Roster Deficiencies of the AFC and NFC West Division Teams

Roster Deficiencies of the AFC and NFC West Division Teams

AFC West Division Teams

Denver Broncos: Inside Linebacker

 

The Denver Broncos seem to be in good shape but have a lingering problem with its depth of inside linebackers. Denver is in dire need of an efficient linebacker since WR Brandon Marshall ended his 2017 campaign with a left ankle injury.

 

Starter Josey Jewel, who was on the injured list last year with a pectoral injury, leads the line. Jewel signed a 2-year contract extension last March 15, 2022. 

 

The Broncos had Alexander Johnson but did not re-sign him this year. Johnson was a second-round restricted free agent last March 16, 2021. He entered the 2021 season as a starting linebacker and suffered a torn pectoral in Week 6. He was on the season-ending injured reserve on October 19, 2021.

 

Starter Baron Browning got the transfer to outside linebacker where the team is deep. Jewell and former Eagle Alex Singleton head a weak inside linebackers crew. They will need fresh bodies to help them bring the skin across. 

 

Las Vegas Raiders: Offensive Linebacker

 

The Las Vegas Raiders did not make any move to fortify their frontline which they will probably regret come the regular season of the 2022-2023 Season. Pro Football Focus ranked LV Raiders number 28 last season. 

 

The Raiders got wide receiver, Davante Adams, from the Green Bay Packers in a trade. With this deal, they would only obtain third-round pick Guard Dylan Parham for their offensive line recruitment.

 

Las Vegas is one of the best-looking ball clubs in recent NFL history. The Raiders will be content with a line fronting Left Tackle Kolton Miller and company. 

 

The Cincinnati Bengals, unlike the Raiders, made the effort to augment their offensive front. The Bengals were successful with their fix and went on and made a shot at the Super Bowl.

 

Los Angeles Chargers: Right Tackle

 

The Los Angeles Chargers will need a potent right tackle if they want to improve the strong side with the tight end of the offensive front.

 

The right tackle will be facing the best defenders of their opponent. To make it short, The Chargers need the best right tackle they get.

 

At the moment, Storm Norton replaced Bryan Bulaga who’s on the injury list and is on right tackle duty. Las Vegas needs to make up for lost time on Quarterback Justin Herbert and they must have an efficient right tackle to do this. The team has options in free agency with Daryl Williams, 

 

Bobby Masie, and Marcus Cannon. Herbert developed and thrived in the absence of an efficient right tackle. It would do good to them to have a good one.

 

NFC West Division Teams

Arizona Cardinals: Cornerback

 

The Arizona Cardinals urgently need a good cornerback after former first-round pick 25-year-old Jeff Gladney lost his life in a tragic car accident. Gladney’s demise left a major gap for the team. 

 

The May 30 incident left Arizona with a gaping hole for a cornerback replacement.

 

Coach Kliff Kingsbury suggested a list of veterans to augment a roster with a valued starter in Byron Murphy. Marco Wilson struggled in his first season.

 

Arizona signed Gladney to complement Wilson in March, after which, the team waited till around seven to pick a cornerback. Unfortunately, the addition of Gladney did not happen.

 

The Cardinals group headed by Murphy needs help if they want to stay in contention. They need the likes of Joe Haden, Kevin King, Xavier Rhodes, and Jackrabbit Jenkins who are available and waiting.

 

 Los Angeles Rams: Outside Linebacker

 

Los Angeles Rams Sean McVay made the move with two in-season trade deals to address the issue of outside linebackers last season. He had Von Miller from the Denver Broncos and Odell Beckham Jr. from the Cleveland Browns. Both trades helped the LA Rams win last year’s Super Bowl.

 

Miller then went off to the Buffalo Bills in a trade leaving the Rams with Justin Hollins to fill up the void. And there is 3rd round pick Terrell Lewis to protect the ends from escaping runners.

 

Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald can help. Sack talents Outside Linebacker Trey Flowers and Jason Pierre-Paul will lead the sackers of the team.

 

The Los Angeles Rams are still on to a potential outside linebacker that can augment the line of defense.

 

San Francisco 49ers: Center

 

The San Francisco 49ers need a Center on their roster. Alex Mack retired on June 3, 2022, after 13 seasons in the NFL. The 49ers will miss him. It makes targeting a center the most logical move for the 49ers.

 

San Francisco will be addressing the center for the future and possibly even for the upcoming season. Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan considers the Center a pivotal position for the team.

 

In addition, The 49ers lost Guard Laken Tomlinson to the New York Jets.

 

Jake Brendel will fill the shoes of Mack; Brendel logged 6 offensive snaps over the past three seasons. But trusting Brendel to begin at the Center is a risk for San Francisco.

 

Other players available for the post are J.C. Tretter and ex-Super Bowl starters Matt Paradis and Trey Hopkins are likely upgrades for Center. 

 

Seattle Seahawks: Quarterback and Cornerback

 

The Seattle Seahawks obviously need a new quarterback in their ranks. The Seahawks have 2021 backups in Geno Smith and Drew Lock. Evidently, Seattle chose Drew Lock to be their Quarterback as he is the favorite on the depth slate. 

 

The Seahawks acquired Lock as a part of the Wilson trade. The 2019 second-round pick spent the first three seasons of his career with the Broncos. His last starter year featured an NFL-most 15 interceptions despite missing three games.

 

The need for a cornerback is crucial for the Seattle Seahawks. The defensive coaching staff has Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. But the need for a seasoned cornerback hangs in the air.

 

There are people on the line filled to the brim with youth, and most of the names on the list have shown something to warrant hope for upside in the future. However, experience is lacking among the potential players for the post.

 

These are the positions that the AFC and NFC West Division Teams need to fill up for a chance to make it through the regular season.