2017 AFC West Preview: Raiders Front Seven Needs Work
Comparing the various front sevens of the AFC West is not easy. Each one presents different strengths, weaknesses and question marks. Denver and Los Angeles are both going through scheme changes. Kansas City is aging but also retooling. Meanwhile, the Raiders underwhelmed last season. Which team has the best front seven in the AFC West?
AROUND COVER32
The Latest: Chargers’ first round pick, WR, Mike Williams, could be out for entire sesaon
Around the NFL: Could Steelers’ WR, Sammie Coates, be on the chopping block
What’s Trending: Roger Goodwell will be in Foxborough for NFL season opener
Fantasy Focus: Don’t sleep on Dolphins’ TE, Julius Thomas, in fantasy drafts
NFL Player Spotlight: Vikings’ WR, Laquon Treadwell, ready to prove himself in year two
No. 1: Denver Broncos
On paper, the Broncos have the best front-seven largely because Von Miller is the best player in the division. Miller registered 24.5 sacks over the past two seasons and he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Miller has been in the league a little longer than Khalil Mack and he has a Super Bowl ring, which gives Miller the slight edge over the 2016 DPOY. Shane Ray registered 12 sacks over the past two seasons and he will take over for DeMarcus Ware at the starting edge position opposite Miller. Shaquil Barrett has also flashed enough over three seasons to earn himself some meaningful rotation time.
At middle backer, the Broncos have a solid core of Todd Davis and Brandon Marshall. Marshall graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 16 linebacker and Davis rated as the No. 35 LB.
Otherwise, the Broncos will rely on free agent signing Domata Peko and Jared Odrick to protect these guys. Peko is 33 and Odrick got phased out of Jacksonville last season. Both are capable starters but they will need to fight for their jobs. Derek Wolfe is the most consistent starter on the defensive line as he has 11 sacks over the past two seasons from the inside lineman position. Second round pick DeMarcus Walker should also work his way into the rotation.
The biggest question mark about this defense is how it will change with Gary Kubiak in the scouting department and Wade Phillips in Los Angeles. A slight scheme change could help another team surpass Denver for the best front seven in the AFC West.
No. 2: Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers may have the deepest front seven in the AFC West, especially at linebacker. Los Angeles has drafted well at this position over the last few years. Kyle Emanuel will start at outside backer while Melvin Ingram will probably lineup as more of a traditional end.
Added, Jeremiah Attaochu and Joshua Perry have showed glimpses of potential as their backups. Attaochu will backup Ingram again and Perry will push Emanuel for playing time.
In the middle, Denzel Perryman should have a breakout season as he is a true 4-3 middle linebacker despite his success as an inside linebacker over the past two seasons. Jatavis Brown registered 3.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles as a rookie last year and he should continue developing in his role as an outside linebacker beside Perryman.
This linebacker group is also made better by the defensive line in front of them. Joey Bosa won Defensive Player of the Year thanks to his 10.5 sacks in 11 games. Now, he will play a more traditional 4-3 end position which should make him better.
Nose tackle Brandon Mebane won a Super Bowl in the same Seattle scheme that Gus Bradley is bringing to the Chargers. They will lean on Mebane and DT Corey Liuget to stop the run. If both veteran tackles stop the run and push the pocket, this Chargers front seven will be sneaky good. It will also come down to the coaching staff properly utilizing this amount of talent in their new 4-3 base defense.
No. 3: Kansas City Chiefs
Considering the Broncos and Chargers scheme changes, Kansas City is the most reliable defense in the AFC West. That includes their linebacker corps which features future Hall of Famer Derrick Johnson. Johnson is still one of the best inside backers in the league as he registered 70 tackles, 1 interception and 1 sack last year. Ramik Wilson and DJ Alexander will compete for the other inside backer spot beside Johnson.
On the outside, they employ Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. Hali’s age is slowing him down as he only had 3.5 sacks last year. However, Dee Ford registered 10 sacks last year and he is a good alternative off the bench. Houston looked like a game changer with 22 sacks in 2014, before injury cost him a chunk of the last two seasons. Houston is the best player if he gets healthy. All of these guys can rush with their hands up or down.
Ultimately, this is a strong group that is made stronger by their deep defensive line. Bennie Logan and Jarvis Jenkins will fill in for Dontari Poe and Jaye Howard who signed with other teams this offseason. Chris Jones looked like a stud last season and rookie Tanoh Kpassagnon looks like he could develop into one.
They just don’t have the same youth or top end talent of the Chargers or Broncos. However, the Chiefs probably have the most consistent front seven in the AFC West. Age is the only thing slowing them down, but they have developing studs ready to resume duties also.
No. 4: Oakland Raiders
Unless Khalil Mack goes back to full time linebacker duties or Aldon Smith returns from exile, the Raiders have one of the worst linebacker groups in the AFC West. Jelani Jenkins, Corey James and Marquel Lee will battle for two starting jobs. This alone tells you the strength of the position. Jenkins is a journey man, James showed flashes his rookie year and Lee is a rookie.
Otherwise, Bruce Irvin is by far the best linebacker on the team. The Raiders will need him to rush the passer and create turnovers again in 2017.
Unfortunately, the defensive line isn’t much more experienced outside of Mack. Darius Latham, Jihad Ward, Mario Edwards, Denico Autry, Eddie Vanderdoes and Justin Ellis will all fight for their roles. Each flashes potential and offers different strengths. However, none of them have proved they can be consistent starters.
Shilique Calhoun should see some more time this year if the Raiders finally move him to full time pass rusher and not a linebacker.
That means the defensive line won’t help out the linebackers much. This group perils in comparison to the depth and production throughout the rest of the division.
Will the Raiders stop anyone with their front seven in 2017? The Silver and Black will need leaps and bounds from their young players to not have the worst front seven in the AFC West.
Obviously, these rankings can change with injury to any player. Oakland can easily overtake anyone on this list by a few breakout seasons from some young players.
Either way, their front seven will have to prove that they can stop the run and remain effective against the run. The other three teams in the AFC West already seemed poised to do that in 2017.
The post 2017 AFC West Preview: Raiders Front Seven Needs Work appeared first on Cover32.
