The AFC West is home of the Super Bowl champions Denver Broncos but that isn’t to say there are not some huge questions for them heading into the offseason. The Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and San Diego Chargers all figure to improve this offseason. Having said that let’s take a look at my recommended offseason plans to make each team more competitive in 2016.
- Denver Broncos, 2015 record (12-4)
Key Free Agents: Antonio Smith, Evan Mathis, Vernon Davis, Ryan Harris, David Bruton, Brock Osweiler, Danny Trevathan, Malik Jackson, Ronnie Hillman, Shiloh Keo, C.J. Anderson, Brandon Marshall, Brandon McManus
As you can see from the list above the Broncos have plenty of work to do as the defending champions. The problem is currently Denver is a little over 5 million dollars over the cap. The good news is the expected retirement of Peyton Manning will create 21.5 million in cap space. Left tackle Ryan Clady is also expected to restructure his deal after missing the entire 2015 season due to a torn ACL. Those two moves alone will clear enough space to give Denver some flexibility. In my opinion linebackers Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall should be the first priority along with defensive end Malik Jackson. Denver proved they have a Super Bowl winning defense and keeping those guys together would be wise. Next I would have to worry about the quarterback situation. Due to the difficult cap restraints the team may be forced to part ways with Osweiler as some one is bound to over pay for his services. Schematically Osweiler wasn’t the best fit in Gary Kubiak’s bootleg offense either. Options such as Robert Griffin, Chase Daniel, or even a Matt Schaub-Kubiak reunion. The draft could be another avenue to team explores.
2. Kansas City Chiefs, 2015 record (11-5)
Key Free Agents: Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, Tyvon Branch, Sean Smith, Jaye Howard
This is one of the best coached teams in the league. Alex Smith won 12 games including the playoffs this year! If KC is going to maintain that level of success those key defensive pieces must be brought back. The problem is the team will have about 12 million to work with after franchising Eric Berry. Personally I would let all of them go to collect some compensatory picks but that’s just me. Over paying free agents can prove costly. Eric Fisher’s deal could be reworked as he has not lived up to the number one overall pick hype.
3. Oakland Raiders, 2015 record (7-9)
Key Free Agents: Justin Tuck, Donald Penn
The Raiders might be most entertaining team this offseason. This is a team that has over 70 million in cap space not to mention they are going to have to burn a significant amount of it just to hit the salary cap floor so they don’t get fined by the league. This puts them in play for anyone they desire. Mario Williams?, Eric Weddle?, Kelechi Osemel? It remains to be seen where the Raiders will spend their money.
4. San Diego Chargers, 2015 record (4-12)
Key Free Agents: Eric Weddle, Antonio Gates, Lardarius Green, Kendall Reyes
How is this team this bad? Philip Rivers alone should have 6 wins right? The reason being this offensive line is putrid. This team has holes everywhere. With about 31 million in cap space it should allow the Chargers to keep their own while doing some work in free agency.
