The AFC West was home to the Super Bowl Champions this year in the Denver Broncos and features a few teams on the rise with high hopes for 2016 in the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders. That being said all four teams have work to be done this offseason as they prepare for next season. Here’s a look at the biggest need and concern for each team as they head into free agency and prepare for the 2016 draft.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos finished the regular season with a 12-4 record and overcame many obstacles throughout the season on their way to a Super Bowl victory. If not for their star studded defense, they would not have been able to make it through offensive injury and a regressed performance from quarterback Peyton Manning.
Defense was clearly their strong suit, ranked number one overall with a vicious pass rush led by Von Miller.
Their biggest concern is at the quarterback position. Manning has not yet announced his future plans on if he will play another season or if he will ride of into the sunset, ending his career on top with two Super Bowl championships.
With Manning’s decision looming, Denver has Brock Osweiler, a free agent, to think about as well.
In eight games with the Broncos, Osweiler threw for 1,967 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also led the Broncos to an impressive overtime victory ending the New England Patriots bid at an undefeated season.
Denver is waiting on Manning’s decision before making their own when it comes to the quarterback position, and with it being the most important position in the game, this is a big concern to have up in the air.
Kansas City Chiefs
KC finished second in the AFC West this past season with an 11-5 record earning a Wild Card spot and advancing to the divisional round after defeating the Houston Texans. However, the Patriots ended their Super Bowl hopes with a close 27-20 victory. The Chiefs made a lot of progress last season and proved many doubters wrong with an impressive second half push.
After going 1-5 in their first six games and losing five in a row, the Chiefs buckled down and won 10 straight to end the season. Not only did they overcome such a losing streak, but also the loss of star running back Jamaal Charles, who tore his ACL ending his season after Week 5.
This offseason the Chiefs have a few areas of concern, most important come from both sides of the ball.
Offensively, they still need to bring in a receiver to upgrade the offense and complement Jeremy Maclin who was a big acquisition last offseason to help resolve their receiving woes. That being said, KC needs a solid number two receiver in order to create a much needed one two punch for Alex Smith, giving him a variety of options offensively and downfield.
Defensively their concerns come with free agents, especially Eric Berry who is a free agent this offseason. Several keys to their defensive lineup could potentially test the market and be in a different uniform next season.
The front office will have to evaluate the talent they have and decide who to go after to retain this offseason. While they have some cap space, they won’t be able to keep everyone.
The Chiefs defense was solid in 2015, and their secondary performed well, with Berry paving the way. He is a free agent that will draw a lot of interest from other teams looking to improve in the backfield, so the Chiefs may go after him hard to keep him in KC.
Oakland Raiders
The silver and black finished in third place of the AFC West with a 7-9 record in Jack Del Rio’s first year as head coach. They had many ups and downs this year, but made strides as their young players continue to develop and give the front office solid performances to build on.
Derek Carr and the offense performed rather well this year, with rookie standout Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree reaching the endzone.
Offensively the Raiders need to continue to build the Offensive Line, but their biggest concern for this offseason is on the defensive side of the ball.
With the retirement of Charles Woodson, the Raiders secondary is in dire need of improvement. While David Amerson and T.J. Carrie did okay last season, they need improvements and big time corners to shut down a downfield threat. D.J. Hayden’s time in Oakland has to come to an end, he has underperformed everywhere he is placed with a burn percentage that is unacceptable; it’s simply time for the Raiders to move on.
Oakland’s secondary is easily their weakest link and in need of being revamped.
Up front they have Khalil Mack making some serious noise and leading a pass rush, but of course that can always be strengthened with a new name, but also brings about the question of Aldon Smith, and whether or not the Raiders will bring him back this year after his served suspension.
Oakland has made strides, but has some work to do defensively, but number one priority has to be in the secondary.
San Diego Chargers
The Bolts finished in last place of the West with a 4-12 record in what was a highly disappointing season. They were also 0-6 in divisional games.
Last offseason, a huge need for them was the offensive line which was just riddled with injury, and this continues to be an issue for the Chargers. Philip Rivers was sacked 40 times in 2015, and used a league-high 30 different O-line combinations, according to ESPN.
The offense also had a difficult time running the ball as a result of their poor offensive line.
Bringing in targets for Rivers should also be a priority this offseason, but it all starts with the offensive line and that’s what needs to be fixed before anything else.
They have defensive concerns as well with Eric Weddle on his way out and some concerns with the defensive line, but the offensive line has been and will continue to be an issue until they find the right combination.