Predicting the best NFL player on each AFC team in 5 years

NFL Predictions: Best AFC West Players in 5 Years

Denver Broncos: Justin Simmons

There’s no getting around it: Simmons is one of the best safeties in football. His interceptions-per-year has increased since entering the NFL in 2016, yet he’s only made one Pro Bowl. Not that either stat is the end-all-be-all for measuring success. Besides, Denver just rewarded Simmons with a hefty four-year, $61 million contract. He’ll be 31 by the time that contract ends, though we’ve seen safeties play at a high level by that age.

While Simmons will probably not be the best player on the Broncos at that time, he’s the best option of any current Denver players. Bradley Chubb and Courtland Sutton have looked the part at times, but each has dealt with injuries. Until they can remain healthy, Simmons is the pick.

Los Angeles Chargers: Joey Bosa

The Chargers made this an interesting dilemma. Justin Herbert and Derwin James all deserve consideration. However, we’ve only seen one season from Herbert, and James, unfortunately, hasn’t been able to stay healthy. The latter could very well be the best young safety in football. The same can be said for Bosa, though he also hasn’t the cleanest medical bill.

Bosa has an undeniable spot among the top edge rushers in the NFL. That tends to happen when you’re consistently named among the NFL’s Top 100. The Chargers have been notorious for not paying their star players, so if Bosa leaves Los Angeles, I doubt it’ll be due to a lack of production.

Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes

Duh. Nothing suggests Mahomes won’t be the cream of the crop in 2026. I don’t really want to spend more time on this, but alas, the football gods demand words! I’m curious if there are any Mahomes doubters even left.

What more does he have to do? Surely an MVP, three Pro Bowls, one first-team All-Pro and a Super Bowl ring should suffice. Other Chiefs who could be here to stay another half a decade: Tyreek Hill and Chris Jones.

Las Vegas Raiders: Darren Waller

Is it too harsh to say Alec Ingold? Maxx Crosby was tempting, too, especially since I haven’t seen enough promise from Henry Ruggs and Kolton Miller. I’m also a fan of Josh Jacobs, I’m just dubious about how he fares long-term in whatever this Jon Gruden offense is. Scratch that, I’ll tell you what it is: Darren Waller. He is the offensive game-plan.

Waller was far and away the Raiders’ best player in 2020, and he’ll likely keep that crown in 2021. The one drawback is Waller’s age. He’ll be 33 in five years, though we’ve seen some tight ends excel into their 30s (like Travis Kelce, Antonio Gates, Greg Olsen, etc.) For lack of a better option, I’ll go with a player who is clearly valued in Las Vegas.