What does your team REALLY need? (AFC West)
For the last of the "What does your team REALLY need" series we will be taking a look at the Super Bowl 50 champion division, the AFC West. A lot of recent turmoil in this division with both Oakland and San Diego looking for new homes in L.A. The Chargers have until the end of the the 2016 season to think the move over while the Raiders try to establish a deal with the 49ers to share their stadium. At the same time the Broncos lost a lot of their core players along both their starting quarterbacks to free agency and retirement. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chefs have the luxury of just building a team that can get them over the hump and into a AFC Championship game or the Super Bowl.
Denver Broncos (12-4, 31st overall pick) Need: Quarterback
The free agent losses have been so bad in Denver that MileHighReport.com went so far as to call it "...a bloodbath of loses." Kind of mind blowing that the Broncos went from one of the most ideal QB situations to maybe the worst in a matter of 72hrs. Peyton Manning retired, as he should have, while Brock Osweiler took a big money deal in Houston. To suppress some of the bleeding the Broncos traded a conditional draft pick for Mark Sanchez. To some that was a laughable move but I would take Sanchez over anyone else on the FA market. He has had some solid starts, hasn't had any major injuries of note, and doesn't cause a ruckus in the locker room. He isn't going to throw for 300yds and 4TD every game but, he can at least manage the offense till the Broncos find their new franchise guy. If anything he threw 13 less interceptions than Manning did in 2015. Everyone expects Jared Goff and Carson Wentz to be long gone by the time the Broncos pick at 31 so lets look at the other 'top' three quarterbacks in the 2016 draft. Paxton Lynch of Memphis strikes me as a guy that John Elway would want as the face of his team. Lynch boasted 38 starts at Memphis. In that time he amassed 8,863yds, 59TD and 23INT through the air and another 687yds and 17TD on the ground. Paxton is the model of 'what it is to be a modern day quarterback.' Next is MSU QB Connor Cook, who ended his days at MSU as the all time passing leader. Cook was 34-5 as a starter and threw for 9,194yds, 79TD and 22INT. Very impressive as a purse passer. Last is Kevin Hogan from Stanford. Hogan is also a three year starter with a solid record of 36-10. He is similar to Lynch in that he is a great runner. But, he needs some serious work with a great QB coach before he can be touted as a starter in the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs (11-5, 28th overall pick) Need: Defensive End
The Chiefs are a few pieces (and a healthy running back) away from taking this division. The biggest question mark is the depth and age of KC's defense. Tamba Hali, their pass rush specialist, is going to be 33 and starting end Mike DeVito is going to be 32. Meanwhile, the depth behind these guys isn't exactly deep nor note worthy. Their lynch pin for their 3-4 defense is nose tackle Jay Howard, who they just signed back after testing the FA market. Free agency is thin right now but nose tackle Terrance Knighton from Denver would add depth and experience to any roster. Knighton is going into his eighth year as a pro and has amassed 230 tackles and 14 sacks. He is also an impressive 6'3, 355lbs and with that frame he does a great job of absorbing multiple blocks. If KC looks to the draft they should take a look at Andrew Billings from Baylor. What has Billings done at Baylor? Well, he played since he was a true freshman, named to the 2015 All-American team (AP), named the 2015 Co-Big 12 defensive player of the year, and was anointed as "college football's strongest player" via NFL.com. What impresses me is ability to find the football in the backfield. He racked up 30 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks as a Bear. A great fit for a end spot in this defense and possibly a real deal this late in the first round.
