The AFC West is shaping as much as be one of the aggressive divisions in soccer. Three groups from this division made the playoffs final season, and whereas it is likely to be darn close to not possible to get all 4 into the playoffs, the AFC West is bound going to attempt. The Chiefs will greater than seemingly be the Chiefs, and behind them are three groups able to make one other large soar. The Broncos have a younger QB and a protection that may be a high ten unit, the Raiders utterly revamped their roster in a single season and the Chargers have a fantastic teaching workers and elite QB.
Which gamers are going to assist their groups make the soar with a breakout yr?
Denver Broncos: WR Marvin Mims Jr.
A Professional Bowler as a breakout candidate? Sure, however after we talk about Marvin Mims Jr., I’m particularly speaking about as a RECEIVER, not as a return specialist, which is how he made the Professional Bowl. The Broncos nonetheless want some downfield explosiveness from their receiver group. Mims Jr. actually got here on within the second half of the season, getting used as extra of a gadgety participant however creating explosives virtually each time he touched the ball. Mims Jr. completed final season fourth within the NFL in Yards per Route Run (per Sumer Sports activities) and head coach Sean Payton seemingly liked to design performs to get him the ball in area and utilizing his pace to open up performs in the course of the sector. Because the Broncos offense appears to construct on a scorching end to the season, Mims Jr.’s function may increase.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: S Jaden Hicks
Somebody from that defensive core wasn’t going to receives a commission, and sadly it was S Justin Reid, who’s now a New Orleans Saint. Nonetheless, the Chiefs’ succession plan on the place is likely to be able to take off. Hicks led the Chiefs in interceptions final season, and simply general has extra playmaking expertise on the again finish that ought to assist the Chiefs end increased than 14th in crew takeaways. Hicks has been somebody the crew has tabbed as the following large factor within the secondary, and I’m shopping for in as effectively.
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Picture by Chris Unger/Getty Photos
Las Vegas Raiders: EDGE Malcolm Koonce
The final time Raiders’ EDGE Malcom Koonce was on the sector, he completed with eight sacks, 48 pressures and a blistering 15.8% stress charge. He missed all of 2024 resulting from an damage, however on a doubtlessly upstart Raiders crew, he might be the man to launch himself into nationwide dialog. He’s an explosive and technical cross rusher off the sting who’s a pleasant complement to EDGE Maxx Crosby and can see much more one-on-one matchups resulting from Crosby and DT Christian Wilkins being on the identical line. If he can retain that stress charge and productiveness, Koonce goes to be an entire lot extra recognition.
Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE Tuli Tuipulotou
Tuipulotou has been ready for a full time function since coming into the league. Now that Joey Bosa is a Invoice, his probability to breakout is now. He’s tremendous highly effective and may set the sting within the run sport and wins with energy within the cross rush division. Tuipulotou elevated his stress charge to 10.5% from his rookie yr, and with an expanded function on the crew he ought to be capable to get that even increased. The Chargers’ protection is rather well coached and having EDGE Khalil Mack subsequent to you’ll undoubtedly assist, however Tuipulotou looks as if he’s subsequent in line for the leap at cross rusher.
