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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 – OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers gestures with his hands to say the Chargers are 1-1 after losing to the Denver Broncos 27-19 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 30, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers gestures with his hands to say the Chargers are 1-1 after losing to the Denver Broncos 27-19 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 30, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Chargers

Last season: 9-7, 2nd place

Key offseason additions:

OL Mike Pouncey, S Derwin James, TE Virgil Green

Key offseason losses:

TE Antonio Gates, S Tre Boston, TE Hunter Henry (injury)

The Los Angeles Chargers are the trendy pick to win the AFC West, and for good reason.

The Chargers lost just three of their final nine games last season after starting off 0-4, and narrowly missed out on the playoffs where they would have been one of the league’s most dangerous teams.

If the Chargers can maintain some of that momentum heading into 2018 and figure out how to close games early in the season, they’ve proven their ability to finish well.

Los Angeles will get some nice reinforcements on the offensive line this year in center Mike Pouncey, a cap casualty from the Dolphins, as well as last year’s second-round pick Forrest Lamp, who is coming back from injury.

Their most significant losses this offseason came at tight end, where Antonio Gates remains a free agent and Hunter Henry is lost for the year with an injury suffered in OTAs.

Even without Gates or Henry, the Chargers have some dynamic targets for Philip Rivers to get the ball to, and a defense that can help carry the team with great depth at every level.

Led by their star pass rush duo of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa, the Chargers boast what may be the most well-rounded pass defense in the division with Aqib Talib no longer in Denver. It’s close, at least.

There’s no doubt about the Chargers’ talent and significant upside for this season. With very little poor roster turnover, they should be considered the division favorites on paper.

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