By Justin Tumidanski
The AFC West has consistantly been the topic of conversation again this offseason, and come draft day it doesn't appear like its going to change. All eyes are set on two of the teams in this division, as it may just be a make or break draft for their coaching staffs. Can the Oakland Raiders make strides to come out of mediocrity? Will the trading of Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall actually pay off for Josh McDaniels?
A year after trading away their franchise quarterback (Jay Cutler), the Denver Broncos traded away one of the best wide receivers in the league (Brandon Marshall) in order to prepare themselves for this years draft. It is quite peculiur that this team is dumping pro-bowl caliber players, because the Broncos have been close to clinching a playoff berth the last two years. Denver has seven total picks in this years draft, so all eyes will be locked in on them come thursday. Josh McDaniels has choosen to get rid of good players that had player-coach character issues, he needs to step up with this draft if he hopes to retain his job as the Head Coach. It'll be quite intersting to see how McDaniels addresses his lack of a #1 wide receiver in this draft, which is filled with talented players that have baggage.
The Kansas City, has been quite the opposite of the Broncos this offseason. They have brought in talent in order to bring themselves closer to being a playoff contender. Jamaal Charles will be looking to replicate his end of the season running numbers, and by bringing in New York Jets cast off Thomas Jones they have secured a one-two punch in the running game. With eight picks in this years draft the Chiefs look to solidify their shaky defense and to strengthen their offensive line to protect their investment in Matt Cassel. Glenn Dorsey hasn't lived up to his potential, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Chiefs look for a nose tackle and linebackers to aid their 3-4 defense.
The San Diego Chargers this year, have not made a huge splash through free agency, and the transition to a pass first team is almost complete. Although they have lost a few players whose best years are behind them (LaDainian Tomlinson and Jamal Williams), the team was likely to draft their replacements with this years first and second round draft picks. Will their leadership and experience be missed? Certainly, when a team loses a veteran who has been with a team for a long time, their loss will be felt. The development of Phillip Rivers into one of the best quarterbacks in the league should offset their losses, and push them into the playoffs because of their week division. The chargers will most likely be looking towards a running back and a nose tackle for their defense.
The Oakland Raiders have finished with five or less wins the last seven seasons in a row. With all of those high draft picks, you would think that they would have a pretty strong team by now. Wrong. Although it is to early to rule out Darren McFadden and Darius Heyward Bey, the only top draft pick (over the last seven years) made by Oakland that has lived up to their draft rank is Nnamdi Asomugha. Robert Gallery who was drafted as an OT, had a rough start but has made his way into being a starting G in coach Tom Cable's system. Raider nation is tired of being the bottom of the division, and getting nothing for their high draft picks, can they turn it around? The raiders have eight this year, in one of the deepest drafts in a while. If they can't walk away with three or four starters in this draft they are likely to remain on the bottom of the division for a while. The Raiders should build the trenches this year, and I
wouldn't be surprised if they look at a quarterback with their second round pick.
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