NFL Free Agency is set to begin on March 11th, and it could be a sea change for the entire league. Every team is looking for a game-changer; some need more than others. I’m going through every NFL Division’s biggest free agency needs. It’s time for the AFC West.
The Raiders’ biggest need is quarterback, but with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, they’ll get Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. They need to make sure he doesn’t walk into a disaster. Their offensive line was among the worst in the league in 2025 and desperately needs improvement.
Las Vegas has a young stud in running back Ashton Jeanty and one of the best tight ends in football in Brock Bowers. Mendoza can have some real fun with that, but he needs time to breathe. The Raiders have the second most cap space in 2026, and should be willing to spend.
Braden Smith, Jonah Williams, and the Cleveland Browns duo of Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio should be on Vegas’s radar. They could target a wide receiver in the offseason, but the bulk of their spending will likely be for the trenches.
Welcome to Kansas City, Breece Hall. The Chiefs could be missing quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the start of 2026, and tight end Travis Kelce’s future is still up in the air. Their offense needs more life, and the duo of Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt simply doesn’t cut it.
Hall is set to hit free agency and leave the New York Jets. Outside of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, he’ll be the hottest running back on the market. The Chiefs aren’t exactly swimming in cap space, but a move here needs to be made.
It’s worth noting that Kansas City is drafting ninth overall this year, the highest they’ve had in the Patrick Mahomes era. There’s a chance they get their hands on Notre Dame star, Jeremiyah Love. If that seems unlikely by March 11th, they should be looking for a way to get Hall into Arrowhead.
The Chargers need offensive line depth, and there’s no reason to believe they won’t address that. Another position group that needs attention is the defensive line. Khalil Mack, Da’Shawn Hand, and Odafe Oweh could all hit free agency, and Los Angeles will likely need to replace someone.
The defensive line is something the Chargers could address in the Draft, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they do. They do have nearly $80 million in cap space and could make some kind of splash in the meantime.
If the Chargers can hold onto the players that they currently have, they absolutely should. If they have to dive into free agency, Haasan Reddick, Dre’Mont Jones, and A.J. Epenesa could all be fairly affordable options.
The Broncos currently have Adam Trautman and Evan Engram in their tight end room. Trautman is set to become a free agent, and Engram has not exceeded 50 receptions since 2023. They’ll need someone who can take some weight off Engram’s shoulders.
The first name that Denver could reach out to is David Njoku. The nine-year veteran is still a reliable weapon for any QB. The Cleveland Browns drafted Harold Fannin Jr. in 2025, and he took over the starting role. It was the first season Njoku had less than 50 catches since 2021. He could be a huge help for Bo Nix and the offense.
One name that could stand above Njoku is Kyle Pitts. His contract is coming up with the Atlanta Falcons, and it’s still possible he stays with the team that drafted him. If the 25-year-old former first-round pick hits the market, a Denver area code could be the first number he sees on his phone.
For the first time since 2015, the Chiefs failed to win the AFC West. The Broncos and Chargers are rising fast, and the Raiders could finally be on the right side of a rebuild. This offseason will have massive implications for the entire division. Check out the other divisions in this series here!
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
