AFC rivals haven't closed gap on Chiefs...

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

A good read here in case you missed it, I will put the text in a spoiler...

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...his-offseason/

Spoiler!

In case you haven't heard enough of this the last three months, to say nothing of this past weekend, I had a little reminder for you regarding the NFL Draft: Everyone takes the best player available almost all the time, the guy they coveted tends to just fall to them, and you can't truly judge winners and losers of any draft until years after.

That's just how it works. Or so they would have you believe.

The reality is, especially among the better teams in the league, and the dregs of the league (i.e. those without a capable quarterback), there is very much need involved with many of the top picks and calculated trades before and during the draft. And there seemed to be an obvious theme among better AFC teams in how they doubled down on certain areas, and approached this draft. An unspoken arms race of sorts in ongoing, in large part a reaction to how the Kansas City Chiefs season ended last year.

The Chiefs were going to do everything in their power – via trades, free agency and the draft – to reinforce their offensive line like never before. And the rest of the conference, particularly those franchise that might fancy themselves closest to unseating the Chiefs (the Bills, Ravens and Browns, who comprised the final four in the conference in January) are trying to load up to stop them. Not exactly rocket science, I know. But the fact that Baltimore and K.C. completed a major trade involving a Pro Bowl offensive lineman (at a time when they both needed major help there), and then the Bills doubled down on pass rushers with their top two picks, served further notice of how these Super Bowl contenders are trying to maximize their last great chance to harness talent en masse before the 2021 season begins.

If the Ravens can get past the Chiefs, it will require making Patrick Mahomes sweat, and the edge players atop their depth chart prior to the draft (Tyus Bowser, Jaylon Ferguson and Pernell McPhee) have combined for 52 career sacks, with 37 of them coming from McPhee, 32, a rotational player at this point. So it came as absolutely no surprise they took who they deemed to be the best pass rusher possible (Odafe Oweh) with the 31st pick they received as part of the Orlando Brown trade with the Chiefs. They were always going to use at least one of their top two picks on an edge rusher, no matter how the board fell; they don't have the luxury to grab any player at any position with the way that roster is composed after sitting out any big money free agent signings yet again. The inherent bias of position need is baked into the board.


And the Chiefs, despite already signing guard Joe Thuney to a record-setting contract and giving up draft capital for Brown, with just two picks in the first 143 selections, still took an offensive lineman with one of those selections, center Creed Humphrey with the 63rd pick. They are clearly as serious as can be about protecting their franchise QB as he recovers from offseason surgery. Lack of draft picks made no difference, while Baltimore took offensive line with the 94th pick they got from K.C. (need-based to the core), and then traded down from the 136th overall pick from K.C. to eventually take defensive back Shaune Wade (you need all the corners and safeties to try to stop the Chiefs).

All the Bills did meantime, was load up on pass rush, knowing that veterans Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison are only going to bring so much at this stage, and everyone seeing how much Tampa's ability to harass Mahomes with just four rushers impacted the Super Bowl outcome. They grabbed Gregory Rousseau with the penultimate selection of the first round, someone who may be able to get push inside and out, and grabbed Carlos Basham at the end of the second round, a player some evaluators I trust believe will provide first-round value at the next level.


Baltimore preferred Oweh to Rousseau – something to watch over the coming years – and it will be fascinating to see how the picks Baltimore got for Brown progress, and how well Brown performs as a left tackle in a far less run-oriented offense in Kansas City.


As for the Browns, having assembled a potent offense, they attacked improving their defense even after making bolstering the secondary and pass rush a major theme of their free-agent process. Corner Gregory Newsome wasn't that high on some other team's boards I spoke to, but it's a fairly safe pick, while landing Notre Dame linebacker/safety/whatever Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, was seen as a steal among those I talked to. They added speedy receivers on day two and three – Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham aren't going to be there forever – and may have had one of the best drafts overall.

"I didn't want to believe the Browns were for real, but I really like their draft," one top AFC executive told me. "The corner wasn't that high for us, but it's hard to argue with what they've done and the kid from Notre Dame could be a star if you use him the right way. They have really smart people running things there now. They've had an impressive offseason."

I tend to agree. At this stage, with some veteran free agents like Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram and Alejandro Villanueva still out there, I see the Browns and Bills as the best constructed to truly test the Chiefs for AFC supremacy. I love what they have done and how they have gone about going it … But if Brown is as good as I believe he will be, next to Thuney and with Kyle Long at guard, I still don't think it will be enough to knock them off their perch barring major injuries.


