[2025] Division Preview: AFC West

[Piercewise1]

We're back!

Yes, it's time again for the media series where I dive into ALL 32 SimNFL teams, one division at a time, and give a brief overview of their roster heading into the season. I'll cover last year's record, major progressions, and my thoughts on the state of the roster and their prospective placement in the division. The AFC West won the Discord poll so they're first, and going forward I'll alternate AFC and NFC divisions until I've covered everyone. Enjoy!

 

AFC WEST

Team: Denver Broncos
Last Year: 15-2 (1^st place)
Alexfall ranking: 1 / 32

Key Progressions:
DE Andrew  Rahi +4 (88/6)
OT Derek Dixon +4 (85/7)
DT Russell Garban +4 (82/6)
FB Michael Carter -5 (82/9)
CB George Kent -4 (80/8)

Rookie to Watch:
RB Yoenis Gholston (A-/D)

Overview:
Denver has 11 players under 30 who are 80+ Overall, and they still have $3M in cap space despite having re-signed or released nearly everyone involved in the original mega-trade with Carolina. So while they don’t have a strong group of young up-and-comers on their roster (the only players under age 25 higher than a 64 Overall are a kicker and a fullback) they’ve got more than enough talent to compete at the highest level.

Strengths:
Defensive line
Safety

Weaknesses:
Linebacker

Prediction:
1^st place

After winning the Super Bowl as a wild card in 2023, the Broncos went 15-2 last year en route to a second division title and a third consecutive conference championship. With a surprisingly young roster, there’s no reason to believe they’ll be anything less than the best team in the conference.
 

 

Team: Los Angeles Chargers
Last Year: 9-8 (2^nd place)
Alexfall ranking: 7 / 32

Key Progressions:
ILB Gordon Wilburn +5 (82/8)
CB Alan Laurent +5 (81/6)
OG Ramon Diaz +4 (90/6)
DT Jesus Gonzalez +4 (85/7)
QB Miguel Aguilera +4 (84/7)

Rookie to Watch:
RB Pedro Tavecchio (A/A)

Overview:
The Chargers already have an excellent offense led by Aguilera, who passed for 3,389 yards and rushed for another 1,186 last season. They also have one of the best young offensive lines in the league, who will only boost those numbers as they improve. The defense is spotty in places but also includes standout players like Wilburn and Gonzalez in the front seven; meanwhile, Laurent and John Warnock (79/9) are a top-5 combo on the corners.

Strengths:
Cornerback
Tight end

Weaknesses:
Free safety
Outside linebacker

Prediction:
2^nd place

This team improved by 4 games in 2024 (from 5-12 to 9-8) and sneaked into the playoffs on tiebreakers. I think they are primed for their best season yet, especially with that young offensive line starting to develop. Aguilera is entering a contract year, so look for him to have a monster season and give the front office plenty to think about as they weigh the cost of a big-league extension offer.

 

Team: Las Vegas Raiders
Last Year: 8-9 (3^rd place)
Alexfall ranking: 12 / 32

Key Progressions:
OT Nelson Garcia +5 (90/8)
WR Andrew Richards +5 (74/4)
ILB Brett Zunino +5 (68/3)
C Sean Duell +4 (84/6)
DE Nicholas Sarno +4 (81/7)

Rookie to Watch:
DE Matthew Cano (66/A)

Overview:
The good news here is that Prime Age mechanics gave a boost even to the 32-year-old James Hixon, who should remain a skilled signal-caller even as he plays through a new 4-year, $66.5M contract extension. The bad news is that the offense will still be one-dimensional, and James Blanck could draw double-teams on nearly every snap. Hopefully Sarno and Zunino can ignite a defensive revival after their 2024 campaign saw them allow almost as many points (415) as they scored on offense (435).

Strengths:
Wide receiver
Offensive tackle

Weaknesses:
Tight end
Defensive tackle

Prediction:
3^rd place

The Raidaz missed the playoffs last year after losing 5 of their final 7 games, including 3 divisional losses. With the powerful Broncos and surging Chargers in the mix, they’ll have an uphill battle this hill to get back to the post-season. Hopefully Hixon can push that offense to new heights and doesn’t get complacent after his big payday.

Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Last Year: 4-13 (4^th place)
Alexfall ranking: 24 / 32

Key Progressions:
C Noah Prater +6 (70/3)
SS William Redman +5 (81/8)
OT Jeffrey Theriot +4 (85/6)
RB Jhan Peters +4 (71/4)
QB Theo Scribner +4 (62/3)

Rookie to Watch:
RB/WR Chad Dolis (A/C-)

Overview:
The Chiefs had a huge draft haul, so I expect a lot of young guys to get playing time this year. Hopefully Dolis and a developing Scribner can give them a spark on offense after they finished 25^th in points scored and 28^th in total offensive yards last season. Outside the youth movement, the team has some quality starters in the defensive backfield and on the O-line, but there are still big gaps on the depth chart.

Strengths:
Offensive tackle
Cornerback

Weaknesses:
Quarterback
Wide receiver
Defensive end
Inside linebacker

Prediction:
4^th place

This team is still rebuilding, but there’s reason for long-term optimism if they can get a couple solid progressions from their many A-level rookies. There will still be some growing pains in this tough division, but they proved last year that they can steal a win from good teams (see: Green Bay, Baltimore, Las Vegas). The biggest question for me is how much faith they’re willing to put in Scribner as the future of this franchise.

[alexfall862]

I reacted with the fire emoji because this content is fire, but also because the Raiders are a dumpster fire.

[Rocketcan]

Don't forget that LA also traded with Houston for Maronde!

[alexfall862]

16 minutes ago, Rocketcan said:

Don't forget that LA also traded with Houston for Maronde!

Future all-pro RB Hiram Maronde!

[Jieret]

44 minutes ago, alexfall862 said:

I reacted with the fire emoji because this content is fire, but also because the Raiders are a dumpster fire.

Just for that I'm bidding up your next 5 FAs.

[Kirby]

Chiefs Kingdom ❤️ @JW1952TX putting in the work this off-season while being in the division of doom. Probably won't be this year they make much haye but the future is bright in KC.

[Jieret]

(Hixon signed a 5 year contract last offseason, FWIW)

Hixon staving off Father Time is indeed our best chance at competing. We saw what a clown show our offense was during the final weeks of the season when he got hurt, and our backup was not up to the task.

Thanks for the preview Pierce.  Speaking as objective as possible, third sounds about right.  Kind of hard to say we should be higher after trading away two 80+ players this offseason.  But unlike certain Donkeys, we are able to recognize the need to make changes. Hopefully it's more of a retool than a rebuild.