NFL Power Rankings: Philip Rivers and the AFC West's Best Offensive Playmakers

Each season, The NFL is stocked with big-time playmakers on the offensive side of the ball.

Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Adrian Peterson are just a few players that are some of the best offensive playmakers not only in their respective divisions, but also in the entire league.

For the AFC West, Chargers QB Philip Rivers and Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles lead the way, but who else made the cut as one of the top offensive playmakers in the division?

Find out with my list of the top 10 playmakers on the offensive side of the ball in this special feature.

10. TE Kevin Boss, Oakland Raiders

The Raiders scooped up former Giants tight end Kevin Boss in free agency, after they lost the dependable Zack Miller.

Boss is big at 6'6, 255 lbs, and should be a nice target for QB Jason Campbell in the red zone this season.

He's averaged over 530 receiving yards and five touchdowns over the last two seasons, including an impressive 15.4 yards-per-catch average in 2010.

His addition to Oakland's offense should instantly make them a better unit this year.

9. WR Steve Breaston, Kansas City Chiefs

The former Arizona Cardinal joined the Chiefs for the 2011 season in free agency earlier this offseason.

He brings with him a ton of speed and big play ability.

Even better, his best season of his four-year career came in '08, when he played under current Chiefs' head coach Todd Haley.

I look for Breaston to be a solid weapon in the slot this year for KC as he will really help their offense become much better overall.

8. WR/KR Jacoby Ford, Oakland Raiders

Ford showed last year why so many people were high on him coming into the 2010 NFL Draft.

The former Clemson star had an excellent rookie season, as he picked up 470 receiving yards and scored seven total TDs along the way.

He might just be the fastest player in the AFC West when he is in the open field.

I expect bigger and better things out of Mr. Ford in 2011.

7. WR Brandon Lloyd, Denver Broncos

Lloyd enjoyed a breakout season with Denver last year, when he amassed over 1,400 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns for his squad.

He quickly became the go-to guy for QB Kyle Orton, after a season where he only had eight catches for 117 yards in his first year with the team.

Lloyd averaged nearly 19 yards a catch, showing off his ability to make big plays for the Broncos.

He should be a main weapon for the Broncos offense once again in 2011.

6. WR Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers

Even though Jackson had just 248 receiving yards in five games last season, he is still one of the best offensive playmakers in the division.

In '08 and '09, he had over 1,000 yards receiving each season and 16 touchdowns combined during that time.

For a 6'5 receiver, he can really get down the field and stretch out an opposing defense when he is at the top of his game.

He should return to form this season, and show once again why he is one of the most dangerous receivers in the AFC West.

5. RB Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Last season, DMC proved to the rest of the league that he is a force to be reckoned with in the Raiders offense.

He had over 1,100 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving while scoring 10 touchdowns for Oakland in 2010.

He showed some of the same explosiveness that he had while playing for the University of Arkansas, and this is great news for Raiders fans.

At just 23-years-old, he is the future of this Oakland offense going forward and could be a star for many years in this division.

4. WR Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs wideout Dwayne Bowe has always had the talent to get the job done at his position, but it wasn't until last season when he finally started to put it together.

After an up-and-down first three seasons in KC, Bowe had over 1,100 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns for a Chiefs team that won their first division title since 2003.

He also was selected to his first Pro Bowl and started to get some attention from the national media for the first time in his pro career.

After an excellent 2011 training camp and a solid performance in the Chiefs second preseason game against the Ravens last week, the expectations for Bowe will be high this season.

3. TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

The best TE currently in the division grabs the No. 3 spot on this list.

He is just another good season or two away from being an NFL Hall of Famer, assuming that he can stay healthy.

When he is on the field, he is nearly unstoppable due to his 6'4, 260 frame and his good route-running and elite set of hands that he possesses.

I see Gates having another Pro Bowl season this year.

2. RB Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

Charles is easily the best back in the division heading into the '11 season.

He rushed for over 1,400 yards while averaging 6.4 YPC last season, which were good for second and first in the league, respectively.

He is without question the best player on the Chiefs roster, and at just 24 years of age, his best years are likely in front of him.

I expect Charles to have a great '11 season, while leading the KC rushing attack to the top of the NFL rankings for the second-straight campaign.

1. QB Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

The Chargers starting QB is the easy choice for the top offensive playmaker in the entire division.

The three-time Pro Bowler has been a mainstay in the Chargers offense since he was drafted by the team back in 2004.

He's thrown for 135 touchdowns over the past five seasons, and has easily been the best QB in the AFC West during that time.

I expect him to go to lead the Chargers offense to more success this season, as he makes yet another Pro Bowl appearance.