The Chiefs have vastly upgraded both the quality and quantity of options along their offensive line, clearly had a limited amount of first-round grades on tackles (as did most of the league as there was no wave on them in the final eight of the opening round, and believed Brown to be far superior to whatever was available to them there. And now they have seven legit options to sort through the three starting linemen to the right of Brown and Thuney, which is bad news for the rest of the AFC.

Disregard any draft grades that rip them for lack of selections. They went all-in to repair their one glaring need, and ownership showed a willingness to dig far deeper in its pockets than many rivals (you know who you are) including almost landing Trent Williams, the highest-paid left tackle in the game. Those draft grades don't include the 24-year old tackle they just landed who has already gone to the Pro Bowl at two different positions already, and if you aren't giving Andy Reid an 'A' for the totality of his offseason transactions, you aren't paying very close attention.

But trust me, the GMs in the AFC are. None of this escapes them. And best of luck keeping chase.

[Oxford]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Smith, Blythe, LDT as your backup IOL, Niang as the backup ST. (I'm not sold on Remmers...at all. After the SB I wanted his ass gone). Would be better off with Niang or Long at RT with Smith at RG if Long were to move outside.

It will be interesting to see how little playing time Mike Remmers gets in camp. I think he is the known quantity among Niang, Long and LDT. If he starts to get pre-season time, that means they have made their mind up on the others. I think Allegretti is in a better place than Remmers.

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by Oxford

It will be interesting to see how little playing time Mike Remmers gets in camp. I think he is the known quantity among Niang, Long and LDT. If he starts to get pre-season time, that means they have made their mind up on the others. I think Allegretti is in a better place than Remmers.

Remmers was guaranteed $3.3M.

He's the swing tackle at worst.

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by Rausch

This offseason was the OLine overhaul - next offseason will be DL...

FYP.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by O.city

In today's NFL, if you aren't Jalen Ramsey, I don't know the difference between a decent CB and a good one is much. The rules just don't allow you to be physical.

Build the front 7 and get adequate CB's.

Certainly you'd like better than adequate but they at least should be cheap.

In theory though, I agree. Draft your CB's, play them early, and then let them go if they're terrible or get too expensive. Draft some more and repeat the cycle.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Certainly you'd like better than adequate but they at least should be cheap.

In theory though, I agree. Draft your CB's, play them early, and then let them go if they're terrible or get too expensive. Draft some more and repeat the cycle.

Exactly. Just keep doing what they've been doing. If your front 7 is legit, the back just needs to be smart and adequate.

Defense these days is more about having 11 guys who are atleast adequate and functional and play together. It's too hard to cover a huge hole.

[KChiefs1]

AFC East: Unanimous for Bills to repeat

Buffalo made the AFC Championship Game last season, and the Bills are another of three unanimous picks to win their division in 2021. Being picked to finish 12-5 would be down a peg from 13-3 a year ago, but still in line for a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs. The Patriots, perhaps playing with a rookie quarterback in Alabama’s Mac Jones, finished behind the Dolphins, who will have quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in his second season after a 10-6 record last year. The Jets, despite a new coach in Robert Saleh, were picked to finish last in three of four ballots, perhaps a nod to playing a rookie quarterback in BYU’s Zach Wilson.


AFC North: Close call between Browns, Ravens

The only overall tie out of eight divisions is here in the AFC North, with Cleveland and Baltimore, both fresh off 11-5 seasons, expected to surpass the defending champion Steelers. Pittsburgh finished no higher than third on any ballot, behind the Bengals on one, while the Ravens and Browns evenly split the top two spots for all four voters.

Pittsburgh arguably has the most difficult schedule in the NFL, with 10 games against playoff teams from last season. And between the Ravens and Browns, an easier schedule could help Cleveland, which gets to face the Texans, Patriots and Cardinals on a third-place schedule, while Baltimore faces the Colts, Dolphins and Rams, considerably more difficult.


AFC South: Colts edge Titans for first

The Titans and Colts had matching 11-5 records last year and both lost in the wild-card round, but the Colts were picked as the team to beat with a strong supporting cast around new quarterback Carson Wentz. Tennessee is harder to peg, getting a first-place vote but also one third, with our Texans writer picking the shiny-new Jaguars to finish ahead of them.

The Texans, with lingering uncertainty surrounding their lone remaining star in quarterback Deshaun Watson, were one of two teams picked unanimously to finish last, along with the Lions.


AFC West: Chiefs unanimous to win again

Kansas City has been to back-to-back Super Bowls, and while they lost convincingly to the Bucs in Tampa, they’ve rebuilt their offensive line to better protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes. As such, they’re no surprise to be one of three teams picked as unanimous division champs, along with the Bills and Bucs.

