Nothing new in the AFC West? After the draft, there is not much to suggest that the dominance of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will change in the new season. The Chiefs picked a new toy for Patrick Mahomes, while at first glance the division rivals are all a bit in the middle of nowhere and the respective drafts do not indicate that Andy Reid and Co. could really be a threat.
Denver Broncos
Picks: R1, Pick 12, Bo Nix (QB, Oregon); R3, Pick 76, Jonah Elliss (Edge, Utah); R4, Pick 102, Troy Franklin (WR, Oregon); R5, Pick 145, Kris Abrams-Draine (CB, Missouri); R5, Pick 147, Audric Estimé (RB, Notre Dame); R7, Pick 235, Devaughn Vele (WR, Utah); R7, Pick 256, Nick Gargiulo (C, South Carolina)
The Broncos faced a difficult situation before the draft and even after the weekend in Detroit, it will probably be a difficult year for the team from the Mile High City. After giving up a lot of draft capital in the trade for quarterback Russell Wilson almost two years ago and this episode went significantly differently than Colorado had hoped, there were some construction sites for Denver. One of the biggest was undoubtedly the playmaker position again after Wilson left for Pittsburgh. It was already clear long before the draft that it would be difficult for Denver, similar to division rival Las Vegas, to get into the top five to get one of the top prospects at the position. So they ultimately picked Oregon at number 12 Bo Nix as the last of the well-known prospects in the class, after five other QB’s within the top ten were already gone. Quite a reach at this point, after all Nix, similar to Penix mind you, was seen by most scouts on Day Two. Nix was very productive with Oregon last season and also has more than good athleticism for the NFL. But nothing is already 24 and age has been proven to be a predictor of success or failure in the past, especially for quarterbacks. Biggest factor here? How great is the development potential for a player who is 24 or 25 compared to a 21-year-old? To make this easier, you have a wide receiver Troy Franklin drafted his favorite receiver from Oregon right away. Franklin had 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns, so the connection between the two is clearly there. However, Franklin has an extremely thin frame and will likely have problems in the NFL, especially against physical corners and press coverage. In addition, Utah’s were also brought in Jonah Elliss as an edge rusher/outside linebacker for its 3-4 defense, which should at least have an immediate impact as a rotation player, as well as with Notre Dame’s Audric Estimé a running back to have another similar type of player alongside Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin.
Kansas City Chiefs
Picks: R1, Pick 28, Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas); R2, Pick 63, Kingsley Suamataia (OT, BYU); R4, Pick 131, Jared Wiley (TE, TCU); R4, Pick 133, Jaden Hicks (DB, Washington State); R5, Pick 159, Hunter Nourzad (OL, Penn State); R6, Pick 211, Kamal Hadden (DB, Tennessee); R7, Pick 248, C.J. Hanson (OL, Holy Cross)
The story surrounding the Chiefs was without question the uptrade and pick of Texas receiver Xavier Worthy at number 28 in the first round. The player with the fastest 40-yard dash ever in Combine history joins Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes? Many fans immediately have bad expectations. And Worthy’s speed alone is an element that immediately makes the Chiefs a lot more dangerous. But where many fear that KC has found Tyreek Hill’s successor, Worthy needs to be taken a closer look. The former Texas Longhorn is more than just a deep threat and brings significantly more to the table, especially in route running, than you are used to from pure speedsters. But Worthy is also very slim. A factor that always plays a role when it comes to receivers and their success in the league. Devonta Smith is a recent counterexample to this. However, even Smith weighs 170 lbs (77 kg) even more than Worthy’s 165 lbs (74.8 kg) at almost the same height. A point that you should at least keep in mind. However, because of Kelce, Rashee Rice (assuming a suspended suspension doesn’t affect the entire season) and the signing of Hollywood Brown, Worthy wouldn’t have to be Missouri’s No. 1 prospect. It remains to be seen whether productivity will ultimately be greater than that of a gadget player. Not more than a side note but still worth mentioning: John Ross, JJ Nelson, Tyquan Thornton, Marquise Goodwin, Jerome Mathis, Jacoby Ford, Darius Heyward-Bey and Henry Ruggs are the names of the receivers who have similar times in the 40-yard dash Worthy ran. Hopefully not a bad omen. With offensive tackle Kingsley Suamatia BYU picked an offensive liner who should start immediately as a rookie to give Pat Mahomes further protection, although the 21-year-old still needs more consistency in his game. After losing Donovan Smith and the only other option in Wanya Morris, definitely a reinforcement. Tight end Jared Wiley from TCU and defensive back Jaden Hicks from Washington State have the necessary upside, but both will probably only be role players for the time being in their rookie year. Worth mentioning from round seven: Guard CJ Hanson is the first player from Holy Cross to be drafted since 1989. A feel good story that can only get better.
