We all tend to be prisoners of the moment in the spring but it’s no hyperbole to declare the AFC West — by far — the best division in pro football. It’s not only about the quarterbacks, either. Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and Derek Carr are four of the best but all four rosters loaded up at key positions in free agency.
Each team wields two premier pass rushers to get after these passers, too.
Not sure where I stand yet. Let’s see how the draft plays out. Right now, I’m bullish on the Wilson-Hackett partnership. Both sincerely eat, sleep and breathe the game and, I think, will find a way to stay a step ahead schematically. Denver’s supporting cast is strong, too. Of course the fella pictured above, Herbert, is ascending at a jarring rate and one of the best playcallers in the sport, Josh McDaniels, has a lot to work with in Vegas. I’ll also have a story on Carr soon at Go Long, examining a key turning point for the quarterback at Fresno State. What a relatable guy he is.
Let’s hear your thoughts.
Who do you like in this fight-to-the-death division?
My guess is the Chargers -- they battled last year and learned a lot. Everyone else is in that learning stage right now (though KC still has a great chance of adapting w/o Hill).
I love Russ and am totally rooting for the Broncos. I think KC is gonna miss Tyreek a lot more than they thought, while I think Herbert is great, the Chargers just always find a way tol lose, and the only thing stopping me from picking The Raiders, Kenny Stabler was a childhood hero, is their pass defense. Thus, I think the order of the division will be Broncos, Raiders, Chiefs, Chargers and all 4 somehow make the playoffs.
I'm really interested to see what the Raiders put together this year. I heard that Carr and Adams workout together in the offseason (citation needed), so they shouldn't have to play catch-up on the college connection. And McDaniels finally said yes to another head coaching gig, there must have been enough there for him to feel like it was time. I do feel like the whole VEGAS BABY thing is tough for the team but apparently most of them have been able to stay out of trouble.
My guess is the Chargers -- they battled last year and learned a lot. Everyone else is in that learning stage right now (though KC still has a great chance of adapting w/o Hill).
I love Russ and am totally rooting for the Broncos. I think KC is gonna miss Tyreek a lot more than they thought, while I think Herbert is great, the Chargers just always find a way tol lose, and the only thing stopping me from picking The Raiders, Kenny Stabler was a childhood hero, is their pass defense. Thus, I think the order of the division will be Broncos, Raiders, Chiefs, Chargers and all 4 somehow make the playoffs.
I'm really interested to see what the Raiders put together this year. I heard that Carr and Adams workout together in the offseason (citation needed), so they shouldn't have to play catch-up on the college connection. And McDaniels finally said yes to another head coaching gig, there must have been enough there for him to feel like it was time. I do feel like the whole VEGAS BABY thing is tough for the team but apparently most of them have been able to stay out of trouble.