Heading into 2024, the AFC West seems to be as sewn up as sewn up can be. What, do we think the Chargers are going to magically compete with the back-to-beck champs just because Jim Harbaugh is there now? Still, this is Best Ball, and anything can happen even in these settled division. There are still major questions with all four of these teams in that regard, so let’s answer the biggest Best Ball questions for each team in the AFC West — with the help of our FREE Best Ball rankings.
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Biggest Best Ball Questions for EVERY TEAM In The AFC West
Check out our other biggest Best Ball questions we’ve answered:
Denver Broncos: Is Bo Nix starting Day 1?
Sean Payton has been complimentary of how far along Bo Nix is already, but he also has said that Denver is going to give three quarterbacks — Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson — chances with the first-team offense. Now, it is Stidham and Wilson we’re talking about, so Nix probably has a strong chance to start right away, but it’s not a guarantee.
As of now, our rankings are operating under the assumption that Nix will start the majority of, if not the entirety of, the 2024 NFL season. He ranks 27th among quarterbacks, and his No. 193 overall ranking easily outpaces his 204.9 ADP.
Kansas City Chiefs: Are they quietly loaded at WR?
The Chiefs are twice-defending Super Bowl champs despite Patrick Mahomes having to lean heavily on aging Travis Kelce due to a complete dearth of high-end wide receiver talent. Entering 2024, though, he actually has at least three pretty solid options, at least in terms of downfield speed threats with serious upside.
Now, that is partially dependent on results of a Rashee Rice suspension. It’s still unknown if and when that will happen, but even in the event he misses time, Kansas City has two other top-75 players at wide receiver in Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy. Those two, while perhaps iffy in terms of hands and overall route running, can really take the top off the defense — Worthy set the 40-yard dash record at the combine.
Here are the rankings for all three of the Chiefs top receivers:
- Rice: WR36, No. 62 Overall, ADP 64.0
- Brown: WR37, No. 63 Overall, ADP 52.0
- Worthy: WR43, No. 74 Overall, ADP 63.8
That said, only Rice is ahead of ADP in our rankings, as Brown and Worthy profile more as splash plays here and there, while Rice is the steadier week-to-week receiver.
Las Vegas Raiders: Does it even matter who wins the QB battle?
For the time being, we do not favor either of Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell to win the starting job in Las Vegas — nor does either coming out on top have much of an impact on other Raiders. Minshew and O’Connell project almost identically, and until one is named starter, neither is a top-250 option.
This quarterback situation is also doing no favors for some seriously talented pass catchers. No one would argue that Davante Adams is worse than a top-10 wide receiver in the NFL, yet he ranks as our WR13 and our No. 17 overall player against an ADP of 19.2. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers also could be a major star in a better offense; for now he is only out No. 102 overall player (ADP 96.2) and TE11.
Jakobi Meyers is the one guy here who has some solid value, as we rank him just behind Bowers as a potential safety net for the mediocre quarterbacks. However, ADP has Meyers over 20 spots lower. After those three, the Raiders passing game is a “hold your nose and throw a dart” kind of (mixed metaphor) situation.
Los Angeles Chargers: Does the lack of WR talent tank Justin Herbert?
The general real-football consensus is that Justin Herbert is a very good quarterback. Unfortunately, even with Jim Harbaugh coming in, 2024 does not portend greatness on the field or in Best Ball leagues, and the talent at wide receiver has a lot to do with that.
The Chargers will depend heavily on rookie Ladd McConkey being a real WR1 since 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston bombed so hard in his first season. McConkey was a second-rounder this year and is scooping up some popularity at an ADP of 70.6, but we have him a few spots lower at No. 75. He is our highest-ranked Chargers WR, though, so tough scene for Herbert.
One guy we do like in this offense is Joshua Palmer, whom we rank right below McConkey at No. 77 overall. However, his ADP is 25 spots lower, making him one of the best mid-round wide receiver values out there.
But that’s where it stops: Johnston ranks 26 spots below ADP, and D.J. Chark is only a viable pick at the very back end of drafts. As such, Herbert is only grading out as our QB17, though we do have him five spots ahead of ADP.
