AFCDenver BroncosKansas City ChiefsLas Vegas RaidersLos Angeles ChargersNFL DraftNFL News

2023 AFC West NFL Draft Team Needs | Key Losses, Key Gains, List of Draft Picks, and More!

2023 AFC West NFL Draft Team Needs | Key Losses, Key Gains, List of Draft Picks, and More!
2023 AFC West NFL Draft Team Needs | Key Losses, Key Gains, List of Draft Picks, and More!

Denver Broncos

Draft Picks: 67, 68, 108, 139, 195
Team Needs: DL, RB, OT, CB
Key Players Gained: Sean Payton (HC), Mike McGlinchey (RT), Ben Powers (OG), Zach Allen (DL), Jarrett Stidham (QB), Samaje Perine (RB), Chris Manhertz (TE), Tremon Smith (CB), Riley Dixon (P)
Key Players Lost: Dre’Mont Jones (DL), Calvin Anderson (OT), Andrew Beck (FB), Jacob Bobonmoyer (LS), Mike Boone (RB), Graham Glasgow (OG), Ronald Darby (CB), Billy Turner (RT), Kareem Jackson (SS), Dalton Risner (OG)

The Broncos don’t have first and second-round picks this year as part of the Russell Wilson trade. They now have Sean Payton as their new head coach who plans to turn things around. I expect one of their first picks in the 3rd round to be used to bolster the DL despite adding Zach Allen to the fold. They need some bodies to rotate into their 3-4 scheme, especially at NT. Javonte Williams is coming back from an ACL injury which leaves some uncertainty at the RB position. Bringing in Perine is not the solution. It would be prudent to bring in more insurance at RB at some point in the draft. A lot of starters are already in place, although there’s definitely a need to add quality depth at some positions such as OT & CB.

Kansas City Chiefs

Draft Picks: 31, 63, 95, 122, 134, 166, 178, 217, 249, 250
Team Needs: OT, WR, DT, CB
Key Players Gained: Jawaan Taylor (RT), Charles Omenihu (DE), Drue Tranquill (LB), Mike Edwards (S)
Key Players Lost: Orlando Brown (LT), Juju Smith-Schuster (WR), Andrew Wylie (OT), Juan Thornhill (S), Khalen Saunders (DT), Mecole Hardman (WR), Frank Clark (DE), Carlos Dunlap (DE), Tommy Townsend (P)-restricted free agent

Coming off a Super Bowl victory, the Chiefs will be looking to do it once again by adding key contributors. The first thing they need to figure out is their OL. Jawaan Taylor was a huge addition this offseason, although there’s speculation as to which side of the line he might lock down. Either way, the Chiefs will need to bring another OT into the mix. DT Chris Jones is in the last year of his contract, taking up the biggest portion of the salary cap aside from Mahomes. I’m not sure he’ll be around next season. Regardless, the Chiefs will need some help at DL after losing Khalen Saunders in free agency. They’ll also need to bring in a sure-handed target for Mahomes to throw to.

Las Vegas Raiders

Draft Picks: 7, 38, 70, 100, 109, 141, 144, 174, 204, 214, 220, 231
Team Needs: CB, NT, OL, RB, QB
Key Players Gained: Jimmy Garoppolo (QB), Jakobi Meyers (WR), Marcus Epps (S), Robert Spillane (LB), Brandon Facyson (CB), Brian Hoyer (QB), Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS), Austin Hooper (TE)
Key Players Lost: Derek Carr (QB), Jarrett Stidham (QB), Andrew Billings (DT), Denzel Perryman (ILB), Mack Collins (WR), Clelin Ferrell (DE), Darren Waller (TE)-trade, Anthony Averett (CB), Rock Ya-Sin (CB)
Franchise Tag: Josh Jacobs (RB)-*unsigned*

The Raiders have a ton of picks to work with (12), including 4 in the top 100. Their CBs aren’t very good, and the Raiders are positioned to take one of the top players in that position in the draft. They might be able to upgrade their NT position and likely the right side of the OL as well. They placed the franchise tag on Josh Jacobs, although he has yet to sign that deal. I don’t see that finalized by the draft, so that could lead the Raiders to select an RB at some point. There isn’t really a guarantee at the QB position despite bringing in Garoppolo and Hoyer. Outside of all that, the Raiders have all the options in the world. I definitely see them adding depth across the board. They could also move some picks to next season with some trades.

Los Angeles Chargers

Draft Picks: 21, 54, 85, 125, 156, 200, 239
Team Needs: WR, DT, TE, OL, FS
Key Players Gained: Eric Kendricks (ILB)
Key Players Lost: Drue Tranquill (LB), Nasir Adderley (S)-retired, Matt Feiler (OG), Kyle Van Noy (ILB), Chase Daniel (QB)

Although not their biggest need, the Chargers need to capitalize on one of the top slot receivers in this draft. They really don’t have a small shifty guy who they can give the ball to in open space. So, that’ll likely be either Jordan Addison or Josh Downs. The team’s biggest need is improving their run defense. They were one of the worst last season giving up the most yards per carry in the league (5.4). I would address that by adding a quality defender on the DL. The team is looking forward to having Rashawn Slater back in the lineup this season, returning from a torn bicep injury. I would still add some depth to the OL, perhaps a player who can play both tackle and guard. TE Gerald Everett is in the last year of his contract, and he may be a cap casualty when the team inks a new deal with QB Justin Herbert. There are some good players available at the TE position in the first few rounds of the draft who might be too good to pass up.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button