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My 2021 All AFC West team

How many Raiders made the 22-player team?

Miami Dolphins v Las Vegas Raiders
Josh Jacobs
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

With training camp fast approaching, let’s look at the AFC West as a whole by presenting an All AFC West team.

This is a good way to gage the Las Vegas Raiders at the top end of the division as they hope to make a strong playoff push in 2021. Plus it’s fun as we count down the days until training camp starts.

Las Vegas Raiders v Denver Broncos
Darren Waller
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Offense

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs.

Running back: Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders.

Wide receivers: Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers; Tyreek Hill, Chiefs.

Tight ends: Travis Kelce, Chiefs; Darren Waller, Raiders.

Left tackle: Orlando Brown, Chiefs.

Left guard: Joe Thuney, Chiefs.

Center: Corey Linsley, Chargers.

Right guard: Graham Glasgow, Denver Broncos.

Right tackle: Bryan Bulaga, Chargers.

Thoughts on the offense:
I had to go with two tight ends. Both Kelce and Waller deserve to be on this team as they are elite at the position. The left tackle group in this division is very strong and I considered Kolton Miller, but Brown gets the nod. I think right guard is the weakest group in this division. And, yes, the quarterback pick was a no-brainer.

NFL: DEC 01 Raiders at Chiefs
Chris Jones
Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Defense

Defensive end: Joey Bosa, Chargers.

Defensive tackle: Chris Jones, Chiefs.

Defensive tackle: Johnathan Hankins, Raiders.

Defensive end: Frank Clark, Chiefs.

Linebacker: Von Miller, Broncos.

Linebacker: Bradley Chubb, Broncos.

Linebacker: Kenneth Murray, Chargers.

Cornerback: Chris Harris, Chargers.

Safety: Tyrann Mathieu, Chiefs.

Safety: Justin Simmons, Broncos.

Cornerback: Michael Davis, Chargers.

Thoughts on the defense:
Goodness gracious, there are some good football players on this side of the ball in the division. I know Jones may play some end this year, but on this team he’s a defensive tackle. Hankins is underrated, so I found a place for him. At linebacker, I just went with the best three players in a division that isn’t that deep at the position. The safeties are spectacular. If you’re surprised by Davis’ selection, you shouldn’t be. He’s a solid player. if Clark can’t play because of legal issues, I’d put Las Vegas’ Yannick Ngakoue on the team.

Team-by-team breakdown: Chiefs: 8, Chargers 7, Broncos 4, Raiders 3.

Bottom line:
Does this mean I think the Raiders are the least talented team in the AFC West? No, I think the Raiders are deeper and better than the Broncos are. But that’s just the way this team fell. If the new Chargers’ coaching staff is the real deal, watch out. They have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.