As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, the AFC West teams find themselves strategizing and scouting for the perfect additions to find the missing pieces to the puzzle to maximize their roster before the start of the 2024 season. With each AFC West franchise possessing unique needs for their teams, the task of identifying and picking the right players in the draft is both crucial and challenging.
With the college pro days coming to an end, and everyone putting out their mock drafts, let’s dive into the best fits for AFC West teams to propel their franchise toward success in the upcoming season. From quarterbacks to defensive linemen and cornerbacks, let’s explore the best fits for AFC West teams in the upcoming 2024 draft.
Perfect First-Round Selections for Each AFC West Team
Kansas City Chiefs Best Options In the NFL Draft: Which Texas Wide Receiver Will They Take First?
It’s no secret the Kansas City Chiefs need help in the wide receiver position, but the question is which one do they take with the 32nd pick? Mock drafts everywhere have similar but mixed opinions on who’s going to go first in round one of the 2024 draft. First off, mock drafts like this one from ESPN don’t even have a wide receiver going in the first round for the Chiefs they have tackle Jordan Morgan from Arizona getting picked first by Kansas City, which there’s nothing wrong with strengthening the offensive line.
Some sites like PFF have wide receiver Troy Franklin being selected first, which seems like a good pick but only if they can’t get either Worthy or Mitchell. The big debate is which Texas receiver they take. Do they take the explosive Adonai Mitchell, or do they trade up and take the speedy Xavier Worthy? Both are extremely good receivers the Chiefs can add to this insanely potent offense, especially with the addition of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.
The best option for the Chiefs is what this mock draft by draft analyst Chad Reuter on NFL.com suggests which is to trade up in the draft with the Rams and draft Xavier Worthy with the 19th pick. Adding a speedster who ran a 4.21, and now holds the 40-yard dash record in the NFL combine. This is a perfect fit for the Chiefs, it’s like having Tyreek Hill back, and pairing that with the recent addition of “Hollywood” Brown could be a deadly receiving duo that fits well with Mahomes and this Chiefs offense.
Las Vegas Raiders #1 Round One Option For 2024: Quarterback or O-Line?
Now, with the Las Vegas Raiders’ offseason additions, they need to decide which quarterback they’re going to have start come fall, or if they’re going to draft a quarterback and have Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell as backups. If the Raiders decide to start O’Connell or Minshew, they need to draft to fix the offensive line to protect these quarterbacks and maximize the running game.
Here are some examples of who the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to take round one. If the Raiders decide to take a quarterback, people like Matt Miller from ESPN or Chad Reuter say the Raiders will take J.J. McCarthy. There has also been speculation about Michael Penix Jr, or Bo Nix as the quarterback pick for the Raiders.
Honestly, the Raiders are not going to take a quarterback in round one. The better move for the Raiders, which is shown by most of the mock drafts, is to take an offensive lineman to protect whoever it is the Raiders have starting come the fall. The best option for the Raiders is to draft offensive linemen, Taliese Fuaga from Oregon State. This pick beefs up the offensive line and brings the perfect physical edge that Coach Antonio Pierce and the Las Vegas Raiders are looking for.
What Do The Denver Broncos Do In The Draft To Get Things Back On Track?
Now the Denver Broncos need to be super smart in this year’s draft since the fallout with ex-quarterback Russell Wilson. The question is, do the Broncos get Wilson’s replacement in round one or go a different route? The most popular answer among analysts like Mel Kipler Jr and Field Yates from ESPN is the Broncos taking quarterback Bo Nix in the first round.
Others have defensive players coming off the board for the Broncos. While that’s good, the Broncos really need to focus on prioritizing finding a replacement at the quarterback position, especially since the Broncos aren’t scheduled to pick again until the third round of the draft. The Broncos don’t even need to trade up and risk anything else for the future, they can draft a good quarterback with the 12th pick, most likely Bo Nix, and build around him to get this Broncos train back on track.
Do Or Die 2024 Draft For The Los Angeles Chargers: How to Start
The Chargers have been busy in the offseason as well, but not in a good way. With Keenan Allen being traded to the Bears, the loss of Austin Ekeler, and Mike Williams being released, this draft is make-it-or-break-it for the Los Angeles Chargers. In the latest Chargers mock drafts, analysts like Chad Reuter, Mike Tannenbaum, and Mel Kipler Jr have either wide receiver Malik Nabers or Marvin Harrison Jr going first for the Chargers. Others like Field Yates from ESPN, and Daniel Jeremiah from NFL.com have offensive linemen going first for the Chargers.
It’s good to strengthen and fortify the line to protect Herbert, but the Chargers need to find weapons to replace the void left in the wide receiver position. The Chargers’ best bet is to target Marvin Harrison Jr or Malik Nabers if they can, or trade for a star receiver and something else for that fourth-round pick and draft to fix the offensive line. Either way, this upcoming NFL Draft is going to be pivotal for coach Harbaugh and these L.A. Chargers to get back to winning in 2024-25.