We’re about a third of the way through the fantasy regular season, here’s what I’ve learned so far in the AFC West.

AFC West
Denver
One of my bust picks at QB was Bo Nix, but even I didn’t think he’d do this bad, especially with the addition of WR Jaylen Waddle. For whatever reason, Nix has struggled. He’s currently the 23rd highest scoring QB through the first six weeks. As for RB, it’s been nothing to write home about. J.K. Dobbins hasn’t eclipsed more than 68 yards rushing. I thought RJ Harvey would do better with a healthy shoulder, but for the most part, he’s been relatively quiet. The injury to Jonah Coleman was a tough blow for fantasy drafters who took a late round flyer on him. Many were high on the rookie who had a great summer…At WR, both Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle have been busts so far. Waddle had one good game in week 2, but that’s been it. I was out on Waddle mainly because of his draft cost. Fantasy owners who burned a 4th round pick on him have regretted it. Sutton should be doing better. In theory, Waddle should open things up for him, but he’s still not producing. If Sutton and Waddle have some good games, drafters might be able to use that as an opportunity to cut their losses and move on from both WRs, but that’s a big if.

Kansas City
The days of Patrick Mahomes being a fantasy gunslinger appear to be a distant memory. Mahomes had one great game in week 2 where he threw for 382 yards, but for the most part he’s been a middle-of-the-pack fantasy QB. Part of that is because of the Chiefs’ shaky pass protection. They’ve leaned on their running game in 2026. Free agent addition, Kenneth Walker III has been everything as advertised and more. Walker III was one of the RBs I liked this summer, if he could stay healthy. So far, that’s been the case. Walker III is the 2nd highest scoring RB in Half-Point PPR. He’s been a steal in the 2nd round for drafters who selected the former Seahawk….At WR, Rashee Rice did okay until he suffered a hamstring injury. That said, drafters were hoping for more. Rice was typically going in the 3rd and 4th rounds of most drafts. Xavier Worthy has been meh, but perhaps not worthy of his middle round pick. It’s just hard to trust any Chiefs WR right now. Trying to decide which one hits each week is a total crapshoot…..At TE, Travis Kelce has lost a step, but he’s still worthy of being in your starting lineup. Kelce is currently the 9th highest scoring TE……What’s surprising is that Harrison Butker is only the 17th best kicker. Drafters were hoping for better from Butker who has one of the strongest legs in the NFL…..Keep an eye on free agent WR Tyreek Hill. The rumor is that he’s trying to return in November and there’s reportedly mutual interest between the Chiefs and Hill. Whether Hill has any power left in his left leg is another story, but for those in larger leagues, Hill is a potential lottery ticket worth stashing.

Las Vegas
One of my QB sleepers is paying off in Sin City. Kirk Cousins is having a great year. The former Viking is proving the doubters wrong. He’s currently the 6th highest scoring QB….At RB Ashton Jeanty is doing okay. There’s no doubt the high ankle sprain he suffered in the preseason has zapped some of his explosiveness, but the second year RB has been able to stay on the field. His high volume has helped propel him to the 13th best RB in Half-Point PPR. If anything happens to Jeanty, the Raiders have an impressive rookie in Mike Washington Jr. So far, he’s just been an insurance policy/lottery ticket if Jeanty were to be sidelined….At WR, one of my longshot sleepers still hasn’t woken up. I was high on Jalen Nailor coming into the season, but he has yet to hit. Nailor is plenty talented, but for whatever reason, hasn’t connected with Cousins. Tre Tucker has had the bigger impact. Tucker had 2 TDs last week. We’ll see if he can keep that up…...At TE, Brock Bowers is having a nice comeback season. Despite an injury early on, Bowers has come on strong. The former Georgia Bulldog is one of the most talented TE’s in the NFL. He has the highest per game average for TEs at 17.1 points a game in Half-Point PPR.

L.A. Chargers
What a perfect way to end this article, with my single-handed biggest miss of the fantasy season. Coming into 2026, I was very high on the Chargers’ offense. They’ve been a complete disaster. It starts at QB with Justin Herbert. Justin is currently the 24th highest scoring QB. It’s not all his fault. Los Angeles lost their center Tyler Biadasz over the summer to a season-ending injury. During the season, the Chargers lost both of their tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt to injuries as well….At RB, Omarion Hampton has been a bust. The former 1st round selection by the Chargers was expected to be their bell-cow RB, but that hasn’t happened. Instead, it’s been a RBBC mess with him, Keaton Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal…...At WR, I was out on Ladd McConkey this year mainly because of his draft cost. McConkey was typically going in the 3rd and 4th rounds of most drafts. He’s only had one good game so far. I thought Quentin Johnston was the better value. Well, I thought wrong. Johnston has been even worse! It’s surprising given that the Chargers just signed him to a lucrative new contract. …At TE, David Njoku was one of my longshot sleepers, but he got injured. Are you sensing a pattern yet? Things have gotten so bad, that new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat. Good. Can them all! Anyone who makes my sleeper predictions do even worse than usual deserves to get axed. The Chargers are 0-6 and in the running for the top pick of the draft. I’m in the running for a drink at the nearest watering hole. Until next time.

-Mark Ringo