With few exceptions, each position in the AFC West has now been ranked and counted. Time to put the rankings all together for a final ranking to see how they stack up on the whole.
1. Chiefs
Top positions: Quarterback, Wide receiver, Tight end, Tackle, Head coach
Stars: QB Patrick Mahomes, WR Tyreek Hill, TE Travis Kelce, T Mitchell Schwartz, DL Chris Jones, EDGE Frank Clark, S Tyrann Mathieu, K Harrison Butker, HC Andy Reid
Not surprisingly, the Chiefs have the No. 1 offense in the division. It all starts with Patrick Mahomes, who has collected an MVP and Super Bowl trophy over the past two seasons since taking over as the starter in Kansas City. He is blessed with the best targets in the division and easily the best head coach in Andy Reid.
Their defense is somewhat lacking, namely at cornerback, where they lost Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland is facing a lengthy suspension. The situation with Chris Jones is probably the biggest concern right now considering how crucial he is to the success of their defense. They also have rookie Willie Gay Jr starting at linebacker.
Aside from the potential issue at cornerback, their defensive woes don’t figure to be so much that they can’t make up for it by running up the scoreboard, putting opposing offenses in desperation mode, and forcing mistakes. They were certainly good enough to get the Lombardi trophy last season. No reason to think it would hurt them too much now.
2. Broncos
Top positions: Defensive interior, Linebacker, Safety, Kick squad
Stars: RB Philip Lindsay, WR Courtland Sutton, DI Jurrell Casey, NT Mike Purcell, EDGE Von Miller, ED Bradley Chubb, LB Alexander Johnson, S Justin Simmons
The best defense in the division belongs to the Broncos. Last season, the moment they got even passable QB play, they went 4-1 down the stretch, and the defense deserves a lot of credit for that.
Their defensive line as a whole could be the best in the league with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb on the edges and Jurell Casey, Mike Purcell, and Shelby Harris in the middle. They are backed by the top linebacking corps in the division in Alexander Johnson and Todd Davis.
The secondary is led by the safeties with Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson. The cornerbacks have been rebuilt and could end up being quite good with the addition of AJ Bouye, Bryce Callahan healthy again, and the addition of third-round pick Michael Ojemudia.
It was no surprise that offense was the focus at the top of the draft for the Broncos. With Courtland Sutton as the top receiver, they added Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler with their top two picks as they try to slim the gap between them and the Chiefs. That, of course, will depend on if second-year quarterback Drew Lock is the real deal. The rookie’s seven touchdowns and a 4-1 record in five starts is a promising start to this career.
3. Raiders
Top positions: Running back, Guard, Center
Stars: RB Josh Jacobs, TE Darren Waller, T Trent Brown, G Richie Incognito, C Rodney Hudson, DI Maliek Collins, EDGE Maxx Crosby, LB Cory Littleton
As of now, the strongest part of the Raiders is their offensive line. Overall, it’s the best in the division, and one of the best in the NFL. Josh Jacobs is one of the league’s top running backs and he thoroughly enjoys having these big fellas blocking for him.
Their offense is middle of the road as a whole. And, of course, how much they are able to improve depends on whether Derek Carr can show abilities he hasn’t shown since 2016. If he can’t; enter Marcus Mariota.
Jacobs and Darren Waller are far and away the top talents on offense. The glaring need area was at wide receiver, where they used their top pick on Henry Ruggs III and their pick at No. 81 on Bryan Edwards. They also get a healthy Tyrell Williams after he played through a nagging plantar fascia injury all season.
The defense as a whole struggled last season. And has for a few years now. They struck gold with Maxx Crosby in the 2019 draft and this year added interior defensive linemen Maliek Collins and linebacker Cory Littleton. They added some depth and competition to a beleaguered secondary, but the best they can hope for is second-year leaps by 2019 draft picks Johnathan Abram and Trayvon Mullen.
4. Chargers
Top positions: Edge rusher, Cornerback
Stars: WR Keenan Allen, TE Hunter Henry, C Mike Pouncey, EDGE Joey Bosa, EDGE Melvin Ingram, CB Casey Hayward, CB Chris Harris Jr, S Derwin James
Quarterback is obviously the big question mark for the Chargers. The Phillip Rivers era is over. The Justin Herbert era is about to begin. That is, of course, if he can win the job right away or if Tyrod Taylor will get the call initially.
Helping Herbert/Taylor will be some solid receiving targets in Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Hunter Henry, and Austin Ekeler.
This team is far better set up on defense. With the best edge-rushing duo in the division — and that’s saying a lot — as well as far and away the best trio of cornerbacks. And then, of course, there’s Derwin James returning after missing 11 games last season with an injury.
There is a lot of potential on this team, but with that comes uncertainty. After they used their pick at 6 overall on Justin Herbert, they used their second first round pick on LB Kenneth Murray. So, the quarterbacks on both sides of the ball will be rookies. Growing pains expected.
See AFC West ranking for OFFENSE
See AFC West rankings for QB I RB I WR I TE I OT I OG I C
See AFC West ranking for DEFENSE
See AFC West rankings for DI I ED I LB I CB I S I K/P
See AFC West ranking for HEAD COACHES
