In the divisional breakdown series Mase & SC will rank each offensive and defensive position per division for the 2024 NFL season. SC will speak about his top ranked player by position on the offensive side of the ball. On the other hand, Mase will speak about his top ranked player by position on the defensive side of the ball. On another note, they will rank every player per position that they believe can have some sort of fantasy relevance this season. They will discuss the AFC WEST in their first divisional breakdown.
AFC West Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders.
2023 Division Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
2023 Offensive Division MVP: Kansas City Chiefs, Quarterback, Patrick Mahomes
2023 Defensive Division MVP: Las Vegas Raiders, Defensive Lineman, “Mad” Maxx Crosby
Quarterbacks
- Kansas City Chiefs – Patrick Mahomes
The 2024 season could be Mahomes best year yet. He steps into the 2024 season with arguably his best receiving core to date. The team brought in Hollywood Brown and they drafted speedy wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Not to mention, Rashee Rice is still on the team despite all the off-field issues. It is possible this season the Chiefs offensive scheme becomes a full vertical attack. Let Mahomes do what he does best by playing football and getting the ball in his receivers’ hands. I think there is opportunity for Mahomes to throw for over 40 touchdowns while getting close to the 5,000 yard passing mark. Regardless, Mahomes is the current QB1 of dynasty fantasy football. I do not see that changing until he gives a reason not to. - Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert
- Las Vegas Raiders – Gardner Minshew
- Denver Broncos – Bo Nix
- Las Vegas Raiders – Aidan O’Connell
Running Backs
- Kansas City Chiefs – Isiah Pacheco
It seems that the Chiefs are the only team in the AFC West with a lock at running back all season. Pacheco increased his bell cow roll by obtaining over 200 rushing attempts in 2023. That was more rushing attempts than his 2022 season even though he played in 3 less games. On another note, his work in the passing game was noticeably increased during 2023. In 2022 through 17 games he only had 14 targets. Fast forward to 2023, Pacheco saw 49 targets averaging 5.5 yards per catch. His 44 receptions were third best on the team. Plus, his 89.8% catch percentage led the 8 Chiefs players that saw more than 35 targets. The Chiefs did not do much of anything to add competition to Pacheco’s backfield. It is safe to believe that Pacheco will get majority of the work in 2024. If he is able to stay healthy through all 17 games, then we might see Pacheco get his first thousand yard rushing season. - Las Vegas Raiders – Zamir White
- Denver Broncos – Javonte Williams
- Los Angeles Chargers – Gus Edwards
- Los Angeles Chargers – Kimani Vidal
- Las Vegas Raiders – Alexander Mattison
- Denver Broncos – Blake Watson
- Los Angeles Chargers – J.K. Dobbins
- Denver Broncos – Audric Estime
- Kansas City Chiefs – Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Wide Receivers
- Las Vegas Raiders – Davante Adams
Adams is in the same boat as Patrick Mahomes. I mean Adams has proven time and time again that he is an elite wide receiver. So much so, that until he gives us signs of him slowing down there is no reason to think that he will. Adams is quarterback proof. It does not matter who is at the helm of the offense, he demands the ball. He has not caught less than 100 passes since 2019. In 5 of his last 6 seasons, he has gained over 1,100 receiving yards. Yes, the team drafted Brock Bowers, but that alone will not be enough to cause too much damage on Adams’ target share. He is an alpha, the automatic first read for a quarterback. Adams will likely see 150 or more targets, catching at least 90 of them. He will once again lead the AFC West wide receivers. - Kansas City Chiefs – Hollywood Brown
- Los Angeles Chargers – Ladd McConkey
- Kansas City Chiefs – Xavier Worthy
- Denver Broncos – Troy Franklin
- Denver Broncos – Courtland Sutton
- Las Vegas Raiders – Jakobi Meyers
- Kansas City Chiefs – Rashee Rice
- Denver Broncos – Marvin Mims
- Los Angeles Chargers – Quentin Johnston
- Los Angeles Chargers – Joshua Palmer
- Los Angeles Chargers – Brenden Rice
Tight End
- Kansas City Chiefs – Travis Kelce
Why is Patrick Mahomes number one? Well, the answer is simple, he has the best tight end in the game right now. The Kansas City Chiefs could bring in 100 new receivers and Kelce would still be Mahomes’ favorite target. Last season was his first season below 1,000 receiving yards since 2016. However, he missed 2 games and was only 16 yards shy of 1,000 yards. It is safe to assume had he played those 2 games he would have had over 1,000 yards. The addition of Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy will get eyes off Kelce. This could allow him to get more open looks. Hopefully, he can get back to double digit touchdowns this season, or at least 8 or more. Nonetheless, Kelce is a must start in every format. - Las Vegas Raiders – Brock Bowers
