AFC WEST PRESEASON GRADES

DENVER BRONCOS

QB-Kyle Orton (C+), Chris Simms (D)

RB-Knowhson Moreno (C+), Correll Buckhalter (C), Lamont Jordan (C), Peyton Hillis (D+), Ryan Torain (D+)

WR-Brandon Marshall (B), Eddie Royal (C+), Jabar Gaffney (D+), Brandon Stokley (D+)

TE-Tony Scheffler (C+), Daniel Graham (D+)

K-Matt Prater (C+)

OUTLOOK:  There have so many changes here since last season and so much remains up in the air that you'd be taking a leap of faith no matter which Bronco you draft, and yet the potential is there for great rewards if it all comes together.  The Marshall situation obviously looms large; even if he stays you have to wonder how his belly-aching will sit with new coach Josn McDaniels.  Speaking of McDaniels, as a Belichick acolyte he'll likely shuffle his running backs, which means a headache for Fantasy owners.  Moreno is the only breakout candidate of that group.  Orton's value is tied directly to Marshall's status.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

QB-Matt Cassel (B), Tyler Thigpen (D)

RB-Larry Johnson (B), Jamaal Charles (C), Kolby Smith (D)

WR-Dwayne Bowe (B), Bobby Engram (C), Mark Bradley (D+), Devard Darling (D)

TE-Brad Cottam (D+), Tony Curtis (D)

K-Connor Barth (D+)

OUTLOOK:  This is another team that seems headed in a pass-happy direction. It got the right guy to lead the way in Cassel, a rising star.  Johnson might seem like an odd fit, but he might actually benefit from being the change of pace instead of the center of attention, that is if his head is on straight.  Engram might not have much left in the tank, but he serves the purpose of keeping defenses honest and off the back of Bowe, who has breakout written all over him.  The Chiefs are one of the few teams in the league who could reasonably sustain an injury to their star QB, because Thigpen proved to be a solid player last season.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

QB-JaMarcus Russell (C), Jeff Garcia (D)

RB-Darren McFadden (C+), Justin Fargas (C), Michael Bush (C)

WR-Darrius Hetward-Bey (C), Javon Walker (D+), Johnnie Lee Higgins (D), Chaz Schillens (D), Louis Murphy (F)

TE-Zach Miller (B), Tony Stewart (F)

OUTLOOK:  Bringing Garcia into the picture wasn't exactly a vote of confidence for Russell, who might be on a shorter leash than you would expect.  The team's bread and butter is the running game, with three solid backs.  But, if he's healthy, it's hard to imagine that McFadden wouldn't be the main man. That is provided he can stay healthy, which was a stumbling block for him as a rookie.  If you're looking for a receiver, look elsewhere.  The Raiders are sorely lacking and the grade for Heyward-Bey is generous.  The best Raider Fantasy performer at his position is Miller, who has the makings of a top-tier tight end.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

QB-Philip Rivers (B+), Billy Volek (D)

RB-LaDanian Tomlinson (B+), Darren Sproles (C), Jacob Hester (D), Michael Bennett (D), Gartrell Johnson (F)

WR-Vincent Jackson (B), Chris Chambers (C), Malcolm Floyd (D+), Buster Davis (D)

TE-Antonio Gates (A), Brandon Manumaleuna (D+)

K-Nate Kaeding (B

OUTLOOK:  All eyes will be on Tomlinson, at least when he finally suits up after taking his usual preseason siesta.  Can he return to his previous form or is he in the midst of a decline?  I think we'll see something in the middle of those two extremes, and the TD's will keep coming in this offense, keeping him a no-doubt RB1.  Rivers is marked down from the highest grade because of how rarely a quarterback has two monster statistical seasons in a row.  Meanwhile, a healthy Gates is ready to reclaim the mantle as the league's top tight end.  Floyd is a nice deep sleeper at wideout.