NFL Draft 2011: Power Ranking Top 10 AFC West Rookies to Watch in 2011

The AFC West is quickly going to turn into one of the more interesting divisions in the league as the margin of competition becomes more balanced. The wild, wild AFC West is about to see an influx of incredible young talent as all four teams landed impact players for the 2011 season.

Denver had arguably the best draft of any team in the NFL as they brought in potential superstar after potential superstar and several franchise cornerstone pieces.

Kansas City strengthened its team on both sides of the ball, including stealing some first-round talent early.

Oakland solidified their offensive line, which will allow Darren McFadden to continue his dominance next season.

Finally, the Chargers are positioning themselves to take back their AFC West division crown by securing high-profile players who have the ability to start.

Here are your top 10 AFC West rookies to watch in 2011.

10. Virgil Green, Denver Broncos TE

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Height: 6’3”

Weight: 249 lbs

Career Stats: 71 receptions, 911 yards, 11 touchdowns

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash – 4.64

Bench Press – 23.0

Vertical Jump – 42.5

Broad Jump – 130.0

3-Cone Drill – 6.9

20-yard Shuttle – 4.4

60-yard Shuttle – 11.63

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How Virgil Green fell to the beginning of the seventh round is beyond me. He was one of my top tight ends in the class because of his all-around abilities on the field. A high-character player, he is not just a receiving tight end as he is also a willing blocker. He has the potential to be a reliable leader in the locker room, but will instantly become a favorite target for whichever quarterback lines up behind center.

He has great speed, hands, agility and separation skills. He can get down the field in a hurry and uses his solid frame to create separation. Julius Thomas may have been picked before Virgil, but I expect this tight end to make the bigger impact as he is the more polished all-around player between the two.

9. Orlando Franklin, Denver Broncos OG

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Height: 6’6”

Weight: 316 lbs

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash – 5.2

Bench Press – 26.0

Vertical Jump – 28.5

Broad Jump – N/A

3-Cone Drill – N/A

20-yard Shuttle – N/A

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

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Orlando Franklin is one of the best all-around interior lineman in this draft. He will help solidify an already great offensive line, which will protect the quarterback but more importantly create running lanes for Knowshon Moreno to break out this season.

He has the ability to step in and play immediately as a rookie as he comes from a great program in Miami. He has great size but also the quickness, power and athleticism every coach wants out of his interior lineman.

8. Rodney Hudson, Kansas City Chiefs OG/C

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Height: 6’2”

Weight: 299 lbs

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash – 5.31

Bench Press – 27.0

Vertical Jump – 25.4

Broad Jump – 95.0

3-Cone Drill – 8.03

20-yard Shuttle – 4.96

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

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Rodney Hudson is a versatile interior lineman who can play guard or center but will most likely be used to plug a hole at guard for the Chiefs. This is a big, powerful offensive guard who will knock defenders on the ground blocking for his running backs. He has solid footwork, which will allow him to step back and protect Matt Cassel and give him adequate time to read the defense and make the correct decision.

Hudson is prepared to step in immediately and will make an impact for the Chiefs as he solidifies a solid offensive line. He will help improve a young team that is on the brink of contending for a Super Bowl Championship due to their ability to exploit defenses through the air and on the ground.

7. Marcus Gilchrist, San Diego Chargers DB

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Height: 5’10”

Weight: 195 lbs

Career Stats: 190 tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash – 4.51

Bench Press – 26.0

Vertical Jump – 38.5

Broad Jump – 119.0

3-Cone Drill – 6.81

20-yard Shuttle – 4.12

60-yard Shuttle – 11.19

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Marcus Gilchrist has the versatility to play both cornerback and safety, which will be a luxury for the San Diego Chargers. He is a fine ballhawk despite the lack of career interceptions, but he is fantastic in run support.

In a division with great running backs such as Jamaal Charles, Darren McFadden and Thomas Jones, the Chargers desperately need a defensive back who is willing to tackle. Gilchrist has great speed and uses it to close in quickly on runners and receivers. This is a player who consistently finds himself around the ball and should become a fan favorite because of it.

6. Jonathan Baldwin, Kansas City Chiefs WR

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Height: 6’4”

Weight: 228 lbs

Career Stats: 128 receptions, 2,337 yards, 16 touchdowns

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash – 4.5

Bench Press – 20.0

Vertical Jump –42.0

Broad Jump – 129.0

3-Cone Drill – 7.07

20-yard Shuttle – 4.34

60-yard Shuttle – 11.4

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Baldwin is a big, strong receiver who has the ability to dominate a game with his deep threat and leaping abilities. He heads to a great destination as he will be able to work opposite Dwayne Bowe, who emerged in 2010 as one of the game’s top receivers.

Baldwin will serve even more of a purpose as he will greatly help create open space for the speedy Dexter McCluster. McCluster has the talent to dominate a game like Wes Welker does in New England as he has elite agility and speed.

