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The 2024 NFL Draft is days away. What do the teams in the AFC West need?
Our tour of NFL Draft needs division-by-division takes us to the AFC West, to close out the conference.
For at least two of the teams in the west — the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos — quarterback might be near the top of the list. The Russell Wilson Era has come to a close in Denver, and with Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci the only quarterbacks on the roster, the Broncos likely go QB at some point.
Down in Las Vegas, the Raiders have second-year passer Aidan O’Connell and free agent signee Gardner Minshew as options, but you can expect an addition to that QB room.
Then there are the Los Angeles Chargers, who could go in a few different directions in their first draft under Jim Harbaugh.
On, and of course the Kansas City Chiefs.
You know, the team coming off two-straight Super Bowl titles.
Let’s dive into the draft needs in the AFC West. If you are looking for the previous installments, we have the AFC East, the AFC North, and the AFC South for you. Our tour will take us to the NFC next.
Kansas City Chiefs
Offense
Offense
More offense
Perhaps a CB
Then back to the offense
Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach spoke recently about the early Patrick Mahomes years.
“I still remember just saying if we can just get them to punt once, we’ve got a shot,” Veach said.
That led Veach to turn his focus on building out the defense. The Chiefs have not drafted an offensive player in the first round of the NFL Draft since they selected running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round back in 2020.
That focus on the defense has given Kansas City one of the league’s best defensive units.
And created some needs on offense.
Look for the Chiefs to add at wide receiver and along the offensive line, both on the interior after Nick Allegretti left in free agency, and at the tackle spots. While they might look to add a cornerback given the departure of L’Jarius Sneed to Tennessee, expect a lot of help for Mahomes this spring.
Kansas City Chiefs draft selections
Round 1, Selection 32 (Pick No. 32 overall)
Round 2, Selection 32 (Pick No. 64 overall)
Round 3, Selection 31 (Pick No. 95 overall)
Round 4, Selection 31 (Pick No. 131 overall)
Round 5, Selection 24 (Pick No. 159 overall)
Round 5, Selection 38 (Pick No. 173 overall)
Round 7, Selection 1 (Pick No. 221 overall)
Denver Broncos
QB
DL
DB
TE
RB
OT
With the Russell Wilson Era having come to a conclusion in Denver, the Broncos are one of the many teams that could address quarterback in teh first round later this month.
However, the Broncos are in a precarious position when it comes to doing that, given they sit 12th-overall in the first round and behind a number of teams that could also be eying a passer. And without a second-round pick at their disposal — the Broncos used that as part of the package sent to New Orleans to hire Sean Payton — Denver does not have a lot of draft capital at the top of this year’s draft to package in a trade.
That could see the Broncos rolling with Jarrett Stidham to start the year, and addressing QB later in the draft unless someone at the top of the board falls to them. Brock Bowers, the Georgia tight end, could be an option to improve Denver’s red-zone offense. The Broncos scored touchdowns on 51.7% of their red zone possessions a year ago, ranking 19th in the league, and improved red zone efficiency is a goal of Payton’s heading into this year. Bowers could help improve that, even if the team gets Greg Dulcich back fully healthy for 2024. Denver could also eye a running back, as well as help along the offensive line.
Defensively, adding some help up front and on the edge look to be needs, and the team could be eying another cornerback to pair with Patrick Surtain II, as well as a replacement for Justin Simmons.
Denver Broncos draft selections
Round 1, Selection 12 (Pick No. 12 overall)
Round 3, Selection 12 (Pick No. 76 overall)
Round 4, Selection 21 (Pick No. 121 overall)
Round 5, Selection 1 (Pick No. 136 overall)
Round 5, Selection 10 (Pick No. 145 overall)
Round 5, Selection 12 (Pick No. 147 overall)
Round 6, Selection 27 (Pick No. 203 overall)
Round 6, Selection 31 (Pick No. 207 overall)
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Los Angeles Chargers
WR
DT
OL
CB
Wide receiver certainly stands out as a need, and recent mock drafts have linked the Chargers with receivers from Marvin Harrison Jr. to Malik Nabers and even Rome Odunze.
But the Chargers have needs beyond wide receiver, and in a draft filled with teams eying a QB, the Chargers are sneaky “trade down” candidates. An impact player on the interior of the defensive line would be a wise addition, as would be some new talent in the secondary.
And, given how we expect Jim Harbaugh to focus on the running game, the Chargers might want to add a mauler or two up front.
Los Angeles Chargers draft selections
Round 1, Selection 5 (Pick No. 5 overall)
Round 2, Selection 5 (Pick No. 37 overall)
Round 3, Selection 5 (Pick No. 69 overall)
Round 4, Selection 5 (Pick No. 105 overall)
Round 4, Selection 10 (Pick No. 110 overall)
Round 5, Selection 5 (Pick No. 140 overall)
Round 6, Selection 5 (Pick No. 181 overall)
Round 7, Selection 5 (Pick No. 225 overall)
Round 7, Selection 33 (Pick No. 253 overall)
Las Vegas Raiders
QB
CB
WR
OL
Yes, quarterback is a need for the Raiders. But with Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew on the roster — and the Raiders sitting at No. 13 overall — they might be better off waiting to see how Round 2 unfolds before swinging early on a passer.
Plus, they might be forced to go that route if the draft unfolds in a certain way.
Should the Raiders wait on a QB, CB or OT are probably their best options in the first round. Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is a popular selection for them in mock drafts, as is Alabama CB Terrion Arnold. Offensive linemen Taliese Fuaga from Oregon State, and J.C. Latham from Alabama, are also options.
Adding depth at wide receiver, and perhaps a Day 2 quarterback, would then be a focus as the draft continues.
Las Vegas Raiders draft selections
Round 1, Selection 13 (Pick No. 13 overall)
Round 2, Selection 12 (Pick No. 44 overall)
Round 3, Selection 13 (Pick No. 77 overall)
Round 4, Selection 12 (Pick No. 112 overall)
Round 5, Selection 13 (Pick No. 148 overall)
Round 6, Selection 32 (Pick No. 208 overall)
Round 7, Selection 3 (Pick No. 223 overall)
Round 7, Selection 9 (Pick No. 229 overall)
