How many Chiefs would make an All-AFC West team?

How many players from the Kansas City Chiefs roster would make an All-AFC West team for the 2022 season?

We’ve already explored how each team in the AFC West ranks with each offensive and defensive position. Now, it’s time to see what type of team would be made if we combined all of the best players at every position.

Some of these choices were very easy. Others were up for debate. Regardless, this team would statistically be the best possible team out of every active AFC West player. The only real change I would’ve made with departures from the division would be adding Tyreek Hill to a WR slot.

Without further ado, let’s look at the starting roster for the All-AFC West team.

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the league—maybe even the best player overall. In his first season as a starter, Mahomes recorded 5,097 passing yards and 50 touchdowns and was the NFL’s MVP. He has never recorded less than 4,000 yards in a season as the starter. Some may argue that Russell Wilson deserves this spot for his tenure. Others may argue that Justin Herbert deserves it because of they’re weird. Wilson doesn’t get the spot because he’s on the decline. Herbert simply isn’t better than Mahomes. Patrick Mahomes is the easy choice for QB.

Running Back: Austin Ekeler

The longest-tenured starting RB in the AFC West, Austin Ekeler, is very good at what he does. In 2021, Ekeler only averaged 4.4 yards per carry. But, in previous years, he averaged much more. Over his entire career, Ekeler has recorded 2,812 yards on 607 attempts with a career average of 4.6 yards/carry. He may regress further in the upcoming seasons, but for now, Ekeler is the best RB in the AFC West. Josh Jacobs is also very good, but he’s too injury-prone for me to be considered here.

Wide Receivers: Davante Adams (X), Keenan Allen (Slot), Courtland Sutton (Z)

Let me be perfectly clear. Davante Adams is a monster. He is an absolutely insane receiver. He singlehandedly increases the Raiders’ offensive value. With Tyreek Hill gone, Adams is without a doubt the best WR in the AFC West. I’d love to put Mike Williams here just to spite the Raiders, but Adams is simply too good to overlook.

Keenan Allen has been an outstanding receiver since being drafted in 2013. He tore his ACL in Week 1 in 2016, ending his season, but he hasn’t missed a beat. In his career, he’s recorded 8,535 yards and 48 TDs. He’s also recorded 5 1,000+ yard seasons. Though his best years are likely behind him, as he just turned 30 a little over a month ago, he still makes the Chargers that much better.

Courtland Sutton has been a notable receiver for the Broncos since he was drafted in 2018. An injury in 2020 during Week 2 against the Steelers took him out for the remainder of that season, but he bounced back well in 2021. He’s only recorded one 1,000-yard season so far in his career, but he always averages high yards per reception.

Tight End: Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce isn’t only the best TE in the AFC West. He’s the best in the league. Since taking his first snaps in 2014, Kelce has never had a season where he recorded less than 862 yards (2014), and he’s had six straight 1,000-yard seasons. He’s also great when it comes to both pass and run blocking. And he can even play the Wildcat well. Kelce was an easy choice for this position.

Tackles: Kolton Miller (LT), Lucas Niang (RT)

Kolton Miller is the only excellent part of the Raiders’ offensive line. He has steadily improved every year in both his pass and run blocking. However, he regressed in terms of penalties and sacks allowed. In 2020, Miller played 961 snaps. He was called for 4 penalties and gave up only 2 sacks. In 2021, he played 1,139 snaps, was called for 5 penalties, and gave up 4 sacks.

Niang isn’t a fantastic RT. I like him, but he hasn’t proven his worth yet. In 2021, he was only called for 3 penalties and gave up 2 sacks. We’ll see how the 2022 season goes, but right now, he is the weakest part of the Chiefs’ line, though he isn’t as bad as people claim. Honestly, this just goes to show how weak the right tackles in the AFC West are.

Guards: Joe Thuney (LG), Trey Smith (RG)

Thuney has been good since he was drafted back in 2016. He had a bit of a penalty problem when he first came into the league and brought that problem back in 2021. However, aside from that, he’s very good at protecting the quarterback. Last season, he was called for 8 penalties, but only gave up 1 sack.

Trey Smith was drafted in 2021 and made an immediate impact on the line. He’s a run-blocking monster. Though, he did have issues with penalties and sacks, being called for 9 penalties and giving up 4 sacks in 1,194 snaps. I believe these issues will resolve themselves with time.

Center: Creed Humphrey

In his rookie season, Creed gave up 1 sack and was only called for 6 penalties. His run blocking grade was the best of all centers and second-best of all offensive linemen (behind Trent Williams). Basically, what I’m saying is… Creed is good.