Chiefs

Biggest Question: Pretty obvious here, in my opinion– the biggest question is, how is the offense affected by the Tyreek Hill trade? The Chiefs traded away one of the most productive receivers in the NFL and essentially replaced him with stop gaps and unproven talent, so who will be the guy that steps up big? Or will they flounder? Last season, it was clear that they were missing a third option behind Hill and Kelce, so with Hill gone, they really need 2 guys to produce. They have several new options to pick from, including 2nd round pick Skyy Moore, Juju Smith-Schuster who signed on a one-year deal, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, or even undrafted rookie Justyn Ross, who was projected as a first-rounder before injuries derailed his Clemson career. The Chiefs drafted to fill the other biggest needs, including first-rounders on a corner and a defensive end, but I think we’ll have to wait and see how they try to replace the always-dangerous Tyreek Hill.

This blurb was ghostwritten by a good friend of the blog, Travis Calvin, go check out his Sporting Kansas City blog here.

Broncos

Biggest Question: Pass rush. Where is it coming from? For as much talent as this roster has I have major questions about the depth of the defense. Since really his rookie year Bradley Chubb has not put together a productive and more importantly uninjured season. It’s quite difficult to call him an elite pass rusher simply because of the injury history and his lack of availability. You add Randy Gregory but he also has a checkered suspension and injury-riddled pass as well. Was it wise to give someone who has had massive drug problems a 70-million-dollar contract? Only time will tell. Nick Bonitto is a high-upside rookie but needs to bulk up and gain NFL size still. Baron Browning was a heavily hyped piece from last year’s draft class but now finds himself moved to EDGE and potentially on the trading block. The fact corner Ronald Darby has not played a full year in several years leaves major depth questions at almost every level of the Bronco’s defense. The team better hope Russell Wilson can regain his MVP form because there is a high probability the Broncos will be in a lot of shootouts this year. Wilson’s form is a major question really since the injury to his thumb last season he was not the same passer down the stretch for the Seahawks. You would hope an offseason of rest would have remedied that but we won’t be sure until September hits.  Russ also loves to hold the ball, it is one of his most defining features, Hackett’s offense relies on the quick passing game though. Wilson will need to be able to get the ball out of his hands quickly if he wants the Hackett offense to be a success in Denver.

Raiders

Biggest question: What are the Raiders doing in the secondary? Trayvon Mullen was a liability last year, there is really no other way around it. Rock Ya-Sin is a decent player but hasn’t shown anything to inspire confidence that he’s a game changer. The Raiders just look incredibly thin at the back half of the defense, that may be a problem in a division built around elite Quarterback play and dynamic wide receiving talent. I have no questions about the offense, simply put I believe the Raiders will be a no-doubt top ten offensive unit in 2022. That can cover up a lot of flaws for a defense.

Chargers

Biggest question: For a defense whose biggest problem last year was stopping the run the inside linebackers are not awe inspiring. Kenneth Murray, you could make a valid argument was a liability in run defense last year even though he was a much better pass coverage player. The Chargers got better up front stopping the run, though, with Khalil Mack, questions for this Chargers team are minimal, depth may be the only other issue. At nearly every important starting position though they look set to be a real player not only for the division but for the Super Bowl. Can they stop the run is still a huge question though? The linebackers do not inspire supreme confidence.