AFC

Peyton Manning has stolen Tom Brady's favourite target, after the Denver Broncos signed wide receiver Wes Welker in free agency. The news of the deal has been confirmed by NFL.com.

Manning hasn't had enjoyed many victories over his great rival. However, now he'll spend 2013 combining with the man who caught over 100 passes in four different seasons from Brady. That has to be satisfying.

More than a morale victoy in a lengthy rivalry, signing Welker boosts the Broncos chances of dominating the AFC. Although the 31-year-old isn't quite the force he was, Welker is still a master at getting open from the slot.

He is still sure-handed and nimle-footed and few receivers can match Welker's precise, intelligent route running. His very specific skills are exactly what Manning and his passing game needs.

The veteran quarterback already has a host of weapons able to stretch the field vertically. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker are both capable deep threats. Tight ends Joel Dreessen and Jacob Tamme proved to be useful goal-line targets.

According to NFL.com, the Denver Broncos are lining up Dwight Freeney to replace Elvis Dumervil, if the latter refuses to accept a pay cut. Apparently the Broncos are keen for Dumervil to reduce his considerable salary, which would see him make $12 million this season.

Dumervil is now 29 and has never been a force against the run. However, he is a stellar pass-rusher off the edge. The diminutive and cat-quick defensive end tallied 11 sacks in 2012 and has 63.5 as a Bronco.

In Denver's current defensive scheme, Dumervil forms a dominating tandem with versatile rush linebacker Von Miller. Yet while Miller is a player on the rise, Dumervil is viewed as a declining force.

Of course the same can certainly be said of Freeney. The former Indianapolis Colts star is certainly in the twilight of his excellent and lengthy career. He has always been an elite pass-rusher, but at 33, it remains to be seen if Freeney can still be a starter.

According to reports on NFL.com, the Kansas City Chiefs are willing to trade the number one pick in the 2013 NFL draft. It's a move new head coach Andy Reid and new general manager John Dorsey should make.

The Chiefs biggest need is at quarterback, however, there isn't a consensus top pick at the position. Geno Smith is probably the closest, but the field becomes considerably weaker after him. The Chiefs shouldn't use a bargaining chip as valuable as the draft's top pick on a player who doesn't merit it.

There's also the fact that any team coming off a 2-14 campaign and having made the playoffs just once in six years, has more than one need. The Chiefs need help along both the offensive and defensive lines.

Fortifying the trenches should be the first place Reid begins rebuilding the Chiefs. More importantly, the Chiefs do have options in the trade and free agent markets, to pursue a pro-ready quarterback.

Russell Wilson. Andrew Lock. Robert Griffin III.

Just three names from the list of the quarterback class of 2012. Names that should go on to have long and successful careers in the NFL.

Every player knows that the light that shines on them one year, could well be dimmed and be cast in a different direction the following season.

This could well be the case in 2013.

There is once again a new kid on the block.

Geno Smith, hailing out of West Virginia, is tipped to be, and rightly so, to be the No. 1 in this April's NFL Draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs probably never saw an end to their QB nightmares but now, loaded with a No. 1 pick at their disposal, that end is in sight.

New head coach Andy Reid knows a good thing when he sees it and if he wants to show the NFL world that his footballing sense hasn't completely left him then Smith will be putting on a Chiefs Red jersey very soon.

So we all know that the transition from college ball to the NFL is an immensely tricky one, you may have the ability, but do you have the extra special ingredient to rise above the hype?

Recently released veteran Charles Woodson would be the perfect addition to the New England Patriots Nickel defense. Head coach Bill Belichick is the ideal multiple-front defensive play caller to take advantage of Woodson's versatility.

The highly decorated defensive back is still a stellar performer at the age of 36. He would fill various roles in the Patriots hybrid, nickel schemes. One of Belichick's favourite fronts is a "Big Nickel" package.

This involves two linebackers and five defensive backs. One of those defensive backs is a hybrid player, expected to combine the attributes of a nickelback, safety and linebacker. Few players perform that combination as well as Woodson.

During his time with the Green Bay Packers, Woodson has been a dangerous weapon in defensive coordinator Dom Capers' zone-blitz schemes. Woodson has played all over the formation and been particularly useful in the slot.

Belichick currently lacks a versatile slot defender. Kyle Arrington lost his job as a starting corner and struggled to cope with the demands of playing in the slot. Woodson meanwhile, can blitz, and cover wideouts, tight ends and running backs.