The AFC West has been run by the Kansas City Chiefs for the last eight years, and it’s hard to imagine that changing heading into 2024.
The Chiefs have won back-to-back Super Bowls and three championships overall in the last five seasons, and no one in the division seems ready to challenge them.
Yes, I understand the Las Vegas Raiders beat Kansas City on Christmas last season…but come on. Let’s be serious.
As a matter of fact, it’s hard to find one other potential playoff team in this division heading into 2024. It’s going to take some big years from certain players on any of the other three AFC West squads in order for them to make things interesting.
So, let’s identify some potential breakout players from each team in the division before the regular season.
Denver Broncos: Marvin Mims Jr., WR.
The Broncos traded away Jerry Jeudy this offseason, opening the door for the No. 2 receiver role behind Courtland Sutton.
There are numerous candidates who can grab the spot. Denver did sign Josh Reynolds in free agency, so he is probably the favorite to assume the role right now. Then there is veteran Tim Patrick. But the Broncos also have Marvin Mims Jr., who they took in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Mims had a relatively quiet rookie campaign, catching 22 passes for 377 yards and a touchdown. However, with Denver entering rebuild mode, head coach Sean Payton may make a concerted effort to get Mims more involved next season.
Of course, the Broncos’ quarterback situation is not exactly ideal. They took Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick, but there is no guarantee he starts over Jarrett Stidham. Even if he does, there will probably be some growing pains. So, Mims’ surrounding circumstances aren’t great.
That being said, Mims is unquestionably one of the most intriguing young playmakers to watch in this division.
Kansas City Chiefs: Jaylen Watson, CB.
The Chiefs sent L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans back in March, which means that someone else will have to step up in the other cornerback slot opposite Trent McDuffie.
Some people like Joshua Williams, but I am favoring Jaylen Watson here.
Watson is a seventh-round pick from 2022, so he has never been a glamorous name in Kansas City. But, the 25-year-old registered 33 tackles, a couple of sacks and six passes defended last season. Plus, during his rookie year, he recorded 49 tackles and an interception, which ended up being a 99-yard touchdown.
Watson has great size at 6-foot-2, and he has shown a good nose for the ball. He is also a great tackler.
Look for Watson’s role to increase in 2024, and don’t be surprised if he takes his game to the next level.
Las Vegas Raiders: Malcolm Koonce, LB.
I almost went with running back Zamir White here, as he seemed like the more natural pick given that the Raiders just lost Josh Jacobs to free agency.
But it was hard to ignore the raw talent of Malcolm Koonce.
Koonce displayed incredible potential in 2023, rattling off 43 tackles, eight sacks and three forced fumbles as Las Vegas’ second-best pass rusher behind Maxx Crosby.
Next season could be an even bigger one for the 25-year-old.
The Raiders added star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in free agency, which should further open up Crosby and Koonce in the pass rush. Wilkins registered nine sacks himself last year, and he will likely attract multiple blockers. So will Crosby.
That means Koonce may have a direct line to the opposing quarterback throughout the year.
It would not be surprising to see Koonce register double-digit sacks and make a push for the Pro Bowl in 2024. Suddenly, the Raiders’ pass rush looks pretty formidable.
Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston, WR.
This is probably the easiest pick of the lot.
The Chargers selected Quentin Johnston in the first round of the draft last spring, but he didn’t have a very eventful rookie campaign, catching 38 passes for 431 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
But things are about to change for Johnston (or at least the Chargers hope).
Los Angeles subtracted its top two receivers this offseason, trading Keenan Allen and cutting Mike Williams. Williams barely played last season anyway due a torn ACL, but moving Allen means that LA has a vacancy for its No. 1 receiver slot.
Johnston will be battling with Joshua Palmer and rookie Ladd McConkey for the top spot, and it seems like the Chargers want him to win the role.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Johnston definitely has the wide receiver archetype, and he had a great final season at TCU in 2022.
Luckily for Johnston, he has one of the more gifted passers in the NFL throwing him the football in Justin Herbert, so he could end up having a big year in 2024. If the Chargers want to have any sort of offensive success, he pretty much has to.
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