A look at the offensive, defensive and special-teams playmakers for every team.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

OFFENSIVE PLAYMAKER

Brandon Marshall, WR

Marshall is one of the premier receivers in the NFL but has had problems off the field, including being charged for domestic violence (acquitted) and asking for a trade. Marshall, who has recorded back-to-back 100-catch, 1,000-yard campaigns, enjoyed another solid season in 2008, grabbing a career-high 104 receptions for 1,265 yards and six touchdowns.

DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKER

Champ Bailey, CB

Despite missing seven games last season because of groin, elbow and hamstring injuries, Bailey recorded 44 tackles and one interception. He's back at full strength.

SPECIAL-TEAMS PLAYMAKER

Lonie Paxton, LS

A long snapper playmaker? The Sacramento State product is one of the league's best at his position, coming from New England, where he played in 155 of the 161 games in which he suited up during his nine-year career.

Kansas City Chiefs

OFFENSIVE PLAYMAKER

Dwayne Bowe, WR

Despite being demoted during training camp, expect Bowe to have another breakout campaign. Bowe's hands and speed will be No. 1 on opponents' radars this season. He had 86 catches for 1,022 yards with seven touchdowns last season. Without Tony Gonzalez running pass routes, there may be more passes coming Bowe's way.

DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKER

Brandon Carr, CB

The second-year corner out of Garden Valley State figures to improve on a fine rookie season in which he had 71 tackles and two interceptions.

SPECIAL-TEAMS PLAYMAKER

Ryan Succop, K

The rookie from South Carolina, the last pick in the 2009 draft, had a nice training camp but missed two field goals in Week 3 of the exhibition season. Still, the kid can hit from 50 yards out.

San Diego Chargers

OFFENSIVE PLAYMAKER

Philip Rivers, QB

Brash and talented, Rivers took control of the offense last season when injuries ruined the defense and forced the team to play from behind. Rivers set career marks with 34 touchdown passes and 4,009 yards. Rivers looks to join Class of 2004 QBs Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger as Super Bowl champions.

DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKER

Shawne Merriman, LB

The All-Pro linebacker is still overcoming a knee injury that kept him out after the 2008 season opener. He had 39 1/2 sacks in his first three seasons.

SPECIAL-TEAMS PLAYMAKER

Nate Kaeding, K

Although he's inaccurate from beyond 40 yards, Kaeding is almost automatic from within, as he made all 23 attempts last season.

AFC EAST

Miami Dolphins

OFFENSIVE PLAYMAKER

Chad Pennington, QB

Sent packing from the New York Jets to Miami in 2008, Pennington turned around the Dolphins' fortunes. He directed a last-place team to a division title while throwing for 3,653 yards and 19 touchdowns. He'll feel the heat this season, not from opposing defenses but from team officials, who like second-year QB Chad Henne as their starter.

DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKER

Joey Porter, LB

The only thing bigger than Porter's motor on the field could be his mouth. He couldn't back up his trash talking when the Dolphins went 1-15 in 2007, but his 17 1/2 sacks in 2008 certainly spoke volumes. The veteran is now 32 but hasn't slowed down.

SPECIAL-TEAMS PLAYMAKER

Brandon Fields, P

Don't take field position lightly in the NFL. Fields averaged 43.9 yards per punt in 2008 and had 24 kicks inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He recently had an 85-yard punt in practice.

Buffalo Bills

OFFENSIVE PLAYMAKER

Terrell Owens, WR

T.O. insists he can be happy in Buffalo, as long as he gets the ball. But he got the ball in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas and still left each city sulking. Still, he's coming off his ninth 1,000-yard season in his last 11 seasons and has been one of the game's biggest playmakers. With a one-year contract in Buffalo, expect him to play for his fifth team in 2010.

DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKER

Aaron Schobel, DE

The Bills missed Schobel when he was out for last season's final 11 games, as they finished No. 22 against the run. Despite a recent elbow injury, Schobel will be in the lineup opening day.