NFL AFC West: Predicting the Top 4 Disappointments

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Navigating the competitive AFC West requires a keen understanding of potential troublemakers that can impact NFL Odds. In this analysis, we will
examine five players who might fail to meet expectations in the upcoming NFL season.

Kansas City Chiefs: OT Donovan Smith

OT Donovan Smith carries bust potential for the reigning champions. The Kansas City Chiefs made notable moves at
the tackle position during the offseason. They signed Jawaan Taylor to a lucrative contract in free agency, let
Orlando Brown Jr. go to the Cincinnati Bengals and acquired Donovan Smith on a one-year, $3 million deal. While
Smith brings eight years of experience as a starting left tackle, the narrative surrounding him is that playing
for Andy Reid and a Super Bowl contender will rejuvenate his performance after a lackluster 2022 campaign. In 13
games last season, Smith allowed six sacks and committed 12 penalties. However, transitioning from protecting
Tom Brady to Patrick Mahomes is a more demanding task. Brady’s quick release and pocket manipulation skills
made him one of the easiest quarterbacks to protect in the league. In contrast, safeguarding Mahomes presents a
greater challenge, casting doubt on whether Smith is up to the task.

Las Vegas Raiders: QB Jimmy Garoppolo

QB Jimmy Garoppolo remains a question mark for the Raiders. The Las Vegas Raiders’ decision-makers are placing
considerable expectations on Jimmy Garoppolo in 2023. The writing was on the wall for the Derek Carr era, but it
is uncertain whether Garoppolo represents a significant upgrade. While he has proven to be a capable starter who
avoids game-losing mistakes, he does have limitations in arm strength and a history of injuries. The San
Francisco 49ers have been trying to move on from him as a starter for the past two seasons. Garoppolo has played
a full season only once in his career and has suffered from various ankle, calf, shoulder, and foot injuries.
His recent foot injury is not an auspicious start to his tenure with the Raiders, casting further doubt on his
ability to excel.

Los Angeles Chargers: Khalil Mack

Age 32 season could bring disappointment for Khalil Mack with the Chargers. Khalil Mack’s debut season with the
Los Angeles Chargers showed promise, earning him a Pro Bowl nod with eight sacks. However, four of those sacks
came in the first two games of the season, and his production waned over the final 11 games. Last season, the
Raiders experienced disappointing production from Chandler Jones in his age-32 season, and Mack could follow
suit. The Chargers drafted Tuli Tuipulotu in the second round, potentially relying on him to make an immediate
impact. The hope of pairing a prime Mack with Joey Bosa may have passed them by.

Denver Broncos: Can Russell Wilson Change the Narrative?

Can Russell Wilson change the narrative for the Broncos? The Denver Broncos did not receive the expected version of Russell Wilson when they traded a package of draft picks and players to acquire him from the Seattle Seahawks
last season. The Super Bowl and 9-time Pro Bowler had a terrible year, with a career-low 16 touchdowns with 11
interceptions that went along ranked 27th in total QBR. The Broncos’ offense struggled, ranking 27th in
offensive EPA, and head coach Nathaniel Hackett didn’t last the entire season. While the move to bring in Sean
Payton as the new head coach may provide some relief, but it overlooks the fact that Wilson himself made decisions
within Hackett’s offense and struggled with accuracy, throwing 31 interceptable passes, the fourth-highest in
the league. Payton’s offensive acumen may help Wilson, but it is plausible that the 34-year-old quarterback is
no longer the player he once was.

By analyzing these potential disappointments in the AFC West, we gain insight into players who might fail to
meet expectations and impact NFL Odds
throughout the season.