Which team in the division improved itself most through free agency?

Jeff Legwold, Denver Broncos: The AFC West is a tough call here because they largely sat out the initial frenzy. It was all a little low on glamour as the Chiefs’ most notable addition was a defensive tackle in Bennie Logan, the Broncos’ a guard in Ronald Leary, the Chargers’ a tackle in Russell Okung and the Raiders have seen far more players depart than sign. Still, if tight end Jared Cook and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson can carve out roles in the Raiders’ offense as reliable targets for Derek Carr and sprinkle in a selection of impact plays, especially Patterson on special teams, they could tip the scales. In raw football terms, however, Leary and tackle Menelik Watson could help the Broncos open space for their skill players, which could push a team with an elite defense back into the Super Bowl conversation. But Watson has to stay healthy, which has been a struggle for an athletically gifted player who has never played more than 12 games in a season. In the end, the AFC West had three teams win at least nine games last season and two (Raiders and Chiefs) went to the postseason. And as a result, the division largely decided to stand pat and look to the draft.

Ronald Leary isn't a splashy signing, but he will make the Broncos' offensive line better. Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire

Adam Teicher, Kansas City Chiefs: It’s difficult to say any of the AFC West teams made themselves dramatically better over the past three weeks. The Chargers added a left tackle in Russell Okung and he’ll help. The Broncos added some bodies to their offensive and defensive lines. The Raiders made perhaps the most impactful signing in tight end Jared Cook but suffered some losses. The Chiefs are hopeful Bennie Logan is an upgrade over Dontari Poe at nose tackle, but that isn’t certain. This sounds like a four-way push with four teams that will have to find dramatic improvement from within or through the draft if they are to find it at all.

Eric Williams, Los Angeles Chargers: There really have not been many splashy moves in free agency in the AFC West, but the Broncos got better up front on both sides of the football. Unheralded because of the talented guys he played with while with the Dallas Cowboys, guard Ronald Leary makes the Broncos better up front on offense. Add to that the signing of former Raiders right tackle Menelik Watson and the Broncos should do a better job of protecting the quarterback. The additions of defensive linemen Domata Peko and nose tackle Zach Kerr should help improve Denver’s shaky run defense from a year ago that gave up 130 yards a contest, No. 28 in the NFL.

Paul Gutierrez, Oakland Raiders: By default, the Raiders. Yes, even if they have lost nine of their 13 free agents and figure to lose at least two more. Consider: While the Chargers may have strengthened themselves and weakened the Broncos by spiriting away left tackle Russell Okung, Oakland upgraded -- at least by Pro Football Focus’ metrics -- at right tackle with Marshall Newhouse, who had a higher grade than both Menelik Watson and Austin Howard. The Raiders also improved their return game by adding Cordarrelle Patterson, who averaged more than 11 yards per kick return than the Raiders did as a team last season. And Jared Cook is another upgrade over what Oakland trotted out at tight end last season too. And still, Oakland has gaping holes at running back and middle linebacker. That speaks volumes for the uninspired free-agent run in the division, no?