Some say that the Super Bowl is won in the offseason. It is a critical time for teams to bolster their rosters and improve the holes they had from the year before. The offseason is when a well-executed draft, a monumental trade, or a couple of key-free agent signings came take a team from constant dud to Super Bowl champs…just ask the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This is our NFL Team Needs series. We will break down the top needs for each team in the league by division. Let’s examine the AFC West.
Kansas City Chiefs – OT, G, WR, DT
The Chiefs are a Super Bowl team that will have to make some big moves this offseason. Three starters on the offensive line could be moving on for bigger free agency contracts and protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes better than they did in the Super Bowl is crucial. They could also be losing two wide receivers, one of them being Sammy Watkins. The big issue for KC is that they are already way over cap space and will have to build through the draft, despite being in a bad slot. Andy Reid is a genius, and they have the most talented QB in the league, along with Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, so I’m not too concerned about KC being able to figure it out.
Las Vegas Raiders – CB, EDGE, DT, WR, G
The Las Vegas Raiders enter their eighth season with Derek Carr as their starting quarterback. The team has one playoff appearance in that timeframe, so the clock is ticking. Upgrading the weapons around him will be important, but their primary focus should be improving a defense that allowed over 389 yards per game and created the third fewest turnovers. The cornerback position must be improved, and they could use an upgrade at pass rusher. If they decide on offensive changes, it will be interesting to see if they go after a wide receiver like Juju Smith-Schuster or Kenny Golladay. But, if the Raiders want to win, revamping on defense is a must.
Los Angeles Chargers – C, G, TE, CB
The Chargers should take note of what happened to Joe Burrow and be overly cautious about it. Building around AP offensive Rookie of the Year QB Justin Herbert is the most important thing the Chargers can do, and the offensive line is the most important piece of that. They need to replace their center and upgrade at guard while also deciding on whether to bring back tight end Hunter Henry. Finding a complement to running back Austin Ekeler would be a wise move as well. They have three starters who are set to hit the market on the defensive side of the ball. With $33 million to spend plus the 13th pick, they can be productive on both sides of the ball.
Denver Broncos – QB, CB, LB, EDGE
The Broncos just franchise tagged All-Pro safety Justin Simmons, which clears up a big decision at that position. However, their defense has other needs. Getting additional secondary help while adding a true pass rusher will be critical as Von Miller appears to be moving on from this team. The Broncos are positioned to draft a guy like CB Patrick Surtain II but there have been rumors that Denver is falling out of love with QB Drew Lock and could go after a gunslinger. They have money to spend, and good draft capital and we know Denver loves to bring in older QBs. A trade could be in the works for the Broncos that could change this list.