One free agent for each AFC West team to sign before 2022 NFL Draft

1 of 4

NFL Free Agency: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after intercepting a pass by Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams (not in photo) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

As we head towards the NFL Draft, who could each AFC West team target as one potential signing before the NFL Draft begins next week?

Perhaps one of the best divisions this league has seen, the AFC West is set to be ultra-competitive this season. All four teams could easily make the playoffs, and you could argue that three of them could make a deep playoff run into the Super Bowl.

It’s been an arms race in the division, with each team making some sort of significant move. The Chiefs have seemed to be the least active, but they’ve still set themselves up in a decent position before draft day.

The Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders all added a ton of talent and have significantly improved their rosters since 2021.

All four teams also have enough cap space to make multiple free agent signings if they wanted to.

All of the Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers have also shown a strong ability to draft players as well, so expect them to add talent that way.

I would also add that some of the remaining free agents would probably want to come to play for these teams since they’re clearly all in and have loads of talent ready to compete.

Perhaps some of the free agents that already signed with AFC West teams took a discount to come play with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Russell Wilson.

So, who could be one free agent that each AFC West team could sign before the 2022 NFL Draft?

One free agent for each AFC West team before the 2022 NFL Draft

1. Denver Broncos should sign Anthony Barr

Drafted by the Vikings back in 2014, Anthony Barr has been one of the league’s best linebackers since.

The 30-year-old is a free agent and doesn’t appear to be generating a huge market. It’s clear the Vikings have moved on, and there is a connection here. Broncos general manager George Paton was in the front office when Barr was drafted, so there’s a connection there.

Barr has only played in 13 games the past two seasons, so there’s an injury concern. However, Barr also presents a legitimate pass rush ability, something that not all linebackers can do.

Starting him next to Josey Jewell would give Denver a very nice linebacking tandem for 2022.

Anthony Barr probably wouldn’t be more than a one-year option, but he’s someone who would temporarily fill a need for the Denver Broncos.

It would also help in countering the high-powered offenses within the AFC West as well.

Home/AFC West