AFC West.(NFL Free Agents Preview)

DENVER BRONCOS

MOVING ON: The club is shopping LE Trevor Pryce in hopes of saving enough money to retain unrestricted free-agent RE Reggie Hayward. But Hayward will attract a lot of suitors because of his pass-rushing ability. The Broncos are in line to switch to a 3-4 scheme, in which the emphasis is on linebackers to provide the pass rush rather than ends. That could ease the pain of losing Pryce and/or Hayward. If the team loses one or both, it likely will draft an end and/or find one in the free-agent market, perhaps the Ravens' Marques Douglas. Because of cap restrictions, Denver will have to choose between starting RCB Kelly Herndon and CB Lenny Walls, both restricted free agents. The big, athletic Wails (6-4, 195) has struggled with injuries, but he has more potential than Herndon. If Herndon goes, Walls will start on the right side. ACTION PLAN: Don't expect the team to be a big free-agent player because it doesn't have much money to spend. The team likely will re-sign LG Ben Hamilton, who not only is an excellent player in the scheme but also is the heir apparent to C Tom Nalen. The Broncos also likely will keep hard-hitting SS Kenoy Kennedy, who is coming off his best season. The team will need a sturdy nose tackle to anchor the 3-4 but is more likely to draft one than sign a free agent. Rod Smith will turn 35 this year, and the team desperately needs an impact wide receiver who can make tough catches on third down and in the red zone. The Raiders' Jerry Porter and the Steelers' Plaxico Burress are the prize free agents at wide receiver. The Broncos might make a serious run at Porter, who has hurt them in the past.--Patrick Saunders

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

MOVING ON: None of the starters will be unrestricted free agents. Backup RB Derrick Blaylock and reserve LB Monty Beisel would be missed if they were to leave. Both are versatile players who excel on special teams. Larry Johnson, however, finished strong last season and could take over for Blaylock as the backup running back. ACTION PLAN: The Chiefs need to acquire, at minimum, a starting cornerback and a starting linebacker. It's difficult to picture them bidding on, say, Charles Woodson, Fred Smoot or Gary Baxter, but a lower-priced alternative such as Ken Lucas (Seahawks) would make sense. The Chiefs then could draft a nickel corner and let Dexter McCleon, William Bartee and Julian Battle compete for the remaining corner job or move one of them to safety. A free-agent linebacker such as Ed Hartwell (Ravens) would be a better option in the middle than holdovers Kawika Mitchell and Mike Maslowski. The team might need to sign or draft another linebacker because WLB Shawn Barber (knee) won't be ready for the start of camp or perhaps the start of regular season. The Chiefs also would do well to sign someone such as Travis Taylor (Ravens), given the team's uncertainty at wide receiver. Among its free agents, the team should make re-signing LS Kendall Gammon its top priority. Gammon is among the best in the league at his position. DE Jared Allen could step in for Gammon, but the team is counting on Alien to contribute a Jot on defense in 2005 and wants him to focus on his primary position.--Adam Teicher

OAKLAND RAIDERS

MOVING ON: Doug Gabriel could step in if WR Jerry Porter leaves, but he lacks Porter's consistency, sure hands and experience. RB Amos Zereoue and LE Bobby Hamilton started for the Raiders last season and also could be lost in the free-agent market. Replacing Hamilton, the team's most consistent defensive lineman, would be tough, but Zereoue is expendable. Free ...