Team Needs: AFC West

 

Denver Broncos: Owner Pat Bowlen was the last realize, or at least, admit that hiring Josh McDaniels was a big, fat, ugly mistake. He and the Broncos will start over again with John Fox and John Elway upstairs.


Denver needs help everywhere on defense. They were ill equipped to play the 3-4 last season, and may very well switch back to the 4-3 under Fox.  Champ Bailey is a pending UFA.  It will further decimate this team if he goes elsewhere.  The Broncos could use help all along the D-line, ILB and Safety.  Add CB to the list if Bailey walks.  Offensively, the team is good at the skill positions, but could use an upgrade at RT, TE and will eventually need a QB when Tebow becomes the last failure of the McDaniels era... but this isn't the draft to address this need. (ooooh, that stings, I know!)

Oakland Raiders: The Raiders were surprisingly competitive this past season.  Jason Campbell was a big reason for their success, but he still may be only a stop-gap player for them.  Firing Tom Cable will prove to be yet another bad move by owner Mr. Burns Al Davis.  It's sad to say, but the Raiders will need him to die before they can really become a legit contender again.

In the mean time, they will have to retain free agents, Nnamdi Asomugha (unlikely) and Richard Seymour to stay in the mix.  Like we said regarding Denver, this isn't the year to draft a QB of the future, so Oakland may want to get a legit #1 WR, a cover corner to aid in replacing Asomugha, or address upgrading their O-line, particularly at Center and RT.  The Raiders could also beef up the rush ends on the D-line and LB... but a little arsenic in the coffee cups in the owners box would help significantly more. (kidding) (not really)  (no, kidding)

You stay classy San Diego.

San Diego Chargers: San Dog fell short of the playoffs, but there are many who still think that this is the best team in the division.  Their offense is their strength, but they could still use some depth at receiver.  Defense has been their Achilles.  Once an elite unit, age and injury has felled this one-time buzz saw group.


The Chargers need help on the ends.  DE, OLB and CB.  Unlike the truly elite teams, GM A.J. Smith has not had success in grooming young players to take over in these roles.


Kansas City Chiefs: KC made a big jump this season.  The won the division, but no one had confidence in this group to do damage in the playoffs.  They were steamrolled by the Ravens, who exposed nearly all of their weaknesses in the process.

The offense could use some tweaks, but there are no major needs.  An upgrade at RT, a complement WR for Bowe, but they are in good shape. However, the front-seven on defense needs a complete overhaul.  Tamba Hali is a force, but they could use six more guys to help him!  It's a good draft of D-line, so the Chiefs may find just what they need.