Are Texans, Raiders and Titans Poised to Seize AFC from Pats and Broncos?

The New England Patriots don’t have a first-round pick. The Denver Broncos don’t have a quarterback.

The superpowers that have dominated the AFC for years—for the entire 21st century, in the Patriots’ case—are as vulnerable as they have ever been. 

The Houston Texans are entering the final turn of a remarkable offseason. The Oakland Raiders have drafted so well for the last two years that they can improve just by standing still, but they haven’t sat still. The Tennessee Titans just sat down at the Los Angeles Rams’ poker table and walked away with the table.

The 2016 draft represents a turning point. This is where the balance of AFC power will finally shift, new contenders will rise and, quite possibly, dynasties will begin to topple.

Before we continue, a dissenting opinion from a guy wearing a faded Mike Vrabel jersey:

Whatever, smaht guy. You’ve been slingin’ this same gahbage since Reche Caldwell dropped that pass in the 2006 playoffs. Tom Brady is gonna play until he’s 60, Bill Belichick is an immortal wizard, and your precious Texans and Raiders are still gonna be lookin’ up at us in the standings, no matter how many draft picks Roger Goodell steals from us.

Indeed, there is nothing new about springtime “Patriots are in trouble” columns. But this is not a springtime “Patriots are in trouble” column. This is a “whole power structure in upheaval” column. This is different.

The Texans spent two years building an everything-but-the-quarterback roster capable of reaching the playoffs with the likes of T.J. Yates and Brandon Weeden at the helm. In March, they went out and got the quarterback.

They also picked up Lamar Miller in what may be the most underrated signing of the offseason. J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins, Whitney Mercilus, Brock Osweiler, Miller and Jadeveon Clowney (yes, he was very good in spurts last year): This is the nucleus of a contender.

The Raiders’ headliners are Derek Carr, Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper, but they have so much more. They may have the best offensive line in the AFC.

Their 2014 draft class—Mack, Carr, guard Gabe Jackson, defensive lineman Justin Ellis—is shaping up to be the best class of this decade, at least. The Raiders upgraded their secondary with Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson in free agency but didn’t have to do much else; their draft classes are taking care of themselves.

The Titans’ heist from the Rams’ draft-pick vault sets them up to win Super Bowl LIII. For now, they must start building the way the Raiders and Texans did. They already have the quarterback.

There are several honorable mentions among the AFC’s revolutionaries.

The Miami Dolphins spend millions of dollars each offseason dog paddling, but this year they finally appear to have acquired more than they gave up. Only the Colts stand between the Colts and a return to the playoff picture.

The AFC North will continue to beat the tar out of itself and churn forth a battered contender each year. The Kansas City Chiefs remain a thorn in everyone’s side. And have you seen the offensive numbers the Jacksonville …

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