The Denver Broncos have maintained their hold on the AFC West for four years while transitioning from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning, and with news that their future Hall of Fame quarterback will return for at least one more year, it’s clear they feel they can make one more run at a Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the rest of the division spent the offseason being very aggressive in free agency as they attempt to dethrone the Broncos.
While on paper it seems as though Denver is still the team to beat, each of the other three AFC West teams appear to be headed in the right direction as they aim to shift the balance of power.
Rising Team – Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs took a small step back in Year Two under head coach Andy Reid but they have reloaded in the offseason and could be poised to challenge Denver for AFC West supremacy. The most important move was putting the franchise tag on linebacker Justin Houston after he recorded an NFL-best 22 sacks last season. But Kansas City also made a splash in free agency with the addition of a wide receiver that Andy Reid knows well in Jeremy Maclin.
The Chiefs don’t have any glaring areas of weakness heading in to the NFL Draft where they will have another chance to upgrade a roster that is already loaded with talent. This is a team that’s slow and steady, but with the Broncos being a wild card due to Peyton Manning’s potential regression, there’s an opening for the Chiefs to usurp power here.
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Falling Team – Denver Broncos
While they might still have the best team in the AFC West, the reality is that Manning is one year older and he will be without one of his favorite targets from a year ago after tight end Julius Thomas signed a massive deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Denver was able to bring back Demaryius Thomas with the franchise tag but losing their star tight end as well as guard Orlando Franklin, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton and safety Rahim Moore will hurt. Also, don’t forget that the Broncos lost head coach John Fox and replaced the team’s top two coordinators as well as Adam Gase and Jack Del Rio moved on. The Broncos did make an effort to address some of those personnel losses with the additions of tight end Owen Daniels and defensive tackle Vance Walker, but those are clear downgrades.
This team is still fully loaded but they’re also fully dependent on Manning’s arm. If he is the quarterback who finished the season and not the one that started it, this team is in trouble.
Biggest Game-Changing Move – Jeremy Maclin
The Oakland Raiders weren’t able to make any major moves despite throwing a ton of cash at some notable free agents including running back DeMarco Murray and the Chargers didn’t make a splash other than signing Stevie Johnson, which leaves the Chiefs signing Maclin as the closest thing to a game-changing offseason move among AFC West teams. Maclin should help Alex Smith both in terms of the short-to-intermediate game and getting in to the endzone after Kansas City was the only NFL team that didn’t have a single wide receiver score a touchdown last season.
Post Free Agency AFC West Pick: Denver Broncos
There has to be concerns about how much Manning has left in the tank and the loss of Thomas hurts, but as long as Manning is healthy enough to play then the Broncos have to be considered the team to beat in the AFC West. The addition of Maclin will help the Chiefs as they attempt to close the gap on top spot. Meanwhile both San Diego and Oakland failed to substantially upgrade their rosters during the free agency period. Kansas City will have the best chance at knocking Denver out of top spot in the AFC West but it looks as though the Broncos have enough talent for at least one more division title.
