AFC West Position Battles

🏈 AFC West Position Battles

BySean Ryan

The AFC West Position Battles is my focus today. I got a bit sidetracked in these training camp posts in order to get the first Almanac updates out to our readers. There is going to be a lot of news coming in quickly. My intention is to knock out the NFC battles as soon as possible, but I may pause and post about something noteworthy as I did in my last post.

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🔥 AFC West Position Battles

🐴 Denver Broncos – R.J. Harvey vs. J.K. Dobbins (RB Battle)

Forget the WR3 battle—Denver’s fantasy value hinges on the running back depth chart.

  • R.J. Harvey (rookie) vs. J.K. Dobbins (vet): This is the battle to watch.
  • My early read: Estime and McLaughlin will eat up preseason reps while Harvey and Dobbins are kept in bubble wrap—signaling bigger regular season roles.
  • Fantasy takeaway: If Dobbins stays healthy, he’s a great draft day value.

👉 Preseason usage will give us the clearest clue.

🏆 Kansas City Chiefs – Kareem Hunt vs. Elijah Mitchell (RB Touches)

🏆 Kansas City Chiefs – Kareem Hunt vs. Elijah Mitchell (RB Touches)

Yes, the Chiefs’ WR room is improved—but the backfield is murky.

  • Kareem Hunt is my early favorite to lead the backfield in fantasy scoring.
  • Isiah Pacheco has the better ranking, but I think he has the most risk in the backfield, so I’m shying away.
  • Elijah Mitchell is generating hype, but hasn’t proven durable or productive in years.
  • Preseason reps will show how sharp Mitchell looks—and whether Hunt’s volume prediction holds.

Fantasy Insight: Avoid drafting Mitchell until we see actual preseason flashes. If you want Pacheco, get him at a good value and don’t have your RB depth hinge on his production. Hunt remains a high-upside, low-ADP value.

☠️ Las Vegas Raiders – Jack Bech vs. Dont’e Thornton Jr. (WR Targets)

The Raiders’ WR3 role could produce surprising fantasy points this year—especially with Geno Smith’s deep-ball accuracy.

  • Jack Bech Bowers figures to dominate targets over the middle and could box out Jack Bech in terms of target share. Routes that would normally go to a slot receiver may be sent to Bowers.
  • Dont’e Thornton Jr. could carve out a deeper outside role with big-play potential.

Fantasy Insight: This is a classic “watch and wait” situation. I’m talking myself into moving Thornton above Bech in my rankings, but I want to see preseason games to make sure I’m not overthinking things.

⚡ Los Angeles Chargers – Stable Depth Chart

There aren’t many open battles in L.A.—and that’s okay.

  • Najee Harris will be fine despite early camp injury buzz.
  • Ladd McConkey is the most draftable pass catcher in the offense (in case that wasn’t incredibly obvious).
  • Tre Harris and Quentin Johnston will likely fill the outside WR spots, but don’t expect elite production. I still like Johnston more than Harris.

Fantasy Insight: The Chargers’ pass attack isn’t going to be statistically elite. McConkey is valued fairly in terms of ADP.

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