2020 Preseason All-AFC West team: Raiders, Chiefs dominate on offense

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

Eric Fisher, Kansas City Chiefs

Oddly enough, the best tackles in the AFC West all play on the right side. I’m sure Von Miller (and Khalil Mack to some extent) has something to do with that. That being said, Eric Fisher wins the dubious distinction of being the best left tackle in the division.

He has started 98 games in his seven-year career, and perhaps he has never quite lived up to his first round billing back when he was the first overall pick in 2013. He was finally elected to his first Pro Bowl in 2018, which is more than the rest of the left tackles in the division can say.

Left Guard

Richie Incognito, Las Vegas Raiders

Richie Incognito came on like gangbusters last season for the Raiders in his return to the NFL after sitting out in 2018. A player who has defied age and mental health issues, football has provided Incognito with the structure and outlet that allows him to still be one of the better guards in football at 36 years old.

In 2019 Incognito had 5 blown blocks in 742 snaps, one of the best rates in the league according to Sports Info Solutions. He was well worth the gamble the Raiders took when they brought him back into the NFL.

Center

Rodney Hudson, Las Vegas Raiders

This comes as a no-brainer to even the most casual Raiders fans. Rodney Hudson is an elite center in the NFL and certainly the best in the AFC West. He has become the anchor in the Raiders offensive line, helping direct blockers towards blitz calls and picking up stunts.

Hudson is known for his mental side of the game, of which he has no peer in football. He is also the best pass blocking center in the NFL by a comfortable margin, leading the NFL is pass blocking efficiency at the position for the last 5 seasons.

Right Guard

Ronald Leary, Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos lone entry on the offensive side of the ball, Ronald Leary is known for being one of the better pass protecting guards in football. A solid performer during his eight-year career, Leary has played in 77 games.

Leary isn’t the run blocker that say Gabe Jackson is, but he rarely gets beaten in pass protection. In a passing league, a quarterback driven league, his skill set is more premium, and frankly harder to come by.

Right Tackle

Mitchell Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs

This might raise some eyebrows across Raider Nation, who assumed that Trent Brown is the best right tackle in the division. They would be ignoring the greatness of Mitchell Schwartz, who has been the model of consistency and dominance during his All-Pro career. Schwartz has never missed a game in his eight-year career, totaling 128 starts.

Schwartz has been given high grades by various independent statistical services, as well as being voted 2nd team All-Pro three times, and first team all Pro once. Brown has a ways to go before he can be considered in the same echelon as Schwartz, namely staying healthy all season.

Final Count

• Chiefs – 5
• Raiders – 4
• Chargers – 1
• Broncos – 1