Baldwin essentially completes this offense since he will open the field for McCluster and won’t allow defenses to double-team Bowe anymore. He can get down the field in a hurry and use his big body to create separation. Matt Cassel will enjoy throwing to this target.

5. Rahim Moore, Denver Broncos S

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Height: 6’0”

Weight: 202 lbs

Career Stats: 180 tackles, 1 sacks, 14 interceptions

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash – 4.62

Bench Press – 11.0

Vertical Jump – 35.0

Broad Jump – 115.0

3-Cone Drill – 6.98

20-yard Shuttle – 3.96

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

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Rahim Moore was my No. 1 rated safety in the entire class. He will help solidify a talented secondary with his all-around ability. He is a sound tackler who will not hesitate to wrap-up ball carriers, but is more importantly a very good ball-hawk with his solid hands and instincts. He makes great plays in coverage and has the speed to attack ball carriers and migrate to the ball when it’s in the air.

He will be able to learn from one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history in Champ Bailey. He will become a leader and on and off the field, but also learn from Champ how to improve his ability to make plays on the ball.

4. Stefen Wisniewski, Oakland Raiders, OG/C

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Height: 6’3”

Weight: 313 lbs

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash – 5.35

Bench Press – 30.0

Vertical Jump – 28.5

Broad Jump – 100.0

3-Cone Drill – 7.51

20-yard Shuttle – 4.63

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

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Offensive linemen are often the most underrated players in all of sports. Heading to Oakland is the prime destination for one of the most versatile, intelligent and high-character offensive lineman in the class. Stefen Wisniewski’s uncle is a former offensive lineman in the NFL and current offensive line coach for the Raiders. Stefen will instantly be welcomed by the organization and will feel comfortable heading to Oakland.

Stefen will quickly become a leader in the locker room for this young team that desperately needs a responsible figure. Robert Gallery probably won’t be back, which means Stefen will step in immediately to fill his shoes. Even if Gallery returns, Stefen has the versatility to play center. The Raiders are looking to run the ball first and foremost and solidified their line with this year’s class.

3. Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs OLB

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Height: 6’3”

Weight: 270 lbs

Career Stats: 110 tackles, 19 sacks, 1 interception

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash – 4.68

Bench Press – 30.0

Vertical Jump – 36.5

Broad Jump – 125.0

3-Cone Drill – 6.95

20-yard Shuttle – 4.37

60-yard Shuttle – 11.46

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Justin Houston was a mid-to-late first rounder due to his on-field ability leading up to the draft, but character issues and a failed drug test caused him to slip all the way to the beginning of the third round—where he could now be considered a steal.

Houston is one of the better pass-rushers in this class with his amazing athleticism, speed and quickness. The Chiefs needed a potentially elite pass-rusher to complete their defense. He will be Kansas City’s “go-get-‘em” quarterback attacker as he is relentlessly unleashed from the edge. He will help improve what is already one of the top secondary units in the league.

2. Corey Liuget, San Diego Chargers DT

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Height: 6’2”

Weight: 298 lbs

Career Stats: 125 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash – 4.99

Bench Press – 27.0

Vertical Jump – 27.5

Broad Jump – 102.0

3-Cone Drill – 7.48

20-yard Shuttle – 4.68

60-yard Shuttle – N/A

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Corey Liuget will not be a bust in this league—not with his amazing work ethic and determination. He is a high-character player who will quickly become a leader on and off the field. He has a great motor and uses his body extremely well to his advantage. He is a strong kid, but it is his agility and quick step that allows him to shred blockers on his way to the backfield.

The Chargers needed a versatile defensive lineman who can be shifted from the tackle to the end position on any play. Liuget has the size and strength to play tackle in any system but also the speed and quickness to play end as well.

1. Von Miller, Denver Broncos OLB

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Height: 6’3”

Weight: 246 lbs

Career Stats: 178 tackles, 33 sacks, 1 interception

Combine Results:

40-yard Dash – 4.53

Bench Press – 21.0

Vertical Jump – 37.0

Broad Jump – 126.0

3-Cone Drill – 6.7

20-yard Shuttle – 4.06

60-yard Shuttle – 11.15

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Von Miller was easily my No. 2 prospect in this entire draft class. His competitive nature tops everyone in his class as he is the type of player who will leave it all on the field and simply loves competing in all events. He participated and excelled in just about every offseason workout and individual drill.

He is the premier pass rusher in this draft with his incredible instincts, speed and quickness. He explodes off the edge and uses his great leg strength to propel himself into quarterbacks. John Fox lands an elite linebacker who will still excel in the 4-3 defense with his natural gifts.

He will quickly become a locker room leader with his high-character and willingness to accept responsibility. Teammates will look to lean on him on and off the field as he is a highly respected performer and person.