Oakland Raiders (7-9, 14th overall pick) Need: Safety
So, the Raiders have their quarterback. As well as a fleet of high-dollar, big-name free agent signings. This is the making of a Raider team that can make a play for a wild card berth... maybe. It will be interesting to how all these guys gel together IF they do. Now, what do they still need to improve at? Safety. Eric Weddle was one the best buys on the market but was just signed by the Ravens today; how about Walter Thurmond III? Over six seasons he has 121 tackles, 4INT, and 22 pass deflections. He plays like an old school safety, doesn't mind going 'into the box' or rattling a receiver's cage with a bone jarring hit. But. He constantly injured and has missed 30 starts since 2010. Now, I have talked a lot about Vonn Bell from Ohio State so, now I want to talk about the other strong and free safeties available. At the free safety spot there is Jalen Mills from LSU. He has played both corner and safety since he was as a freshman. His 2015 campaign was cut short due to a broken leg but recovered in time to run drills at the Senior Bowl in February. The other option at strong safety in Duke's Jeremy Cash. At Duke he was a two year captain with 27 starts. More impressive? 232 total tackles, 6INT, 5.5 sacks AND had 10 games with double digit tackles. Another mid second round gem that could contribute right away.
San Diego Chargers (4-12, 3rd overall pick) Need: Defensive End
A lot of question marks around this franchise. Will they remain in San Diego or share a spot in L.A.? And when is this team finally going to break out?! Philip Rivers and Antonino Gates aren't getting any older and maybe a run at the playoffs is what this team needs to remain where they should be... in San Diego. In free agency they inked corner Casey Howard from Green Bay to sure up their secondary after losing Eric Weddle. And on offense they got down-the-field threat Travis Benjamin from Cleveland who will most likely be River's new favorite target. Now the Chargers just need to improve their pass rush. Defensive end Chris Long from the Rams is available and is getting looks from Dallas, Atlanta and New England. Long has 54.5 career sacks but only managed three last season. Also available is end Courtney Upshaw from Baltimore. Upshaw is more of a run stopper than an edge rush guy. In 2015 he had 29 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Not too bad as a rotational guy. In the draft San Diego has the third overall pick and have a shot at getting two great ends, either Joey Bosa of OSU or (who I think maybe better for the Chargers) DeForest Buckner from Oregon. At 6'7, 287lbs he is a force to be reckoned with off the edge. He netted 232 tackles, 18 sacks as a four year starter. But, more impressive is his 10 pass breakups. Why? That shows he gets into passing lanes and disrupts the pass without even laying a finger on the QB.
Well! That is it for the 'What does your team REALLY need' series, up next:
The Godfather of Sports Mock Draft 1.0 (Can you handle it?!)
Stats, facts and figures: ESPN.com, NFL.com, GoTigersGo.com, MSUSpartons.com, BaylorBears.com, GoDucks.com, GoDuke.com
Denver Broncos (12-4, 31st overall pick) Need: Quarterback
The free agent losses have been so bad in Denver that MileHighReport.com went so far as to call it "...a bloodbath of loses." Kind of mind blowing that the Broncos went from one of the most ideal QB situations to maybe the worst in a matter of 72hrs. Peyton Manning retired, as he should have, while Brock Osweiler took a big money deal in Houston. To suppress some of the bleeding the Broncos traded a conditional draft pick for Mark Sanchez. To some that was a laughable move but I would take Sanchez over anyone else on the FA market. He has had some solid starts, hasn't had any major injuries of note, and doesn't cause a ruckus in the locker room. He isn't going to throw for 300yds and 4TD every game but, he can at least manage the offense till the Broncos find their new franchise guy. If anything he threw 13 less interceptions than Manning did in 2015. Everyone expects Jared Goff and Carson Wentz to be long gone by the time the Broncos pick at 31 so lets look at the other 'top' three quarterbacks in the 2016 draft. Paxton Lynch of Memphis strikes me as a guy that John Elway would want as the face of his team. Lynch boasted 38 starts at Memphis. In that time he amassed 8,863yds, 59TD and 23INT through the air and another 687yds and 17TD on the ground. Paxton is the model of 'what it is to be a modern day quarterback.' Next is MSU QB Connor Cook, who ended his days at MSU as the all time passing leader. Cook was 34-5 as a starter and threw for 9,194yds, 79TD and 22INT. Very impressive as a purse passer. Last is Kevin Hogan from Stanford. Hogan is also a three year starter with a solid record of 36-10. He is similar to Lynch in that he is a great runner. But, he needs some serious work with a great QB coach before he can be touted as a starter in the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs (11-5, 28th overall pick) Need: Defensive End
The Chiefs are a few pieces (and a healthy running back) away from taking this division. The biggest question mark is the depth and age of KC's defense. Tamba Hali, their pass rush specialist, is going to be 33 and starting end Mike DeVito is going to be 32. Meanwhile, the depth behind these guys isn't exactly deep nor note worthy. Their lynch pin for their 3-4 defense is nose tackle Jay Howard, who they just signed back after testing the FA market. Free agency is thin right now but nose tackle Terrance Knighton from Denver would add depth and experience to any roster. Knighton is going into his eighth year as a pro and has amassed 230 tackles and 14 sacks. He is also an impressive 6'3, 355lbs and with that frame he does a great job of absorbing multiple blocks. If KC looks to the draft they should take a look at Andrew Billings from Baylor. What has Billings done at Baylor? Well, he played since he was a true freshman, named to the 2015 All-American team (AP), named the 2015 Co-Big 12 defensive player of the year, and was anointed as "college football's strongest player" via NFL.com. What impresses me is ability to find the football in the backfield. He racked up 30 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks as a Bear. A great fit for a end spot in this defense and possibly a real deal this late in the first round.