Las Vegas Raiders
Picks: R1, Pick 13, Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia); R2, Pick 44, Jackson Powers-Johnson (G, Oregon); R3, Pick 77 DJ Glaze (OT, Maryland); R4, Pick 112, Decamerion Richardson (CB, Mississippi State); R5, Pick 148, Tommy Eichenberg (LB, Ohio State); R6, Pick 208, Dylan Laube (RB, New Hampshire); R7, Pick 223, Trey Taylor (S, Air Force); R7, Pick 229, MJ Devonshire (CB, Pittsburgh)
The Raiders were one of the teams where “quarterback” was written all over the place as their most urgent need before the draft. No wonder, after all, the QB room consists of Gardner Minshew and last year’s fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell. Minshew played a very solid season with the Colts after starter Anthony Richardson’s injury and almost led them to the playoffs, and O’Connell also showed repeated signs in his rookie year. But both players are hardly the long-term answer at the position. However, the Raiders quickly had to bury their hopes. An uptrade was apparently never an issue for the front teams, and if there was any doubt the price would have been astronomical. And even before GM Tom Telesco had his turn, all the traded signal callers left the board. However, the Raiders did not pick one of the offensive tackles or cornerbacks that had been widely traded in advance, but instead picked a Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Definitely a surprise. But upon closer inspection, Vegas simply picked the best player on the board. Bowers is considered a generational talent and a true mismatch weapon. So you couldn’t bring in a new playmaker, but you do give Minshew or O’Connell another grateful target in the receiving game alongside Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and Michael Mayer. And the eventual starter was also allowed to go to the Oregon Center afterwards Jackson Powers-Johnson be happy. The offensive liner is more likely to switch to the guard position for the Raiders, but represents a massive upgrade and an absolute value pick. Powers-Johnson was traded in the first round after a strong Senior Bowl weekend and brings the Raiders HC Antonio Pierce the corresponding mentality and explosive run blocking, which should become one of the main elements in the new identity in Vegas. Something similar is hoped for in Maryland DJ Glaze. The offensive tackle has every ability, but was an absolute reach at this point in the third round. Mississippi State cornerback also brings interesting physical tools Decamerion Richardson with yourself. At just under 6’2 ft (1.89 m) and with a 4.34 40-yard dash, he is a tall, fast corner who can also play outside man or press coverage against receivers. It will be interesting to see whether the Raiders, like at the end of last season, can successfully get through the season with a good defense and a solid game manager alone.
Los Angeles Chargers
Picks: R1, Pick 5, Joe Alt (OT, Notre Dame); R2, Pick 34, Ladd McConkey (WR, Georgia); R3, Pick 69, Junior Colson, (LB, Michigan); R4, Pick 105, Justin Eboigbe (DT, Alabama); R5, Pick 137, Tarheeb Still (CB, Maryland); R5, Pick 140, Cam Hart (CB, Notre Dame); R6, Pick 181, Kimani Vidal (RB, Troy); R7, Pick 225, Brenden Rice (WR, USC); R7, Pick 253. Cornelius Johnson (WR, Michigan)
The Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz era in LA began with some groundbreaking personnel decisions before the draft. So they parted ways with three absolute faces of the franchise and especially the offense: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler. And last season, even before Justin Herbert’s injury, revealed which areas of work still had to be dealt with offensively. Offensive line and wide receiver were the Bolts’ two big needs, but the exciting question was in which order or whether they were addressed with a down trade and several picks. In terms of trade, like all the other teams in the top ten, nothing happened in the end and instead of Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, Notre Dame was chosen Joe Alt for arguably the best offensive tackle in the class and a true plug-n-play player. Old should immediately make Herbert’s life a lot easier and so you have the direct counterpart to Rashawn Slater on the other side. Alt is simply huge at 6’9 ft (2.10 m) and, in addition to his frame, also has good mobility and athleticism thanks to his tight end past. The second urgent need was addressed early in round two. Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey They were brought in at number 34 and, like Keenan Allen, provides Herbert with an excellent route runner who also has extreme speed in his cuts. McConkey is definitely not a slot receiver, which was often assumed of the 22-year-old, but also played more outside for the Bulldogs. The only question mark with McConkey is the lack of production in college, especially since UGA didn’t have a truly elite receiver behind Brock Bowers, who represented great target competition. However, this can also be explained by the injury history of Justin Herbert’s new target, which also represents the second, bigger question mark. Otherwise, McConkey could turn out to be a true first-down machine. Another player who could cause a surprise is running back Troy Kimani Vidal. After the departure of Austin Ekeler, the running back depth chart in LA is wide open and Vidal, in addition to his explosiveness and size, brings a lot of rushing yards from college as a recommendation. Fittingly, the offensive coordinator is named Greg Roman. A “match made in heaven” so to speak. But you could also play defense with Alabama Justin Eboigbe pick a defensive tackle with a lot of physicality and the motor for the NFL. A player with a lot of steal potential. The same goes for Notre Dame cornerback Cam Hart, who demonstrated in the game against Ohio State against Marvin Harrison Jr. that the next level isn’t too big for him either. The same applies to USC wide receivers, based on their last name alone Brenden Rice. There’s certainly a reason why Rice wasn’t a pick in the first three rounds, but the son of receiver legend Jerry Rice could definitely “outplay” his draft stock. The Chargers are going into the new season with a strong draft and even if there are still other areas of construction on the roster, this should have been the beginning of a successful time under new head coach Jim Harbaugh.
About the author
Daniel Stark
Online editorial team
Daniel Stark writes on TOUCHDOWN24 about the NFL, college football and occasionally about the ELF. He also organizes the online editorial team