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The AFC West boasts the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the rest of the teams in the division seemingly improved this offseason. While the Chiefs basically return their entire roster from a season ago, the other three teams have seen some noticeable changes.
For the Denver Broncos, they are confident that Drew Lock can excel in his second season in the AFC. Around Lock, the Broncos added Melvin Gordon, along with rookie wideouts Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler.
Similarly to Denver, the Las Vegas Raiders bolstered their receiver corps, adding rookies Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards. There's no doubt that the Raiders and Broncos made those moves to catch up to Kansas City's high-flying offense in the AFC West.
Lastly, the Los Angeles Chargers are gearing up for an AFC season in which they will need to replace Philip Rivers. Whether it be Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert, they'll have some large shoes to fill in 2020.
All that being said, each of these teams could continue to make roster moves — in the form of a trade — this offseason. With that in mind, here is one player each team in the AFC West could trade before the 2020 NFL season.
Denver Broncos — DaeSean Hamilton
In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Broncos strengthened their receiver corps. With the additions of Jeudy and Hamler, to join Courtland Sutton, Denver hopes to have a much-improved passing attack in the 2020 AFC West.
At the same time, the new faces at wide receiver could make it difficult for DaeSean Hamilton to see the field. Just two years ago, Hamilton was the No. 113 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft for the Broncos.
In his first two seasons in the NFL and the AFC, the Penn State product has contributed a total of 58 receptions, 540 yards, and three touchdowns. Seeing that Denver is suddenly crowded at wide receiver, Hamilton could be headed elsewhere in the near future.
Kansas City Chiefs — Darwin Thompson
After winning the AFC and then the Super Bowl this past season, the Chiefs tried to retain as much of their starters as possible. As a matter of fact, the only starters to depart in free agency were Reggie Ragland and Stefen Wisniewski.
In light of that, Kansas City doesn't have many players it would be open to trading. But if the Chiefs were to trade someone on the roster, Darwin Thompson is an interesting name to watch.
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Just a month ago, the Chiefs selected Clyde Edwards-Helaire with the No. 32 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Besides Edwards-Helaire, Damien Williams, Darrel Williams, and DeAndre Washington represent Kansas City's loaded backfield, the best in the AFC West. Taking that into account, Thompson could be sent elsewhere this offseason.
Las Vegas Raiders — Zay Jones
In an attempt to keep up with the Chiefs in the AFC West, the Raiders also improved their group of wide receivers. While retaining Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas can now insert Jeudy and Edwards to the team's passing attack.
Not to mention, the Raiders also signed Nelson Agholor in free agency. Provided that, the future of Zay Jones with Las Vegas seems to be uncertain at this moment.
Jones, a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, was traded to the AFC West when he went to the Raiders last season. With a crowded wide receiver group in Las Vegas, Jones could find himself being traded for the second consecutive year.
Los Angeles Chargers — Denzel Perryman
As previously mentioned, the Chargers are preparing for life after Rivers in the AFC West. Upon Rivers' departure, it remains to be seen if Taylor or Herbert gets the first crack at replacing the Pro Bowl quarterback.
On the other hand, Los Angeles could cultivate a new de facto quarterback of their defense. In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Chargers traded back into the first round to select Kenneth Murray with the No. 23 pick.
Even as a rookie, Murray is preparing himself to call plays for the defense in 2020. Regardless of whether that happens, Denzel Perryman could become an expendable piece for the Chargers. With Perryman in the final year of his current contract, Los Angeles could find a way to move his tradable contract and reshape the AFC West.
