AFC West Draft Preview: Impact Players to Consider

We continue our series of NFL division previews ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft, breaking down each team’s biggest needs and potential targets. Today, we look at our AFC West Draft Preview.

For the first time in over a decade, the AFC West feels wide open. Kansas City still sits on the throne, but cracks are starting to show. The Chargers are entering Year 2 of the Jim Harbaugh experiment, Denver is banking on Bo Nix to be their long-term answer, and the Raiders… well, they hired Pete Carroll, so that could go a lot of different ways.

With all that uncertainty, this draft has a chance to reshape the balance of power in the division, both immediately and for years to come. Let’s start with the team that always keeps us guessing.

Las Vegas Raiders

Top Needs: QB, RB, OLB, WR, CB

The Raiders entered 2024 with hope – Antonio Pierce was the guy, Aidan O’Connell had a shot to take the reins, and Davante Adams was still in town. One year later? Pierce is out. Adams is out. O’Connell is a high-end backup at best.

The good news? Mark Davis swung big, bringing in Super Bowl-winning Pete Carroll, and rookie TE Brock Bowers put up record-breaking numbers on his way to Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up. The bad news? This roster still has a lot of holes, starting at quarterback.

The problem? This isn’t a great QB class. The Raiders hold the No. 6 pick, but Cam Ward will be long gone, and Shedeur Sanders is no sure thing. Sanders has been linked to Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, but draft season is a festival of smokescreens, so take that for what it’s worth.

If they don’t reach for a QB, do they go best player available? DL Mason Graham is a legit blue-chip talent. CB Will Johnson once looked like a top-five lock, but recent concerns have knocked him down a peg. Or do they go full Detroit Lions, ignore positional value, and draft Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty at No. 6?

At this point, nothing would shock me.

Top 100 Potential Targets:

#6: QB Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), RB Ashton Jeanty (Boise State), CB Will Johnson (Michigan)
#37: RB Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), LB Jihaad Campbell (Alabama), DT Tyliek Williams (Ohio State)
#68: WR Jack Bech (TCU), RB Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), QB Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
#73: LB Chris Paul Jr. (Ole Miss), LB Carson Schwesinger (UCLA), CB Darien Porter (Iowa State)

Denver Broncos

Top Needs: TE, S, RB, LB, DL

A year ago, Sean Payton’s first season in Denver was a disaster – Russell Wilson was benched, the offense was a mess, and the future looked bleak. Then Payton took a swing on Bo Nix, hoping that a pro-ready rookie could immediately stabilize the team. It worked.

Nix exceeded expectations, proving to be an efficient and intelligent passer. The problem? The pieces around him aren’t great.

The Broncos’ supporting cast is underwhelming:

Courtland Sutton is a low-end WR1
Javonte Williams hasn’t been the same since his ACL tear
Jaleel McLaughlin looks more like a gadget guy than a lead back
TE Adam Trautman is a stopgap, at best

If Denver wants more than a seventh seed, they need to build around Nix now – and tight end is a great place to start. This class is loaded with TE talent, but if Denver wants Penn State’s Ty Warren, they may have to trade up from No. 20. More realistically, Michigan’s Colston Loveland could be a perfect fit in Payton’s offense.

Of course, offense isn’t the only problem. Denver’s defense has major holes, especially at safety and linebacker. If they don’t go TE early, a defensive playmaker makes a lot of sense.

Top 100 Potential Targets:

#20: TE Colston Loveland (Michigan), LB Jalon Walker (Georgia), S Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina)
#51: RB Kaleb Johnson (Iowa), DT Alfred Collins (Texas), S Xavier Watts (Notre Dame)
#85: S Andrew Mukuba (Texas), TE Gunnar Helm (Texas), RB Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)

Los Angeles Chargers

Top Needs: TE, WR, CB, DT, DE

Jim Harbaugh is unpredictable, and with a draft loaded with Michigan talent, it’s impossible to ignore the connection.

The obvious move would be taking Michigan TE Colston Loveland at No. 22, but there’s a real chance he’s off the board before the Chargers even get the chance. If that happens, where does Harbaugh go?

Wide receiver makes sense if someone like Luther Burden III or Emeka Egbuka falls.
Defensive line is a huge need with Joey Bosa gone and Khalil Mack likely following.

The Chargers are in a prime spot to take a pass rusher, and there are plenty of intriguing names at No. 22. DT Walter Nolen, DE Landon Jackson, or EDGE Mike Green would all be solid picks, especially with LA’s pass rush in flux.

If I had to guess? Jackson at 22 makes a ton of sense.

Top 100 Potential Targets:

#22: DT Walter Nolen (Ole Miss), DE Landon Jackson (Arkansas), EDGE Mike Green (Marshall)
#55: DE JT Tuimoloau (Ohio State), TE Mason Taylor (LSU), TE Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green)
#86: WR Jaylin Noel (Iowa State), DE/EDGE Jordan Burch (Oregon), DL Shemar Turner (Texas A&M)

Kansas City Chiefs

Top Needs: OT, OG, WR, DL, CB

Watching the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, one thing was painfully clear: this offensive line needs help.

Patrick Mahomes was constantly under pressure, and while he worked his magic (as usual), the Chiefs can’t rely on him running for his life every game. That makes their first-round pick almost guaranteed to be an offensive lineman.

The Chiefs don’t have the cap space to make major moves in free agency, and they’re also losing key pieces at wide receiver and defensive back. They’ll need to draft well to stay on top, but let’s be real – they always find a way.

If they do go offensive line early, look for them to target a receiver or defensive back in Round 2.

Top 100 Potential Targets:

#31: OT Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon), OT Josh Simmons (Ohio State), OG Tyler Booker (Alabama)
#63: OT Marcus Mbow (Purdue), WR Elic Ayomanor (Stanford), OG Tate Ratledge (Georgia), WR Isaiah Bond (Texas)
#65: OT Ozzy Trapilo (Boston College), DT Darius Alexander (Toledo), WR Xavier Restrepo (Miami)
#95: CB Denzel Burke (Ohio State), OT Charles Grant (William & Mary), OT Anthony Belton (NC State)

Final Thoughts

The AFC West is finally up for grabs, and how these teams handle the draft will help determine if Kansas City’s reign continues or if someone else is ready to take over.