The AFC West has been relatively busy in free agency this year and each team made at least one or two good signings. Last year this division was the best in the AFC with playoff teams like the Broncos, Chargers, and Chiefs. The Broncos and Chiefs dominated their opponents all season and Philip Rivers and the Chargers played well and stayed in the playoff hunt and eventually won in. But which of these teams made the necessary moves to stay at the top? and which team didn’t do much to help their cause?
Worst Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Key Acquisitions
Vance Walker, Defensive Tackle
Joe Mays, Linebacker
Key Losses
Branden Albert, Offensive Tackle
Tyson Jackson, Defensive End
Jon Asamoah, Guard
Geoff Schwartz, Offensive Tackle
Honestly the list of players they’ve lost these last couple weeks goes on and on. I count eight guys that either started or played a key role in the team being successful last year. Guys like Dexter McCluster who had an awesome year returning punts last year. We saw how bad it could get when a teams special team struggles, exhibit A the Washington Redskins. WIthout McCluster they might have a hard time winning the field position battle.
If the team had made some moves to atleast try to plug some of these holes it wouldn’t be so bad but they’ve only really brought in two guys that have the capability to start on the team. Maybe they can fill some holes in the draft, but there’s no way you're going to find eight starters in the draft, usually you're lucky to find one or two with the others providing good special teams depth.
The Chiefs definitely will have a tough time getting back to the top of this division after they struggled at the end of last year and lost many key guys like Akeem Jordan and Kendrick Lewis two young players who were key players on that defense. Not to mention 3/5’ of the offensive line in Albert, Asamoah, and Schwartz. I just don’t see how they can stay as successful as they were last year after losing this many players.
Best Team: Denver Broncos
Key Acquisitions
Aqib Talib, Cornerback
T.J. Ward, Saftey
Demarcus Ware, Defensive End
Emmanuel Sanders, Wide Reciever
Key Losses
Eric Decker, Wide Reciever
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cornerback
Wesley Woodyard, Linebacker
Trindon Holliday, Kick Returner
I honestly was debating on whether the Broncos or Raiders were having the best off season so far, and I know how that sounds. But even though the Raiders lost their two top guys I like some of the moves they have made bringing in guys that can still play at a high level, but these moves might MIGHT make the Raiders relevant. The Broncos moves are a case of the rich getting richer.
The Broncos had the best offense in the game in 2013 and the only knock on them was their defense and how it couldn’t stop a nosebleed. Well they attacked the defensive side of the ball this offseason bringing in key players to help solidify the unit. They were able to sign Aqib Talib a guy most had as the top corner available and T.J. Ward who I had one of the top safeties. These two paired with Chris Harris and Rahim Moore makes the Denver secondary one of the most talented units in the league. They also brought in Demarcus Ware to help rush the passer something he’s very good at. They lost Cromartie and Woodyard but they should be able to do fine without them.
One of their best moves though was bringing in Emmanuel Sanders to replace Eric Decker. Decker was too many the top receiver on the market this year so he was definitely in for a big pay day to be brought in as a number one guy. However to the Broncos he was nothing more than their third receiver and fourth best target. Bringing in Sanders who has starting experience in Pittsburgh to be the number three and replace Holliday as a kick returner was brilliant. Looks like Denver is ready to make another run at a championship this year.