2022 preseason All-AFC West Group: NFL’s strongest division places forth loaded roster on each side of the ball

August 26, 2022

Over the subsequent two weeks, we are going to unveil our preseason All-Division groups, as is our annual custom round this time of 12 months. As all the time, the rosters had been compiled largely by a panel of 1, although there was vital enter from the writing and editorial employees at CBSSports.com after I took an preliminary run on the rosters by myself. 

We started on Tuesday with the AFC East, continued Wednesday with the AFC North and Thursday with the AFC South. Right now, we end up the convention with the AFC West. Subsequent week, it is on to the NFC. With out additional ado …

Offensive ability positions

QB: Patrick Mahomes (KC)

RB: Austin Ekeler (LAC)

WR: Davante Adams (LV), Mike Williams (LAC), Keenan Allen (LAC)

TE: Travis Kelce (KC)

FLEX: Darren Waller (LV)

One of the vital troublesome selections of this whole train was the one between Mahomes and Justin Herbert. It is fully attainable that by the top of this season, they’re thought-about the 2 finest quarterbacks within the NFL. We gave the slight nod to Mahomes right here, owing to his longer observe document and his partnership with Andy Reid, who’s the very best offensive thoughts within the sport. 

Ekeler edges out Javonte Williams, owing largely to his firmer maintain on the No. 1 job in his personal backfield. Melvin Gordon figures to be extra of a think about Denver than both Isaiah Spiller or Joshua Kelley in L.A. Even with out Tyreek Hill, the pass-catchers on this division are a loaded group. Adams is the very best receiver within the NFL in the intervening time, and he should not decelerate sufficient within the transfer to the Las Vegas Raiders to maintain him off this record. After that, a complete bunch of receivers have glorious arguments to make this group: Each Williams and Allen in Los Angeles, together with Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton in Denver, and even Hunter Renfrow in Vegas, are worthy of consideration. The connection Herbert has already proven along with his two prime targets, although, tilted issues of their path. 

Then, Kelce and Waller are two of the small handful of finest tight ends within the NFL, and anticipated to function both the No. 1 possibility (Kelce) or prime complementary possibility (Waller) of their groups’ passing video games. We count on massive seasons from them each. 

Offensive line

OT: Rashawn Slater (LAC), Garett Bolles (DEN)

G: Joe Thuney (KC), Trey Smith (KC)

C: Creed Humphrey (KC)

Slater stepped into the lineup and was a right away begin. He needs to be a fixture on this record for years to come back. Bolles now not has Mike Munchak because the Denver Broncos’ offensive line coach, however he is grow to be a adequate participant that he is worthy of a spot right here, although you would simply swing over to Kolton Miller as the opposite sort out. Kansas Metropolis’s offensive line is now top-of-the-line within the NFL, and the inside trio of Thuney-Humphrey-Smith is a large purpose why. It is onerous to go away from that group right here.  

Defensive entrance

EDGE: Joey Bosa (LAC), Maxx Crosby (LV)

IDL: Chris Jones (KC), Sebastian Joseph-Day (LAC)

LB: Nick Bolton (KC), Denzel Perryman (LV)

FLEX: Chandler Jones (LV)

Bosa was a simple alternative at one edge spot, however after that, there have been a ton of worthy candidates. Crosby and Jones in Vegas. Khalil Mack in L.A. Randy Gregory and Bradley Chubb in Denver. We went with the very best bets to remain each wholesome and productive, although it is simple to think about Mack, particularly, making this look foolish on the finish of the season. 

Jones stays top-of-the-line inside rushmen within the NFL, and the Chiefs holding him on the within all 12 months somewhat than flexing him out to the sting as they did early final season ought to result in a good higher season than he had a 12 months in the past. Joseph-Day was a high-priority goal for the Chargers this offseason for a purpose — he’ll assist Brandon Staley unlock his type of protection up entrance. 

Bolton had a robust rookie season for the Chiefs and will stay a sort out machine going ahead. Perryman is all the time an damage threat, however he is coming off a Professional Bowl season and makes a whole lot of sense in the course of new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s scheme. 

Defensive backfield

CB: Patrick Surtain II (DEN), J.C. Jackson (LAC), Ok’Waun Williams (DEN)

SAF: Derwin James (LAC), Justin Simmons (DEN)

Surtain is principally the defensive again equal of Slater. He was a star instantly and he shall be one for years. He may already be a prime 10 nook. Jackson goes to overlook a while after surgical procedure, however his protection expertise are so good that we count on him to carry out at an especially excessive degree as soon as he will get again on the sector. The ultimate nook spot got here right down to Williams and Asante Samuel Jr., and the veteran’s expertise — particularly within the type of defensive system he is working in underneath new coordinator Ejiro Evero — carried the day right here. James and Simmons had been absolute no-brainers right here as two of the very best safeties within the NFL. 

Specialists

Ok: Harrison Butker (KC)

P: A.J. Cole (LV)

RET: DeAndre Carter (LAC)

I will not lie … I requested our resident kicking knowledgeable (John Breech) who he thinks are the very best kickers and punters in every division, and duplicate/pasted these names onto every All-Division group. Carter had the very best kick return season of his profession final season and one other productive 12 months as a punt returner. Even in particular teams-challenged Los Angeles, we’re betting on one other stable 12 months. 

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