AFC West preview: Will Marshawn Lynch lift Raiders to the top? Published: Aug 31, 2017 at 02:40 AM Most significant changes from 2016 DENVER BRONCOS: was often left running for his life in Denver last season, cutting down the ' title defense at the knees. Denver has since attempted to upgrade the offensive line, adding former guard and tackle (who was atrocious in Oakland in place of late last season), and drafting left tackle , who won the starting job in camp. Denver's season will ride on how well this rebuilt unit performs, in both giving Siemian time to work and the running backs -- including newcomer -- room to run. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Kansas City bid adieu to , opening up a bigger role for second-year dynamo , who returns with plenty of hype in his saddlebags. We can't talk about the without mentioning -- though if things go smoothly, he'll spend 2017 wearing an earpiece and a ball cap. The lost to a significant knee injury, thinning out their backfield while also Brent Hibbitts Jersey creating an opportunity for preseason sensation . A bigger role should also be Matt Wile Jersey expected for wideout . will attempt to replace the departed at nose tackle, and is ticketed for enhanced responsibilities with now in Chicago. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: The will need their new-look offensive line to jell as quickly as po sible. Los Angeles said goodbye to left tackle King Dunlap and right guard , with newcomer and taking over as their respective replacements. slides over from center to left guard, with former undrafted free-agent signing manning the pivot. OAKLAND RAIDERS: Oakland returns off a broken leg and adds , but attention should be paid to how well its front seven performs defensively. The had to outscore many of their opponents to go 12-4 last season, and while it worked, it isn't exactly a feasible long-term plan, especially for a team that in 2016. Oakland is looking at starting two rookies: third-round pick at defensive tackle and fifth-round selection , who's been embroiled in a camp battle for playing time, at middle linebacker. Second-year defender is slated to start at Will linebacker, leaving Oakland somewhat green in the group. The ' ability to contend for the AFC crown will depend on more than just Carr lobbing touchdowns to and . One player to watch on each team DENVER BRONCOS: , running back. This one feels like a layup, but Charles could be the biggest boom-or-bust player in the division. If healthy and near his previous form, his addition is a ma sive coup. But health worries always loom over the running back who has gone through his share of medical hurdles in recent years. Should he play even 75 percent of games, he's more than worth , offering a weapon in the run and pa s games, as well as an underrated a set in the pa s-blocking department. The way Charles goes will have a ma sive impact on how the fare in 2017. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: , quarterback. Smith is more than serviceable, but his ceiling is clearly visible. Behind him is first-round selection , who hasn't needed to do much to earn the affection of faithful fans. Smith might not acknowledge it Chris Wormley Jersey openly, but the pre sure is on. Fortunately for the veteran QB, Kansas City's a talented team that won the division last season and has just as good a chance to do it again. Whether that means a more vertical offense is yet to be seen (probably not), but the will go as Smith goes. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: , wide receiver. The lost Allen to a torn ACL in the second quarter of last year's season opener, and as their best receiving weapon, they could have used him. The 25-year-old hasn't played a full season in his career, which Los Angeles (still feels weird to type) attempted to addre s by drafting Clemson wideout in the first round. Bad news there, too: Williams has a back i sue that is expected to keep him out into October (at least). As a result, the need Allen more than ever. He pairs very nicely with 2016 breakout target . OAKLAND RAIDERS: , running back. As soon as Lynch returned, toured the ' facility and , he became the focal point of Oakland's season. Forget 's healed leg, we're turning our eyes to Beast Mode. He won Jordan Nwogu Jersey 't see as heavy a workload as he did in Seattle -- second-year backs and offer fresh, young, capable legs -- but Lynch knows the score as much as he knows . He's in Oakland to chase a ring for his hometown. What we'll be talking about at season's end If it wasn't for the go-for-broke , Michigan Wolverines Jersey we'd be welcoming the back to football's biggest stage as the AFC champions for the first time since January of 2003. Alas, if only could have capped that final drive in snowy Foxborough ... was good, but not good enough -- now he's heading toward a quarterback controversy in 2018, with reprising the role of Colin Kaepernick. Who'd have gue sed Denver would be home to one of the best 1-2 punches at tight end with and ? That wild-card lo s in Kansas City sure was a heartbreaker, though. Someone, console and get him out of the clown suit he wore against . Congratulations to Comeback Player of the Year, ! This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.
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