Ranking NFL divisions after first wave of 2022 free agency: Who can challenge the AFC West?

The NFL offseason has been one of the craziest in league history, with players flocking to the AFC in order to challenge Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs for conference supremacy. Players are embracing the challenge of snapping the Chiefs’ streak of four consecutive conference championship games and six straight AFC West titles. 

About the AFC West — that division has emerged as the best in football with flurry of activity swooping around the four teams. All to dethrone the Chiefs. The NFC West was the best division in football at the end of the 2021 season — and had two teams reach the NFC Championship Game — yet has been challenged for the title as the first wave in free agency concluded this week. 

Can any division challenge the AFC West? How far did the NFC West fall? The NFL division rankings experienced a major shakeup over the past two months. 

1. AFC West

Last year’s final ranking: 2

The AFC West received a power boost not even Sonic the Hedgehog could rival with all the offseason moves. Davante Adams and Chandler Jones joined the Las Vegas Raiders, Russell Wilson was acquired by the Denver Broncos, while J.C. Jackson and Khalil Mack were key additions to the Los Angeles Chargers. 

Every team in the division has an opportunity to make the playoffs. The Broncos have their franchise quarterback in Wilson, the Raiders loaded up the pass rush and wide receiver position, while the Chargers gave their defense an opportunity to win games and preserve leads so Justin Herbert doesn’t have to perform Houdini acts every week. 

As for the Kansas City Chiefs? They traded Tyreek Hill, but still have Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes leading a franchise that has won 50 games over the past four seasons. Kansas City has taken a step back, but the rest of the AFC West will have to strip them of their stranglehold of the division.

All four AFC West teams can make the postseason. This…