AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay is used to being counted out. Lindsay wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine and signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent. He ended up beating out third-round RB Royce Freeman to start for both their first two years and topped 1,000 rushing yards each season. Now even though the Broncos have brought in RB Melvin Gordon, Lindsay says not to count him out for the starting job. 

“When camp comes around, it’s going to be a battle,” Lindsay said via 9News Denver’s Mike Klis. “I’m not just going to sit there and give somebody the job. They can. But I’m going to go out there and I’m going to battle. I’ve heard this stuff my whole entire life. And it’s never ever panned out how everybody has wanted it to pan out. Until someone proves me wrong, I’m going to continue to do what I do.”

• Lindsay also spoke about his current contract with the Broncos: “I feel like I’ve outplayed my contract. I deserve to take care of my family, too. But I’m under contract still. My mindset is to play out my contract. The fact is, nothing has to be done. You can’t make anybody do something they don’t want to do.”
• Broncos GM John Elway said they couldn’t pass up adding another back of Gordon’s caliber, though they recognize how it looks given that Lindsay has had strong production on a minimum salary. Elway said he was open to talking with Lindsay’s agent about a raise: “We thought it was a good combination with Phillip. There’s always concern and issues especially with the two years Phillip has had. I will talk to his agent and see what he can do later on. That’s not a guarantee.” (Troy Renck)
• Broncos HC Vic Fangio also said they were more worried about adding a good player by signing Gordon than worrying about how to split carries: “I just think the guy’s a good football player and anytime you can add a good football player . . . it’s always a good thing to do.” (Nicki Jhabvala)
• Fangio added he spoke with Lindsay, who reiterated his earlier sentiment: “Phillip is a competitor. He’s not going to just give away his job or his carries.” (Jhabvala)
• While new Broncos G Graham Glasgow has some experience at center, Fangio said the current plan is to have him start at guard with the knowledge they have an emergency option at center: “Right now we’re looking at him as a guard, but we know he can play center very well also, which is nice to have. … He plays both positions well and has been very durable. He’s the type of guy we’d like to add to our team at a bunch of positions.” (Jhabvala)

Chargers

• Per the Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Chargers CB Chris Harris confirmed he’ll be playing in the slot for Los Angeles this season, as that’s what GM Tom Telesco, HC Anthony Lynn and DB coach Ron Milus all told him. 
• Cal LB Evan Weaver had a pre-draft video meeting with the Chargers. (Justin Melo)
• Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs has had a pre-draft video meeting with the Chargers. (Justin Melo)

Chiefs

• LSU G Damien Lewis has had a pre-draft video meeting with the Chiefs. (Justin Melo)
• Tennessee DE Darrell Taylor had a formal interview with the Chiefs at the Combine. (Justin Melo)
• Michigan DE Josh Uche had a formal interview at the Combine with the Chiefs, among others: “Any team you can name, I’ve probably done something with them at some point.” (Justin Melo)
• Auburn CB Javaris Davis had a private workout with the Chiefs canceled due to the shutdown. (Justin Melo)
• LSU OT Saahdiq Charles had a private visit with the Chiefs canceled from the pandemic shutdown. (Justin Melo)
• Charles did have a formal interview with Kansas City at the Combine. 

Raiders

• NBC Sports’ Scott Bair thinks the Raiders should invest in a running back during the draft in order to help Josh Jacobs and Jalen Richard. Bair mentions that Boston College’s A.J. Dillon and Vanderbilt’s Ke’Shawn Vaughn would be a good fit in Las Vegas.
• NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah believes that the Raiders will not trade up, and are still looking to draft a wide receiver with one of their two first-round picks. However, Jeremiah says that the team could possibly draft QB Justin Herbert if he fell to them at No. 12.
• Michigan DE Josh Uche had a formal interview at the Combine with the Raiders, among others: “Any team you can name, I’ve probably done something with them at some point.” (Justin Melo)
• Auburn CB Javaris Davis had a private workout with the Raiders canceled due to the shutdown. (Justin Melo)
• Maryland S Antoine Brooks was set to meet with the Raiders before the shutdown. (Justin Melo)