Position Battles – AFC West

In the fourth of Eight installments, I’ll look into the many position battles that are fought every off-season. Nothing in the NFL is guaranteed, from the contracts to a roster spot, which is why the NFL is so intriguing every year. For every Pierre Thomas and Miles Austin, long-shots for an NFL roster, there’s a Deuce McCallister or Marvin Harrison, former greats, that gets cut. So, on that note, we’ll take a look at the AFC South, where rookies at receiver, linebacker, and safety are looking to make an impact in their first season and crack starting lineups.

San Diego Chargers

Safety
The safety position has been a point of weakness the past few years for the Chargers, as they have had to make due with lackluster talent and over-dependence on the cornerbacks. However, they have four intriguing and differing guys fighting for the two safety spots. Eric Weddle, former Utah standout and the team leader in tackles for the Chargers, was one of the best players for San Diego a season ago and should emerge more as a leader for the defense. However, young guys Paul Oliver, supplemental draft pick from a season ago from Georgia, and Kevin Ellison, late draft pick in this years draft from USC, are rumored to be heavily completing for starting jobs, surprisingly enough. Oliver is a big raw and played cornerback in college, but his transition to free safety has been an effective one, and he should push Weddle for more reps in practice due to his athletic ability. Ellison, very big, nearly-linebacker sized safety, has played outstanding for his draft position in practice, and is giving incumbent Clinton Hart a run for his money. While Weddle is most likely safe to start, Hart could lose out to the higher ceiling Ellison by season’s start, while Oliver will be fighting for free safety and nickel corner reps this season.

Denver Broncos

Outside Linebacker
For a team that a season ago showed so much promise offensively with Cutler, Marshall, and Royal running up the score on teams, the defense looked like they should be wearing Lion blue and gray in some games. While their defense is slowly rebuilding, a change to the 3-4 should make things a little more difficult for these guys to get comfortable. All four players fighting for the rush linebacking spots are former defensive ends, yet athletic enough to make the switch. In the lead for one side now is Elvis Dumervil, who has been one of the better players on this defense for a few years as a pass rushing disrupter. Also, 2009 1st rounder Robert Ayers from Tennessee is obviously who the coaches want to be a staple of their defensive unit. Two 2007 draft picks, Jarvis Moss (picked in the 1st round) and Tim Crowder (picked in round 2) have been disappointments so far in their career, and may need to make an impact in training camp to hope to get playing time this season. Dumervil and Ayers have the inside track, with Crowder probably competing as well. Moss has been a bust so far, and has even been rumored to be considering retirement.

Kansas City Chiefs

Cornerback
Some people believe the Chiefs could be vying for a playoff spot this season. I think that’s a little premature due to an unproven offensive line, a new quarterback, and a very young defense that hasn’t proven themselves yet. However, Brandon Flowers, 2008 2nd round pick from Virginia Tech, looks like the real deal at cornerback on one side. Opposite him, however, should be a two man battle. Brandon Carr started most of the season last year, and finished the year with 2 interceptions. He will be challenged by the talented yet untapped potential driven Travis Daniels. Daniels played in Cleveland, very sparingly, a season ago, but before that was starting for the Miami Dolphins. He has the tools to be a solid cornerback, and probably has more upside than Carr. Carr should get the inside track to start, but Daniels could be a quite surprise winner by training camp end.

Oakland Raiders

Wide Receiver
Because of Al Davis’s quirky draft habits as well as misfitting signings, the wide receiver corps is just as confusing as most other positions to figure out. Javon Walker is still in the mix, even though he has made it clear he’s very unhappy. He’s currently injured and will hopefully be back by the end of the pre-season, but you would have to assume he’d have the safest bet to start on one side. Opposite him, however, the questions begin to come. 2009 draft picks Darius Heyward-Bey (surprise pick at 7 overall, but a better fit for their offense than Crabtree and Maclin) and Louis Murphy from Florida could be in the mix for that #2 job opposite Walker. Johnnie Lee Higgins was a guy I was very high on coming out, and he has become a coaching favorite, a likely start for him at the slot. Chaz Schilens has flown under the radar with the Raiders, but if DHB and Murphy don’t pan out in year one, he could be the dark horse to be the starter. Arman Shields and Jonathan Hollard, both young and unproven guys, will likely be fighting for the #6 receiver spot, and special teams duty, as they try to make the team. Walker and DHB will likely be the guys to start, with Higgins, Murphy, and Schilens used at times when they can perform to their abilities.