The AFC West could have seen one of their franchises make the Super Bowl for the second year running, until Derek Carr went down.
Since Carr’s arrival in Oakland, the Raiders – who will soon be heading to Las Vegas – have improved each year. Not just on offense with the likes of Carr and Amari Cooper, but on defense too.
As well as Oakland’s rapid growth, Kansas City are also showing why they’re one of the best defenses in the league. Should they improve on offense, they’re a team to look out for. We can’t rule the Chargers out either, the majority of the games they lost last season were in ridiculous fashion, which is probably why they’ve moved to L.A. Still, it’s nothing that a good off-season can’t sort out.
Froggen- Anivia
Froggen was one of the first professional players to pull Anivia out as a competitive pick, instantly rising to fame as the best Anivia player in the world. Even today, Froggen is not afraid to pull out his patented pick, a staple of his champion pool you could see on any given week.
Piglet – Vayne
Piglet is the only player on this list who actually has a skin designated to their pocket pick: an SKT Vayne skin from his World Championsip in Season 3. While we rarely see Piglet's Vayne any more, it still remains a favorite pick for the TL ADC.
Lira- Nidalee
There are few picks that fit a player's playstyle as well as Nidalee for Lira. An aggressive pick that can outfarm you and control your jungle, Lira is one of the only junglers who can make the pick work in the current NA LCS.
DIG SSUMDAY
Week 2 Day 2 at 2017 NA LCS Summer Split in Los Angeles, California, USA on 10 June 2017.
Team Vitality MYM
Source: Riot Games Flickr
Huhi – Aurelion Sol
Huhi has gained international acclaim for his play on Aurelion Sol, and his strong play with the champion has continued early into the summer split. Valuable not just for the massive map pressure it provides, forcing opponents to ban the pick can be extremely valuable for CLG moving forward.
Ssumday – Fiora
When Ssumday gets his hands on Fiora, the question is no longer if he will carry the game, but when. A ticking time bomb in the top lane, many teams have learned to ban the pick or face the consequences.
Reignover – Olaf
Though he struggled in the Spring Split, a change in the meta may help Reignover. A staple of his champion pool, Reignover has found great success in his career on the axe wielding jungler, consistently surprising opponents as he controls their jungle and creates early kills.
TSM Doublelift Featured
Source: Riot Games Flickr
Aphromoo – Bard
Always known as a playmaking support, Bard fits CLG's Aphromoo like a glove. A common pick for Aphromoo even today, his highlight ultimates and skillful escapes make it a pick to watch.
TSM Doublelift
Source: Riot Games Flickr
TSM DOUBLELIFT
Week 2 Day 3 at 2017 NA LCS Summer Split in Los Angeles, California, USA on 11 June 2017.
Pirean – Taliyah
Possibly the newest pick on the list, Pirean has burst onto the NA LCS scene behind the play of his Taliyah. Already drawing bans, his map presence and damage output on the pocket pick is too big to ignore.
WildTurtle
Source: Riot Games Flickr
Dardoch – Lee Sin
The self proclaimed "cleanest non-import Lee Sin", Dardoch plays like a man possesed every time he locks in the blind monk. With flashy plays and aggressive ganking, Lee Sin may be his best pick on the rift.
Bjergsen – Zed
A master of assasins, Bjergsen's Zed always draws a huge roar from the crowd. With his highly mechanical playstyle, it's just a matter of time before Bjergsen pulls off a highlight play.
SEE ALSO: The AFC South division is making all the right noises
There’s certainly a case here for what would be the best defense in the NFL if divisions combined. What is interesting to consider is whether the team would opt for a 3-4 defense and have the duo of Khalil Mack and Von Miller on the outsides.
As well as a ridiculous linebacker core, the two cornerbacks combined for the first and second most interceptions in the 2016 season. Effectively, it’s not the team you want to game plan for if you’re an offensive co-ordinator.
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