2020 Preseason All-AFC West team: Raiders, Chiefs dominate on offense
By BD Williams
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
WR1
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Allen is a consummate pro, a big bodied wide receiver who has mastered his craft. Allen’s ability to manipulate defenders in coverage with his eyes and his feet is elite for the wide receiver position. In terms of production, he is the only player in the AFC West to have over 300 catches in the last three years.
Every team going up against the Chargers circles Allen’s name on the scouting report, and defenses must account for his proficiency defeating multiple different types of coverage. His route running can be a serious problem for the cornerback who draws him in coverage.
WR2
Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Tyreek Hill has improved every aspect of his game in the last several years. From beating press coverage, to running routes, to winning at the catch-point, he has developed into a well-rounded wide receiver.
Hill is more than just a gadget player, and he has something that can’t be taught: speed. The fastest ball carrier over the last four years in the NFL since Next Gen Stats started tracking miles per hour in 2016, Hill is the only NFL player to eclipse 23mph with the ball in his hands.
TE1
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Sensing a theme here? Another one of the Chiefs’ offensive weapons makes this list. Travis Kelce is an elite tight end in the NFL, and many believe he is the best in the league at his position. He is so savvy at finding empty spaces in the defense and has become the security blanket in the Chiefs offense.
Kelce’s 283 catches and 23 touchdowns since 2017 are good for second place among AFC West pass catchers, and he’s a tight end. Kelce can beat defensive backs with his physicality, or linebackers with his speed, making him quite the dangerous weapon.
TE2
Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
In a tweet I put out, I choose Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton as the third wideout in this group. However, football is all about getting the best 11 on the field, so we’re gonna go with 12 personnel here (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR). That means we include Darren Waller into the mix, who is coming off of a great season, catching 90 passes for 1145 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first year as a starter.
The 6’6 250lb Waller is a former wide receiver who brings incredible size-speed ratio which makes him one of the more difficult match-ups in the NFL. He is just getting started, and with better weapons around him in 2020, he should be even more of an impact player for the Silver and Black.