Best players in the AFC West

By: Jake Rajala

The AFC West is one of the best divisions in football. Hence, there is a lot of star profiles, even outside of the quarterback spot. With that said, I’m going to take the time to rank the Top-10 players in the AFC West.

10. Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce is on his last legs. He will likely retire after this upcoming season and go into the sunset with Taylor Swift. I don’t believe that Kelce is a Top-5 TE anymore. Sure, I will say he’s a Top-10 TE right now. Kelce had 97 grabs last season for 823 yards. He can be reliable when it comes to pass catching, but I don’t see the deep speed at all.

9. Derwin James

Derwin James is one of the most aggressive safeties in football. He unleashed 5.5 sacks last season – which was a career high. He also had ten tackles for loss! He was second-team All-Pro last season. He is still 28. I could see him playing as long as Harrison Smith is playing and Smith is 36!

8. Khalil Mack

Khalil Mack refuses to retire – as he knows he can still operate at a high level. Mack had a career-high 17 sacks, 22 QB hits, and 21 TFLs, in 2023. He took a bit of a step back last season, but I believe he can still be a double digit sack master. After all, he will have more opportunities with Joey Bosa gone.

7. Geno Smith

Geno Smith is one of the most underrated signal-callers in the league. Smith is coming off his third straight winning season. In two of his past three seasons, he registered a completion percentage above 69. In 2022, he won Comeback Player of The Year. Smith will have Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers to utilize.

6. Brock Bowers

Speak of the devil. Brock Bowers is already a Top-5 TE in this league. All Bowers did last season was haul in 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and 5 touchdowns. PFF handed Bowers an 85.1 grade – which was third among TEs. Bowers has a better QB with Smith than his QB last season, so he could even put up more godly numbers.

5. Chris Jones

Chris Jones is arguably the best DT in football, especially with Aaron Donald on the golf course. Jones made his third straight first-team All-Pro nod last season. He didn’t have high-end stats last season, as he was often double-teamed. He managed to shine in the playoffs, however.

4. Justin Herbert

I don’t completely agree with Jim Harbaugh as Justin Herbert being one of the best QBs of all time. Nonetheless, he is a Top-10 QB in this league. Herbert can make all the throws in the pocket and use his legs to make impressive throws on the run. Herbert threw for 23 touchdowns to three ints last season! Herbert is the best QB to get voted to one Pro Bowl.

3. Maxx Crosby

Mad Maxx. Maxx Crosby is the one of the best edge rushers in the league. He routinely faces double and even triple teams. He only played in 12 games last season, but he still had 7.5 sacks, 20 QB hits, and 17 TFLs. It’s safe to say that he deserves the love from Eastern Michigan.

2. Pat Surtain

Pat Surtain deserved being called Defensive Player of The Year last season. Surtain unleashed four interceptions and 11 pass deflections. His stats weren’t out of the world, but he did lock down opposing elite wideouts. He had an 85.6 PFF grade, which was second among CBs.

1. Patrick Mahomes

There is no dispute: Patrick Mahomes isn’t only the best AFC West player. He is the best NFL player. Mahomes will chase Tom Brady for the most Super Bowl rings. Mahomes can win a lot in one-possession games.