The last of our divisional previews is here, which means football is just a few short days away! We saved quite possibly the best for last-- the AFC West. The betting favorite Kansas City Chiefs (+160) will be looking for their seventh consecutive division title this season.
Led by former MVP Patrick Mahomes under center, this Kansas City offense will look a little different compared to last year. Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill was traded in April to the Miami Dolphins for an exorbitant haul, setting him and Mahomes up for their first campaigns in the league without one another. KC attempted to replace Hill with free agent signings Juju Smith-Schuster and the speedy Marques Valdes-Scantling, as well as by drafting receiver Skyy Moore in the second round. It will be worth following how well Mahomes clicks with all of his new wideouts.
One man he won't need to worry about chemistry with is tight end Travis Kelce. With so many new faces around him competing for targets, expect the ninth year player to be a staple in the passing game. He'll also be actively involved in blocking for the running back committee of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco and Jerrick McKinnon. I think this is CEH's last chance to secure a starting job in KC, we'll see if he's able to lock it down.
The departure of Tyrann Mathieu left many Chiefs' faithful distraught, but free agent safety Justin Reid should more than adequately fill his role. With Honey Badger five years Reid's elder, commanding a larger contract and having comparable statistics, this was a strong, unemotional decision by GM Brett Veach. He should work well with rookie first round cornerback Trent McDuffie limiting opposing passing attacks. If pass rushers Chris Jones and Frank Clark can stay healthy, this unit could be a good one.
Per MGM Sportsbook, the Los Angeles Chargers (+250) are Kansas City's toughest competition for the divisional crown. With third year quarterback Justin Herbert at the helm, the Chargers will look to improve an offense that finished fifth in total points in 2021. With dangerous three-down running back Austin Ekeler and rookie Isaiah Spiller holding it down in the ground game, there should be ample opportunities for Keenan Allen and Mike Williams to get one on one coverage on the outside. If you can score LA skill players in your fantasy leagues, I'd highly recommend it.
Recently extended Derwin James will anchor the back end of what could be the top defensive unit in the NFL. Trading the Bears for outside linebacker Khalil Mack and signing top free agent corner JC Jackson gives Los Angeles some premier names at all levels on defense. With all of this talent surrounding him, expect edge rusher Joey Bosa to put up monster sack numbers.
This team faltered late last season, losing three of their final four games to narrowly miss out on the playoffs. Head coach Brandon Staley won't allow that to happen again this year. This could be the most talented roster top to bottom across all 32 teams and the results will back it up.
Recently acquired Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos (+260) were in the headlines more than any other divisional foe this offseason, and rightfully so after making the blockbuster trade for the former Seahawks quarterback. The Broncos gave up two first round picks, a second rounder, QB Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant and DT Shelby Harris for the Super Bowl winning Wilson-- a massive trade by any standard.
The Broncos immediately became contenders post-trade, as their stacked roster has seemingly been a QB away for the last few seasons. Wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton will benefit immediately from the competence Wilson brings to the position, and sophomore running back Javonte Williams should explode behind a decent offensive line with less stacked boxes.
Headlined by outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, the Denver pass rush got even stronger this offseason after the addition of Randy Gregory. The two should wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks who are busy trying to figure out how to beat a talented secondary featuring second year corner Patrick Surtain II and safety Justin Simmons. This is easily the most improved team of the offseason.
The team with the longest odds to win this loaded division are the Las Vegas Raiders (+650). Like Denver, Las Vegas also made a splash trade this offseason, landing receiver Davante Adams from Green Bay for their 2022 first and second round picks. This reunites Adams with his collegiate quarterback Derek Carr.
Adams will join a set of pass catchers that includes slot monster Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller. With Josh Jacobs and rookie Zamir White in the backfield, this Raiders team actually has a pretty good group of weapons. They'll go as far as Carr can drive them on the offensive side of the ball.
The 25th ranked scoring defense will likely be the weak link of this team. Free agent defensive end Chandler Jones will be a solid pass rush partner to Maxx Crosby, and Nate Hobbs hopes to follow up a strong rookie showing at cornerback. Trevon Moehrig and Rock Ya-Sin will join Hobbs in the secondary in a division full of premier quarterbacks and pass catchers. They'll have their hands full for any intradivision games.
The Raiders have missed so heavily on their top selections the last three seasons. Even if half of these picks hit, it'd have a massive impact on the roster, especially the secondary. But Mike Mayock was terrible at his job and was rightfully relieved of these duties in January.
My pick to win the AFC West? I'm taking the Los Angeles Chargers to dethrone the Chiefs-- winning the division and claiming the #1 overall seed in the AFC. KC and Denver should also make the playoffs, leaving Vegas on the outside looking in. There'll be a ton of must watch games out west this year, make sure to tune in.
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@Choppinglines
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