AFC West 2020 Off-Season Review
By: Tarrian Rodgers
As it currently stands the AFC West as well as the entire NFL is looking down at the reining defending Super Bowl champs the Kansas City Chiefs. The AFC West a once competitive and storied division has been ruled by the Chiefs lately. This up incoming season Kansas City is going for its fifth consecutive division title, attempting to tie the 1972-1976 Oakland Raiders and the 2011-2015 Denver Broncos as the only teams to win the AFC West five straight seasons. With Patrick Mahomes leading the way, the Chiefs shouldn’t have much trouble accomplishing that mark.
The goal this offseason for each team in the AFC West was simple acquire more play makers and get faster. Each team got better this offseason with one goal in mind and that is slow down Patrick Maholmes and above all else beating the Chiefs! Let’s take a look at what each team in the AFC West has done thus far in the offseason.
Denver Broncos
In: RB Melvin Gordon, A.J. Bouye (trade), DT Jurrell Casey (trade), OG Graham Glasnow, P Sam Martin, TE Nick Vannett, DT Shelby Harris (re-signing)
Draft Additions: Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler, Michael Ojemudia, Lloyd Cushenberry, McTelvin Agim, Albert Okwuegbunam, Justin Strnad, Netane Muti, Tyrie Cleveland, Derrek Tuszka
Out: QB Joe Falcco, C Connor McGovern, DE Derek Wolfe, CB Chris Harris, S Will Parks, OG Ronald Leary
Broncos Grade: A-
Denver ended last season with two straight wins to finish 7-9. The goal for Denver this off-season was to build around their young signal caller Drew Lock. Lock has done enough to earn the starting job this season, and Denver did a nice job adding players to make their young QB comfortable
The Broncos, upgraded their backfield with former pro bowler Melvin Gordon, Gordon is a versatile runner who can make plays as a receiver. Health has been an issue for Gordon, but there is no denying his ability to score touchdowns. Denver made two trades, securing AJ Bouye and Jurrel Casey. Bouye replaces Chris Harris, while Casey gives the Broncos a steady interior pass-rush threat.
Denver may have landed the steal of the draft in Jerry Jeudy who many experts believe was the best pure route runner and receiver in the draft. Matching speed for speed with the Chiefs is really important and John Elway followed that up with drafting speedster KJ Hamler out of Penn State. The Broncos added tons of weapons and upgraded their defense this could be the year they turn the corner and make some noise in what should be a highly competitive AFC West.
Kansas City Chiefs
In: DT Chris Jones (franchise tag), CB Antonio Hamilton, WR Demarcus Robinson (re-signing), RB Damien Williams (re-signing), RB DeAndre Washington
Draft Additions: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Willie Gay Jr., Lucas Niang, L’Jarius Sneed, Michael Danna, Bopete Keyes
Out: OG Stefen Wisniewski, OG Cameron Erving, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, LB Darron Lee, LB Reggie Ragland, CB Morris Claiborne, CB Kendall Fuller, RB LeSean McCoy, RB Spencer Ware, QB Matt Moore
Chiefs grade: B
Kansas City entered the offseason with a lot of impending free agents. Which is often the story for a team that recently wins the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs lost starting corner Kendall Fuller, so cornerback may still be an area of need for Chiefs. However, in the draft the Chiefs struck gold drafting running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire from LSU.
If there is one position Andy Reid knows how to draft its running back. Edwards-Helaire draws comparisions to former Eagle Brian Westbrook. The last running back Reid drafted high was Kareem Hunt and he led the league in rushing as a rookie and Reid hopes he landed another one.
It’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the defending champs, but they also haven’t needed to overhaul the roster.
Las Vegas Raiders
In: WR Nelson Agholor, CB Prince Amukamara, DT Maliek Collins, S Jeff Heath, LB Nick Kwiatkowski, LB Cory Littleton, QB Marcus Mariota, DE Carl Nassib, S Damarious Randall, TE Jason Witten
Draft Additions: Henry Ruggs III, Damon Arnette, Lynn Bowden, Bryan Edwards, Tanner Muse, John Simpson, Amik Robertson
Out: LB Vontaze Burfict, Tahir Whitehead, S Karl Joseph, CB Daryl Worley, QB Mike Glennon
Raiders grade: A
After an excellent start to last season, the Raiders finished 7-9. Still, it felt like they over-achieved considering a lack of talent at wide receiver, a rookie running back, and a host of young players.
Las Vegas signed some solid pieces this offseason. Linebackers Kiwatkowski and Littleton are aggressive, tackling machines capable of covering a lot of ground. The keyword for the Raiders this offseason was versatility and they achieved that goal in a multitude of ways. Randall, Nassib and Heath make for solid rotational pieces on defense, while Agholor and Witten should provide some help to the receiving corps.
The Raiders desperately needed a No. 1 wide receiver, and with the 12th pick in the NFL Draft, they went for the fastest player they could land and that was 4.27 burner Henry Ruggs III. This year maybe a make or break year for QB Derek Carr and in the draft the Raiders surrounded Carr with enough weapons to prove himself.
Los Angeles Chargers
In: RB Austin Ekeler (re-signing), CB Chris Harris, TE Hunter Henry (franchise tag), DT Linval Joseph, OG Trai Turner (trade), OT Bryan Bulaga
Draft Additions: Justin Herbert, Kenneth Murray, Joshua Kelley, Joe Reed, Alohi Gilman, K.J. Hill
Out: QB Philip Rivers, RB Melvin Gordon, FB Derek Watt, WR Travis Benjamin, OG Mike Schofield, OT Russell Okung (trade), DT Brandon Mebane, LB Jatavis Brown, LB Thomas Davis, S Adrian Phillips, S Jaylen Watkins
Chargers grade: B-
Los Angeles, a team that has struggled to sell tickets since relocating from San Diego, looks to answer a major question this off-season is Justin Herbert the guy? The talent for the Chargers is their but for some reason the wins just hasn’t translated. The Chargers let Phillip Rivers leave in free agency.
Justin Herbert fell to the Chargers at No. 6. Los Angeles can afford to be patient with Herbert with Tyrod Taylor projected to open the season as the starter. Herbert needs time to develop his skills as he is still raw, but the pick has huge upside.
The Chargers did a great job of retooling their offensive line with the signings of Brian Bulaga and Trai Turner. The addition of Chris Harris solidifies the Chargers as one of the best secondaries in all of the league. The most important thing for the Chargers is consistency and staying healthy.
