AFC West

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1. Kansas City Chiefs

If the defense can improve in a few areas changing to a 4-3 system, they will be expected to be Super Bowl contenders.

2. Los Angeles Chargers

The most complete team in the league, that is until Melvin Gordon decided to holdout.

3. Oakland Raiders

They were big spenders in free agency, but their haul in the draft is what will matter most going forward.

4. Denver Broncos

Vic Fangio finally gets a shot to be a head coach. Denver’s defense was already good. Now they’ll be even better.

Head Coach: Andy Reid

Key Position: Defense

This unit was among the best at rushing the passer and causing turnovers last year. Those were the only bright spots. They traded for Frank Clark to be the edge rusher with Chris Jones manning the middle. Tyrann Mathieu is the wild card in the secondary who can play almost anywhere. This unit should be better.

Key Acquisitions: CB Bashaud Breeland (Green Bay Packers), DE Frank Clark (Seattle Seahawks), DB Tyrann Mathieu (Houston Texans), RB LeSean McCoy (Buffalo Bills), DE Emmanuel Ogbah (Cleveland Browns), DE Alex Okafor (New Orleans Saints)

Key Rookies: WR Mecole Hardman, DB Juan Thornhill

Head Coach: Anthony Lynn

Key Position: Running Back

I couldn’t find one major weak point on this team. One of the very few teams that doesn’t have any. However, with Melvin Gordon’s holdout and trade request, this position becomes a question mark now. Austin Ekeler is a solid check down option, but isn’t an everyday back. Justin Jackson got some work last year with Gordon injured. Look for him to get most of the rushing attempts.

Key Acquisitions: LB Thomas Davis (Carolina Panthers), QB Tyrod Taylor (Cleveland Browns)

Key Rookies: DT Jerry Tillery, DB Nasir Adderley

Head Coach: Jon Gruden

Key Position: Everything

They somehow won 4 games last year. This team was just awful. The offense gets an instant bit of credibility with Antonio Brown on board. Josh Jacobs is the feature back and the o-line is improved with Trent Brown at one tackle spot. On defense just drafting Clelin Ferrell and Jonathan Abram brings tenacious athletes in the mix that bring needed energy against the pass and the run. Lamarcus Joyner was a solid addition for the secondary.

Key Acquisitions: WR Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers), OT Trent Brown (New England Patriots), LB Vontaze Burfict (Cincinnati Bengals), DB Lamarcus Joyner (LA Rams), DT Corey Liuget (LA Chargers), WR Tyrell Williams (LA Chargers), OL Richie Incognito (Buffalo Bills)

Key Rookies: DE Clelin Ferrell, RB Josh Jacobs, DB Jonathan Abram, CB Trayvon Mullen, WR Hunter Renfrow

Head Coach: Vic Fangio (Chicago Bears)

Key Position: Offense

Even with their struggles at quarterback they were still in the middle of the pack as the 19th ranked passing offense and 12th ranked in rushing. That’s not good enough in John Elway’s book and he made another move to acquire a QB. This time it’s former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. This will likely be his last shot at running an offense. The running game is solid with Phillip Lindsay, but he doesn’t many top tier receivers at his disposal.

Key Acquisitions: CB Bryce Callahan (Chicago Bears), QB Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens), DB Kareem Jackson (Houston Texans), OT Ja’Wuan James (Miami Dolphins)

Key Rookies: TE Noah Fant, OL Dalton Risner, DL Dre’Mont Jones

AFC South

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1. Houston Texans

The competitive window could be closing faster than the Texans think, but protecting Deshaun Watson must be a priority.

2. Tennessee Titans

If Marcus Mariota is healthy and productive, they could be on top of this tough division.

3. Indianapolis Colts

Losing Andrew Luck to retirement will sting, but this season shouldn’t be a lost cause with Jacoby Brissett who was solid as the starter just two seasons ago.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

A lot has to go right, but if there’s a repeat of last season there will be a lot of changes. Continue reading

AFC North

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1. Cleveland Browns

This is the year they finally overtake the rest of the division and finish on top.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

It could have been worse for them last year, but this is a crucial year for them to turn that page.

3. Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco was traded and the reigns have been handed to Lamar Jackson.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

A change at the helm should have happened two years ago. Regardless, new head coach Zac Taylor has a lot of work to do. Continue reading

AFC East

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1. New England Patriots

The quintessential kings of this division will easily finish in first place for the 11th straight season.

2. New York Jets

Their spending spree netted them one of the best running backs in the league and a middle linebacker entering the prime of his career.

3. Buffalo Bills

This is Josh Allen’s team and the second year pro looks primed to take the next step in his maturation.

4. Miami Dolphins

Seeing a franchise with a long storied history begin to go through a rebuild is painful to watch. Continue reading