2010 NFL Preview - AFC Secret Weapons

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AFC East

Buffalo Bills - Leodis McKelvin, CB
After missing most of 2009 with a broken leg, McKelvin will reinforce a quality secondary that picked off 28 passes last year, tops in the AFC.  A solid preseason has returned McKelvin to the starting lineup, where he will need to build on his promise as a former early-first round draft pick by matching up with some of the division's home run hitters like Randy Moss, Brandon Marshall and Braylon Edwards.

Miami Dolphins - Anthony Fasano, TE
Fasano spent the first two years of his career as a backup in Dallas, then the next two on a middling offense in Miami.  Things are looking up for the Dolphins in 2010, with a massive upgrade at wide receiver in Brandon Marshall and improvement expected from young Chad Henne, Brian Hartline and Davone Bess.  That should open up the field for Fasano, especially in the red zone where he's proven his worth before with a 7 TD season in 2008.

New England Patriots - Rookie Tight Ends
Patriots tight ends have averaged a modest 43 receptions per season over the past 3 years.  That figures to change in a big way with the addition of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.  Although behind Alge Crumpler on the depth chart at the moment, both rookies should get plenty of opportunities to make an impact in the passing game, considering Tom Brady is a full two years removed from knee surgery and has a contract extension to earn, plus Randy Moss and Wes Welker both merit double coverage.

New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE
Yep, that Vernon Gholston.  Since being overdrafted with the 6th pick in 2008, Gholston has been a complete nonfactor for the Jets and finds his NFL career teetering on the edge.  However, he's been moved from outside linebacker, where he was completely lost, to one dimensional edge rusher in Rex Ryan's high pressure defense.  With just one job to do, lots of more dangerous blitzers surrounding him, and with his spot in the league on the line, Gholston has an excellent chance to surprise this season.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens - Ben Grubbs, OG
It seems a bit disingenuous to call a Pro Bowl alternate a secret, and even more facetious to call an offensive guard a weapon, but that's exactly what Grubbs is.  A big, quick road grater, Grubbs is a critical foundational element of what should be a well-rounded, Super Bowl caliber offense.

Cincinnati Bengals - Jermaine Gresham, TE
Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco will get all the attention, from the media and defensive secondaries, but rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham figures to get a lot of third down and goal line looks.  50-plus catches for the young pass catcher, with many of them coming in critical situations, isn't out of the question.

Cleveland Browns - James Davis, RB
Coming into 2009, Davis was an under the radar candidate to share carries in the Cleveland backfield, but a torn labrum suffered in practice ended his rookie season before it really began.  As 2010 opened, it appeared that Davis was an afterthought, behind Montario Hardesty and Jerome Harrison on the depth chart.  However, an injury to Hardesty has created an opportunity for Davis to have the season he was expected to last season.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Ryan Clark, SS
When you share a defensive backfield with Troy Polamalu, it's tough to get noticed.  However, Ryan Clark deserves to share some of the spotlight.  After 4 nondescript seasons with the Giants and Redskins, Clark found a home in Pittsburgh, developing into a reliable, hard hitting compliment to his more famous freelancing teammate.

AFC South

Houston Texans - Offensive Tackles
The David Carr era was defined by an annual quarterback massacre, thanks to a porous offensive line.  It's gone under the radar though, that the Texans have given up 2 sacks or less per game over the last 3 years.  An enormous part of the credit for that, and an offense that's blossomed with the pass rush under control, goes to recent draftees Eric Winston and Duane Brown, who are both just entering their prime.

Indianapolis Colts - Anthony Gonzalez, WR
Gonzalez spent the first two years of his career mildly underperforming his status as a fantasy sleeper, before missing all of 2009 with an injury.  With the ascension of Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, Gonzalez has gone from sleeper to secret, a mistake considering his skills and how much Peyton Manning likes to spread the ball around.

Jacksonville Jaguars - Rashad Jennings, RB
It's difficult to make an impact backing up a true workhorse like Maurice Jones-Drew.  In limited opportunities last season, Jennings showed flashes of potential, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.  MJD has been out of practice for much of training camp with a rumored knee injury, so it is likely that Jennings will be called upon to show more than flashes and become a true complement to the superstar starter.

Tennessee Titans - Stephen Tulloch, MLB
Although Keith Bulluck had been the anchor of the Tennessee defense for much of the last decade, it was Tulloch that led the team in tackles during 2009.  Now Bulluck is gone and Tulloch will be charged with leading the defense.  If he succeeds, the Titans have the look of a playoff team.

AFC West

Denver Broncos - Andre Brown, RB
Perhaps the most secret of weapons on this list, Brown was cut by the Giants at the end of training camp after missing all of 2009 due to injury.  The talented back has landed in the perfect situation, backing up two players that are dealing with injuries (Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter) on a team that will need to rely on the run.  At worst, Brown should provide an explosive change of pace to the veterans and at best he takes on a significant role on a team in flux.

Kansas City Chiefs - Tamba Hali, OLB
In his first 3 years in the league, Elvis Dumervil amassed a good-not-great 25.5 sacks as an end in Denver's 4-3 defense before exploding for 17 last year as the rush linebacker in a 3-4.  Fellow 2006 draftee Tamba Hali has the same opportunity with KC's defensive scheme change.  Hali's been okay (27 sacks in 4 seasons), but has the chance to be a breakout star.

Oakland Raiders - Kamerion Wembley, OLB
After three middling seasons with the Browns from 2007 to 2009, it's easy to forget Wembley's brilliant 11 sack debut in 2006.  Acquired via trade in the offseason, Wembley will be called upon to refind his rookie form and be a playmaker in an improving defense.

San Diego Chargers - Luis Castillo, DE
Linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips get most of the press for San Diego's defense, but it's Luis Castillo's quiet but effective play up front that eats up blockers and frees up his teammates to make plays.  If Merriman and Phillips go on to record double digit sacks this year, it'd be in large part because Castillo put together a Pro Bowl caliber year.