The 2026 NFL season is right around the corner, and it's time to make some bold predictions for every team across the league, starting with the AFC West.
After an era of dominance from the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes and company have worthy challengers in both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. They won't go quietly, though, and one of Mahomes' new weapons could emerge from under the radar to help their chances as a rookie. The Broncos will be hoping to build on last year's success with a healthy Bo Nix and the addition of Jaylen Waddle, but it could be a rookie running back who provides a huge boost to the offense. For Justin Herbert and the Chargers, there might finally be postseason success at the end of this year's road.
Behind them all wait the Las Vegas Raiders, who enter a full rebuild with a new head coach in Klint Kubiak, a rookie quarterback in No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, but also a tight end primed to put up elite wide receiver numbers in 2026.
Here are four things I think will happen in the AFC West this season:
Jonah Coleman Becomes RB1 in Denver
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As of today, Coleman is mired in a depth chart that includes more experience (JK Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin) and higher draft capital investment (R.J. Harvey), but that doesn't mean he can't vault to the top of the list by the end of the year. Dobbins will get first crack as the elder statesman, but it's hard to depend on his durability considering his history of injuries. McLaughlin is undersized, and best used as a change-of-pace back. Harvey's rookie year was a mixed bag, but his second-round draft slot didn't stop Denver from spending a fourth-rounder on Coleman this year.
To that end, Coleman brings more power and physicality than McLaughlin and Harvey, which could allow him to earn early-down carries, as well as short-yardage work. If Dobbins misses any significant time, it's Coleman who has the skill set to push for the most snaps and touches, and his college tape shows a player with the talent to take full advantage of those opportunities.
Cyrus Allen Makes Waves Right Away
It's no secret the Chiefs have been trying to find more weapons for Mahomes, and they might have found a gem in this fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati. Undersized but explosive, Allen's sharp route-running ability jumped off his college tape throughout the predraft process, and he's already drawing rave reviews from offseason workouts and training camp practices ahead of the preseason.
Rashee Rice hasn't been a reliable WR1 for Mahomes, and Travis Kelce is a shell of his former self. Xavier Worthy is a valuable deep threat and big-play weapon on manufactured touches, but Mahomes needs a reliable target who can beat NFL defenses at every level on a consistent basis. Even as a late-round pick, Allen has the skill set to quickly develop into that kind of player, and it sure seems like he's already developing chemistry with Mahomes.
Brock Bowers Contends for Receiving Triple Crown
This year will be all about building a foundation with the arrival of Kubiak and Mendoza, but there are still some high-profile veterans who will make their mark on a league-wide level in Vegas. Bowers doesn't have the traditional dimensions or skill set for a tight end, but his receiving chops should be put to good use by Kubiak right away.
Last year, Jaxon Smith-Njigba lit up the stat sheet in Kubiak's offense. While it might say "TE" next to Bowers' name, he could find himself in a similar role as the team's go-to target. I won't be surprised to see Kubiak line up Bowers all over the place, getting him in the best matchups and feeding him tons of targets. A rookie quarterback will need a reliable target he can trust, and Bowers has the goods to deliver on a level that puts him in the same tier as the league's best receivers when it comes to every pass-catching category this season.
Chargers Actually Win a Playoff Game
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The Chargers have one of the league's most talented quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, and when healthy, he's proven he can put up some of the best numbers in the league. But that hasn't translated to postseason success, as the team hasn't won a playoff game since 2018. 11-win seasons in each of the past two years have ended the same way, with first-round exits that saw the Chargers outscored by a combined 48-15.
Their biggest challenge this year will be maintaining a high level of play on defense following the departure of coordinator Jesse Minter, who took the head coach job with the Baltimore Ravens. But if they can keep that side of the ball rolling, and the offensive line avoids the catastrophic injuries that held them back last season, there's no reason why Herbert can't finally lead this team to a playoff victory.
