AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

After making the roster as an UDFA last year, there’s a lot more competition at linebacker for Jeff Holland to make the team again in 2019, per LB coach Brandon Staley.

“There is a long way to go for him to reach his capacity as a player,” Staley said via the Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala. “He needs to learn how to be consistent and be a pro each and every day — wake up in the morning and devote his entire day to being a player. I think he’s working through that process now. He’s shown he can rush the passer, but he needs to get stronger, needs to be forceful at the point of attack and more consistent with his assignments. But we’re just getting started and there is a long way between now and the season.”

• Jhabvala adds S Su’a Cravens and DE DeMarcus Walker as players on the bubble this preseason. 
• Jhabvala lists some players who could earn a surprise spot on the 53-man roster, including WR Trinity Benson, LB Aaron Wallace and TE Troy Fumagalli.

Chiefs

• According to the Kansas City Star’s Brooke Pryor, Chiefs QBs Chase Litton and UDFA Kyle Shurmur will battle for a spot on the practice squad. 
• Pryor says UDFA TE John Lovett has a good chance to make the final roster because of his flexibility and the Chiefs thin depth at the position. 
• Pryor has the Chiefs releasing DT Xavier Williams, as the team could save $1.8 million in cap space. 
• Second-round S Juan Thornhill is expected to be ready for training camp following a calf injury that kept him out of minicamp, per Pryor. Thornhill could be the starter at free safety for the Chiefs. 

Raiders

NFL analyst and Hall of Fame RB LaDainian Tomlinson expects Raiders’ first-round RB Josh Jacobs to have a big season since he will be Oakland’s predominant ballcarrier. 

“I think he’s going to have the opportunities to do so,” Tomlinson said, via Scott Bair of NBC Sports. “There’s nobody in that backfield, and he can do it all.”

Tomlinson could see Jacobs being the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

“That kid is ready to play,” Tomlinson said. “That kid is going to have a huge impact. He might be the rookie of the year.”