NFL Key Questions: AFC West

The 2009 NFL Draft is in the books, and despite the holes many teams were able to fill with their selections, there are still questions surrounding all 32 squads. The Bruno Boys are here for you, though, attempting to shed light on the key issues surrounding all 32 NFL teams. This time we take a look at the AFC West.

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Denver Broncos

How will the Denver Broncos adjust to life without Jay Cutler under center?

Quarterback Jay Cutler threw for 4,526 passing yards, notched 27 total TDs, and threw just 18 interceptions in 2008. Impressive numbers, and numbers the Denver Broncos will be without in 2009 thanks to a mini-feud between Cutler and new head coach Josh McDaniels that ended up with the quarterback demanding a trade and getting his wish as the Broncos completed a deal with the Chicago Bears this offseason.

However, not all is lost for the Broncos come 2009. Yes, they will be without Cutler, but they do have some serviceable options to replace his arm in the likes of Kyle Orton and Chris Simms.

While neither Orton nor Simms have passed for over 3,000 yards in any given season in their careers, both men have surpassed the 2,000-yard plateau with Simms going for 2,035 yards in 11 games for the Buccaneers in 2005 and Orton reaching 2,972 yards just last season in Chicago.

So, while neither may possess Cutler's talent, they can play the game, and with real receivers in Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, and Jabar Gaffney to throw to, something neither man has really had in their career, whoever wins the starting gig in Denver should have their best season thus far.

But, even more important to weathering the loss of Cutler, will be the Broncos' running game. While the ground game was solid last season, finishing 12th in the league, it was the first time since 1999 that the Broncos failed to crack the top 10.

The main reason for the ground game's decline was injuries. In fact, lining up in the Broncos' back field seemed like a guaranteed way to end up on the NFL's injury report in 2008. As such, the team apparently felt one could never have too many runners as they added J.J. Arrington, LaMont Jordan, and Correll Buckhalter via free agency, while also drafting Knowshon Moreno out of Georgia with their first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Those four will join the likes of Selvin Young, Ryan Torain, Peyton Hillis, Michael Pittman, Andre Hall, and P.J. Pope in what promises to be an interesting offseason position battle. With so many options at the running back position, one can only assume that the team finds one or a combination of runners that's able to get the job done, and if that's the case, the Broncos' offense won't fall off without Cutler by as much as many experts are predicting.

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Kansas City Chiefs

Will Matt Cassel enjoy a year similar to the one he put up in 2008, when he burst on the fantasy scene?

Matt Cassel's 2008 season made for one of the better stories in the NFL last year. A no-name backup to Tom Brady at season's start, Cassel was quickly thrown into the spotlight as Brady was lost for the year within eight minutes of play. Cassel, who hadn't started a football game since high school, was all of a sudden at the helm of the the league's top franchise of late, the New England Patriots.

Cassel struggled some in his first two starts, totaling just 296 passing yards and one TD to go along with two turnovers, but the QB soon found his groove. By mid-season, Cassel looked Brady-esque, throwing for 400-plus yards and three TDs in two straight games during weeks 11 and 12 of the season. He finished the season with 3,693 passing yards and 23 total TDs, good for eighth among fantasy quarterbacks.

Cassel's success translated into a six-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, the team Cassel was traded to this offseason. The Chiefs obviously believe Cassel can repeat his 2008 performance, but the Bruno Boys aren't so sure. While Cassel had Randy Moss and Wes Welker to throw to in New England, his weapons in Kansas City are much more limited.

In fact, with the Chiefs unloading Tony Gonalez to Atlanta via a trade, Cassel's only legitimate receiver is Dwayne Bowe, who, thanks to Gonzalez's departure, will see more double coverages than ever before.

With so few weapons at his disposal, Cassel, even with Todd Haley, the man behind Arizona's aerial attack last season, as his head coach, will struggle to put up the same numbers he accumulated in 2008. At best, consider him a QB2.

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Oakland Raiders

Following a disappointing rookie campaign, can Darren McFadden turn things around in his second year in the league?

A lot of hype surrounded Darren McFadden heading into the back's rookie season. However, McFadden was held in check, not by opposing defenses, but rather by turf toe. The injury kept McFadden out of three games and limited him in a few more.

Thus, at season's end, the back accumulated just 784 total yards and four total TDs—not quite the numbers many had projected for the former Arkansas Razorback. But, fantasy owners shouldn't let McFadden's disappointing debut season sour them on the back as we head into 2009.

For one, McFadden appears to be healthy, reportedly impressing many who saw the back in Raiders' minicamp. And, that's good news for any owner willing to take a risk on the back. When healthy in 2008, which wasn't often, McFadden did show his explosiveness, including a 21-carry, 164-yard, one TD performance against the Kansas City Chiefs.

If McFadden can avoid the injury bug throughout this offseason, he should be able to secure the Raiders' starting gig. After all, Al Davis didn't take him No. 4 overall to sit the bench.

And, if McFadden, is able to secure the starting gig, his rushing numbers will benefit from the signing of new full back Lorenzo Neal, who was not only instrumental in the Baltimore Ravens success on the ground last season, but also cleared the way for LT for numerous years in San Diego.

Add in McFadden's ability in the passing game, and there's no reason the back shouldn't shine in his sophomore season.

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San Diego Chargers

Is LT on a downward spiral, or will the back be back to his old self in 2009?

The fact that a season that consisted of 1,536 total yards and 12 TDs, good enough to secure LT the sixth spot among fantasy running backs, is considered a down year for the San Diego Chargers' back demonstrates at just how high a level LT had been playing.

Nevertheless, LT's numbers did not match fantasy owners' expectations last season which has many asking whether or not Father Time is ready to make another superstar seem human.

The life of an NFL running back is not one of longevity, and with LT entering season 10 of his illustrious career, it does make sense for some to question what the back has left in his tank. But, take it from the Bruno Boys, while fantasy football is all about "what have you done for me lately," don't sleep on Tomlinson in your 2009 fantasy draft because he stumbled some in 2008.

Injuries, not age, are what caused Tomlinson to fall short of expectations in 2008, and based on reports coming out of Chargers camp this offseason, it seems the back is back to 100 percent.

In fact, Chargers' head coach Norv Turner has gone on record numerous times, stating that he feels with the way LT is going that he can get him the 300-plus carries he wants to get him.

That should alleviate health concerns some fantasy owners might have in regards to Tomlinson, and it also erases concerns owners have of Darren Sproles stealing some of LT's carries. If anything, Sporles' presence will aid LT as the Chargers' will look to use the diminutive back simply to keep LT fresh.

His name might not be up in the debate any more for that first overall pick, but don't be surprised if, by season's end, LT is vying for the No. 1 spot among fantasy running backs.

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