With most free agent impact names already signed, it’s time to re-evaluate where each team stands in the divisional pecking order heading into the draft. The AFC West was home to the Super Bowl champions last season, but at this point, it wouldn’t be a ghastly surprise if the Broncos missed the playoffs in 2016. The AFC West has stayed strong, and Denver’s the only team that’s taken a step back so far in free agency.
STOCK UP
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Oakland
Returning: OL Donald Penn, WR Andre Holmes, P Marquette King
New Additions: OL Kelechi Osemele, CB Sean Smith, OLB Bruce Irvin
Lost: OL J’Marcus Webb, OL Tony Bergstrom, S Taylor Mays, S Charles Woodson (retired)
The Raiders multiplied their strengths and took stabs at fixing their weaknesses. It’s hard to think of this offseason as anything but a success.
Read More: Are NFL Teams Being Smarter About the Free Agent QB Market?
At this point the Raiders have the best or second-best offensive line in the NFL, depending on where you want to slot them against the Cowboys. They attacked some holes on their defense in free agency by adding Smith away from Kansas City and slotting Irvin in at outside linebacker. They now have a legitimate No. 1 corner to play next to waiver sensation David Amerson.
Bringing back Holmes should keep them ahead of the game at wideout, though a faster back to complement Latavius Murray could help.
Biggest remaining holes: safety, middle linebacker
The middle of this defense still needs plenty of help. The Raiders tried to reel in Eric Weddle—who signed with the Ravens—but otherwise we haven’t heard much about them chasing safety help. The draft doesn’t have much of a middle ground at these spots either, unless you’re a believer that Ohio State’s Darron Lee is physical enough to play in the middle right away.
Donald Penn, despite playing on a baseball field, is still an offensive lineman for the Raiders. Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.
STOCK STAGNANT
Kansas City
Returning: S Eric Berry (franchise tag), LB Derrick Johnson, OLB Tamba Hali, DT Jaye Howard, OLB Frank Zombo, S Jamell Fleming
New Additions: OT Mitchell Schwartz, WR Rod Streater
Lost: CB Sean Smith, OL Jeff Allen, QB Chase Daniel, OL Donald Stevenson, S Tyvon Branch, third-round pick for tampering
The Chiefs have to feel good about where they are after this offseason. They were able to bring back most of the core of their terrific defense. And while they lost Smith, 2015 first-rounder Marcus Peters was an immediate stud for them and should cover any issues. You don’t need two star corners to have a good defense. Pair that with the return of Jamaal Charles and the signing of tackle Mitchell Schwartz to solidify the line, and I don’t see much reason for a dropoff.
I’m even a fan of the Streater signing, as he’s always had speed. Kansas City won’t ever have a dynamic offense under Alex Smith, but they’ve provided him with enough weapons to be a great ball-control offense. Perhaps even greater than the one in Denver now.
Biggest remaining holes: offensive line, cornerback depth
The Chiefs’ needs match up well with where they select. Allen could be replaced in short order by bringing on Kansas State guard Cody Whitehair. There are a ton of passable tackles available this year. And if the Chiefs could add a smart player like Clemson corner Mackenzie Alexander in the back of the first round, I think they’d be doing cartwheels.
San Diego
Returning: TE Antonio Gates, T Joe Barksdale, QB Kellen Clemens
New Additions: WR Travis Benjamin, CB Casey Hayward, DT Brandon Mebane, S Dwight Lowery
Lost: S Eric Weddle, TE Ladarius Green, DL Kendall Reyes, RB Donald Brown
Casey Hayward and Travis Benjamin are both nice additions in my view. Hayward, in particular, seems like a bargain crafted specifically for the Chargers. This team thought they solved corner in 2014 but Brandon Flowers is in decline and Jason Verrett hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
The problem is that this team also lost Green, lost Weddle, and their core just continues to get older. Barring some sort of career renaissance from Melvin Gordon and a healthy offensive line, it’s hard to come up with reasons why this team will be a lot better next year. Benjamin gives them more of a down-field element than Green did. Hayward helps corner inconsistency. Their issues weren’t that cosmetic — this team needed deeper upgrades. Philip Rivers should keep the passing game afloat, but the rest of this team just isn’t that good.
Biggest remaining holes: defensive line, safety
San Diego’s pass rush finished 25th in adjusted sack rate. Brandon Mebane is the type of player the Chargers could count on to fix this if they found a time machine to transport him back to 2013. Right now? They’re lacking a star player or two in the front seven. And with Weddle leaving, they are weak at safety. There are a lot of different directions the Chargers could go with the third pick in the draft. I’d probably be most tempted by Ohio State end Joey Bosa or Clemson’s end Shaq Lawson here.
If the Chargers are going to improve this year, they’ll need a rebound performance from Melvin Gordon. Photo: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports.
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Denver
Returning: LB Von Miller (franchise tag), RB C.J. Anderson
New Additions: T Russell Okung, T Donald Stephenson, QB Mark Sanchez
Lost: QB Brock Osweiler, QB Peyton Manning (retired), DL Malik Jackson, LB Danny Trevathan, S David Bruton, G Evan Mathis, T Ryan Harris
The Broncos still have key parts of their offseason unsettled. Nobody is sure who will play quarterback. Nobody is sure what kind of trade they can made for tackle Ryan Clady after reeling in two tackles in free agency. It’s certainly hard to argue that they didn’t get the better of Russell Okung in his contract. They also benefit from potentially being able to move one of these tackles inside.
Still, this team now has uncertainty at quarterback. They’re missing a couple of key up-the-middle pieces in Trevathan and Jackson. They’re still in a good spot defensively, of course, it’s just that they can’t count on utter dominance like they did last year. Especially if they can’t come up with worthwhile replacements for Jackson and Trevathan.
Biggest remaining holes: quarterback, defensive tackle, inside linebacker
At 31, the Broncos may be able to find a quarterback of the future. We haven’t seen the other foot drop on their quarterback plan, though I suspect it’s a step in the right direction.
The other main issue is trying to replace Trevathan and Jackson. Inside linebacker isn’t an area of strength in this draft, and restricted free agent Brandon Marshall is going to have a lot on his plate in 2016. Florida DL Jonathan Bullard would be a nice replacement for Jackson if he were available at 31st overall.
