Free Agency Moves: AFC West (6/2/2008)

Dave Zoll, Co-Contributor

 

 

 

 

 

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The outcome of the AFC West appears to be about as predictable as it gets even before preseason.  Three teams in transition and one clear favorite to take the division.  The Broncos and Chiefs are destine to be middle-of-the-road teams this again this year as their once dominant ground games have taken a few steps back.  It’s an exciting time in Oakland with the addition of a talented rookie RB, and a huge upgrade at WR, but their 2^nd year QB will likely play the deciding role in this team even approaching .500.  That leaves the Chargers, who are returning the majority of their 2007 starters, lined up for another easy division win.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos had a fairly busy off-season. But seemed to make mostly lateral moves in the free agent market.  On the defensive side of the ball, LB Ian Gold was cut to make room for LB’s Niko Koutouvides and Boss Bailey, DE Ebenezer Ekuban was re-signed and Safety Marlon McCree was brought in to upgrade the secondary.  On the offensive side of the ball, Denver decided to cut veteran WR Javon Walker even with the uncertainty surrounding Brandon Marshall.  Off-season additions at the WR position include Keary Colbert (formerly with Carolina), Darrell Jackson (formerly with San Francisco), Samie Parker, (formerly with Kansas City), and rookie 2^nd round pick Eddie Royal from Virginia Tech.  At this point it doesn’t look like the Bronco’s will be hurting for #2/#3 quality receivers.  Denver’s first round draft pick was used to select Boise State offensive tackle Ryan Clady who should make an immediate contribution.

 

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs off-season reemphasized their commitment to defense and the running game. Overall, the Chiefs ended the 2008 draft with 12 picks (6 in rounds 1-3 and 6 in rounds 5-7) and used them to restock a team that is clearly in transition. Offensive additions include former Dallas FB Oliver Hoyte, former Baltimore WR Devard Darling, 1^st round pick Branden Albert (OG) from Virginia, 3^rd round pick Jamaal Charles (RB) from Texas, 3^rd round pick Brad Cottam (TE) from Tennessee, and a few additional high round draft picks in rounds 4-7 (WR Will Franklin, OT Barry Richardson, WR Kevin Robinson, & TE Mike Merritt).  Defensive additions include CB B.J. Sams, 1^st round pick Glenn Dorsey (DT) from LSU, 2^nd round pick, Brandon Flowers (CB) from Virginia Tech, 3^rd round pick DaJuan Morgan (S) from North Carolina State and a couple of high-round defensive players in the 5^th (CB Brandon Carr) and 7^th (DE Brian Johnson) rounds of the draft.  The Chiefs also picked up ex-Saint & Cowboy K Billy Kundiff. Key KC losses include WR Eddie Kennison (cut) and DE Jared Allen (traded to the Vikings for multiple 2008 draft picks). 

 

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders made a big splash in both the free agency market and the 2008 draft.  It looks like the ownership has finally made a commitment to improving an Oakland team that hasn’t won more than 5 games in a season since 2002.  The Raiders most notable offensive additions were former Carolina WR Drew Carter, veteran WR Javon Walker and 1^st round draft pick Darren McFadden (RB) from Arkansas.  Defensive additions include former Giant safety Gabril Wilson, former Falcon corner DeAngelo Hall and former Lion defensive end Kalimba Edwards.  Key losses for the Raiders include DT Warren Sapp (retired) and RB Dominic Rhodes (cut). With their franchise QB JaMarcus Russell and a ton of upgrades Oakland will be looking to shed their losing ways and make a run at a pretty strong AFC West division.  For the meantime it looks like they’ll still be second best to the Bolts.

 

San Diego Chargers

The powers that be in San Diego must feel like their 2007 roster was good enough to take them to the Super Bowl, because the Chargers made extremely few efforts to improve their team in the off season.  Aside from a handful of not-so-exciting free agent moves the Chargers only really added former 49er LB Derek Smith, 1^st round pick Antoine Cason (CB) from Arizona, 3^rd round pick Jacob Hester (FB) from LSU and three other high round draft picks (RB Marcus Thomas, CB DeJuan Tribble and OT Corey Clark).  With a firm foundation of skill players, the Chargers will again be favored to win the AFC West by a landslide.