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Denver Broncos: AFC West offseason recap and analysis

By Sayre Bedinger

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden speaks during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden speaks during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Kansas City Chiefs

Last season: 10-6, 1st place

Key offseason additions:

WR Sammy Watkins, CB Kendall Fuller, LB Anthony Hitchens

Key offseason losses:

QB Alex Smith, CB Marcus Peters, OLB Tamba Hali

The Kansas City Chiefs are going to have to surprise a lot of people to be better than they were a season ago, especially considering they traded away quarterback Alex Smith and cornerback Marcus Peters.

The Chiefs believe strongly in Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback of the future, but it would be irresponsible to expect a flawless season from a young guy who started one game last season, what essentially amounted to a preseason game.

The Chiefs are banking on Mahomes’ big right arm and a whole lot of talent at the skill positions to hopefully be able to win some shootouts this season.

A defense that ranked 15th last season in points allowed is getting what could be considered a major upgrade in the secondary despite the loss of Peters with Eric Berry returning to the lineup coupled with the addition of Kendall Fuller in the trade with the Redskins.

Kansas City is going to need its defense to step up big time to overcome what could be a high ceiling, low floor offense in 2018.

The Chiefs’ biggest offseason movement included the aforementioned trade of Alex Smith for Kendall Fuller, along with big free agent signings on both sides of the football.

Offensively the Chiefs brought in Sammy Watkins from the Los Angeles Rams at around $14 million per season, and defensively they signed Anthony Hitchens from the Dallas Cowboys.

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