NFL teams are beginning phase three of their offseason programs and with it will come Organized Team Activities. There still won’t be any pads or live contact, but teams can practice for six hours per day, and they’ll begin 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills.
We’ll also start to get an idea of how different position groups stack up for each team. So ahead of OTAs, let’s attempt to identify the best and worst position groups for each team in the AFC West. Perhaps it’ll show us where each team will seek to improve their rosters as the offseason continues to progress.
Broncos
Best: Outside linebacker
The Broncos have been one of the top teams the past several years when it comes to reloading at the outside linebacker position in a 3-4 defense. They always have a ton of those guys who can get the job done. Their top two guys are Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, yet they reinforced the group with a good player in the draft in Justin Hollins. Throw in Jeff Holland and Zach Kerr and you have yourself a strong group of players to get after the quarterback.
Worst: Inside linebacker
I wanted to put the quarterback group here for the Broncos because of the dysfunction already going on between Joe Flacco and Drew Lock. The problem is I actually think the inside linebacker group is worse on paper. The top two guys at Josey Jewell and Todd Davis. Their depth at the position is even more striking than the starters. If they suffer injuries at this position, their defense is going to have a bad time.
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Raiders
Best: Receiver
The Raiders have completely revamped their receiver group from a season ago. Their top players are now Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow. I’m not convinced that Derek Carr will be able to take full advantage of this group, but there is no doubt they’re one of the better position groups on the roster.
Worst: Tight end
When your top tight end hasn’t had a 100-yard receiving season since 2015 it might be just a slight problem. Yes the Raiders did add LSU TE Foster Moreau in the NFL draft, but he’s known as a more of a blocking tight end himself. We’ll see how this position group develops for the Raiders as the offseason progresses, but right now it looks poor.
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Chargers
Best: Defensive line
The Chargers have one of the deepest defensive line group from the interior to the edges. They added Jerry Tillery next to Brandon Mebane, and they also retained some of their interior depth. They also have Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on both edges making up one of the better edge rush duos in the AFC West.
Worst: Tackle
Russel Okung is locking down the blindside, but after Okung, the depth is quite thin for the Chargers. They have Sam Tevi scheduled to be the starter at right tackle and he wasn’t great in 2018. Past that they have developmental tackle Trey Pipkins, who they selected in the 2019 NFL draft. If the Chargers suffer injuries at this position group it could be a long season for Philip Rivers.
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Chiefs
Best: Quarterback
It’s hard to give any other position group this honor for the Chiefs. It has the NFL’s reigning MVP in Patrick Mahomes headlining the show. Chad Henne has proven to be a solid veteran backup and helped Mahomes in his first season as a starter. There’s a ton of intriguing developmental depth behind Mahomes and Henne with the addition of Vanderbilt QB Kyle Shurmur and Wagner QB T.J. Linta in undrafted free agency. Second-year QB Chase Litton has survived rookie minicamp and could make a push for the active roster himself.
Worst: Linebacker
There are a few other groups I could have highlighted here, but I don’t think any of them look worse on paper than the entire linebacker group. The Chiefs have given us what they believe to be their starting trio, but they don’t look or feel like the best three guys the Chiefs could put on the field in their base defense. The truth is we don’t yet know who will even be starting at a lot of these spots. They’ve brought in quite a bit of competition in the form of Damien Wilson, Jeremiah Attaochu, Martrell Spaight, Gary Johnson and Darius Harris. Monitor each of those players as OTAs begin.
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