AFC Roster Reset: Conference hierarchy heading into 2021 NFL Draft
Originally Posted by :
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off the worst two months since the start of the Patrick Mahomes era. Just remember that these are champagne problems. This is an organization that is a coin toss away from three straight AFC titles led by a quarterback whose first three seasons as a starter rival any QB span in the history of the sport. The Chiefs remain conference favorites until proven otherwise, but they've given hope to the rest of the pack because of an offseason which has gone sideways like their latest Super Bowl appearance.
After three months of hirings and firings, cuts and signings, let's break down the AFC hierarchy heading into the 2021 NFL Draft.
The bullies
Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills.
The Chiefs and Bills are the only two teams I can't imagine missing the playoffs, barring disastrous injury problems. Buffalo elevating this high is a credit to the methodical decisions made by coach Sean McDermott and his hand-picked general manager, Brandon Beane, since their arrival in 2017. By the time McDermott's fundamental defense experienced a so-so year in 2020, the offense was fully formed enough to pick up the slack. I like the value in the Bills re-signing Matt Milano and tackle Daryl Williams. I love the offensive core of players, the coaching staff and most of the defensive core. The Bills could still use help in the defensive front seven via the draft, but their floor should be as a double-digit-win team.
The Chiefs didn't intend to have so much cap space left over for signings like defensive tackle Jarran Reed. They released OTs Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz with the intention to spend big on the offensive line. While they obtained guard Joe Thuney, Trent Williams turned down a big offer. They also weren't able to pull off a reunion with center Rodney Hudson, while JuJu Smith-Schuster passed on a chance to catch passes from Mahomes. Still, in an offense-first league, K.C.'s doing just fine. Needing two tackles entering the draft is a rough spot to be in, but not as rough as being one of the 31 other teams that don't have Mahomes.
https://www.nfl.com/news/afc-roster-...2021-nfl-draft
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I'm selling Allen stock before the year starts.
Baltimore and KC showed the football world how simple it can be.
Don't play zone against Allen.
Man Defense. Blitz from the slot. Give him false pre-snap looks.
Done.
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Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin:
Bills = Bullies?!? WTF??
What have the Bills done to earn THAT status?
This is the Chiefs show in the AFC, has been for the last 3 years, will continue to be. Assuming that ‘powers that be’ don’t intervene to say otherwise (I’m looking at you AFC Title game refs against Pats)
The Bills aren’t the Chiefs but they’re still just a cut above the rest of the AFC.
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