AFC West | Offseason Biggest Winners and Losers

Los Angeles Chargers - Kansas City Chiefs - Denver Broncos - Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Winner: Justin Herbert

One of the Chargers' clear weaknesses heading into the off-season was its offensive line play. Following the spectacular performance of the 2020 ROTY Justin Herbert, it became clear that protection for the franchise signal-caller would be the Chargers' priority for the 2021 off-season. The organization not only upgraded its offensive line but has become one of the top units in the NFL. The Chargers kicked off free agency by signing former Packers C Corey Linsley and former Steelers LG Matt Feiler. A couple of days later, they added G Oday Aboushi from the Lions who played the last eight games of the season at a high level. There are three potential starters, plus Bryan Bulaga who was injured in 2020. The Chargers are hopeful Bulaga can bounce back this year. When the Chargers were on the clock, there was a key player who slid down to them, Northwestern LT Rashawn Slater. Several draft analysts believed he was the top-ranked offensive lineman over Penei Sewell who went seventh overall to Detroit. Depth along the offensive line was a concern, and the Chargers elected to also add T/G Brenden Jaimes from Nebraska.

Keeping Herbert upright after he took 32 sacks last season can only improve the fantasy outlooks of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler. This team’s offensive weapons, depth, coaching, and defense all improved. The Chargers' depth at receiver is one of the deepest in the NFL with Mike Williams, Tyron Johnson, Jalen Guyton, and rookie Josh Palmer out of Tennessee. If Austin Ekeler can stay healthy, then he, Keenan Allen, and Justin Herbert all head into 2021 as top-12 picks at their positions.

Loser: Donald Parham

If you added Donald Parham to your DFS tournaments late last season, chances are you won some money. Following the departure of TE Hunter Henry, the former XFL standout was locked into a starting role. However, the Chargers had other plans and elected to sign Jared Cook via free agency from the Saints. They also drafted Tre' McKitty out of Georgia in the third round. One thing remains certain, no matter who ends up in the starter role, the Chargers will not lack size at the position. Donald Parham checks in 6’8", Jared Cook is 6’5", and Tre' Mckitty stands 6’4". All three could mix in as red-zone threats, but cap each others' upside - that is unless one can run away with the job.

Kansas City Chiefs

Winner: Offensive Line

Anyone who watched five minutes of the Super Bowl was able to see the relentless beatdown of Patrick Mahomes. The Buccaneers defensive unit crushed the already weak Chiefs offensive line. Lack of depth along the line combined with late-season injuries forced this unit to come crumbling down at the worst possible time. Fast forward to the off-season, the Chiefs cut two starters and hit the ground running once free agency opened up. Andy Reid wasted no time, handing out a hefty contract to acquire former Super Bowl G Joe Thuney from the Patriots. On top of that, they brought in former retired Pro Bowl G Kyle Long along with former Rams starting C Austin Blythe. We will also see the return of COVID opt-outs Mike Remmers and Kyle Duvernay-Tardif. The Chiefs showed that addressing weaknesses along the offensive line was a top priority when they selected starting Alabama C Creed Humphrey in the second round and Tennessee G Trey Smith in the sixth round.

Even with all of those additions, the Chiefs still had a massive hole at left tackle, which will now likely be filled by former Raven Orlando Brown. The Chiefs handed over a boatload of draft capital to the Ravens in the form of a 2021 first-round pick (31st overall), a 2021 third-round pick (94th overall), a 2021 fourth-round pick (136th overall), and a 2022 fifth-round pick. In return, the Chiefs received a 2021 second-round pick (58th overall) and a 2022 sixth-round pick. The Chiefs paid a hefty price to acquire Brown and some may argue that it was an overreaction to one game. Overreaction or not, the Chiefs finished off 2020 with one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Now, they are projected to enter 2021 with one of the best units in the league. This should put Clyde Edwards-Helaire in a good bounce-back spot after failing to live up to his first-round ADP in his rookie year.

Loser: Mecole Hardman

Mecole Hardman was publicly ripped apart by Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl post-game following several dropped passes and a fumble of a key punt return. Hardman has talent but is still a raw prospect that often gets over-drafted due to his potential and the team he plays for. The departure of Sammy Watkins would appear to boost his odds of succeeding in 2021, but the Chiefs continue to favor fringe talent starters like Demarcus Robinson and Byron pringle ahead of him. Rumors have also swirled that the Chiefs are looking to add a free agent such as a DeDe Westbrook, in addition to drafting Cornell Powell out of Clemson in the sixth round. Even if the Chiefs don't bring in anyone else on offense, not much has changed. This means that Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce will continue to dominate fantasy in 2021.

