The end of the quiet period of the NFL offseason is here. The “eye of the storm” has passed, and it’s time for the NFL Draft’s three-day whirlwind. Before the start of the Draft, we’re going division-by-division to look at what moves teams still need to make that will impact 2022’s fantasy rosters. We’ve previewed the AFC North, NFC North, AFC East, NFC East, AFC South, and NFC South. This time, we’ll hop the Rockies and chase the setting sun as we examine the AFC West in order of 2021 final standings.

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all 2021 fantasy point totals and rankings are PPR.

Kansas City Chiefs: AFC West Champions

The Kansas City Chiefs have had a stranglehold on the AFC West since 2016. Electric special teams and opportunistic defense have played a big part in that. There is no doubting; however, that overwhelming talent on offense has been the Chiefs’ calling card. Opposing defenses have constantly had to pick their poison when faced with the Kansas City offense’s myriad threats. Blazing fast receivers, breathtaking quarterback play, a constant stable of multi-talented running backs, and the era’s best tight end have meant that defenses can’t rely on the standard operating procedure of removing an offense’s best threat and making them beat you with their weakness. There simply hasn’t been a weakness. All that offensive firepower has made for an absolute treasure trove of fantasy riches as well.

That formula may need some tweaking in 2022. Tyreek Hill (WR6), perhaps the most explosive player in the league, was shockingly traded to Miami. Third- and fourth-leading receivers Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson are gone. Travis Kelce finally showed some weakness, falling down the roster to TE2. Interestingly, his third highest-scoring fantasy season was seen as a disappointment by a sizeable portion of the fantasy community. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB44) has, for various reasons, not quite lived up to the high hopes the Chiefs had when they drafted him with the final pick of the first round in 2020.

Chiefs’ Bottom Line

Kansas City didn’t waste time reloading with targets for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes (QB4). They signed JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to replenish the wide receiver room. MVS is capable of taking the top off the defense, but he’s nowhere near Hill’s rare ability. Smith-Schuster missed most of 2021 after dislocating his shoulder and has struggled to replicate the production that made him a breakout fantasy superstar in 2018. The Chiefs would do well to use one of their league-high 12 draft picks on a playmaking wideout who could command defenses’ attention and free up Kelce to do Kelce things. Mahomes is talented enough to support multiple fantasy options in the passing game. He may not have a Hill-level talent at his disposal, but there’s no reason this offense couldn’t produce two top-20 wideouts in addition to Kelce maintaining his high ranking.

Edwards-Helaire (23 years old) and newly-signed backup Ronald Jones II (24) are both at prime running back age for a couple more years. But we’ve seen who they are by now. Remember the wisdom of Denny Green. Perhaps a larger back who could provide a change to the diminutive CEH and be a goal-line battering ram would be a good addition. The CEH-Jones split will be one to monitor for fantasy managers early on, but a true goal-line back would downgrade them both while carrying stand-alone value himself.

Las Vegas Raiders: Second Place AFC West

No team in the league overcame more adversity last season than the Raiders. They had the usual injury woes every team faces, sure. The offensive line was abysmal, thanks in part to a rookie first-rounder whom many saw as an inexplicable reach at number 17 overall. But there was oh, so much more. In October, head coach Jon Gruden resigned after becoming embroiled in controversy over racist emails he sent. The emails were uncovered during a league investigation into the Washington franchise. Just weeks afterward, receiver Henry Ruggs III killed a woman in a drunk driving accident. The team released him that day. Six days later, a video showing cornerback Damon Arnette making death threats while brandishing firearms resulted in his release.

The Raiders rallied behind interim coach Rich Bisaccia to make the playoffs despite all this. Running back Josh Jacobs (RB12) found success despite the offensive line’s woes. Hunter Renfrow (WR10) was Derek Carr’s top target. Carr himself had a productive season as QB14 on the year. Kicker Dan Carlson finished as the top-scoring fantasy kicker, making 40 of 43 field-goal attempts, a career-high. This offseason, the Raiders made one of the biggest moves in the league by trading for receiver Davante Adams (WR2). Hopes are high in Las Vegas headed into 2022.

Raiders’ Bottom Line

Just Win, Baby. The Raiders are seemingly ready to help fantasy managers do just that. For the most part, they look set at the skill positions. They have a strong, two-deep running back pair in Jacobs and Kenyan Drake (RB55). Adams and Renfrow constitute one of the strongest receiving duos in the league, bolstered by Darren Waller (TE17), who has explosive ability for his position. Carr is coming off a very productive season despite the chaos and relative lack of talent in his receiver group. A large, quick outside receiver across from Adams would open this offense up for Waller, Renfrow, and the running backs.

But there is still the matter of that offensive line (again, there’s no wrong definition in this context.) The entire line should be under review and on notice outside of left tackle Kolton Miller. Perhaps Denzelle Good, who started at right guard last season before suffering a season-ending injury, will prove at least competent. But Vegas really should be looking at anyone and everyone from left guard on down and upgrading. This year, a tight cap situation and few draft assets may make that difficult, but anything would help. It seems such a waste not to support this skill group with a better line.

