There's no such thing as perfect, but in this scenario I get to play GM for a day and do my best to "fix" each franchise (as if it's that easy).
It's really just something that I enjoy doing and why not share it with all of you!
This series is dependent on every other team, so you won't see the same player be signed to multiple teams.
BUT, this will be mainly offense based. So, I will mention the salary cap and draft pick implications, but I'm not going to include an entire salary cap breakdown.
If you haven't already you check out the rest of the perfect off-season series here;
That being said, let's breakdown the AFC West and see what moves I think each team could/should be making in the 2023 Offseason!
Denver Broncos
Last Year's Record: 5-12
2023 Estimated Cap Space: $9,387,224
2023 Draft Picks: 3rd (2), 4th (2), 6th (1)
Notable Free Agents; Kareem Jackson (S), Dalton Risner (OL)
For a team with no draft picks, having $10M in cap space and not a laundry list of free agents definitely helps their cause. I'd expect they are able to bring back Risner to a large contract.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; The Broncos made a blockbuster move to trade for former Saints HC Sean Payton, a great coach who can hopefully pay off. This team has HEAVILY invested it's draft picks to build talent and now they have to show out.
Free Agency; The Broncos if anything need to shore up their defense and OL depth. If I'm the Broncos, here are some notable moves I'm making on offense.
+ Brett Rypien (QB)
+ D'Onta Foreman (RB)
+ Marquez Callaway (WR)
- Mike Boone (RB)
Notable additions being D'Onta Foreman, leaving him and Edmonds as the team's RBs next to Javonte Williams (recovering from an ACL). Foreman is a very suitable RB2/plug in starter while Williams makes his way back.
Also, Marquez Callaway just to have added depth and a familiar face to the Denver Broncos offense.
2023 NFL Draft; The Broncos don't have any picks in the first 3 Rounds, and given their core is strong offensively, I would see the Broncos either beefing up their defense or adding OL depth through the draft.
So altogether, here's what the Broncos' starting offense would look like in 2023...
QB - Russell Wilson
RB - Javonte Williams
WR - Courtland Sutton
WR - Jerry Jeudy
TE - Greg Dulcich
Not going to see any visible changes, but added depth and coaching can make all the difference!
Kansas City Chiefs
Last Year's Record: 14-3
2023 Estimated Cap Space: -$3,507,734
2023 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 4th (2), 5th (1), 6th (3), 7th (3)
Notable Free Agents; Orlando Brown (OT), JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR), Andrew Wylie (OL), Mecole Hardman (WR), Jerick McKinnon (RB)
12 Draft Picks!!! The Chiefs have a lot to work with, and if they can hit on their picks in this upcoming draft the Dynasty will no doubt continue. But I don't see them being able to retain all their free agents.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; Somehow Eric Bienemy is still not a head coach, but it seems as if he is still ready to move on from the Kansas City Chiefs. He has taken interviews for OC jobs around the league. I imagine the Chiefs would just promote someone internally if they were to lose him.
Free Agency; The Chiefs will likely have to make some tough decisions this off-season. If I'm the Chiefs, here are some notable moves I'm making on offense.
+ Blaine Gabbert (QB)
+ Jerick McKinnon (RB)
+ Justin Watson (WR)
- Chad Henne (RETIRED)
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB)
- Ronald Jones II (RB)
- JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR)
Replace the retired former Jaguars QB with another former Jaguars QB. Both of which are great backups who can get the job done if Mahomes went down.
Embrace Isiah Pacheco as the team's starting RB, and bring back McKinnon next to him. Sucks to see CEH go, but he was inactive in the Super Bowl and wouldn't be a factor anyway.
Juju at this point would be a luxury, let him walk away with his Super Bowl ring and start building up the WR room with guys like MVS, Toney, and Skyy Moore.
