With payroll limitations preventing franchises from signing a reliable starter at every position, there are on-field spots up for grabs in every NFL roster. Today, the focus is on the AFC West division battles, without giving away our predictions.
Las Vegas Raiders: Cornerback number 2
In an increasingly aerial league, having good cornerbacks on defense is a given. Jack Jones (outside 1) and Nate Hobbs (slot) are solid but not more. The number 2 position gives even less certainty!
Jakorian Bennett's rookie season, laborious if ever there was one, is not reassuring. Constantly wandering because he did not recognize the receivers' routes in time, his playing time was considerably reduced from the 4th week of 2023! However, the player has the asset of liveliness to counter the explosiveness of modern receivers: if he improves his game intelligence then he will become a reliable starter.
Signed after the 2018 draft, Brandon Facyson has since had only one good season in six (2021). Playing only three games in 2023 due to injury, he is the most mature of the candidates and retains the confidence of Tom Telesco: the same manager who recruited him when he was with the Chargers.
Big and yet fast, Decamerion Richardson cuts an attractive profile. Having played four seasons in the top college conference (SEC), he knows what it's like to have to defend a talented receiver and do so under the pressure of a large audience. But for now, he can be dubbed in the original version the term “raw” (raw/unpolished).
Having to face quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice a year, the cornerback squad worries fans. With plenty of salary cap room, the staff could recruit a player who is still available such as Stephon Gilmore, Xavien Howard or JC Jackson.
Prediction: Jakorian Bennett or last minute signing
Also: quarterbacks, running backs, linebackers
Denver Broncos: No. 2 receiver
The Broncos sent Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland in exchange for two draft picks. That leaves only Courtland Sutton as a reliable receiver. Denver needs to find a partner for him, especially after the much-maligned selection of quarterback Bo Nix in the first round of the 2024 draft.
Present on a third of the possible games in 2023, Marvin Mims showed his speed with an average of 17 yards per reception! Explosive in small spaces and quick to attack the depth, he must become a more complete player for his second season.
Over his last two seasons, Tim Patrick has thrown for 742 yards and 6 touchdowns, then 734 yards and 5 touchdowns! The problem is that these are the 2020 and 2021 seasons! Injured in a knee and then an ankle, he has two blank seasons. To protect himself from a recurrence of injury, the staff used free agency and then the draft.
Josh Reynolds is the prototype of the receiver useful to his offense: 30 of his 42 receptions in 2023 have given Detroit a new series of attempts. Rookie Troy Franklin has gained at least 100 yards in eight of his thirteen games in 2023! Above all, he has achieved these performances by catching balls thrown by Bo Nix. The Broncos are counting on their automatisms for the present and for the future.
Prediction: Marvin Mims
Also: center, tight end, nickel cornerback, interior linebackers
Kansas City Chiefs: left tackle
Donovan Smith was protecting Patrick Mahomes' left side in 2023. Not retained, the Chiefs must find another bodyguard in 2024.
In 2023, Wanya Morris held this position for games 13 to 16, before giving up his place again to the return from injury of Donovan Smith. The rookie sketched some of his qualities but generally struggled! For the moment, he is favored to play opposite Jawaan Taylor. But during training camp, he will have to beat a rookie.
With the 63rd pick in the 2024 draft, Kansas City recruited Kingsley Suamataia (cover photo). Growing up between Utah and Hawaii, he has exceptional athleticism! Enough to be ranked 3rd in the prestigious “Bruce Fieldman's Freak List”, and to obtain a grade of 9.35 out of 10 according to his workshops at the 2024 NFL Combine. His offensive coordinator at BYU, Aaron Roderick, tells The Athletic:
“Kingsley Suamataia is the most athletic and violent offensive lineman I have ever coached! More athletic than Garrett Bolles (Broncos) who I coached at Utah, more athletic than Blake Freeland (Colts) who I coached at BYU.”
Because Patrick Mahomes loves to buy time by moving in the pocket, his left tackle must be athletic enough to hold his opponent at bay for that three- to five-second window.
Prediction: Kingsley Suamataia
Also: cornerback number 2, defensive end number 2, safeties, receivers
Los Angeles Chargers: Right Guard
Jim Harbaugh is ambitious. From the San Francisco 49ers to the University of Michigan, he has always built his teams around a dominant offensive line. Three of the five positions are filled: Rashawn Slater (LT), Zion Johnson (LG) and Joe Alt (RT). The right guard position, and the center position to a lesser extent, are up for grabs.
Starting right tackle the last two seasons, Trey Pipkins hasn't always been at his best: 8 sacks conceded in 2023. But with above-average athleticism, he could earn a job on the inside. To do so, he'll have to beat out two players who are four years younger.
Jamaree Salyer played left tackle in 2022 and then right guard in 2023. Initially correct in replacing the injured Rashawn Slater, he did not confirm the following year by being in great difficulty inside. The third candidate is Jordan McFadden.
Tackle in college, his modest stature by NFL standards prevents him from staying outside in the pros. Two games as a starter at left guard in 2023 allowed him to show some virtues in the first. But the second confrontation, against the Chiefs and Chris Jones, showed that he still has progress to make. It should be noted that Jordan McFadden is also competing with Bradley Bozeman for the center position.
Prediction: Trey Pipkins
Also: center, receivers, edge