Oakland Raiders (7-9, 14th overall pick) Need: Safety
So, the Raiders have their quarterback. As well as a fleet of high-dollar, big-name free agent signings. This is the making of a Raider team that can make a play for a wild card berth... maybe. It will be interesting to how all these guys gel together IF they do. Now, what do they still need to improve at? Safety. Eric Weddle was one the best buys on the market but was just signed by the Ravens today; how about Walter Thurmond III? Over six seasons he has 121 tackles, 4INT, and 22 pass deflections. He plays like an old school safety, doesn't mind going 'into the box' or rattling a receiver's cage with a bone jarring hit. But. He constantly injured and has missed 30 starts since 2010. Now, I have talked a lot about Vonn Bell from Ohio State so, now I want to talk about the other strong and free safeties available. At the free safety spot there is Jalen Mills from LSU. He has played both corner and safety since he was as a freshman. His 2015 campaign was cut short due to a broken leg but recovered in time to run drills at the Senior Bowl in February. The other option at strong safety in Duke's Jeremy Cash. At Duke he was a two year captain with 27 starts. More impressive? 232 total tackles, 6INT, 5.5 sacks AND had 10 games with double digit tackles. Another mid second round gem that could contribute right away.
San Diego Chargers (4-12, 3rd overall pick) Need: Defensive End
A lot of question marks around this franchise. Will they remain in San Diego or share a spot in L.A.? And when is this team finally going to break out?! Philip Rivers and Antonino Gates aren't getting any older and maybe a run at the playoffs is what this team needs to remain where they should be... in San Diego. In free agency they inked corner Casey Howard from Green Bay to sure up their secondary after losing Eric Weddle. And on offense they got down-the-field threat Travis Benjamin from Cleveland who will most likely be River's new favorite target. Now the Chargers just need to improve their pass rush. Defensive end Chris Long from the Rams is available and is getting looks from Dallas, Atlanta and New England. Long has 54.5 career sacks but only managed three last season. Also available is end Courtney Upshaw from Baltimore. Upshaw is more of a run stopper than an edge rush guy. In 2015 he had 29 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Not too bad as a rotational guy. In the draft San Diego has the third overall pick and have a shot at getting two great ends, either Joey Bosa of OSU or (who I think maybe better for the Chargers) DeForest Buckner from Oregon. At 6'7, 287lbs he is a force to be reckoned with off the edge. He netted 232 tackles, 18 sacks as a four year starter. But, more impressive is his 10 pass breakups. Why? That shows he gets into passing lanes and disrupts the pass without even laying a finger on the QB.
Well! That is it for the 'What does your team REALLY need' series, up next:
The Godfather of Sports Mock Draft 1.0 (Can you handle it?!)
Stats, facts and figures: ESPN.com, NFL.com, GoTigersGo.com, MSUSpartons.com, BaylorBears.com, GoDucks.com, GoDuke.com
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