2023 NFL Draft; With Juju gone, it's time for the Chiefs to make a splash at WR, so I have them taking (WR) Zay Flowers at pick #32, and I'd imagine he won't be the only WR taken with their 12 Draft Picks. I'd also like to see them draft a RB in the 4th/5th Round for depth and upside.
So altogether, here's what the Chiefs' starting offense would look like in 2023...
QB - Patrick Mahomes II
RB - Isiah Pacheco
RB - Jerick McKinnon
WR - Zay Flowers
WR - Marquez Valdes-Scantling
WR - Kadarius Toney
TE - Travis Kelce
With this team, I feel like the Chiefs can make it BACK to the Super Bowl! How about you?
Los Angeles Chargers
Last Year's Record: 10-7
2023 Estimated Cap Space: -$20,511,524
2023 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 4th (1), 5th (1), 6th (1), 7th (1)
Notable Free Agents; Drue Tranquill (LB), Kyle Van Not (LB), Nasir Adderly (S), DeAndre Carter (WR)
Negative cap space isn't great, and they will need to make some cuts in order to get back on track and compete in the playoffs.
Now let's breakdown the offseason in it's main pillars, coaching changes, free agency, and the draft.
Coaching; The Chargers brought in Kellen Moore to call offensive plays, which bodes well for Ekeler, and really the rest of the offense given their struggles last season.
Free Agency; The Chargers are going to need some surprise cuts. If I'm the Chargers, here are some notable moves I'm making on offense.
+ Chase Daniel (QB)
+ Andre Holmes (WR)
+ Gerald Everett (TE)
- Keenan Allen (WR)
Not much to add here for the Chargers. Cutting Keenan Allen is already a rumored move, and doing so will save about $7M in cap space if done prior to June 1st. Leaves a bit of a hole at WR, but Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, and the draft are enough to cover.
2023 NFL Draft; With their 1st Round Pick, I have the Chargers selecting (WR) Jordan Addison. Potential Keenan Allen replacement and a young weapon for Justin Herbert and this offense.
So altogether, here's what the Chargers' starting offense would look like in 2023...
QB - Justin Herbert
RB - Austin Ekeler
RB - Joshua Kelley
WR - Mike Williams
WR - Jordan Addison
WR - Joshua Palmer
TE - Gerald Everett
Replacing Keenan Allen won't be easy, but with the added help of Addison the offense shouldn't miss a beat.
Las Vegas Raiders
Last Year's Record: 6-11
2023 Estimated Cap Space: $48,389,838
2023 Draft Picks: 1st (1), 2nd (1), 3rd (1), 4th (1), 5th (3), 6th (2), 7th (2)
Notable Free Agents; Derek Carr (QB), Josh Jacobs (RB), Mack Hollins (WR)
Derek Carr being released was unexpected, yet does yield a TON of cap space for the Raiders to work with. Having a high draft pick on top of that helps try to and replace Carr.
Free Agency; The Raiders have a ton of cap space, but do have some re-signing to do. If I'm the Raiders, here are some notable moves I'm making on offense.
+ Jimmy Garoppolo (QB)
+ Josh Jacobs (RB)
+ Mack Hollins (WR)
+ Nelson Agholor (WR)
- Brandon Bolden (RB)
- Keenan Cole (WR)
- Foster Moreau (TE)
Jimmy G is familiar with Josh McDaniels from his time in New England, so given the need for a QB, he might act as the perfect bridge.
Brining back Josh Jacobs is a no brainer if you have the money for it.
Agholor a former Patriot who had success with McDaniels the year prior makes for the perfect FA reunion.
2023 NFL Draft; In the 1st Round, I have the Raiders selecting (OT) Paris Johnson Jr. A tradition to keep the offensive lines stout and strong is one McDaniels ought to bring back.
So altogether, here's what the Raiders' starting offense would look like in 2023...
QB - Jimmy Garoppolo
RB - Josh Jacobs
WR - Davante Adams
WR - Hunter Renfrow
WR - Mack Hollins
TE - Darren Waller
Keep building up the depth in McDaniels second year!
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