NFL: 2025 AFC West Preview

The last of the 8 divisions is the AFC West. Can anyone beat the Chiefs?

AFC West Preview

Denver Broncos

• Coaching: HC Sean Payton is back, and his Broncos have steadily improved year over year. OC Joe Lombardi returns, and he had a good first year with last year’s rookie QB, Bo Nix. DC Vance Johnson’s unit was top flight last year, and I expect even more this year.
• Departures: LB Zach Cunningham (to DET), RB Javonte Williams (to DAL), QB Zach Wilson (to MIA)
• Additions:
  • Free Agents:
    • Defense: LB Dre Greenlaw (from SF), S Talanoa Hufanga (from SF)
    • Offense: TE Evan Engram (from JAC), RB JK Dobbins (from LAC), RB Adam Prentice (from NO), WR Trent Sherfield (from MIN)
  • Draft:
    • CB Jahdae Barron (1st – Texas)
    • RB RJ Harvey (2nd – Central Florida)
    • WR Pat Bryant (3rd – Illinois)
    • DE Sai’vion Jones (3rd – LSU)
    • LB Que Robinson (4th – Alabama)
• Overview – The Broncos are the most likely candidate to take the AFC West from the Chiefs. No one has won the division since Peyton Manning was in town, so it will take a big effort. However, this D is potentially the best in the league, and they match up well against the Chiefs. QB Bo Nix may not be at the same level of efficiency, but the rookie RB Harvey and the weapons are good to balance out any regression.
• Prediction – I have them at 12-5, but winning the division. It may be tough, but I trust the D and the younger DEN O over the Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Coaching: HC Andy Reid is now on his 13th year in KC, which just surpasses his time in PHI. He has built a dynasty for the Chiefs, but can they keep it going? OC Matt Nagy and DC Steve Spagnuolo complete the staff (along with STC Dave Toub). They know the drill, even if they fell short of the three peat.
• Departures: OT Joe Thuney (via trade to CHI), WR DeAndre Hopkins (to BAL), WR Mecole Hardman (to GB), QB Carson Wentz (unsigned), RB Samaje Perine (to CIN), S Justin Reid (to NO), OT DJ Humphries (to LAR), DT Derrick Nnadi (to NYJ)
• Additions:
  • Free Agents:
    • Defense: DT Jerry Tillery (from MIN), CB Kristian Fulton (from LAC), S Mike Edwards (from TB)
    • Offense: QB Gardner Minshew (from LVR), QB Bailey Zappe (from CLE), OT Jaylon Moore (from SF), RB Elijah Mitchell (from SF)
  • Draft:
    • OT Josh Simons (1st – Ohio State)
    • DT Omarr Norman-Lott (2nd – Tennessee)
    • DE Ashton Gillotte (3rd – Louisville)
    • CB Nohl Williams (3rd – Cal)
    • WR Jalen Royals (4th – Utah State)
    • LB Jeffrey Bassa (5th – Oregon)
• Overview – The Chiefs were lucky to win as many games as they did in 2024. They have worked to get younger on the O-Line with the rookie OT. The young guys at WR – Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice (who will likely get suspended after 4 weeks) need to step up this year with Kelce getting older. QB Patrick Mahomes may be the best player in the league, but he needs help. The D has picked up plenty of depth in Free Agency and the Draft, so they should lead the team again. However, I think the odds are against them this year with the other teams in the division to win it.
• Prediction – I have them at 12-5, but edged out by the Broncos for the division. Should be tougher than last year to win.

