The influx of new players in the AFC West is sure to make this race a wild one.
San Diego Chargers
Key Acquisitions: CB Nathan Vasher, TE Randy McMichael, OT Tra Thomas
Key Losses: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, DT Jamal Williams, OT Jon Runyan, TE Brandon Manumaleuna, CB Kassim Osgood, CB Antonio Cromartie
Key Re-signings: FB Kris Wilson, DE Alfonso Boone, FB Mike Tolbert, RB Darren Sproles, OT Jeromey Clary
Draft Picks:
1st Round – RB Ryan Mathews
3rd Round – LB Donald Butler
4th Round – FS Darrell Stuckey
5th Round – DT Cam Thomas, QB Jonathan Crompton
7th Round – TE Dedrick Epps
The San Diego Chargers had a complete makeover this offseason with all the changes made to the team. They lost franchise players like Tomlinson, Williams, and Cromartie. They have even lost smaller name players with solid value in Manumaleuna and Osgood. They attempted to fill some of the holes by signing Nathan Vasher and Randy McMichael, but do not expect this team to repeat previous years’ performances considering what they have lost. In the draft, they sacrificed in the early part of the draft to move up and select RB Ryan Mathews, who they think can be a solid runner alongside Sproles and can eventually replace LaDainian Tomlinson. Their offseason got worse when WR Vincent Jackson was suspended for the first three games of the season. Marcus McNeil is also currently holding out. Overall, it was not a good offseason for the Bolts but they still remain the favorites to win the West.
Denver Broncos
Key Acquisitions: DB Nate Jones, RB J.J. Arrington, DT Justin Bannan, DE Jarvis Green, DT Jamal Williams, QB Brady Quinn
Key Losses: C Casey Wiegmann, OG Ben Hamilton, RB Peyton Hillis, WR Brandon Marshall, LB Andra Davis, TE Tony Scheffler
Key Re-signings: OL Russ Hochstein, WR Brandon Lloyd, DE LeKevin Smith, K Matt Prater, DE Elvis Dumervil
Draft Picks:
1st Round – WR Demaryius Thomas, QB Tim Tebow
2nd Round – OT Zane Beadles
3rd Round – C J.D. Walton
5th Round – CB Perrish Cox
6th Round – C Eric Olsen
7th Round – CB Syd’quan Thompson, DE Jammie Kirlew
The Denver Broncos had a roller coaster offseason in 2010 with tons of excitement to keep the fans on their seats. To start, Josh McDaniels traded arguably his best player in wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins. After trading away the second piece of their great passing tandem from two years ago, things looked bleak in the mile high city. However, they were able to sign some key free agents in Jarvis Green and Jamal Willams, and then re-signed NFL sack leader Elvis Dumervil and Brandon Lloyd. In the draft, they were able to draft some solid players in Demaryius Thomas, Zane Beadles, and college football icon Tim Tebow, who is bringing tons of fans to cheer for the Broncos. The Broncos had a good offseason trading away their big problem (and talent), and picking up some quality team players that can solidify the locker room.
Oakland Raiders
Key Acquisitions: QB Kyle Boller, LB Kamerion Wimbley, QB Jason Campbell, RB Rock Cartwright, DT John Henderson, RB Michael Bennett
Key Losses: RB Justin Fargas, WR Javon Walker, DE Greg Ellis, LB Kirk Morrison, DE Gerard Warren, QB JaMarcus Russell
Key Re-signings: QB Bruce Gradkowski, LB Thomas Howard, LB David Nixon, OG Langston Walker, DE Richard Seymour, K Sebastion Janikowski, OT Khalif Barnes
Draft Picks:
1st Round – LB Rolando McClain
2nd Round – DT Lamarr Houston
3rd Round – OT Jared Veldheer
4th Round – OT Bruce Campbell, WR Jacoby Ford
5th Round – DB Walter McFadden
6th Round – LB Travis Goethel
7th Round – DB Jeremy Ware, DB Stevie Brown
The Oakland Raiders have finally decided that they want to start winning again and realized in order to do that, they would need to get rid of their underachieving players such as Javon Walker and JaMarcus Russell. They also were able to pick up some quality players that have to step into quality roles and bring the team back to excellence. They also drafted differently this season by actually picking good players that can contribute. In past years, their drafts have been abysmal at best. Their lack of insight and scouting in the draft has held them back for the majority of the past decade. The acquisition of Jason Campbell should lead to better things for the offense as well. Expect them to start to turn around the franchise very soon with this core of players but temper expectations.
Kansas City Chiefs
Key Acquisitions: RB Thomas Jones, DT Shaun Smith, C Casey Wiegmann, C Ryan Lilja, WR Jerheme Urban
Key Losses: WR Bobby Wade, SS Mike Brown, OG Mike Goff, RB Kolby Smith
Key Re-signings: WR Chris Chambers, LB Mike Vrabel, WR Terrance Copper, LB Derrick Johnson, FB Mike Cox
Draft Picks:
1st Round – SS Eric Berry
2nd Round – RB Dexter McCluster, CB Javier Arenas
3rd Round – OG Jon Asamoah, TE Tony Moeaki
5th Round – FS Kendrick Lewis, DE Cameron Sheffield
The Chiefs have consistently been a laughing stock of the NFL and were tired of hearing the criticism. This offseason, they decided to try to rebuild quickly and hopefully turn the franchise around sooner than later. They improved the running game with the addition of Thomas Jones; his abilities should help out the whole offense immediately. They also improved the offensive line to help the running game and open a whole new world of options offensively. They also drafted defensively with top defender Eric Berry and cornerback Javier Arenas. Watch for the team to make an attempt to get out of the cellar of the division and with strong leadership from the younger players, expect them to do some good things.
