The AFC West is shaping as much as be probably the most aggressive divisions in soccer. Three groups from this division made the playoffs final season, and whereas it could be darn close to unimaginable to get all 4 into the playoffs, the AFC West is bound going to attempt. The Chiefs will greater than probably be the Chiefs, and behind them are three groups able to make one other massive bounce. The Broncos have a younger QB and a protection that could be a prime ten unit, the Raiders fully revamped their roster in a single season and the Chargers have an ideal teaching workers and elite QB.
Which gamers are going to assist their groups make the bounce 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 nearly 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 cherished to design performs to get him the ball in area and utilizing his velocity to open up performs in the midst of the sphere. Because the Broncos offense seems to construct on a scorching end to the season, Mims Jr.’s function might broaden.
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 could be able to take off. Hicks led the Chiefs in interceptions final season, and simply total has extra playmaking expertise on the again finish that ought to assist the Chiefs end greater than 14th in group takeaways. Hicks has been somebody the group has tabbed as the subsequent massive factor within the secondary, and I’m shopping for in as properly.
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Picture by Chris Unger/Getty Photographs
Las Vegas Raiders: EDGE Malcolm Koonce
The final time Raiders’ EDGE Malcom Koonce was on the sphere, he completed with eight sacks, 48 pressures and a blistering 15.8% stress price. He missed all of 2024 on account of an harm, however on a doubtlessly upstart Raiders group, he might be the man to launch himself into nationwide dialog. He’s an explosive and technical go rusher off the sting who’s a pleasant complement to EDGE Maxx Crosby and can see much more one-on-one matchups on account of Crosby and DT Christian Wilkins being on the identical line. If he can retain that stress price and productiveness, Koonce goes to be a complete lot extra recognition.
Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE hunters tease
Tuipulotou has been ready for a full time function since coming into the league. Now that Joey Bosa is a Invoice, his likelihood to breakout is now. He’s tremendous highly effective and might set the sting within the run recreation and wins with energy within the go rush division. Tuipulotou elevated his stress price to 10.5% from his rookie yr, and with an expanded function on the group he ought to be capable to get that even greater. The Chargers’ protection is rather well coached and having EDGE Khalil Mack subsequent to you’ll undoubtedly assist, however Tuipulotou looks like he’s subsequent in line for the leap at go rusher.
