single cog to be above the team, especially for non-quarterbacks.

But there are several players vital to AFC North teams. Here are four difference-makers in the division:

PITTSBURGH STEELERS: TROY POLAMALU

To define Polamalu's importance, look no further than last season. Pittsburgh missed the playoffs in 2009, mostly because its defense was unable to hold leads in the fourth quarter without its star safety in the lineup.

Polamalu missed 11 games with a left knee injury, and it appeared the other 10 defenders were overcompensating for Polamalu's absence by blowing routine assignments. Polamalu provides a calming influence, and his greatness can be measured by his teammates playing at a higher level when he's in the game.

Steelers defensive coordinator and 2010 Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau recently said he cannot find a weakness with Polamalu. He's athletic, smart, instinctive and excels against the pass and the run.

Pittsburgh's defense without Polamalu is good (No. 5 in 2009), but with Polamalu, it might be the best in the NFL.

CLEVELAND BROWNS: JOSH CRIBBS

Where would the Browns be without Cribbs?

For starters, you probably can erase two or three wins from last year's 5-11 record. Cribbs also might have saved Browns head coach Eric Mangini's job.

Cribbs was one of the few bright spots for Cleveland last season. He made the Pro Bowl as a kick returner, but his ability to run the Wildcat also added a new wrinkle to the Browns' struggling offense, which finished last in the NFL in 2009.

The Browns plan to expand Cribbs' role, both in the Wildcat and as a receiver. The more the team is able to get the ball in his hands, the better.

Despite Cleveland adding pieces in the draft and free agency, Cribbs remains the Browns' most-feared player. He's also a locker-room leader and, perhaps, the new face of Cleveland sports now that LeBron James signed with the Miami Heat.

BALTIMORE RAVENS: RAY LEWIS

Lewis, 35, is no longer the Ravens' best player. That distinction could be shared by Ray Rice, Ed Reed and Haloti Ngata. But Lewis' leadership still makes him Baltimore's most indispensable player.

Lewis remains the heart and soul of a team many feel is a Super Bowl contender this year. Physically, the Ravens are stacked with talent at nearly every position. But there's no one in the locker room who can replace Lewis' role as the motivational leader.

On the field, Lewis made his 11th Pro Bowl last season, recording 134 tackles and three sacks. Backups Dannell Ellerbe or Tavares Gooden would be significant drop-offs if Lewis were injured. On the other hand, the Ravens have plenty of quality replacements ready for Rice, Reed and Ngata. Even Joe Flacco has a capable backup in veteran quarterback Marc Bulger.

CINCINNATI BENGALS: CEDRIC BENSON

Cincinnati is a team better defined by the sum of its parts. But if I had to pick the most important non-quarterback, it would be Benson.

The Bengals have two very good cornerbacks: Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph. They have plenty of receivers, including two who have put up Hall of Fame-caliber numbers in Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. But Benson is the workhorse who makes it all work. Benson opens things up for the passing game, which was inconsistent last season, and he moves the chains to help keep the defense off the field.

Second-year tailback Bernard Scott will help Benson carry the load this year. He showed positive flashes as a rookie, but the former sixth-round pick remains unproven. With Cincinnati expected to pass more, Benson might not match his career-best 1,251 rushing yards from last season. But that doesn't make him any less important.

A team-by-team look at the most indispensable players (non-quarterbacks) in the division.

Take that parenthetical out of the above statement, and the division owns the league’s most indispensable player. No team could afford to lose its top dog less than the Colts with Peyton Manning.

But quarterbacks rank at the top of the list for a lot of other teams too, thus their exclusion here. Let's explore a division that’s likely the only one in the league that includes a pair of indispensable running backs.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: DWIGHT FREENEY

I consider Dwight Freeney the team’s second most important player behind Manning. Take Freeney away and an offense can concentrate on Robert Mathis. Remove the quarterback’s fear of the speedy rusher and then he has more time. With more time there are more confident throws. I like the Colts' secondary, but every man in it will tell you how much he benefits from Freeney’s work. Freeney affects the opposing offense's clock.

Colts president Bill Polian talks all the time about how the Colts won the Super Bowl the only season they had Freeney and Mathis together through the postseason. Mathis is a fantastic player, but certainly benefits from Freeney taking on the better pass-blocking tackle and drawing chips from tight ends and backs. The Colts actually have done well without Freeney in the lineup -- the Elias Sports Bureau says they are 9-2 without him and 90-27 with him. I still am less willing to sacrifice him than any other player on the roster except Manning.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: MAURICE JONES-DREW

Maurice Jones-Drew is an easy name to put in this slot for several reasons. He’s an excellent and productive back, for sure, but plug in backup Rashad Jennings and the Jaguars might still be able to run the ball OK. But Jones-Drew does a lot to bring the Jaguars their personality -- he’s a tough, no-excuses, no nonsense, workmanlike player. On a young team, having the singular star work that way is very important.

