Around the AFC West: Teams jockey for position before free agency
Mar 6, 2020, 6:56 AM
The Scouting Combine has come and passed, so now there is a bit of a gap before the start of free agency later this month. That’s not stopping teams from getting deals done as we’re seeing some trade activity (including the Broncos) and street free agent signings already.
Things are going to start ramping up in the NFL and in the Broncos division. Some analysts out there believe that this could be the toughest division in football as everyone tries to play catch-up to the Chiefs.
Let’s take a spin around the AFC West to see what the competition is up to.
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Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs running back LeSean McCoy is not expected to return to the team in 2020. At 32 years old later this summer, McCoy is not the player he used to be. He had fumbling problem for the Chiefs in 2019 and that’s why he was a healthy scratch as the team made their run to a Super Bowl championship.
McCoy is not totally washed up at this point, as he averaged a healthy 4.6 yards per carry last year. In addition to being a quality runner (when he held onto the rock), McCoy also snared 28 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown in just 13 games.
The Eagles and Chargers are two potential landing spots according to the people I talk to. McCoy had some of his best years with the Eagles and the Chargers are looking for a veteran back since Melvin Gordon is expected to move on.
There are also some rumblings that the Lions could be interested in the veteran back as a mentor for Kerryon Johnson. He’s not the player he used to be, but McCoy could have a bit more interest than some think.
In other news, Chiefs offensive lineman Cameron Erving is not expected to have his option picked up by the team. Erving was in the lineup for eight spot starts when starting left tackle Eric Fisher went down last year. The Chiefs save $3.5 million from declining his option, but there is $1.4 million in dead money. Heading into his age-27 season, Erving should resurface in a swing role.
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Las Vegas Raiders
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is expected to be used more heavily in the passing game in 2020, according to general manager Mike Mayock. Calling it “phase two” for the sophomore running back, Mayock certainly got fantasy football general managers excited about the young runner’s prospects in 2020.
Jacobs did good work as a rusher last year, but he was only targeted 27 times in 2019. Even though the Raiders re-signed Jalen Richard to a two-year deal in February, expect Jacobs to open up the 2020 season in a full-time role.
The quarterback situation in Vegas is one to watch, with many out there speculating that Tom Brady will land with the team. However, I’m also watching the backup situation with the Raiders.
Eagles quarterback Nate Sudfeld might have an interested party in the Raiders if he doesn’t re-sign. Raiders head coach Jon Gruden worked with Sudfeld a few offseasons earlier while the quarterback was preparing for the season with brother Jay Gruden’s Redskins.
I really liked Sudfeld when he came out of the University of Indiana in 2016. I watched him during the week of practice for the East-West Shrine Game and he impressed scouts in attendance. Sudfeld has been developing behind Carson Wentz and is a tall, pocket-passer who has a strong arm and sees the field well.
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Los Angeles Chargers
There are a few news items with the Chargers to keep up on. Most of them we already expected, but now things are official or becoming really close to reality. One item was a bit of a shock and has to be summed up as a quality move by the Chargers.
As aforementioned in this article, Chargers running back Melvin Gordon – a pending free agent – is planning to test the market. He wanted a new deal from the Chargers last year and held out as long as possible but to no avail. There were even rumblings that Gordon was on the trade block last fall, but the team got no takers. Gordon has plenty of starting experience and there is buzz that he could land with a team like the Buccaneers as they are in need a lead back.
Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin was mutually released Tuesday. The team has to eat $1.5 million in dead money with this transaction. Benjamin’s game has fallen off since he joined the Chargers a few years ago. However, the speedy veteran should have a few teams interested where he can provide a deep threat and veteran depth.
Impending free-agent tight end Hunter Henry is expected to receive the franchise tag from the Chargers if the two sides are unable to reach a long-term deal before March 12. Again, this is not a surprise, but it does show how Henry is an important part of what the Chargers want to do on offense.
Earlier this week, the Chargers traded offensive tackle Russell Okung to the Panthers in exchange for offensive guard Trai Turner. Okung is in the final year of his contract, but Turner has two years remaining on his deal where he is due $20.5 million. While Okung is faltering as a starting tackle, Turner is a solid starter and upgrade for the Chargers up front. Now that they’ve traded away Okung, expect the Chargers to select an offensive tackle with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