Los Angeles Chargers: Third Place AFC West

For a guy with a defensive background, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley is doing his best to bring back the Air Coryell days, albeit 120 miles up the I-5. Los Angeles returns almost every member of an offense that ranked fourth in the league in total yardage last season (second in pass yards) and third in touchdowns. Their highly rated offensive line (10th PFF) could return intact, save a new starter at right guard (Brenden Jaimes, for now.) Keenan Allen (WR11) and the recently extended Mike Williams (WR12) are a matchup nightmare for AFC West defenses, especially with young phenom Justin Herbert (QB2) slinging the rock. Add in another target in all-purpose breakout star Austin Ekeler (RB2) out of the backfield. The Los Angeles Chargers have very few questions to answer on offense.

What questions there are would revolve mostly around Staley’s area of expertise. 2021’s DST27, the Chargers were a poor tackling unit (127 missed tackles according to Pro Football Reference, third in the league) that ultimately failed to generate an effective pass rush and was porous against the run. General manager Tom Telesco wasted little time addressing needs on that side of the ball once free agency opened. He traded for Khalil Mack and signed J.C. Jackson, making perhaps the two most significant defensive additions of any team thus far.

Chargers’ Bottom Line

Shoring up that defense would be a big help to a team with real Super Bowl aspirations. In a division where every game figures to be an absolute dogfight, any defensive weakness could be a fatal liability. Drafting or signing a run-stopping defensive lineman would be a big help. Upgrading at inside linebacker would go a long way towards fixing their problems against the run.

Offensively, Gerald Everett (TE21) takes over as the starting tight end. While he should prove a much more efficient receiver than Jared Cook was, I can’t help but hear Coach Green’s words ringing in my ears again. I’m not expecting him to suddenly blossom into Kellen Winslow, Sr. A playmaking tight end would look nice on the other end of a Herbert laser. Very nice. A speed receiver who could threaten deep would also open things up for Allen, Williams, and company and enhance their fantasy values without vulturing too many opportunities.

The biggest help for the Chargers offensively, and the best fantasy insurance, would be an investment in the right side of the offensive line. A new starter at right guard is a given, but an upgrade over Storm Norton at right tackle wouldn’t hurt anything. The Chargers still have a good amount of cap available. The few needs remaining are certainly within reach. This should be a fun team to watch and should be highly regarded in fantasy drafts.

Denver Broncos: Fourth Place AFC West

Have you ever noticed on The Price is Right that sometimes the first person will pass the showcase on to the second person during the final Showcase? And then it turns out the showcase they end up having to bid on maybe isn’t quite as good in some ways as the one they passed on, but they at least end up winning it, so, “Yay!”

Welcome to the Denver Broncos’ 2022 offseason. After rumors boiled for months that the Broncos and new head coach Nathaniel Hackett were going all-in trying to lure Aaron Rodgers to the Mile High City, Rodgers announced his intention to return to Green Bay. Hours later, Denver announced a trade that would bring Russell Wilson (QB15) to town. Since their first season of Peyton Manning, the Broncos have a quarterback worthy of their receiving group for the first time. The Broncos’ top three wideouts are as talented as any depth chart in the league. However, they have been limited by inconsistent quarterback play as much as anything. Signing Wilson was arguably the biggest salvo thus far in the AFC West arms race we have witnessed this offseason. Under him, this offense should flourish.

Broncos’ Bottom Line

Now attention turns to filling out problem areas around Wilson. Javonte Williams (RB17) and Melvin Gordon III (RB20) are both returning. Great for the Broncos; maddening for fantasy managers. With the backfield and receiver rooms mostly squared away, the only skill position the Broncos may want to look at would be at tight end. The young and talented Noah Fant (TE13) was returned to Seattle as part of the Wilson trade. Albert Okwuegbunam (TE30) is a good player and has been an efficient receiver, catching 82.5% of his targets last season. He also had the third-longest reception by a tight end in 2021. He deserves a chance to show he can start, but a compliment to him would allow for some dangerous two-tight end sets and could really take the Broncos’ offense miles higher.

The right side of the offensive line (what is it with this division?) also needs attention. Billy Turner returns to take over at tackle ostensibly. Graham Glasgow and Quinn Meinerz are still there to battle for the guard spot, but some investment in a tackle would flesh out this group, as you would then have three options at the guard (Turner is versatile) and two at tackle. Denver lacks a first-round pick, but they are still flush with draft picks and healthy in cap. They may not be done firing shots yet.

It’s Draft Day!

A reminder here: more great draft coverage is available on the main Belly Up site, as well as fun, informative content on the Belly Up Podcast Network, Belly Up TV, and B.U.R.N.S. Radio. As always, check back with Belly Up Fantasy Sports for more fantasy analysis and see what teams in the rest of the league still need to add to make fantasy managers’ championship dreams come true. Up next: we finish up this series with the NFC West. Got something to say? Leave a comment below and follow me on Twitter @SttChaseFFB.