AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs

Broncos

Broncos’ HC Vic Fangio was asked if RB Melvin Gordon is currently the starter or if there would be a competition. Fangio suggested that all of the running backs will rotate in, at least for now.

“Well I think there’s enough work to be had for everybody if everybody proves they’re worthy,” Fangio said, via BroncosWire.com. “I think you have to throw Mike Boone in that when you talk about that position too. All three of them just need to come back [ready to go]. We’ll carve a role for them. Obviously Melvin is an established back in this league, played well for us last year, and we like him. We obviously like Williams and we like Boone. So you never have enough backs, and I’m confident that there will be enough work for all of them.”

Chargers

Chargers’ S Nasir Adderley is still hoping for a breakthrough season in the NFL and says that his body currently feels great.

“Biggest takeaway, adjusting to just making sure my body would just be in tip-top shape and coming out with dealing with injuries just from my senior year up until now,” Adderley said, via Fernando Ramirez of SI.com. “I feel great now, but I think just managing that without the biggest hurdle, but I’m super excited and good. I feel great.”

New Chargers’ HC Brandon Staley is referring to all safeties and cornerbacks as defensive backs and all outside linebackers and defensive ends as edge rushers. Adderley knows that he can bring a unique versatility to the team’s defense.

“I really hone in on just having versatility like I want to be somebody that I know it brings value to the team with me being able to play multiple positions,” Adderley said. “I can cover. I can be physical and stuff like that. That is something I work on. It’s definitely good to hear that he sees that and that it is what he’s looking for in a safety.”

Chiefs

Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill believes it will be difficult to replace WR Sammy Watkins, who signed a one-year deal with the Ravens, but is confident in TE Travis Kelce, WR Mecole Hardman and WR Demarcus Robinson. 

“It’s definitely going to be tough but I definitely feel like as the season goes on, guys will begin to fill that void that Sammy was filling,” said Hill, via Pete Sweeney of Arrowheadpride.com. “Having Pat, having Kelce, having a great offensive line definitely helps because you got other guys to mentor those guys. Mecole has played, D-Rob has played in Super Bowls. (Byron) Pringle. I feel like we’re going to be all right. We’ve been playing football our whole entire lives, so it’s nothing new for us.”

Hill praised Chiefs’ fifth-round WR Cornell Powell‘s performance so far in their offseason program and told the rookie that he must believe in himself. 

“He’s definitely a smart kid,” Hill said. “Me and him got similar things going for us — he was drafted in the fifth round. I was drafted in the fifth round… I had a conversation with him, telling him that, ‘If you want to play on this team, it’s a certain mindset.’ We all believe that we can dominate and be the best group in the league.”

Hill added the Powell looks “sharp so far” and pointed out that he’s a good catcher and smooth route runner. 

“He’s definitely coming into a tough group who loves to compete and who loves to challenge each other… I mean, he’s been looking sharp so far. Good, tough catcher, big hands, silky in his routes. He looks good so far.”