Free agency is seven weeks away. A lot will happen before it starts. Players can re-sign with their teams; teams can place franchise tags on players. But as of right now, let’s have a little fun and pick one free agent each team in the AFC West might have atop its wish list.
This is based on need and fit and not whether it is financially feasible:
Denver: Matt Forte, running back, Chicago. Forte will likely be given the franchise tag, but if he were to hit the market, he’d be a great fit in Denver. A backfield of Forte and Willis McGahee would take pressure off quarterback Tim Tebow. I’m sure Forte would be interested in going to Denver because of the team's emphasis on the run.
Kansas City: Mario Williams, linebacker, Houston. He could be tagged, too. Williams might not be a perfect fit for a 3-4 defense, but showed last season before he was hurt that he can play in the system. A Williams-Tamba Hali pass rush could be devastating.
Oakland: Cortland Finnegan, cornerback, Tennessee. Another franchise-tag candidate. But I think this is Oakland’s greatest area of immediate need and Finnegan would be an excellent fit. He is tough and brash and would go a long way in reconstructing this defense. A more realistic, and cheaper, option could be New Orleans’ Tracy Porter. He played for new Oakland coach Dennis Allen when Allen was was the Saints’ secondary coach, but Finnegan would be the dream pick.
San Diego: Carl Nicks, guard, New Orleans. He is one of the highest-rated players in free agency, and because the Saints need to take care of quarterback Drew Brees, Nicks might get loose. The Chargers are facing potential major change on the offensive line. He would be a great anchor to a changing line. San Diego usually doesn’t spend in free agency and it has to address receiver Vincent Jackson. But the Chargers have to prove to fans they mean business and this would be a nice start.
Again, it’s very premature and some of these players might be not even get to the market. Who do you see fitting into the AFC West? Fill up the comment section below with your thoughts.