AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

• Dan Graziano of ESPN mentions Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay and S Justin Simmons as two potential extension candidates to watch for Denver over the next year or so.
• Regarding Lindsay, Graziano says the Broncos have some leverage with him, considering that he’s in line to be just a restricted free agent in 2021.
• As for Simmons, Graziano seems to think he could get a new deal before the July 15 deadline to negotiate with franchise players. Graziano adds that the two parties seem interested in getting something done and Broncos VP of football administration Rich Hurtado’s previous job was with Simmons’ agent, Todd France, at CAA.
• Broncos rookie TE Albert Okwuegbunam said of his eagerness to reunite with a personality like QB Drew Lock: “Your offense starts with your quarterback. Everybody looks to him, so when he’s out there having fun and bringing juice, it’s contagious.” (Troy Renck)

Chargers

• Dan Graziano of ESPN takes a look at five Chargers’ players who are in line for extensions over the next year including WR Keenan Allen, TE Hunter Henry, DE Joey Bosa, DE Melvin Ingram and CB Desmond King.
• Regarding Bosa, Graziano mentions that franchising him in 2021 would cost the Chargers in the $17 million to $18 million range fully guaranteed.
• Graziano wonders if the Chargers will be able to retain both Bosa and Ingram long term.

Raiders

Raiders K Daniel Carlson has already dealt with his share of adversity in the NFL. He was drafted in the fifth round by the Vikings in 2018 but cut after just two games and missing three kicks. He only missed one more field goal the rest of the season after catching on with the Raiders though. Carlson struggled again in 2019, missing seven field goals, and Las Vegas added UDFA rookie K Dominik Eberle to push him in camp. Carlson isn’t rattled by the latest challenge, though. 

“They always want to push you just like any other position,” Carlson said via the Athletic’s Tashan Reed. “It’s always a good opportunity to put a little pressure on you before the season comes around. It gets you in a competitive environment. That’s the way I’m looking at it and I’ll take advantage of it in that way. Hopefully, I win the job, but I’ve also made a young rookie better along the way in where he can succeed somewhere else.”

• ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez thinks the Raiders got better at every spot on offense, except running back where he believes they stayed the same. 
• Gutierrez highlights the additions of QB Marcus Mariota, TE Jason Witten, WRs Henry Ruggs III, Bryan Edwards and Nelson Agholor and improved health from G Gabe Jackson and OT Trent Brown as reasons the Raiders should be better on offense.