- Las Vegas Raiders – Michael Mayer
- Denver Broncos – Greg Dulcich
- Los Angeles Chargers – Hayden Hurst
- Kansas City Chiefs – Jared Wiley
- Los Angeles Chargers – Donald Parham
Defensive Line
- Las Vegas Raiders – Maxx Crosby
In the past 3 seasons, Maxx Crosby has finished 12th, 1st, and 2nd in total fantasy points at his position (via FantasyPros). When you roster a player of Crosby’s abilities in fantasy football, you get the best of both worlds. He can rack up tackles and bring in points by sacking the opposing team’s quarterback. In addition to Crosby’s abilities, the Raiders have added former Dolphins interior lineman Christian Wilkins. They still have former first-round pick Tyree Wilson who can help flush offensive players to the outside towards Crosby. Maxx Crosby has had 11 or more sacks in each of the past 2 seasons. Plus, he rarely gets off the field. In the past two seasons, he has seen over 1,000 snaps and has only one season under 900 snaps in his five-year career. (Rookie season: 750 snaps) Crosby signed a contract extension in 2022 that takes him through the 2026 season. I believe Crosby is the heart and soul of not only the Raiders’ defensive unit but their entire franchise. This makes me feel comfortable targeting him in dynasty formats, though you will have to pay up in most cases to acquire him. - Kansas City Chiefs – George Karlaftis III
- Los Angeles Chargers – Joey Bosa
- Denver Broncos – Jonathon Cooper
- Las Vegas Raiders – Malcolm Koonce
- Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Wilkins
- Kansas City Chiefs – Chris Jones
- Los Angeles Chargers – Tuli Tuipulotu
- Denver Broncos – Baron Browning
Linebackers
- Denver Broncos – Alex Singleton
Singleton finished third in total tackles with 177 during his 2023 campaign. For the first time in his short career, four-seasons, Singleton eclipsed over 1,000 total snaps with 1,089. With the current state of Denver’s offense, I believe it will be another high tackle season for Alex Singleton. If the young offense fails to convert on third down, the defensive unit will be on the field more times than not. This can create more opportunities for the Denver linebackers to gobble up tackles. (Special shoutout to Cody Barton as a decent LB3/Flex call in deeper leagues) Singleton is in the second year of a potential three-year contract (potential out after the 2024 season), and his cap hit is set to be the same these next two seasons. So, I enjoy the thought of having Singleton on my roster for the next two seasons as Denver figures out their offense. - Kansas City Chiefs – Nick Bolton
- Los Angeles Chargers – Khalil Mack
- Las Vegas Raiders – Robert Spillane
- Denver Broncos – Cody Barton
- Los Angeles Chargers – Junior Colson
- Los Angeles Chargers – Daiyan Henley
- Kansas City Chiefs – Drue Tranquill
- Las Vegas Raiders – Divine Deablo
Defensive Backs
- Los Angeles Chargers – Derwin James Jr.
When it comes to defensive backs in IDP, it is normally the position group that has the highest turnover every season in terms of players and points scored. In a group with many one-hit wonders, James is a player who, when on the field, has been a start-and-forget blessing for IDP managers in four of his 5 seasons. In every season since 2021, Derwin James has finished in the top five defensive backs in fantasy points scored. James is a defensive back who spends 300 or more snaps inside the box and is known to be sent in to pressure opposing quarterbacks. You can count on multiple sacks, a high tackling ceiling, and a few opportunities for pass breakups or interceptions. You will have to pay up for James, but his one of the few defensive backs you can trust will be among the top of the players at his position. It is worth noting that the Chargers are undergoing a facelift as an organization at the moment, and Derwin James was a part of former plans. I am unsure what the future will hold for James as far as his time in Los Angeles after the 2024 season. The Chargers have a potential out in Derwin James contract after the 2024 season. James is due almost $20 million this season, and the number only rises next season. This makes me a little weary in acquiring him in dynasty formats. - Kansas City Chiefs – Justin Reid
- Denver Broncos – Caden Sterns
- Denver Broncos – Brandon Jones
- Kansas City Chiefs – Trent McDuffie
- Las Vegas Raiders – Nate Hobbs
- Las Vegas Raiders – Tre’Von Moehrig
- Los Angeles Chargers – Alohi Gilman
- Denver Broncos – Pat Surtain II
- Las Vegas Raiders – Marcus Epps
- Los Angeles Chargers – Asante Samuel Jr.
Thanks for reading our breakdown for the AFC West.
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