Thought I might have forgotten about this topic? Not a chance! Let the GM season continue!
Denver Broncos
2014 would be the last year I'd expect Peyton to produce at a high level. I don't think the Broncos win it all this year, and if I'm right then they'll spend another year building around Peyton. Unlike the Colts when Peyton left, the Broncos have a great foundation for a young QB to step in a perform. Their current number 2 QB may be the successor, but if I were the Broncos GM I'd make sure I had a contingency plan should Osweiler not pan out. Other than that the Broncos need to focus on building depth at along the line and finding a replacement for Von Miller. It's sad that Miller torn his ACL so late in the season and as the GM I was already worried about Miller being able to stay out of trouble in the offseason. The Broncos have an enviable situation and don't have to do much to maintain their team this offseason, but if they're lazy it will hurt them when Manning retires after 2015.
Kansas City Chiefs
The only other team in this division that can afford to do less this offseason than the Broncos is the Chiefs. The Chiefs are the AFC version of the 49ers. Their defense isn't quite as dominant, but they have one thing in common, they've both had a solid, but limited QB as their starter. The 49ers got rid of Smith and are better for it. The Chiefs would do well to follow the 49ers' model and find a dynamic QB that can make aggressive throws down the field. Andy Reid is an all time great coach, but he hasn't won a title because he hasn't had a QB that can go out and win a big game. McNabb was very very good, but couldn't get Reid over the hump. The Chiefs aren't beating Brady or Manning and once those legends retire they'll have to contend with Luck and the Colts, whom they can't beat despite having a much better roster. The table is set for a young QB like Marcus Mariotta (he'll need two years on the bench) to learn from and eventually take the reigns from Smith when the time is right. It's that simple.
San Diego Chargers
Dynamic defense and a solid o-line. The Chargers are closer on the former than the later. They need Melvin Ingram to stay healthy, another pass rusher, and a solid left tackle first and foremost. Keenan Allen is about to see double and triple coverage every week so the Chargers' GM would be wise to look for another receiver to take some pressure off. Gates is getting old and needs to be replaced soon, but the Chargers shouldn't try to free up Allen with dynamic tight end. They'll need another solid wideout if they're offense is going to take it to the next level. I wouldn't offer Ryan Mathews another contract, at least not for starting RB money, so maybe now is the time for the Chargers to think about replacing him if he decides to leave after his rookie contract is up. The Chargers are in good shape, but they'll have to make some fairly aggressive moves this offseason.
Oakland Raiders
Last and least. This squad is in full rebuilding mode and desperately needs a QB, solid lines, and dynamic offensive players on the outside. Resigning McFadden to starting RB money would be disastrous. When healthy McFadden is a force, but he's never healthy and thus the Raiders have massively overpaid for him. I don't think Pryor or McGloin are the answer at QB, but they can fill the gap if the right QB isn't available. The defensive back seven is much improved so the Raiders would do well to draft high along the offensive and defensive lines. I'd be wary of taking a back or receiver high in the upcoming draft simply because the QB position is unstable, but if a Brandon Marshall or A.J. Green type comes along they should pull the trigger. Patience is the name of the game for the Raiders. Their drafts should be boring for the next two years. That's what happens when you're redoing your foundation. This team is two years from being competitive in this division and if they can stomach that fact and make really smart decisions they'll be ready to strike when Manning retires.
Denver Broncos
2014 would be the last year I'd expect Peyton to produce at a high level. I don't think the Broncos win it all this year, and if I'm right then they'll spend another year building around Peyton. Unlike the Colts when Peyton left, the Broncos have a great foundation for a young QB to step in a perform. Their current number 2 QB may be the successor, but if I were the Broncos GM I'd make sure I had a contingency plan should Osweiler not pan out. Other than that the Broncos need to focus on building depth at along the line and finding a replacement for Von Miller. It's sad that Miller torn his ACL so late in the season and as the GM I was already worried about Miller being able to stay out of trouble in the offseason. The Broncos have an enviable situation and don't have to do much to maintain their team this offseason, but if they're lazy it will hurt them when Manning retires after 2015.
Kansas City Chiefs
The only other team in this division that can afford to do less this offseason than the Broncos is the Chiefs. The Chiefs are the AFC version of the 49ers. Their defense isn't quite as dominant, but they have one thing in common, they've both had a solid, but limited QB as their starter. The 49ers got rid of Smith and are better for it. The Chiefs would do well to follow the 49ers' model and find a dynamic QB that can make aggressive throws down the field. Andy Reid is an all time great coach, but he hasn't won a title because he hasn't had a QB that can go out and win a big game. McNabb was very very good, but couldn't get Reid over the hump. The Chiefs aren't beating Brady or Manning and once those legends retire they'll have to contend with Luck and the Colts, whom they can't beat despite having a much better roster. The table is set for a young QB like Marcus Mariotta (he'll need two years on the bench) to learn from and eventually take the reigns from Smith when the time is right. It's that simple.
San Diego Chargers
Dynamic defense and a solid o-line. The Chargers are closer on the former than the later. They need Melvin Ingram to stay healthy, another pass rusher, and a solid left tackle first and foremost. Keenan Allen is about to see double and triple coverage every week so the Chargers' GM would be wise to look for another receiver to take some pressure off. Gates is getting old and needs to be replaced soon, but the Chargers shouldn't try to free up Allen with dynamic tight end. They'll need another solid wideout if they're offense is going to take it to the next level. I wouldn't offer Ryan Mathews another contract, at least not for starting RB money, so maybe now is the time for the Chargers to think about replacing him if he decides to leave after his rookie contract is up. The Chargers are in good shape, but they'll have to make some fairly aggressive moves this offseason.
Oakland Raiders
Last and least. This squad is in full rebuilding mode and desperately needs a QB, solid lines, and dynamic offensive players on the outside. Resigning McFadden to starting RB money would be disastrous. When healthy McFadden is a force, but he's never healthy and thus the Raiders have massively overpaid for him. I don't think Pryor or McGloin are the answer at QB, but they can fill the gap if the right QB isn't available. The defensive back seven is much improved so the Raiders would do well to draft high along the offensive and defensive lines. I'd be wary of taking a back or receiver high in the upcoming draft simply because the QB position is unstable, but if a Brandon Marshall or A.J. Green type comes along they should pull the trigger. Patience is the name of the game for the Raiders. Their drafts should be boring for the next two years. That's what happens when you're redoing your foundation. This team is two years from being competitive in this division and if they can stomach that fact and make really smart decisions they'll be ready to strike when Manning retires.
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