Fantasy football 2020 AFC West depth chart breakdowns

QB: Tyrod Taylor

RBs: Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson

WRs: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams

TEs: Hunter Henry, Virgil Green

The Chargers lost two big pieces to their offense this winter. First, longtime quarterback Philip Rivers signed with the Colts. Second, running back Melvin Gordon signed with division rival Denver Broncos. This will be an interesting team to follow in 2020.

With Rivers gone, Taylor is listed as the starting quarterback. He played in eight games last year and made just three starts for the Browns to start the 2018 season. In his last full season, Taylor threw for 2,799 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions with Buffalo. He can also run the ball, accumulating 1,843 yards and 16 touchdowns over his career. I’m not drafting him but he could be a breakout star with solid weapons around him.

Gordon’s absence allows Ekeler to be the full-time running back. He’s been effective in the passing game but wasn’t getting all of the carries. He finished 2019 with 132 carries for 557 yards and three touchdowns and 92 receptions for another 993 yards and another eight scores. Jackson will be the change-of-pace back but this is Ekeler’s job. In PPR leagues, he is a top-10 running back.

Losing Rivers hurts the fantasy value of Allen and Williams, going from the gunslinger in Rivers to the unknown in Taylor. Allen will be drafted as a top-15 receiver because he is the offense’s top option. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he falls outside of the top 20 by the end of the year. Williams put up his first 1,000-yard season but only had two touchdowns. He would have been a flex play but now falls to a bench option with Taylor.

The tight ends may also struggle if Taylor fails to be productive under center. Though, we’ve seen backup quarterbacks rely on their tight end as a safety blanket to get the offense moving. Henry caught 55 passes for 652 yards and five touchdowns last year. He’ll be drafted as a top-10 tight end in the seventh round. That’s a little too early for me but I’m not sure how long I’d be waiting for a tight end this year.

Like I said in the intro, this is a one-team division with a few other players worth drafting scattered throughout the division. Well, that was it for my division breakdowns. I hope these helped you prepare for the 2020 fantasy football season. Keep an eye out for my next series of articles.