Four AFC West players who will make the biggest leap in 2023

The AFC West, won by the Kansas City Chiefs the past seven seasons, should be more competitive in 2023 as each team has made significant upgrades. Here are four players -- one from each team -- who could break out and make monumental impacts.

Denver Broncos

Jerry Jeudy, wide receiver: Jeudy had his best season in 2022, leading Denver in most major receiving categories. In 15 games, he caught 96 receptions for 972 yards and six TDs, all career highs. The 24-year-old WR should improve under new head coach Sean Payton, an offensive wizard and former Super Bowl champion. 

When Payton was New Orleans HC from 2006-21, wideouts such as Michael Thomas and Marques Colston blossomed. Colston became the Saints' all-time receiving leader, and Thomas earned three Pro Bowl nods in five seasons. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco, running back: As a rookie in 2022, Pachecho was a seventh-round steal, starting 11 games and leading Kansas City in rushing yards (830) and rushing TDs (five). He was pivotal in helping the Chiefs win their second Super Bowl in four years, rushing for the second-most yards in the postseason (197).

"[Pacheco] will be a staple of this team for a long time," QB Patrick Mahomes said during Super Bowl week, per CBS Sports.

Kansas City didn't pick a running back in the 2023 NFL Draft, demonstrating its confidence in Pacheco as RB1. Look for an increased role for the 23-year-old in 2023.

Las Vegas Raiders 

Nate Hobbs, cornerback: Hobbs showed promise during his rookie season in 2021. The fifth-round pick started in nine games, allowing only one receiving touchdown in pass coverage (per Pro Football Reference) and making Pro Football Focus' All-Rookie team. However, he regressed last season after suffering a broken hand and missing six games. 

Hobbs should bounce back in 2023 in his second year under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Expect him to line up as slot CB more frequently because the secondary is deeper with the additions of safety Marcus Epps and CB Brandon Facyson in free agency.

Los Angeles Chargers

Joshua Palmer, wide receiver: In 11 starts in his second NFL season, Palmer finished second on the Chargers in receptions (72) and receiving yards (769). His development was critical because WR Keenan Allen missed seven games with a hamstring injury and Mike Williams missed four with a high ankle sprain.

If the Chargers can stay healthy, they have a talented WR room that's one of the league's best. "No one is going to complain about having a receiver room with all this talent," Chargers OC Kellen Moore recently said, per NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk. So Palmer should keep improving since his OC believes the Chargers receiving corps is an offensive key.