NFL Draft Review: AFC West

Each team drastically improved with vital upgrades via the draft.

All Access Football Newsletter Presented By Sports Management Worldwide, ‘The Global Leader in Online Sports Education.’ Now Offering Advanced Degrees!

NFL DRAFT RECAPS: NFCE || AFCE || NFCN || AFCN || NFCS || AFCS || NFCW

Anyone who watched the past Super Bowl could clearly see that Kansas City needed help in the trenches, especially on offense. They drafted accordingly, selecting offensive lineman Josh Simmons in round one and then taking two defensive lineman with their next two picks. However, in the fourth round the Chiefs plucked wideout Jalen Royals, a name that you need to know. One of the most explosive players in the draft, Royals slid due to injury but could emerge as a big-play weapon in the KC offense. This team will be a heavy AFC contender for as long as Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are in tow but their grip on the division could slip a bit.

The Chargers early selections should have instant impact, as running back Omarion Hampton will join free agent acquisition Najee Harris to form a potent backfield. Plus, wideout Tre Harris is another excellent piece as a versatile receiving threat. They addressed multiple positions with their selections and the Chargers aren’t just knocking on the door. They intend to pound in down with a strong ground game and gutsy defense. All the pieces are in place for Los Angeles to run it the distance.

With the selection of Jahdae Barron (photo: Denver Broncos), the Broncos might possibly have the most dynamic cornerback duo in the entire NFL, alongside Patrick Surtain Jr. Denver invested in some luxury picks, the type of selections that are usually reserved for perennial contenders on the brink of a championship and maybe the Broncos are that team. Adding speedy running back RJ Harvey will bring a big play element to the offense, while Caleb Lohner is the latest player to attempt a hardwood-to-gridiron transition at tight end. Broncos headman Sean Payton has struck gold once before with this strategy in finding Jimmy Graham during his tenure with the Saints. Denver is a real contender.

It’s another hit of the reset button for Las Vegas, as they have begun to gut the roster, weeding out players who didn’t fit into the new plans, while starting the process of adding ‘their guys,’ through the draft with 11 total picks. The offense will look entirely different with the backfield duo of Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty, along with new weapons for the aerial attack in Jack Bech and Donte Thornton. They will be sure to take some lumps this year in the West but they’ll be better for it in the long run.

The inter-division schedule is sure to be a bloodbath, as the AFC West owns the best collection of head coaches of any division in pro football. The Chiefs have won nine consecutive crowns but the Chargers could shock, while the Broncos are a dark horse and the Raiders will wind up stealing a handful of games they weren’t expected to. Buckle up!

DENVER BRONCOS

ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL

Rd.1 No.20. Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas — The Broncos must have been giddy to see the Thorpe Award winner still on the board at this stage of the draft. Partnering him with Patrick Surtain Jr. means the secondary has been solidified.

Rd.2 No.60. Denver Broncos (via DET): RJ Harvey, RB, UCF — An explosive home run hitter who is a threat to take it to the house any time he touches the ball, Harvey is a dynamic change of pace option who could have a mega-impact.

Rd.3 No.74. Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois — A tall, lengthy wideout who is a threat over the middle of the field and can pickup yards after the catch, Bryant is a true boundary player who lacks timed speed but compensates with savvy route running.

Rd.3 No.101. Sai’vion Jones, ER, LSU — One of the most impressive players during Senior Bowl week, Jones will get an opportunity to play the edge but could be even more potent as an interior three-technique with pass-rush ability.

Rd.4 No.134. Que Robinson, ER, Alabama — A left arm injury limited Robinson this past year, as he was unable to workout for NFL teams leading up to the draft. He projects as a situational pass-rusher who had nearly 700 special teams reps during his time in Tuscaloosa.

Rd.6 No.216. Jeremy Crawshaw, P, Florida — Being able to flip the field matters in the NFL. Considering the Broncos utilized a sixth round investment on Crawshaw, he would seem to be the favorite to win the job entering training camp.

Rd.7 N0.241. Caleb Lohner, TE, Utah — A college basketball standout, the 6-foot-6, 250-pound Lohner will attempt to make the transition from basketball, as a tight end. This past season, he averaged 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals for the Utes.

OVERALL IMPACT = 4 High Impact

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL

Rd.1 No.32. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State — We have seen the Chiefs suffer from inadequate tackle play; see Super Bowl LIX. Even though he is coming off an injury, Simmons instantly becomes the most talented tackle on the roster.

Rd.2 No.63. Omar Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee — Despite his lack of size, Norman-Lott owns phenomenal speed-to-power ability but comes with some character concerns. However, the way he fires off the ball and stays low, he could provide chaos from the interior.

Rd.3 No.66. Ashton Gillotte, ER, Louisville — Somewhat of a tweener, Gillotte is coming off a down year for the Cardinals but tested through the roof in the measurables department. He possesses the athleticism to line up at end, linebacker, or tackle.

Rd.3 No.85. Nohl Williams, CB, California — A sly cover man with natural instincts and a fluid mover, Williams does a wonderful job baiting opposing quarterbacks. Don’t be surprised to see Williams earn a starting role as a rookie, much like when they selected L’Jarius Snead in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Rd.4 No.133. Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State — From a talent perspective, Royals was worthy of a first round selection. Unfortunately, a foot injury sidelined him for most of 2024. Yet, he still ran the fastest ten-yard split (1.50) of anyone in the draft, a testament to his speed and explosion. Royals could be kind of a big deal in KC.