AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

While the Broncos have high expectations for first-round TE Noah Fant, HC Vic Fangio says it will take time for the rookie to adjust to playing the position in the NFL. 

“Yeah, he can run. We all knew that,” Fangio said via the Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala. “That was easy, but now he has to learn how to be a tight end in the NFL. He’s got tools, but you know I can go into Home Depot and walk out with a bunch of nice tools and I’m not a carpenter. We have to teach him how to be a tight end in the NFL, and he’s working great at it.” 

Chargers

Chargers QB Tyrod Taylor is taking the opportunity to learn from an established veteran like QB Philip Rivers after being that guy the past few seasons for younger quarterbacks.

“He brings a ton of knowledge to the game,” Taylor said via Chris Hayre of the team website. “He’s played at a very high level basically his entire career. So I’m still learning from him each and every day in the classroom and little things on the field as well.” 

Chiefs

• According to NFL Media’s James Palmer, Chiefs DE Frank Clark started feeling like he could end up in Kansas City as soon as toward the end of the 2018 season with Seattle. 
• Chiefs released TE John Phillips. (NFLTR)
• Chiefs waived QB T.J. Linta with an injury settlement. (NFLTR)

Raiders

Raiders QB Derek Carr is already seeing the benefits of entering a second straight year in the same system as he and HC Jon Gruden gear up for their second year together. 

“I know Coach Gruden and the way he thinks now,” Carr said via NBC Sports’ Scott Bair. “I’ve played a season with him to where I know what he expects on this down and distance. When he calls a certain play, I know what he wants me to look for and if it’s not there, get it to this. I’m already a step ahead with that. I checked a play today and he was just sitting back there laughing, like we haven’t even talked about it yet, but we’re on that same page already.”

• Raiders GM Mike Mayock says G Richie Incognito is signed to a one-year, minimum, prove-it deal: “Whenever he’s been focused on activities solely on the field, he’s been fine. … He’s got to prove it off the field.” (Michael Gehlken)
• Mayock says Incognito could still be suspended by the NFL at some point. 
• Mayock told reporters Incognito is expected to compete for the starting left guard spot: “He looks like he’s five to 10 years younger than he really is. Wonderful shape. …At the end of the day, we won’t know until training camp what we have.” (Gehlken)
• Mayock added the Raiders spoke with Incognito to set up the infrastructure he needs to help him succeed on and off the field: “We feel like it’s a win-win for both sides.” (Gehlken)
• Asked about the disparity between this signing and the Raiders’ emphasis on high-character players, Mayock responded, “At the end of the day you can’t have all Boy Scouts, and you have to do your homework in each individual case.” (Jerry McDonald)
• After being held out last Tuesday with a slight hamstring tweak, RB Josh Jacobs participated in all drills this week at OTA’s. (Vic Tafur)