There is less than a week until teams in the NFL will be clamoring to schedule visits with impending free agents. For the AFC West, there are certain players that each team in the division should be doing their due diligence on.
This past season, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco in the Super Bowl, winning their first Super Bowl since 1969. After hoisting the Lombardi Trophy and hosting a Super Bowl parade, the Chiefs will have a target on their back in 2020.
In the upcoming free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos figure to be a team that makes a plethora of changes to their roster. With nearly $55 million in cap space and 12 draft picks, the Broncos have more than enough to shape the team into a contender again.
On the other hand, the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers are heading into pivotal offseasons while moving to new stadiums in 2020. Without wasting any more time, here is one player that each team in the AFC West needs to sign in NFL free agency.
Denver Broncos — Justin Simmons
It's been reported already that the Broncos expect to be an extremely active team once free agency begins. While Denver addresses some of the team's needs in free agency, it's vital that they work something out with Justin Simmons.
Back in 2016, Simmons was a third-round pick for the Broncos out of Boston College. In his rookie season, he played in 13 games whilst recording two interceptions and four deflections.
Then, over the past three seasons combined, Simmons has developed into one of the most underrated safeties in the NFL. This past season alone, Simmons had the best season of his career, tallying 93 tackles, four interceptions, and 15 deflections.
Above all, Simmons has been remarkably reliable, playing in every defensive snap over the last two seasons. In light of that, the Broncos need to make sure they keep Simmons long-term whether it's a multi-year contract or the franchise tag.
Kansas City Chiefs — Chris Jones
When watching the Chiefs, everyone is fixated on Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill on offense. But on the defensive side of the ball, Chris Jones has been by far the most reliable player for Kansas City.
The talented defensive tackle was a second-round pick out of Mississippi State in 2016. Over the course of his first two seasons, Jones amassed 60 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 11 deflections, and four forced fumbles.
As for the past two seasons are concerned, Jones has developed into one of the best interior defenders in the NFL. The former second-round has accumulated 76 tackles, 24.5 sacks, nine deflections, and three forced fumbles since 2018.
If Jones were to depart in free agency, the Chiefs would fall short of finding a more dominant interior defensive linemen to replace him. Even though Jones conveyed his desire to return next season, it remains to be seen if Kansas City will have enough financial resources to retain him.
Las Vegas Raiders — Byron Jones
Over the past few seasons, the Raiders have had no luck in drafting cornerbacks. While Trayvon Mullen flashed some potential as a rookie in 2019, the team traded Gareon Conley. Conley was a first-round pick for the Raiders in 2017 out of Ohio State.
Additionally, Daryl Worley — who's been with the team since 2018 — is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. With Las Vegas needing to add a proven cornerback into the fray, Byron Jones should be near the top of their wishlist.
After making the transition to cornerback in 2018 with the Dallas Cowboys, Jones has instantly become one of the marquee cornerbacks in the league. The former UConn standout constantly shuts down his side of the field and rarely has balls thrown his way.
Even though he's failed to record interception since 2017, Jones has contributed 20 deflections in the last two seasons. As free agency looms, Mullen has spoken to Jones in hopes to convince him to join the Raiders.
Los Angeles Chargers — Jason Peters
Recently, the Chargers chose to make a unique player-for-player trade, sending Russell Okung to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for Trai Turner. While they added a solid interior offensive lineman, they have a huge void at left tackle now.
Fortunately for Los Angeles, they could add a veteran in free agency, draft one of the incoming prospects, or do both. In the event that they choose to sign someone in free agency, Jason Peters could be a feasible choice.
Not too long ago, the Philadelphia Eagles announced that they will allow Peters to test free agency. With a short supply of left tackles available, Peters should have a decent market when free agency begins.
Despite turning 38 years old in January, Peters proved this past season that he can still play at a high-level. Regardless of who is starting at quarterback next season, the Chargers should look to add Peters to their offensive line.
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