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2019 All-AFC West team: Chargers dominate talented division

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 30: Outside linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 02: Mike Badgley #4 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with Russell Okung #76 after kicking the game winning field goal to give the Chargers a 33-30 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 02: Mike Badgley #4 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with Russell Okung #76 after kicking the game winning field goal to give the Chargers a 33-30 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line

Sayre Bedinger

The offensive line play in the AFC West as a whole is clearly the division’s top area of weakness. With that said, some of the names on this list may surprise you.

OT: Russell Okung, Los Angeles Chargers

Although on the whole I would put Okung among the ‘average’ tackles in the NFL, he allowed only three sacks of Philip Rivers last year with the Chargers and just 26 pressures all of last season.

Okung signed a big-money deal with the Chargers in free agency so the pressure is on for him to perform at a high level consistently.

OT: Mitchell Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs

For my money, Schwartz is the best tackle in the AFC West today. He allowed just three sacks all of last season and only 11 hurries on Patrick Mahomes.

Von Miller consistently has struggled going up against Schwartz, who is one of the more underrated players in the NFL in general.

OG: Gabe Jackson, Oakland Raiders

Gabe Jackson has a reputation for being one of the best all-around guards in the NFL, and he was the best pass protector in the AFC West among guards last season, per PFF. Jackson allowed five sacks in 2018 and only six hits total on his quarterback, Derek Carr.

OG: Michael Schofield, Los Angeles Chargers

Broncos fans will remember Super Bowl 50 starter Michael Schofield, who has carved out a nice role for himself as a guard with the Chargers.

As a matter of fact, Schofield was still allowing pressures (26 in 16 games) but only allowed five sacks and had no accepted penalties last season.

C: Rodney Hudson, Oakland Raiders

Rodney Hudson is one of the best centers in the league, especially when it comes to pass protection. He didn’t allow a single sack last season and just one hit on the QB overall.

He’s going to be critical for the Raiders if they are going to be revived in 2019.

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