AFC West Training Camp Preview

With NFL training camp season in full swing let’s do a quick recap of what is happening in the AFC West. With the exception of the Raiders, the top fantasy assets stay in tack for the most part, but a coaching change in Denver might bring new life to a disappointing team. Let’s take a look at this exciting division. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Toney Injury Opens the Door

Kadarius Toney is yet again injured. The former first-round pick can’t stay healthy and is missing valuable time with Patrick Mahomes. He is expected back in week one; however, it is going to be tough for him to make his mark on this offense. He is someone I would be trading away and trying to get anything.

Rashee Rice is getting high praise as an explosive playmaker. Skyy Moore is running fully with the ones in training camp, getting consistent reps with Mahomes. If I was investing in any Chief WRs in a dynasty it would be these two.

Justyn Ross is making plays all over the field, but there is a chance he doesn’t make the team. It is crazy to say that, but the Chiefs would need to hold seven WRs. Valdes-Scantling has been running fully with the ones. Richie James has the punt return job locked up. Then there is Justin Watson. He is getting praise from Andy Reid as an important part of the team and has been the third guy with the starters. Ross might be the odd man out. 

Messy Backfield

Just when you thought the Chiefs backfield couldn’t get any messier, Deneric Prince enters the building. He is being compared to Isaiah Pacheco, with a similar size and speed combo. Prince has been getting work with the first-team offense while Pacheno is out and he should make the team as the main kick returner. Just like the WR room, it is going to be tough to find consistency out of any of these RBs if all of them remain healthy. With the emergence of Prince, is former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire a trade candidate? Andy Reid has been happy with what he has seen from CEH so far out of camp. CEH also appears to be ready for whatever role the team wants him to play. The problem is the Chiefs can’t roster four running backs and seven WRs. 

Los Angeles Chargers

The Forgotten One

You might have forgotten about Joshua Palmer but the Chargers have not. Coach Staley even went as far as calling him elite and likes the chemistry that he has with QB Justin Herbert. First-round WR Quentin Johnston is also turning heads in training camp, which makes the battle for the third WR spot an interesting one. The right answer might be both.

Let’s be honest here, when is the last time Mike Williams or Keenan Allen played a full season? Josh Palmer is a cheap option to get a piece of this offense for the future and potentially the present. One other name that is getting some buzz is John Hightower. It sounds like he is going to have a role as a return guy, but he has flashed catching passes from both Herbert and Stick. Maybe worth a stash if you have deep rosters or a late-round flier in bestball leagues. 

Spiller Improving

It is looking like Isaiah Spiller has put together a strong training camp and should expand on his role from last year. He recently was praised by Staley for the improvements in his physicality and running style. Spiller is doing all the right things to at least ensure he has a role in the offense this year. However, Joshua Kelley isn’t going anywhere and the two will likely split the workload behind Ekeler this year. Kellen Moore recently said both are valuable and will have a role in the offense.

Denver Broncos

Williams Healthy

The biggest camp news is the fact that Javonte Williams is apparently healthy. Head coach Sean Payton says Williams is ready to test out his knee in a preseason game. He hasn’t been limited at all during camp which is a bit unbelievable considering he tore his ACL just nine months ago. I’d pump the brakes on him a bit, the track record of RBs coming off of ACL injuries in year one is not a pleasant one. Your buying window in dynasty might be closing with the recent news, but don’t let this fool you into over-drafting him in redraft leagues. 

Sutton Resurgence

Sadly Tim Patrick’s career is likely done. He will be turning 30 in November and has now had two season-ending injuries. If you have limited IR spots, I wouldn’t waste one on him if it’s needed. With Patrick and K.J. Hamler (heart issues) out, the team is going to need Courtland Sutton to find his 2019 form.

Payton has been excited about what he has seen from Sutton in camp so far and he has been Wilson’s favorite target. If he can come close to his 2019 form he is a great buy in dynasty for contending teams. His ADP is currently WR #48 on Sleeper. We have seen Wilson produce two solid fantasy options in the past, look for Sutton to outproduce his current ADP in 2023!

Year Two Breakout?

One thing to keep in mind is how much TE Greg Dulcich could be off the field if his blocking doesn’t improve. Coach Sean Payton brought in two veteran TEs who he trusts in those situations, Chris Manhertz and Adam Trautman. Dulcich has been spending time with Manhertz working on this aspect, which is important for him to stay on the field. Tim Patrick’s injury helps Dulcich target share potentially, but Trautman isn’t a slouch in the receiving game. Dulcich is the most talented receiving TE no doubt but Payton won’t hesitate to trust one of the other guys if he can’t be trusted. 

Las Vegas Raiders

Jimmy Garoppolo Recovering and Ready to Go

News out of camp is that Jimmy Garoppolo has been eased into things as he recovers from surgery on his left foot.

So far, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Garoppolo. According to one report he is finding his first read, but struggling when moving to his second and third options. Garoppolo should be able to put up similar numbers to Carr last year in McDaniel’s offense. With the weapons around him, he should be able to improve on his current ADP of QB 27 in redraft leagues. 

White Taking the Lead

With Josh Jacobs sitting out for the time being, Zamir White is getting his chance to shine. All signs point to him being the main man if Jacobs does not return. Reports have said he has worked on and improved his receiving skills and pass blocking. It is hard to say if he would get the full workload if Jacobs misses time. Both Brandon Bolden and Ameer Abdullah have done well as receiving backs in the past. If you are drafting now White is probably worth snagging. His ADP is running back 65 on Sleeper, which should only rise if Jacobs is not back with the team soon. 

Tucker Surprising

Jakobi Meyers seems to have the number two spot locked in and should be a consistent fantasy producer this year. I think he’s a smash at his current ADP of WR 53 on Sleeper. Hunter Renfrow looks to bounce back after a down year. He’s having a good camp and is looking to prove the Raiders didn’t make a mistake resigning him. In a contract year, he will want to show off before hitting free agency. However, rookie third-rounder Tre Tucker is making noise in training camp. There is a chance he could fight for some slot snaps this year. I have seen several reports calling him a weapon and even one that compared him to Tyreek Hill. Careful at this time of year, but he’s cheap enough to get thrown into a deal or add in deep redraft leagues. 

AFC West Training Camp Conclusion

Will we get the high-flying offensive battles that we expected last year? There is a lot of fantasy potential in this division. Can Sean Payton and Russell Wilson fix whatever the issue was in Denver last year. Do the Chiefs go another year without a consistent fantasy WR? Will Devante Adams get traded before the deadline if things aren’t going well? Can Justin Herbert lead the Chargers to a division title? Fingers crossed that the Broncos can right the ship and make it a three-horse race. If that happens we could see a lot of fantasy points pumped out of this division.