AFC West stock up, stock down: Broncos RB rides again and more

With the second week of preseason coming to a close, teams are getting an idea of whose value is increasing and decreasing. Here are six stocks trending up and down in the AFC West.

Stock up

Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos running back:  In his first game since suffering a season-ending ACL/LCL tear in Week 4 last season, Williams minimized concerns about his injury. During a 21-20 loss to the 49ers on Saturday, the third-year RB rushed for 12 yards on three carries and caught four receptions for 18 yards.

The solid performance signals he's quickly recovering and ready to assume RB1 duties. Denver needs a workhorse to ignite its hapless offense, as it finished 21st in rushing yards last season and last in points scored.

Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver:  Rice shined against the Cardinals on Saturday, leading the Chiefs in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (96). "I've got a lot of trust in him that he'll make those catches in tough spaces," Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes said of Rice following the 38-10 victory.

The Chiefs offense can be difficult to learn for a rookie wideout, but the second-round pick out of SMU is ahead of schedule and already developing chemistry with Mahomes. Kansas City should give the 23-year-old a more prominent role.

Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback:  The rookie out of Purdue has been a pleasant surprise for Las Vegas. Through the Raiders' first two preseason games, O'Connell has completed 26-of-36 passes for 304 yards with three TDs and no interceptions.

The fourth-round pick is taking the lead in the QB2 race, which is good for Las Vegas. It needs a dependable, young backup since starter Jimmy Garoppolo missed 30 games with various injuries in six seasons with San Francisco.

Stock down

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs running back:  Even though Edwards-Helaire lost the starting job to Isiah Pacheco last season, he still had an opportunity to establish himself as a solid RB2 in the preseason. He's struggled, however, only rushing for 17 yards on seven attempts in two contests.

Since the franchise declined his fifth-year option earlier this offseason, it raises doubts about the former first-round pick's future in Kansas City. The 24-year-old needs a strong showing in the Chiefs' preseason finale against the Browns on Saturday. Otherwise, he might be on the roster bubble.

Brian Hoyer, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback:  Hoyer flopped in his preseason debut against the Rams on Saturday. He went 12-of-22 for 144 yards and threw an interception in the 34-17 victory. "He frequently held the ball too long and missed throws," The Athletic's Tashan Reed wrote of Hoyer.

It's a surprise to see Hoyer lack composure in the preseason because he's entering his 16th season and played under Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels for eight seasons while he served as the Patriots offensive coordinator. O'Connell will likely win the QB2 battle because he's flashed more upside than the 37-year-old.

Easton Stick, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback:  On Sunday, Stick could've secured his status as the backup QB, but he floundered in a 22-17 loss against the Saints. The 27-year-old completed 21-of-41 passes for 233 yards with two interceptions. "It was an uneven performance in the passing game for us," head coach Brandon Staley said in a postgame news conference.

The Chargers have a star in starting QB Justin Herbert, yet Stick's development is an alarm since he didn't look like a viable backup. Los Angeles should consider re-signing veteran QB Chase Daniel as a fallback plan.