The AFC West is a very talent rich division. Just this off-season alone we have seen a number of key acquisitions to shift the balance of power and make this division even more explosive. The best offense in the league is clearly the Chiefs. It seems like every team in the league wants to close that distance and add more speed to make their games with the Chiefs more competitive. The overall talent on each team in the AFC West is better than it has been in years. With that being said who are the best players in the division? We start with our All-AFC West offense.
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
This is pretty easy. Fresh off a Super Bowl winning season, and two years removed from a record-breaking passing performance, the Chiefs signal caller is all ready labeled a future hall of famer. He’s in the league’s history books already with more than 10 touchdown passes and zero interceptions in the postseason, and his playoff passer rating of 115.0 is the highest in modern day football by a margin of more than 12 points. Mahomes, who in 2018 was the youngest MVP in modern league history, is already off to the best start ever for a quarterback. Patrick Mahomes will be a terror in the AFC West for years to come with his ability to make the impossible possible.
Running Back
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Running back is one of the deeper areas of strength in this division. Denver Broncos alone have two former pro bowl running backs on their team with Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsey. I also could have gone with Austin Ekeler who arguably maybe the best duel threat back outside of Christian McCaffrey. The Chargers back is coming off his best season as a pro, including 92 catches for 993 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. However, Josh Jacob’s in his rookie year, shown he will be a force in this league for a long time. The Raiders bell cow back led the AFC West in rushing attempts (242), yards (1150) and was second in touchdowns (7). What makes these totals even more impressive is that Jacobs played half the season with a broken scapula in his shoulder.
WR1
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
When we talk about the best wide receivers in the league Keenan Allen’s name should be up there among the best. Allen’s ability to manipulate defenders in coverage with his eyes and his feet is elite for the wide receiver position. In terms of production, he is the only player in the AFC West to have over 300 catches in the last three years. He’s not flashy but he gets the job done.
WR2
Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Hill continues to show why he has the reputation of the fastest player in the NFL. He has earned his nickname cheetah. However, Hill is more than just a gadget player as his 2018 season indicated catching 87 balls for 1,479 yards and 12 touchdowns those are legit number one WR numbers. He missed a good portion of last season with a broken collarbone. When healthy Hill is the fastest ball carrier over the last four years in the NFL. Hill is the only NFL player to eclipse 23 mph with the ball in his hands.
TE1
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce is an elite tight end in the NFL, and many believe he is the best in the league at his position. Kelce has had 283 catches and 23 touchdowns since 2017 that is good for second place among ALLLL AFC West pass catchers, and he’s a tight end. Kelce can beat defensive backs with his physicality, or linebackers with his speed. There is really nothing Kelce can’t do with the ball in his hands.
TE2
Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
I went with a two tight end set for this list. It is hard to leave Waller out of this list he was a pro bowl snub last year as he came into his own a season ago. Catching 90 passes for 1145 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first year as a starter.The 6’6 250lb Waller is a former wide receiver who brings incredible size-speed that makes him an incredible mismatch out there. He is just getting started, and with better weapons around him in 2020, he should be even more of an impact player down in the desert.
Offensive Line
Left Tackle
Eric Fisher, Kansas City Chiefs
The former number one overall pick has had a solid career. He has started 98 games in his seven-year career, he has one pro bowl in 2018. He is much better in pass blocking than run blocking and the Chiefs only gave up 25 sacks on the season.
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Left Guard
Richie Incognito, Las Vegas Raiders
When Incognito just focuses on football he is an absolute animal. Many criticized the Raiders for taking a chance on him due to his age and his mental lapses on and off the field. Incognito paid significant dividends for the Raiders earning a contract extension a long the way this off-season. In 2019 Incognito had 5 blown blocks in 742 snaps, one of the best rates in the league. Incognito was also the second-best pass-blocking guard in the league according to Pro Football Focus.
Center
Rodney Hudson, Las Vegas Raiders
The best offensive lineman in the AFC West maybe in the entire league. Hudson is the best pass blocking center in the NFL by a comfortable margin, leading the NFL in pass blocking efficiency at the position for the last 5 seasons.
Right Guard
Graham Glascow, Denver Broncos
Graham Glasgow was one of the Broncos’ priority free agent signings this off-season and upgrades their interior considerably. He brings his 74.1 PFF grade, which is the highest among all AFC West guards, just above Incognito’s 74.0 grade.
Right Tackle
Mitchell Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs
The definition of a NFL iron-man Mitchell Schwartz, who has been the model of consistency and dominance during his All-Pro career. Schwartz has never missed a game in his eight-year career, totaling 128 starts. Schwartz has been one of the highest graded players at his position, as well as being voted 2nd team All-Pro three times, and first team all Pro once.
Final Count
- Chiefs – 5
- Raiders – 4
- Chargers – 1
- Broncos – 1