The rest of the division is a blur, with the Chargers and second-year quarterback Justin Herbert getting the nod over the Broncos, who would have Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback if they aren’t able to wrangle Rodgers from the Packers. Denver got a second-place vote but also two last-place nods, while the Raiders finished no higher than third on any ballot.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by RaidersOftheCellar

Something called Touchdown Wire has the Chiefs ranked 6th in the NFL after the draft. Behind the Chargers, Bills and Ravens in the AFC. LOL

IMO, KC and Cleveland are better than all mentioned.

[lawrenceRaider]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

AFC East: Unanimous for Bills to repeat

Buffalo made the AFC Championship Game last season, and the Bills are another of three unanimous picks to win their division in 2021. Being picked to finish 12-5 would be down a peg from 13-3 a year ago, but still in line for a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs. The Patriots, perhaps playing with a rookie quarterback in Alabama’s Mac Jones, finished behind the Dolphins, who will have quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in his second season after a 10-6 record last year. The Jets, despite a new coach in Robert Saleh, were picked to finish last in three of four ballots, perhaps a nod to playing a rookie quarterback in BYU’s Zach Wilson.


AFC North: Close call between Browns, Ravens

The only overall tie out of eight divisions is here in the AFC North, with Cleveland and Baltimore, both fresh off 11-5 seasons, expected to surpass the defending champion Steelers. Pittsburgh finished no higher than third on any ballot, behind the Bengals on one, while the Ravens and Browns evenly split the top two spots for all four voters.

Pittsburgh arguably has the most difficult schedule in the NFL, with 10 games against playoff teams from last season. And between the Ravens and Browns, an easier schedule could help Cleveland, which gets to face the Texans, Patriots and Cardinals on a third-place schedule, while Baltimore faces the Colts, Dolphins and Rams, considerably more difficult.


AFC South: Colts edge Titans for first

The Titans and Colts had matching 11-5 records last year and both lost in the wild-card round, but the Colts were picked as the team to beat with a strong supporting cast around new quarterback Carson Wentz. Tennessee is harder to peg, getting a first-place vote but also one third, with our Texans writer picking the shiny-new Jaguars to finish ahead of them.

The Texans, with lingering uncertainty surrounding their lone remaining star in quarterback Deshaun Watson, were one of two teams picked unanimously to finish last, along with the Lions.


AFC West: Chiefs unanimous to win again

Kansas City has been to back-to-back Super Bowls, and while they lost convincingly to the Bucs in Tampa, they’ve rebuilt their offensive line to better protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes. As such, they’re no surprise to be one of three teams picked as unanimous division champs, along with the Bills and Bucs.

The rest of the division is a blur, with the Chargers and second-year quarterback Justin Herbert getting the nod over the Broncos, who would have Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback if they aren’t able to wrangle Rodgers from the Packers. Denver got a second-place vote but also two last-place nods, while the Raiders finished no higher than third on any ballot.

People way over valuing the Chargers as usual, and sleeping on the Raiders. Raiders will be 2nd in the AFCW.

[RealSNR]

The Dolphins or the Patriots could knock off the Bills.

Josh Allen ain't perfect yet. Lamar had a let down season. Entirely possible for Allen to go back to being inconsistent. If that happens, the door is wide open.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by lawrenceRaider

People way over valuing the Chargers as usual, and sleeping on the Raiders. Raiders will be 2nd in the AFCW.

Bet not. Bet the Chargers take 2nd. Raiders 3rd or 4th. Toss up between them and the Cheating Donx for last.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by lawrenceRaider

People way over valuing the Chargers as usual, and sleeping on the Raiders. Raiders will be 2nd in the AFCW.

LOL

No, they won't.

They just dismantled the one actual strength of the team (Power OL).

Ya'll are gonna suck.

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

The Dolphins or the Patriots could knock off the Bills.

Josh Allen ain't perfect yet. Lamar had a let down season. Entirely possible for Allen to go back to being inconsistent. If that happens, the door is wide open.

Pats will probably be much more competitive.

Fins are likely to maintain or regress, unless Tua develops.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

Pats will probably be much more competitive.

Fins are likely to maintain or regress, unless Tua develops.

I hope they suck, but I'd loooooove for them to beat Brady and the Bucs.

[PHOG]

Originally Posted by lawrenceRaider

People way over valuing the Chargers as usual, and sleeping on the Raiders. Raiders will be 2nd in the AFCW.

Faders MIGHT get the 2nd pick next draft.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by lawrenceRaider

People way over valuing the Chargers as usual, and sleeping on the Raiders. Raiders will be 2nd in the AFCW.

I will be surprised if the Raiders win 4 games this season which fortunately for Raiders fans, will put them in a position to take one of the top QB's in the draft.

Unfortunately for Raiders fans, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden will take the 17th rated QB at #2 overall.