Denver Broncos

Winner(s): Defensive Unit, Javonte Williams

Following back-to-back NFL Drafts in which the Broncos loaded up on offensive talent, the team's 2021 draft class leaned toward the other side of the ball. Seven of the Broncos' 10 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft came on defense, including their first-round selection of CB Pat Surtain II. The Broncos also signed CB Ronald Darby who is coming off a great season in Washington, and former Chicago Bear CB Kyle Fuller who was an all-pro, top-5 corner under Vic Fangio. The Broncos now enter 2021 as a top-5 defensive unit in a division loaded with talent on offense, that they will be tasked with slowing down.

One of the biggest fantasy football winners was former North Carolina running back Javonte Williams. The Broncos traded up to grab him in the second round. Current starter Melvin Gordon's DUI suspension still looms, plus he will be a free agent at the end of the 2021 season. All things considered, this should give Williams an immediate starting opportunity. Last season, Williams's stat line displayed 1,140 rush yards on 157 carries and 19 rushing touchdowns, along with 305 yards on 25 receptions with three touchdown receptions. Williams is a rare 3-down running back who has the talent to capitalize on the opportunity provided to him in Denver.

Loser: Offensive Unit

Twitter was buzzing prior to the draft that Aaron Rodgers was unhappy in Green Bay and one of his preferred landing destinations was Denver. Perhaps the most notable buzz was the pre-draft quarterback trade in which the Broncos obtained Teddy Bridgewater from the Carolina Panthers for a sixth-round selection. Bridgewater is the complete opposite of Drew Lock. Bridgewater was able to move the ball in Carolina but took limited risks to limit turnovers. It seems that he played it too safe, which led to struggles in the red zone. After failing to acquire Rodgers, Denver also passed on selecting a quarterback despite having both Justin Fields and Mac Jones available when the Broncos were on the clock at No. 9. Denver showcases some of the brightest up and coming receiving options in the game in Jerry Jeudy, Noah Fant, Courtland Sutton, KJ Hamler, and Tim Patrick. The offensive line is strong, and both Williams and Gordon are an excellent one-two punch who desperately need a solid quarterback to lead this team to its full potential. The Broncos have not made the playoffs in five years and the clock is ticking on defensive-minded HC Vic Fangio to take the next step by clinching a playoff berth in 2021. Rodgers wanting out of Green Bay is a storyline that will be tracked all summer long. Time will tell if Rodgers remains in Titletown or moves on to start in the same division as Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes.

Las Vegas Raiders

Winner: Henry Ruggs

The Las Vegas Raiders made Henry Ruggs the first wide receiver off the board in the 2020 NFL Draft (12th overall). Missing a couple of early games with injuries, curious usage, and play-calling all limited Ruggs' immense ceiling. Ruggs ultimately finished with just 26 catches for 452 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. For most of 2020, Nelson Agholor was what Ruggs was supposed to be for the Raiders. Agholor had rapport with Derek Carr, which put him well on his way to averaging 18.7 yards per catch with eight touchdowns. However, Agholor was not brought back in free agency. Agholor and his 82 available targets will now be suiting up for New England, allowing Ruggs another opportunity to regain the deep threat role in Las Vegas. John Brown was brought in via free agency and if he can stay healthy, he is also a sleeper of note, along with slot WR Hunter Renfrow. Darren Waller shall continue to remain one of the top-3 fantasy tight ends in 2021, but the opportunity to succeed must be seized in 2021 to prove Ruggs was not a bust draft selection by John Gruden and Mike Mayock. Ruggs averaged 17.4 yards per catch as a rookie, 5.6 yards after the catch, and was clocked at the NFL combine at a 4.2 40-yard dash time. While Ruggs needs to work on his route running, his talent isn’t in question, and Las Vegas must find more creative ways to get the ball in his hands.

Loser: Josh Jacobs

Just two seasons ago, the Raiders selected Josh Jacobs in the first round. Now, the Raiders' retooling of the offensive line, plus the signing of free agent Kenyan Drake, has impacted Jacobs more than any other fantasy football player heading into the 2021 season. Jacobs finished 2020 as fantasy football's RB 8 overall, with a 37% touch share as the featured back in Las Vegas. With his lack of pass-catching ability, hitting those numbers now will be almost impossible to achieve again with Kenyan Drake's arrival to the sin city. Drake, who saw a 30.5% touch share in Arizona last season, is going to take a big bite out of Jacobs's total touch share. Jacobs enters 2021 as more of a No. 2 fantasy running back rather than a No. 1 option, but he will likely be drafted early in fantasy drafts making him one of the biggest busts entering next season.