Ranking the most important non-QBs in every AFC West team feat. Raiders' Maxx Crosby 

The AFC West is set to be fascinating this 2024 NFL season. There are the reigning Super Bowl champs, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Los Angeles Chargers are sounding optimistic with college national champion Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach.

The Denver Broncos are looking to get the Sean Payton-era up and running in his second season with a first-round pick quarterback of his choice. The Las vegas Raiders have a new permanent coach in Antonio Pierce as well, who understands the culture of the franchise.

But which players will be the most important for their teams in the AFC West? Excluding quarterbacks, here are the four players from each AFC West team, who could have the most effect on their franchise's success outside their quarterbacks.

AFC West non-QB player rankings for 2024 NFL season

#4. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have two new quarterbacks: Bo Nix and Zach Wilson. Jarrett Stidham is a journeyman, who was the backup last season. Therefore, for the sake of continuity, they will need the primary receiver to step up and help them perform.

For Denver, that means Courtland Sutton. He has logged more than 700 yards in each of his last three seasons. He has not reached his total of 1,112 yards as he did in 2019 but that has been down to poor quarterback service as much as any decline on his part. Now, he will be tasked with helping a young quarterback room in understanding the way they play and getting as open as he can.

#3. Joey Bosa, LB, Los Angeles Chargers

Everyone knows how Jim Harbaugh likes to play. He will, of course, utilize Justin Herbert's arm in the passing game. But he likes to build his teams on a strong running game and defense. Hence, the reason for selecting Joe Alt for the offensive line before taking any wide receivers in the 2024 NFL draft.

The LA Chargers also brought back both Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on defense, signaling their intentions. He has 67 sacks in eight seasons for the franchise and is the veteran on that defense. He brings continuity and leadership and he will be tasked with building the base for the offense to perform.

#2. Maxx Crosby, DE, Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders have Aidan O'Connell as their presumptive starting quarterback. Perhaps Gardner Minshew can supplant him. However one sees it, the situation in that position is not ideal in Las Vegas.

Instead, what Antonio Pierce did last season, when dealt with a similar hand, is rely on the defense to lay the platform for the offense. It was old-school smashmouth football. And nobody is more important for that than Maxx Crosby.

He had 12.5 sacks in 2022 and 14.5 sacks in 2023. He did this despite battling injuries on multiple fronts last season. Coming back fit, the head coach will task him to lead the defense to ensure that the Raiders have a chance in the stacked AFC West.

#1. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are not just the best team in the AFC West, they are the best team in the NFL right now and have been for some years. They are in the midst of a dynasty.

Patrick Mahomes is the leader and the face of the franchise. Andy Reid is the brains behind it. But if there is a heart of the team, it has to be Travis Kelce. The tight end, who has become famous lately for dating Taylor Swift, is a superstar in his own right.

Last season, when the offense was struggling, it was him that the Chiefs quarterback was looking for. In the playoffs, he was the one who found spaces repeatedly to keep drives going and score touchdowns.

From 2016 to 2022, he had more than 1,000 yards every season as a tight end, by far the best in the AFC West Division and the league. Last season, he would have reached four figures too if he had not been rested for the final match. As the Chiefs look at winning the Super Bowl for an unprecedented third season in a row, Travis Kelce remains indispensable.