AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

• Broncos HC Vic Fangio said Kevin Hogan will start in the Hall of Fame game on Thursday against the Falcons. (Nicki Jhabvala)
• Per the Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, some notable takeaways from the Broncos first depth chart release include Kareem Jackson being listed as the start strong safety with Su’a Cravens his top backup. 
• Jhabvala also notes TE Troy Fumagalli listed ahead of TE Jake Butt for third on the depth chart. 
• Some of the top defensive reserves include fifth-round rookie Justin Hollins and Dekoda Watson at outside linebacker, DeMarcus Walker at defensive end, and Alexander Johnson and Joe Jones at inside linebacker. 

Chargers

Chargers DE Joey Bosa ended up missing nine games in 2018 for a foot injury that initially was described as minor. Bosa said the injury lingered throughout the year and he “didn’t have the same power, the same strength” on the field. This year, Bosa’s hoping to finish 2019 with a lot more than the 5.5 sacks he had last season.

“I don’t know if it makes me a better player that I have a messed-up foot — well, it’s not messed up, but you know what I’m mean — but going through that, I think I would have had an unbelievable year last year, and I would have added on this year. . . . I was frustrated last year, but it’s over now,” Bosa said via ESPN’s Eric Williams. “I’m here at camp. It’s a new year and I’m ready to go. I’ve had a great offseason. It was a tough process working to get back to where I was, but I did, and I exceeded it. So I’m where I want to be.”

• According to Yahoo!’s Charles Robinson, the Chargers and RB Melvin Gordon are about $3 million apart in annual salary with Gordon wanting around $13 million per year from the Chargers and the team offering closer to $10 million. 
• Robinson writes that NFL teams, the Chargers included, are trying to roll the running back market back down from the $14.375 million per year Ram RB Todd Gurley signed for in 2018. 
• Per a veteran contract advisor, teams would rather pay closer to the $8.25 million per year deal Falcons RB Devonta Freeman signed in 2017 for good running backs while paying the “premium” backs closer to $12 million or less. 
• Robinson writes Gurley’s deal has already been slightly moved back when RB Le’Veon Bell signed for $13.125 million with the Jets despite also being considered a “unicorn back.”
• After rotating earlier in camp, Chargers OT Trent Scott settled in at left tackle, Sam Tevi at right. (Daniel Popper)

Raiders

After recording only 13 sacks all of last season, the Raiders are counting on rookie pass rushers Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby to step up in 2019. Raiders OT Trent Brown said Crosby, who was selected in the fourth round in April, has been standing out to him. 

“Maxx is good. Maxx is good as hell,” Brown said via NBC Sports’ Josh Schrock. “He can rush the passer. He can defend the run. He has a high motor. He’s going to be somebody to watch out for I think.”

Ferrell, who was taken with the No. 4 overall pick, is also drawing positive reviews from Raiders OT Kolton Miller, who he faces off against in practice each day. 

“He has good speed and he’s strong,” Miller said. “I think he can hold the edge. I think he’ll be an immediate impact on our team.”

• Raiders LB Vontaze Burfict says he’s been impressed by first-round S Johnathan Abram: “(He’s) so aggressive, sometimes I have to tell him, ‘Hey, you’ve got to hold it back a little bit more. We’re on a team.’” (Michael Gehlken)