Fantasy Football Projections: AFC West

Fantasy football week is upon us once again. Each FanHouse NFL division writer used their keen insight to predict the top four fantasy football scorers at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end.

Dennis Georgatos covers the AFC West.

QUARTERBACKS

1. Philip Rivers, San Diego: 4,000 yards passing, 30 touchdowns, 8 interceptions.

With LaDainian Tomlinson gone, the Chargers are Rivers' team all the way. His numbers in the last couple of years put him in an elite category and he's still got plenty of weapons in San Diego to distribute the ball to.

2. Kyle Orton, Denver: 3,902 yards passing, 24 touchdowns, 11 interceptions.

Orton is comfortable now with Josh McDaniels' complicated offense and should build on his career year last season.

3. Jason Campbell, Oakland: 3,425 yards passing, 20 touchdowns, 14 interceptions.

Campbell, with his strong arm, should thrive in the Raiders' high-risk, high-reward passing attack.

4. Matt Cassel, Kansas City: 3,200 yards passing, 18 touchdowns, 15 interceptions

Cassel has nowhere to go but up after struggling in his first full season as a starter in Kansas City.

RUNNING BACKS

1. Ryan Mathews, San Diego: 1,125 yards, 9 touchdowns.

Mathews has had a strong preseason, showing that the NFL is not too big for him. He has the potential to be an every down back, which fantasy players love in the NFL's era of specialization.

2. Michael Bush, Oakland: 1,075 yards, 7 touchdowns.

Bush has eclipsed Darren McFadden as the Raiders' top back because he's stronger, more durable and hasn't had the fumbling problems that McFadden has had.

3. Knowshon Moreno, Denver: 1,050 yards, 8 touchdowns.

4. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City: 1,000 yards, 8 touchdowns.

Moreno and Charles both need to become more consistent and stay healthy.

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Eddie Royal, Denver: 104 catches, 1,205 yards receiving, 11 touchdowns

After making a splash as a rookie, Royal is looking to bounce back from a sub-par sophomore season and the Broncos are going to give him every opportunity, moving him all over the field including in the slot.

2. Malcom Floyd, San Diego: 96 catches, 1,050 yards receiving, 10 touchdowns

Floyd figures to pick up the slack in San Diego, where Vincent Jackson is holding out.

3. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City: 91 catches, 1,090 yards receiving, 9 touchdowns

Bowe stands out as the Chiefs' most dynamic offensive threat.

4. Louis Murphy, Oakland: 88 catches, 925 yards receiving, 9 touchdowns

Murphy has evolved into a deep threat and spent the preseason building his rapport with Campbell.

TIGHT ENDS

1. Antonio Gates, San Diego: 70 catches, 875 yards, 8 touchdowns

Along with Tony Gonzalez, Gates remains the gold standard when it comes to ranking tight ends. He's athletic, has sure hands and is a first-down machine.

2. Zach Miller, Oakland: 65 catches, 850 yards, 7 touchdowns

Miller is probably the most reliable receiver with the Raiders.

3. Marquez Branson, Denver: 45 catches 450 yards, 3 touchdowns

4. Leonard Pope, Kansas City: 35 catches, 375 yards, 2 touchdowns

Branson and Pope are still in the process of trying to establish themselves and their role in their respective offensives.