And he is a singular star on a team with a limited following. Without him, the volume on the national talk about ticket sales and a potential relocation would be even louder. Without him, the Jaguars would not have much of an identity. With him, there is a workhorse with a winning personality as the face of the franchise. That’s a very valuable ingredient for a young squad trying to climb out of last place. And the guy is a rugged, productive back. He accounted for 31 percent of the offensive yards and 47 percent of the offensive touchdowns last season.

HOUSTON TEXANS: MARIO WILLIAMS

The Texans are working hard to get a good pass rush from linemen other than Mario Williams in order to take advantage of one-on-one matchups that his presence helps create. The team has survived without Andre Johnson before. Take Williams away and a lot of opponents could change their blocking approach. Quarterbacks would drop back with far less worry, and have far more time to pick on young cornerbacks.

Like Freeney, Williams draws extra attention from running backs and tight ends. If one fewer pass target is available to the quarterback or isn’t available as soon, that can make a significant difference to an offense. Left tackles study extra hard to prepare for Williams. If they get beat badly on one play at the wrong time, it can be a complete game-changer. Williams had nine sacks last season with a shoulder injury and insufficient help. If he's healthy and has an improved supporting cast, he’ll be a terror.

TENNESSEE TITANS: CHRIS JOHNSON

Javon Ringer might be a solid NFL back. But the gap between Tennessee’s No. 2 running back and Chris Johnson is a wide one. Coming off just the sixth 2,000-yard rushing season in NFL history, Johnson ranks as the NFL’s most explosive player. His speed creates a fear factor that dictates defensive schemes for every play he’s on the field.

His swagger -- a nicely measured combination of confidence and cockiness -- does a lot to give the Titans their personality. Running behind one of the best offensive lines in the league, Johnson is a home run threat on every play. Defenders know if he breaks into the open field, the perfect angle won’t be enough to catch him because of his ability to pull away. And he’s not only a threat out of the backfield, but a capable pass-catcher as well. Did you see how some teams panicked when he split out prior to a snap last year?

A team-by-team look at the most indispensable players (non-quarterbacks) in the division.

In the AFC West, the most indispensable players on teams are not necessarily quarterbacks, anyway. Of the four quarterbacks in the division. only San Diego's Philip Rivers is his team’s best player. So, this list features an important group of players for different reasons.

Without any further ado:

DENVER BRONCOS: CHAMP BAILEY

Truly, Bailey is third on my list for Denver, but because an indispensable player should be healthy, the choice is Bailey. My original choice was linebacker Elvis Dumervil, but he is out until December, at least, with a torn pectoral muscle. My choice also could have been star left tackle Ryan Clady, but he was hurt in April while playing basketball. He returned to practice Wednesday, but there are no guarantees he'll be 100 percent soon. This is not to say Bailey is a slouch. Even at 32, he is a premier player. He is a threat to change the game at any time. As good as Bailey is in coverage, he is as good against the run. He’s the total package. If Denver lost him, it would change its defense. He is a shut-down cornerback, and those are near impossible to replace.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: TAMBA HALI

I’m not going as far as to say Hali is the Chiefs’ best player. He eventually could be that guy, but he is a very valuable player. Hali is the best player on a weak front seven in Kansas City. He is the team’s only consistent player in that group, and he is, by far, the Chiefs’ best pass rusher. He consistently hurries the quarterback, and is a constant threat on passing downs. Hali keeps opposing offenses honest. He has to be accounted for at all times. Take Hali away from Kansas City’s defense, and teams would throw at will against it.

OAKLAND RAIDERS: NNAMDI ASOMUGHA

This is a no-brainer. Asomugha is Oakland’s best player. He is a dominant player at a cornerstone position. Teams rarely go after Asomugha because of his immense coverage skills. Eventually, Asomugha shuts down the half of the field in the passing game. Passing against him is not an option. He is also a threat against the run. He is simply a special player. He’s the type of guy offensive coordinators study all week and game plan against. Asomugha’s presence makes Oakland’s defense relevant and potentially special. Take Asomugha out of Oakland’s secondary and opposing offenses would have a field day.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: RYAN MATHEWS

This choice might come as a surprise. I’m not totally comfortable picking a rookie in this spot, but I truly believe Mathews is that important to San Diego’s upcoming season. Clearly, so does San Diego general manager A.J. Smith. He identified Mathews as the player he wanted to take over his running game after the LaDainian Tomlinson era ended in February. The Chargers’ run attack slipped badly last season, and it was 31st in the NFL. The Chargers’ offense was still dynamic, but it was all generated by Rivers. Smith ensured himself of getting Mathews and making him the focal point of the new running game by sending a load of picks to Miami to move up from No. 28 to No. 12 in the April draft. The Chargers believe their success rests in a renewed dangerous running game, and that Mathews is the man to supply it. So, despite the fact that there are several high-caliber and important players on this roster, the running game is the key in San Diego. The choice is the youngster from Fresno State.