AFC West stock up, down: Chiefs in trouble at this key backup spot?

Stidham's performance bodes well for Denver. After starting QB Russell Wilson floundered last season, posting a career-low 84.4 passer rating, Denver needs someone who can push the former Pro Bowler.

Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos running back: The undrafted rookie out of Youngstown State probably secured a roster spot with a strong showing (10 carries for 48 yards, one TD) against the Rams.
Although the 22-year-old is undersized (5-foot-7 and 187 pounds), Denver should increase his workload after a strong preseason. In three games, he rushed for 113 yards on 21 carries and three TDs. Payton's system thrives when he can rely on multiple RBs, so McLaughlin is in a good spot.

Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers running back:  Kelley wowed during a 23-12 victory over the 49ers when he scored a 75-yard TD. The former UCLA Bruin should secure the RB2 job as he has impressed throughout the preseason, rushing for 141 yards on 15 attempts.

Kelley's development bodes well for Los Angeles because it needs a complement for star RB Austin Ekeler. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's system thrives when he can count on two backs. In 2022, while he served as Dallas' OC, the Cowboys finished eighth in the NFL in rushing yards behind the one-two punch of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.

Stock Down

Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders running back: The Raiders will reduce White's role with the return of  Pro Bowl RB Josh Jacobs, who signed a one-year, $11.8M deal. Jacobs — who led league in rushing yards (1,653 in 17 games) last season — skipped training camp and the preseason.
White, a second-year RB out of Georgia, had a decent preseason, rushing for 86 yards and a TD on 26 attempts. But he doesn't provide the same burst as Jacobs, so Las Vegas will probably use him as a third-down back during the regular season.

Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver: Against the Cleveland Browns, the rookie had three dropped passes, including the flub of a potential TD pass. 

"I would say that I've got a lot of room for improvement," he said after the 33-32 victory, per Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star. 

Rice has dropped four passes in three preseason games, a major concern. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes needs reliable pass-catchers to thrive, and Kansas City already has several questions about its WR room this season.  

Shane Buechele, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback:  Buechele could've moved up the depth chart with an excellent performance against Cleveland, but the 25-year-old struggled. He completed 8-of-17 passes for 89 yards and threw two interceptions.

Veteran QB Blaine Gabbert showed more composure, completing 10-of-18 passes for 169 yards and two TDs. Gabbert, entering his 12th season, will probably serve as the primary backup to Mahomes while Buechele will be the emergency QB.

"We had obviously too many turnovers, and they cost us points, so you can't have that, for sure," Chiefs HC Andy Reid said of his backup QBs in a postgame news conference.

If the league MVP goes down with injury for an extended time, Kansas City will be in trouble.