AFC West draft capsules

By foxsports
Published

4. OAKLAND RAIDERS (3-13)

LAST SEASON: Raiders went through two coaches (Dennis Allen and Tony Sparano), marked their 12th straight season without winning record or playoff berth, and took step back in standings in Year 3 of rebuilding plan under GM Reggie McKenzie. What few positives came mostly from draft. First-round LB Khalil Mack quickly became team's best defender and will likely be impact player for years. Second-rounder Derek Carr became seventh rookie QB to throw for at least 3,000 yards and 20 touchdown passes and might finalize stabilize decade-long revolving door at position in Oakland.

THEY NEED: WR, DE, G, CB, TE.

THEY DON'T NEED: QB, LB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Alabama WR Amari Cooper, West Virginia WR Kevin White, Southern Cal DL Leonard Williams.

OUTLOOK: Raiders went into free agency with biggest needs on new coach Jack Del Rio's roster big-play receiver and another pass rusher. While they filled many other holes in March, those two remain glaring needs. Even recent signing of WR Michael Crabtree will not lessen desire to find deep threat. Oakland could fill those holes in first two rounds and then add depth and perhaps starting guard later.

17. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (9-7)

LAST SEASON: Finished third in AFC West for second straight season under coach Mike McCoy, missing playoffs for fourth time in five seasons despite 5-1 start.

THEY NEED: RB, DL, S, CB, pass rusher.

THEY DON'T NEED: TE, PK, P.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Rumored to be interested in trading QB Philip Rivers to Tennessee to jump up to No. 2 and take Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota of Oregon. Rivers has said with so much uncertainty over team's possible move to Los Angeles, he's likely to play out current contract, which expires after this season, rather than agreeing to extension. If Chargers stay put, could take RBs Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley.

OUTLOOK: With Chargers seemingly eager to move to L.A., they could trade Rivers and draft Mariota under assumption he could begin developing during what would be lame-duck season in San Diego. GM Tom Telesco insists plan is Rivers is ''going to be here for a long, long, long time.'' Then again, truth can be casualty in NFL in April.

18. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-7)

LAST SEASON: Chiefs weathered spate of injuries and illnesses, including season-ending torn Achilles tendons for LB Derrick Johnson and DT Mike DeVito, and lymphoma for safety Eric Berry, to finish with respectable record. No production from receivers, an ineffective offensive line, suspect play calling in critical moments and a brutal schedule were biggest reasons Kansas City just missed out on playoffs.

THEY NEED: WR, OL, ILB, CB, S, DT.

THEY DON'T NEED: QB, RB, TE, OLB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State. Chiefs signed Jeremy Maclin in free agency, but still need help at wideout. Strong is physical, downfield playmaker, kind of player Chiefs lost when they released Dwayne Bowe.

OUTLOOK: Even after trading fifth-round pick to New Orleans for OL Ben Grubbs, Chiefs still have 10 selections after receiving four compensatory picks. That includes second-rounder for first time in three years - they traded their last two to San Francisco to get QB Alex Smith. In other words, Chiefs GM John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid have flexibility to fill their many needs, or move up for player they covet.

28. DENVER BRONCOS (12-5)

LAST SEASON: Broncos began season as prohibitive favorites to win AFC and Peyton Manning was in midst of another super season statistically when he strained right thigh in early December. Injury hampered him down stretch - as did Adam Gase's sudden shift of gears to emphasize ground game. Broncos lost rhythm and mojo, were stunned by Colts in playoffs, leading to split with coach John Fox, who was replaced by Gary Kubiak.

THEY NEED: OL, DT, TE after losing Julius Thomas and Jacob Tamme to free agency, replacing them with Owen Daniels and James Casey. GM John Elway would like to grab quarterback; this could be Manning's final season and backup Brock Osweiler is entering final year of rookie contract.

THEY DON'T NEED: RB, DE, OLB, S, CB.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Florida State OL Cameron Erving, Pittsburgh OT T.J. Clemmings, Oklahoma NT Jordan Phillips.

OUTLOOK: After spending like crazy in free agency in recent seasons, Broncos were more frugal, Daniels their marquee signing. Must use their 10 draft picks, including four compensatory selections, to meet needs along both lines. With Super Bowl-or-bust mentality, however, they don't have 10 roster spots available. Look for Elway to package picks to move up.

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