With the NFL Draft coming at the end of the month, 1SBD's Mark Hogan took a deep dive into each team's projected starters and produced a series of key stats that may indicate teams' strengths and weaknesses.
The comprehensive list of figures - per Pro Football Reference and Over The Cap - are compared to in-division rivals so you can see how your team stacks up across different positions. Read alongside our more in-depth projected starting line ups and these grids give an understanding of where each team's focus should be come April 25-April 27.
Today our focus is on the AFC West. See each team's projected starters with further analysis here: Denver Broncos; Kansas City Chiefs; Los Angeles Chargers; Oakland Raiders. Follow us on Twitter as we present each division throughout the week.
NOTE: Undrafted players were calculated as the 256th (or last) pick in the draft.
Quarterback
The most likely quarterback acquisition in the division lies with Oakland and whether they will draft Kyler Murray and move on from Derek Carr. If that happens, the AFC West could solidify itself as the division with the highest-drafted quarterback group.
With the Broncos' addition of Joe Flacco the AFC West already boasts a group of reliable quarterbacks that won't have to battle for starting jobs come training camp. But Flacco isn't a long-term answer in Denver so the team will need to draft a future starter. The Chargers could draft a young signal caller to sit behind the aging Phillip Rivers too-- Rivers sat for a couple years before getting his chance to start.
Running Back
Kansas City must decide whether Damien Williams can be a starter after spending most of his career as a backup. Williams gained 572 yards on 93 touches (6.1 yards per touch) in his five game - including post-season - audition last season. It's likely the Chiefs will draft someone to compete for the job.
The most interesting takeaway from the AFC West's starting running backs is how well Raiders' free agent signing Isaiah Crowell matches up against superstar Melvin Gordon's (Chargers) numbers. Despite going undrafted a year before Gordon entered the league, Crowell averages just 0.1 yards less per touch on 82 fewer touches.
Oakland overhauled its wide receiver corp in the off-season and gives itself flexibility in the first two days of the draft. The upgrades should allow for big plays late in games as defenses get tired. The team even added former rival Tyrell Williams from Los Angeles. Los Angeles will hope former seventh overall pick Mike Williams is ready to step up in Williams place after starting just six of the 26 games he's played in.
Meanwhile, Denver's passing game is in a dire situation. Second year player Courtland Sutton and someone in the draft will need to fill a big hole behind Emmanuel Sanders.
Tight End
Denver is even thinner at tight end than it is at wide receiver and desperately needs to add to the position in a deep draft class. They haven't had a tight end make an impact since Julius Thomas left in 2014.
The Raiders, alongside an upgraded offensive line, might have flexibility to add a receiving tight end rather than one used primarily as a blocker.
Offensive Line
While Kansas City boasts a strong offensive line, a replacement for centre Mitch Morse needs to be found in the draft. It's a rare need on offense for the Chiefs. A well-rounded Chargers team also has the luxury of picking best player available in the draft and might hope to find someone to better protect the immobile Philip Rivers.
Defensive Line
The Raiders did little to address their pass rush woes in free agency and need to find a high impact player early. Despite it being a deep draft, there's no point trying to hit on a player mid-way through the draft considering all their first round picks.
After losing Dee Ford this off-season, the Chiefs might opt to spend at least the second round pick they got for Ford on a guy better suited to their new 4-3 defense. It's important they upgrade the unit or they risk taking a step back on an already weak side of the ball.
Linebacker
Bradley Chubb was one of the few bright spots for the Broncos last year. Could they double down and select another linebacker early in the draft? New head coach Vic Fangio's scheme works best with a play-making middle linebacker, so someone between Chubb and Von Miller could help Denver a lot.
Cornerback
Don't be surprised if Kansas City takes a cornerback towards the end of round one after losing starter Steven Nelson in free agency. The Chiefs haven't invested a lot in the position financially and it showed in last year's unproductive group.
Safety
The Chargers return all three 2018 first team All-Pro defensive backs -- safeties Derwin James and Adrian Phillips, cornerback and Desmond King. All things considered, the Chargers can have a best player available approach when they pick, and that might mean adding even more talent to the back end of their defense.
Despite being one of this off-season's most exciting signings, Kansas City safety Tyrann Mathieu's cap number is just $1.2 million more than depth player - and potential 2019 starter? - Daniel Sorenson. Mathieu has 55 more starts despite playing in only 19 more games. But whether Sorenson - who has 18 starts in 63 games - stays as the starter after the draft remains to be seen.
Comments