Kansas City, Mo. ? Nearing the end of a disappointing season, not all is gloomy for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A number of first- and second-year players are shiningly brightly in what amounts to real-time auditions for spots next year in what is certain to be a dramatically revamped roster.

Most prominently has been running back Larry Johnson, who had 151 yards and two touchdowns in his first NFL start Sunday in a 45-17 victory over Denver.

Kansas City (6-8) has won its last three games, and it is probably no coincidence that Johnson, a first-round draft pick in 2003, has gone over 100 yards in each game.

Also making a big splash Sunday was rookie wide receiver Samie Parker. A hamstring injury sidelined Parker during training camp, and he was slow to come around. But in his first opportunity to get extensive action, he had had three catches for 84 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown strike.

“He made a great pump move on the third down to go deep and get (the long touchdown pass),” coach Dick Vermeil said Monday. “And you saw how nicely he separated once he accelerated off his pump route.”

With Johnnie Morton hobbled and probably unavailable for Saturday’s game against Oakland, Parker could get his first start. Morton, 32, an 11-year veteran who has been inconsistent the past two years, could have a fight on his hands next summer at training camp to fend off Parker from taking his job.

“I’ve been lurking in the shadows a long time, so I had to take advantage of (the opportunity) when it got here,” Parker said.

Parker played so well, Vermeil is coming under criticism for not bringing him out sooner.

“Those positions are a lot more difficult to play than people give them credit for,” he said. “You just don’t go out and run an out pattern. You have sight adjustments, certain protections, certain positions and formations that the quarterback has to trust you if they blitz and we’re not blocking the guy.”

Parker, a 5-foot-11, 190-pounder taken in the fourth round, even received high marks for the way he played away from the ball, Vermeil said.

Another rookie making a rare start Sunday was Jordan Black. A left tackle and guard through his college career, Black was moved to right tackle and started the previous week against Tennessee.

“Jordan Black got better,” Vermeil said.

“He played better this week than he did a week ago. Sometimes there is a positive within an injury factor. This young man has stepped in there and played well.”

Willie Pile, a rookie safety, has played well the past three weeks in place of Greg Wesley and has a future with the Chiefs.

Nevertheless, playing young backups late in the season usually means veterans are down or the team is out of the playoff picture.

“Individually, you feel pleased that some of these young kids are growing and learning. But it’s no consolation,” Vermeil said.