Around the AFC West: Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders added new weapons

I’m back from vacation, so it’s time to take a spin around the Broncos division. The AFC West should be one of the toughest divisions in football and it will be important to know what Denver’s biggest foes are up to.

With training camps opening around the league, expect the news to start flowing at a higher rate. It’s going to be different this year due to COVID-19 and reporting guidelines have changed. We may not have as much information as we used to during this time of year, but I have enough sources around the league to get the inside scoop.

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 first-round pick running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire officially signed his four-year deal on Tuesday, July 21. The deal includes a fifth-year option. Edwards-Helaire was a standout player at LSU and he can make plays as a runner or receiver out of the backfield.

Before the draft, the Chiefs reached out to superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes just to get his input. Mahomes suggested the team gets Edwards-Helaire as he was a player he felt could fit into what their high-powered offense is doing. The Chiefs obliged and selected Edwards-Helaire with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Edwards-Helaire could be the starter for the Chiefs from day one. He’ll compete with Damien Williams for the top spot on the depth chart. The rookie should at least have a sizable rotational role if he doesn’t win the starting job. The Chiefs are already one of the best passing offenses in football and with Edwards-Helaire they could be one of the best on the ground too.

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Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III agreed to terms on his four-year rookie deal on Tuesday, July 21. The contract is slotted, per the NFL’s rules, and it is fully guaranteed for $16.67 million. Per NFL policy for first-round draft choices, the deal includes a team option for a fifth year.

Ruggs was college teammates with Broncos first-round pick Jerry Jeudy and was taken off the board right before him. While Jeudy is a great route-runner, Ruggs’ game is all about speed, speed and more speed. We’ll see these two compete for division dominance for years to come.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw for a career-high 4,054 yards in 2019. Of that total, 53.9 percent came after the catch – the second-highest percentage in the league – per Pro Football Focus. Carr was able to get that kind of production while lacking a true No. 1 wide receiver in 2019. Imagine how many yards after the catch he’ll be able to get this year with a speedy Ruggs as his top target.

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Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is one of four receivers with at least 300 catches and 3,500 yards since the start of the 2017 season. Allen is a special player who has outperformed his draft status.

A third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Allen fell in his class due to a knee injury he suffered in college at Cal. He’s battled through some injuries as a pro, but Allen has produced consistently at a high level. The Chargers have Tyrod Taylor and rookie first-round pick Justin Herbert competing for the starting job and no matter who wins the top spot Allen should continue to be a favorite and productive target.

Chargers running back Justin Jackson and fourth-round pick Joshua Kelley will compete for the second running back spot behind starter Austin Ekeler. The Chargers are still high on Jackson, who averaged 5.1 yards per carry on 79 rushes in 2019, but he only played seven games due to injury last year. Jackson has a dual-purpose skill set and can thrive as a runner or receiver out of the backfield. He is a fluid athlete who runs effortlessly and can change direction quickly.

Kelley is a favorite sleeper in the scouting community and has a downhill running style. During his college career at UCLA, Kelley showed good burst and speed to make big plays as a runner. He understands how to set up his blocks and does a good job of staying patient with the rock.

Kelley is also an underrated receiver who doesn’t need to come off the field on third downs. In fact, Kelley is seen by some as an eventual starter for the team even though he may begin his pro career as the backup to Ekeler – if he can beat Jackson out for that spot in camp.

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