Los Angeles Chargers

• Coaching: HC Jim Harbaugh enters his second year at the helm. They made the playoffs in 2024, but it will be harder to get that done in the loaded AFC in 2025. OC Greg Roman was good in his first year with Herbert (except in the playoffs). DC Jesse Minter’s first year was just ok, and they need to make more impact plays to climb the rankings.
• Departures: DE Joey Bosa (to BUF), RB Gus Edwards (unsigned), CB Asante Samuel (unsigned), CB Eli Apple (to SF), RB JK Dobbins (to DEN), WR Josh Palmer (to BUF), DT Poona Ford (to LAR)
• Additions:
  • Free Agents:
    • Defense: DE Da’Shawn Hand (from MIA), CB Donte Jackson (from PIT), DT Naquan Jones (from AZ), LB Del’Shawn Phillips (from HOU)
    • Offense: WR Keenan Allen (from CHI), RB Najee Harris (from PIT), OG Mekhi Becton (from PHI), C Andre James (from LVR), TE Tyler Conklin (from NYJ)
  • Draft:
    • RB Omarion Hampton (1st – UNC)
    • WR Tre Harris (2nd – Ole Miss)
    • DT Jamaree Caldwell (3rd – Oregon)
    • OLB Kyle Kennard (4th – South Carolina)
    • WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (5th – Auburn)
    • TE Gadsden Oronde (5th – Syracuse) – 3rd on the depth chart
    • S RJ Mickens (6th – Clemson) – 3rd on the depth chart
    • OG Branson Taylor (6th – Pitt)
• Overview – The Chargers were tough in the regular season in 2024, but they were manhandled in the playoffs. Can this team get tougher? I’m not sure. QB Justin Herbert will need to show me if he can lead a team into real battle. His terrible outing in the postseason is hard to erase from my memory. Plus, the D was lackluster. Getting rid of Bosa should actually help, but I’m not seeing anyone that can disrupt an offense on this team right now. That’s why they are a cut below.
• Prediction – The Chargers will have a shot at the playoffs, but in this tough division and the AFC, I have them on the outside looking in at 9-8.

Las Vegas Raiders

• Coaching: Another new regime in Las Vegas with HC Pete Carroll (again the oldest coach in the league). Carroll has great energy, but can he really turn around the culture and performance of this mediocre roster? Carroll taps OC Chip Kelly to run the O, which is interesting. Kelly did well in college lately, but not sure how he will do again in the NFL. DC is Patrick Graham who is a holdover in the last 2 administrations.
• Departures: QB Gardiner Minshew (to KC), RB Alexander Mattison (to MIA), QB Desmond Ridder (to CIN), OG Andrus Peat (to PIT), DT John Jenkins (to BAL)
• Additions:
  • Free Agents:
    • Defense: LB Germaine Pratt (from CIN), LB Elandon Roberts (from PIT), LB Devin White (from HOU), CB Jeremy Chinn (from WAS), CB Eric Stokes (from GB), DT Leki Fotu (from NYJ), DT Thomas Booker (via trade PHI)
    • Offense: QB Geno Smith (from SEA), WR Collin Johnson (from CHI), OG Alex Cappa (from CIN), RB Raheem Mostert (from MIA)
  • Draft:
    • RB Ashton Jeanty (1st – Boise State)
    • WR Jack Bech (2nd – TCU)
    • CB Darien Porter (3rd – Iowa State)
    • OT Charles Grant (3rd – William & Mary)
    • OG Caleb Rogers (3rd – Texas Tech)
    • WR Dont’e Thornton (4th – Tennessee)
    • DT Tonka Hemingway (4th – South Carolina) – 3rd on the depth chart
    • QB Cam Miller (6th – North Dakota State)
    • DT JJ Pegues (6th – Ole Miss) – 3rd on the depth chart
• Overview – The Raiders are in full rebuild mode at this point. Yes, they have a dynamic player in RB Ashton Jeanty, and there are a lot of young players here. However, how far can QB Geno Smith take this team? I think this team will struggle to win games. They may get a few here and there, but there is no way this team makes the playoffs.
• Prediction – 5-12 – that is probably generous

We are finished with the previews. At the end of camp, I’ll give my final predictions on the season records, divisions, playoffs and Super Bowl – plus award selections and best bets. Look for my fantasy rankings at the end of this week for your upcoming drafts.

Wegs