With the exception of the Chiefs still on their Super Bowl honeymoon, fans of all AFC teams are looking forward to the offseason where their team can improve. A few teams can challenge the Chiefs for AFC supremacy, while others will likely have to rebuild. Here’s the biggest position need for each AFC team this offseason.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: WR
Tight ends are the true stars, but the Ravens could use a big target out wide. No Ravens wide receiver surpassed 600 yards in 2019.
Pittsburgh Steelers: RB
No Steelers running back surpassed 500 rushing yards in 2019 and James Conner regressed due to injuries. The Steelers offense needs a revival, but they have few picks to work with.
Cleveland Browns: OT
Starting left tackle Greg Robinson will be a free agent, and the Browns need to provide some protection for Baker Mayfield, who was sacked 41 times in 2019.
Cincinnati Bengals: WR
The biggest need is at quarterback, but that will be addressed when Joe Burrow is picked #1 overall. Burrow will need some weapons out wide, especially with AJ Green’s time in Cincy all but over.
AFC South
Houston Texans: CB
The Texans ranked 29th in pass yards allowed per game this past season and got exposed in the Divisional round against the Chiefs. CBs Bradley Roby and Jonathan Joseph are both free agents.
Tennessee Titans: DE
The Titans got solid edge pressure from their OLBs, but they need some help in the trenches. No Titans defensive end racked up more than 3 sacks in the regular season.
Indianapolis Colts: QB
Jacoby Brissett’s play dropped off over the second half of the 2019 season and it is clear the Colts are willing to move on from him. Whoever the Colts QB is in 2020 will need some more weapons too.
Jacksonville Jaguars: TE
No Jaguars tight end had more than 15 receptions or 160 yards and three tight ends ended the year on IR. The Jaguars need help on the defense, but Gardner Minshew could use a big target on offense.
AFC East
New England Patriots: TE
The Patriots failed to fill the void left by Gronk in 2019, and the lack of offensive weapons was a significant factor in Tom Brady’s mediocre play last season.
Buffalo Bills: WR
TSW’s own Bryce Martino covered Bills offseason needs in depth in a previous article, in which he emphasized the need for a big receiver Josh Allen can throw to.
New York Jets: OG
Le’Veon Bell averaged just 3.2 yards per attempt and the offensive line gave up 52 sacks. A powerful interior lineman could help fix both issues.
Miami Dolphins: QB
Everybody loves a little Fitzmagic, but the veteran out of Harvard is not the long-term solution. Tua Tagovailoa is likely the Dolphins quarterback of the future.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: CB
Starting corners Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland are both free agents and it is unlikely they will both be retained. The Chiefs will likely focus almost entirely on the defense this offseason.
Denver Broncos: OT
Drew Lock could use some protection for his blind side in his second year. Left tackle Garrett Bolles is expected to leave in free agency and right tackle Ja’Wuan James has been mediocre and banged up.
Las Vegas Raiders: WR
No Raiders wideout caught more than 50 passes in 2019. Tyrell Williams isn’t a true #1 receiver and Hunter Renfrow has potential, but is still developing. Luckily for Raiders fans, the 2020 draft class is a gold mine for receivers.
Los Angeles Chargers: QB
Philip Rivers will no longer be a Charger after starting every regular season game since 2006. Backup Tyrod Taylor is not the answer and the Chargers will likely look to the draft for a replacement.