AFC West offseason: Will Broncos' stars return?
Now that the 2014 NFL season is over, it's time to take a look into preparations for the 2015 season with the NFL scouting combine less than two weeks away in Indianapolis. This is one in a series of team-by-team looks at the needs of each AFC team. Other AFC divisions will be posted throughout the day.
DENVER BRONCOS
The Denver Broncos might be the four-time defending AFC West champions, but that didn't spare them from a major overhaul heading into 2015, starting with the departure of former head coach John Fox and much of his staff. Broncos' general manager John Elway hired his former backup, Gary Kubiak to be head coach, and Kubiak hired former Broncos' head coach Wade Phillips to run the defense. It led to a lot of feel-good reunion stories in January, but how will it translate to wins? So much of that answer depends on if quarterback Peyton Manning decides to return.
Contract issues: The Broncos face some major decisions heading into free agency, with starters like receivers Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker, tight end Julius Thomas, guard Orlando Franklin, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton and safety Rahim Moore all set to hit the open market. Demaryius Thomas is likely to receive the franchise tag, but it seems unlikely all of those other players will be able to return.
Draft pickings: As the Broncos likely return to a zone blocking run scheme in 2015, revamping the offensive line should be a top priority. Look for Denver to try to find a tackle to play opposite left tackle Ryan Clady early in the draft, as well as at least one interior lineman.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Though the Kansas City Chiefs failed to make the playoffs in Year 2 of the Andy Reid era, Kansas City did have some impressive wins – most notably against the two Super Bowl teams, New England and Seattle – to build upon. Kansas City locked up quarterback Alex Smith last summer, allowing the focus to be elsewhere on the roster in 2015. Still, it's hard to predict just how good the Chiefs will be given the amount of questions they face with some important veteran players.
Contract issues: The biggest free agent question is outside linebacker Justin Houston, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the two sides were unable to agree on a contract extension in 2014. Houston is one of the NFL's elite pass rushers, and it is imperative the Chiefs keep him from leaving. Kansas City will also need to make decisions about outside linebacker Tamba Hali (who will count nearly $12 million toward the salary cap) and receiver Dwayne Bowe, who is set to make $10.75 million in base salary.
Draft pickings: The Chiefs desperately need to upgrade at wide receiver after a season in which no Chiefs wide receiver caught a touchdown pass. If the Chiefs were to lose either Houston or Hali, or both, pass rusher would also become high on their draft needs list.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
The Oakland Raiders' long coaching search – the second run by owner Mark Davis and general manager Reggie McKenzie – ended when the Raiders hired from Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio, who spent the previous three years as the defensive coordinator in Denver. Del Rio inherits a roster that still has plenty of holes, but after a 2014 draft that included a stud pass rusher in Khalil Mack and potential franchise quarterback Derek Carr, could be poised to make a jump into the middle of the AFC pack.
Contract issues: The Raiders should have money to spend and could be major players for the first time in years. Imagine if the Raiders could wind up pulling off a major deal in free agency to land a player like Ndamukong Suh? Among their own players set hit free agency are running back Darren McFadden, who played last year on a one-year deal, defensive tackle Pat Sims and receiver Denarius Moore.
Draft pickings: Though the Raiders have used their past two first-round picks on a cornerback (D.J. Hayden) and a pass rusher (Mack), the Raiders still need help at both of those position. The Raiders also need to upgrade the weapons for Carr – so don't be surprised if the Raiders look at receivers early in the draft.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
A promising season for the Chargers crashed late in the year, with losses to New England, Denver and Kansas City over the final month of the season, leaving the Chargers with some significant questions about how much support is around quarterback Philip Rivers. Still, the Chargers will enter 2015 with consistency at quarterback and with the coaching staff, which should make San Diego the team most likely to challenge the Broncos for the divisional title.
Contract issues: The Chargers have a long list of players set to hit free agency, including running back Ryan Mathews, slot receiver Eddie Royal, cornerback Brandon Flowers and left tackle King Dunlap, yet not a ton of room under the cap to spend. That should leave the Chargers having to make some tough choices come March.
Draft pickings: As has also been the case in recent year, the Chargers' top draft priority has to be along the offensive line, with needs for tackles and interior linemen. If Flowers leaves, the Chargers would also need another cornerback to play opposite last year's first-round pick, Jason Verrett.
***
Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @ByLindsayHJones