AFC WestNFLNFL Draft

Who Are the Best Fantasy Snags of the AFC West?

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Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to pass during the third quarter against the New England Patriots in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to pass during the third quarter against the New England Patriots in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
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The offseason changes the scope of fantasy football each and every year. New signings, departing veterans, and boosted contracts all add to the chaos. However, which players are elevating their game to the next level? Who is one step above their opponent and two picks below the draft order? These are the best fantasy snags of the 2026-27 NFL season.

Las Vegas Raiders – Brock Bowers

What do all inexperienced quarterbacks have in common? They live off of short passes. 

With all of the buzz surrounding Ashton Jeanty and Fernando Mendoza, it’s easy to hop on that train. Rarely does a tight end overshadow these two skill positions in terms of fantasy. Despite that, the numbers never lie. 

Brock Bowers finished with 1,194 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his brilliant spectacle of a rookie season. Don’t forget that it took place amid the continuous roller coaster of the Raiders’ offensive line, with a struggling veteran quarterback. Now, add the recent additions of stars Tyler Linderbaum and Spencer Burford. Also, that one college quarterback who gave Indiana its first-ever championship is now his quarterback…Mendoza, was it? 

Bowers is a well-oiled machine who could easily have a lengthy, award-filled career, which could include winning your fantasy championship.

Denver Broncos – RJ Harvey

Jaylen Waddle this, Jaylen Waddle that. Is Waddle brilliant? Absolutely. But will he be a top-performing fantasy powerhouse? Unlikely.

All it takes is one simple look at the brilliant but chaotic Denver Broncos offense. For a team that loved a hundred different formations, the ball followed a relatively similar route. Fans could flip a coin on whether Sutton, Bryant, Dobbins, or Franklin would be targeted. In reality, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t be a completely different set of four players being targeted.

Despite the talent surrounding Nix, especially the oncoming Jaylen Waddle, it’s still Sean Payton‘s system. Who else uses their running backs as much as he does? RJ Harvey, as a rookie, stepped up when it mattered most. The AFC Rookie of the Year recorded a jaw-dropping 12 total touchdowns for the Broncos, with three in one game against the Cowboys. Even with the competition in the backfield, Harvey has proven he has what it takes to be a step above his fellow teammates.

Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert may very well have it all in the minds of some fans.

Regardless of whether his hair is as luxurious as the car he drives, Herbert has historically struggled in big moments. With 674 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and four interceptions, Herbert has failed to find his identity in the playoffs. Despite his obvious struggles, Herbert continues to shine where it matters most in fantasy: the regular season. 

Finishing top-10 in fantasy quarterbacks, Herbert took a team filled with crushing injuries to the playoffs. A lackluster offense often bailed out by its defense, Herbert took what was given him and delivered spectacularly. With the recent addition of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and an offense-heavy NFL Draft, Herbert will easily break into the top seven, perhaps even the top five, of fantasy quarterbacks.

After that? Well, leave that up to the Chargers’ fanbase.

Kansas City Chiefs – Kenneth Walker

Does Rashee Rice want to go to jail?

Much heartache surrounds the Kansas City Chiefs as of late. Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL. Xavier Worthy was lackluster at best. Rashee Rice injures himself after injuring others. Travis Kelce is back once again to steal the spotlight.

However, not all hope is lost for the team that is still coached by one of the best to ever do it. With the addition of Super Bowl champion Kenneth Walker III, the Chiefs’ offense suddenly got a lot more interesting. There’s no doubt that Walker and Zach Charbonnet were quite the dynamic duo. Despite posting an underwhelming 11.3 fantasy points per game, it was understood by many that his numbers were only that low as a result of his splitting carries. After Charbonnet tore his ACL in the playoffs, Walker took off and never looked back,  winning Super Bowl LX MVP.

How does this fit in with the Kansas City Chiefs? Well, Andy Reid loves aggressive, stocky, down-your-throat running backs who can also catch the ball. While Walker may need help in this area, there’s no one more suited for the job than Andy Reid. Pair that with a superhuman quarterback? May the league rest in peace.

While fresh talent may be on the horizon for the fantasy world, veterans still dominate the playing field in the AFC West. The real question is, who will outperform the other?

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Written by
Tobias Swiney

Tobias is currently a junior at Liberty University studying a B.S. in Creative Writing: Journalism. From a young age he fell in love with football, and since then he has dedicated his time and efforts to turn his dream of analyzing and commentating professional football into reality. When he isn't writing articles about the Denver Broncos, you can catch him hosting his own podcast with his brother Seth.

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