AFC West might be most competitive division in 2018

The AFC West came down to December last year, with the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders all tied atop the division through 13 weeks.

In the end, the Chiefs won their final four games. They won bouts at Arrowhead Stadium over the Raiders and Chargers to take the crown for the second consecutive year. However, Kansas City has undergone a radical makeover during the offseason, something mirrored by the Raiders.

Despite reaching the playoffs in four of his five seasons with the Chiefs, Pro Bowl quarterback Alex Smith was dealt to the Washington Redskins for cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick. This opens the door for second-year man Patrick Mahomes, who starred in his Week 17 cameo against the Denver Broncos. Additionally, Kansas City general manager Brett Veach traded away Marcus Peters for a pair fo draft picks from the Los Angeles Rams. He also signed Anthony Hitchens, David Emerson and Sammy Watkins.

In Oakland, the Raiders went from giving Jack Del Rio a four-year contract extension only 15 months ago to firing him immediately after a Week 17 loss to Los Angeles. The replacement? Jon Gruden, who hasn’t coached in a decade but has a ring to his name. Gruden has said out with the new, in with the old throughout free agency. He’s signed Jordy Nelson, Reggie Nelson, Keith Smith, Doug Martin, Leon Hall and others.

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The Chargers have been the one team in the division that hasn’t made too many moves. Los Angeles has practically stood pat throughout the winter, save for the smart addition of center Mike Pouncey on a two-year deal. With Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Philip Rivers serving as pillars to the roster.

While the Broncos finished in last place in 2017, they also made a significant upgrade by signing quarterback Case Keenum to a two-year deal, while trading off Trevor Siemian and allowing Brock Osweiler to lead via free agency.

All told, the AFC West doesn’t appear to have any runway favorite. The Chiefs and Chargers are the two strongest on paper, but both have issues. Kansas City might have the league’s best offense if Mahomes equals his hype, but the defense is suspect both on the line and in the secondary. Los Angeles has a legion of playmakers, but the middle of the defense is very soft. Both teams could contend for a Super Bowl berth, and both could end up 8-8.

If the Raiders can put it together under Gruden, they also have intriguing talent. Oakland has Derek Carr, Khalil Mack, Amari Cooper and a great offensive line. But can it overcome a leaky defense and a coach who can’t stop adding older players? Finally, are the Broncos going to rise with Keenum? Or will the offense sag again with a quarterback who played out over his skis a year ago?

It’s all tough to say, making the AFC West a very intriguing division in 2018.