2023 AFC West Free Agency Preview

Embed from Getty Images

In the ever-changing world of the AFC West, free agency should solidify the immediate needs of teams while providing future flexibility.

Without a doubt, the AFC West sits atop the league as the most interesting division. Now, no one said talented or even competitive, but intrigue reigns supreme. As a matter of fact, each franchise possesses a storyline that will evolve during the season. With that said, every team within the division must fill needs, in order to keep pace with the rest of the AFC.

Kansas City Chiefs

Need: Offensive Line

When the defending Super Bowl champions managed to stonewall the Philly pass rush, the league took notice. Now, in order to keep the train running, they must take care of their own. Despite the conventional belief that he solely fit on the right side, Orlando Brown, Jr. exceeded expectations. First, he played 1.133 snaps, which shows durability. Next, Brown committed six regular season penalties, three of which were holding. Lastly, the Oklahoma product surrendered four sacks. Considering Chief’s quarterbacks dropped by 651 times during the regular season, four sacks feel inconsequential. Brown knows the offense, and the blocking scheme, and thrived within both. Brown helped the offense dominate the AFC West. However, will the Chiefs open the wallet for a player that turns 27 four months before the season, requiring hefty compensation?

Around Full Press Coverage

OPINION: Morten Andersen: The Toughest Place To Kick? For Me, It Was This Place

NFL: NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Week 2

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs Stock Report: Week 2 2022

FULL PRESS BETS: NFL MVP Odds: Patrick Mahomes Leapfrogs Josh Allen For Top Spot

FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football Value Picks In Every Round

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 54: Chargers At Chiefs Preview

San Diego Chargers

Need: Offensive Line

In 2022, opponents drove Justin Herbert into the ground thirty-eight times. That does not lend itself to continued success. Taylor Lewan seamlessly slides in on the right side. With Rashawn Slater playing exceptionally well at left tackle, the right side needs shoring up. Lewan, a cap casualty in Tennessee should reside high on the Chargers’ list. Lewan only turns thirty-two this year. As a result, he should still provide excellent protection for Herbert. Lewan probably understands that the Chargers present him with an opportunity to play for a contender. On the whole, Los Angeles needs to sustain drives and wear defenses out. That signifies confidence in the run game which they did not show versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Denver Broncos

Need: Athletic Linebacker

Sean Payton walks into Colorado with pieces on offense but question marks up on defense. In order to keep pace with the high-octane Chiefs or Chargers, Denver needs linebackers. No, not just any linebackers, but ones that show the nimbleness to funnel down the line of scrimmage or turn and run with backs and tight ends. No one presents a better, immediate fit than Nicholas Morrow. Morrow enjoyed a breakout year in 2021 with 116 tackles. Morrow brings consistency in coverage to the table. More importantly, Morrow sliced his percentage down to 4.9. That is to say, he takes smarter angles, that minimize yards while allowing him the chance to make the play. Turning twenty-eight in July, Morrow brings the flexibility of wanting a short-term deal to cash one more large check after this. Denver ranked in the top ten in several different categories. Yet, the lack of dynamism will ultimately catch up to the defense if Payton wants to compete immediately. The AFC West is a monolith of superior passing.

Las Vegas Raiders

Need: Quarterback

)Why do people, especially Raiders fans despise Jimmy Garoppolo? He sports a winning career record (40-17), an excellent completion percentage (67.6), and fantastic yards per attempt (8.3). One errant throw probably cost him a Super Bowl. Yet, why the hate? Las Vegas has the worst quarterback situation in the AFC West. Jarrett Stidham is a backup. The draft can still help, but they need a starter now. Garoppollo fits the bill. He knows McDaniels’ scheme. He leads the team without much fanfare. Like it or not, Jimmy Garoppolo gets the job done. While he isn’t a long-term solution, there is enough talent on the offense to win right now. For a franchise with two playoff appearances in the last twenty years, beggars cannot be choosers/