If the National Football League is able to hold its regular season as planned this fall, the AFC West will be one of the most interesting divisions to watch. Will the Kansas City Chiefs dominate again, or will they have Super Bowl hangover? How will the Los Angeles Chargers fare in their first season without Phillip Rivers at quarterback since he took over the starting job in 2006? How will the Raiders play now that they are in Las Vegas, in their second year under Jon Gruden? Will the Denver Broncos finally figure out how to move the ball? Here are our thoughts about draft priorities for each of the four teams in the division as you plan your sports betting on NFL futures.
AFC West Mock Draft For 2020
Denver Broncos
Draft Picks Available- 1st round (15th overall)
- 2nd (46)
- 3rd (77)
- 3rd (83)
- 3rd (95)
- 4th (118)
- 5th (178)
- 6th (181)
- 7th (252)
- 7th (254)
Drew Lock enters his second year at quarterback, and with the team trading Emmanuel Sanders away, the Broncos need to give him more options at wide receiver. Courtland Sutton had a terrific 2020 season, but he needs help, and DaeSean Hamilton has been a disappointment.
Possibilities: Denzel Mims (Baylor), Justin Jefferson (LSU), Brandon Aiyuk (Arizona State)
Center Connor McGovern and guard Ronald Leary are no longer with the team. The Broncos already added Graham Glasgow and have Elijah Wilkinson available at one of the guard positions, but they could use more offensive line help.
Possibilities: Cesar Ruiz (Michigan), Matt Hennessy (Temple), Shane Lemieux (Oregon)
Denver lost Chris Harris Jr, a four-time Pro Bowler, from their cornerback crew. They did sign A.J. Bouye, but they could use some more depth, as Bryce Callahan remains questionable after missing all of 2019 with a foot injury.
Possibility: Amik Robertson (Louisiana Tech)
Kansas City Chiefs
Draft Picks Available- 1st round (32nd overall)
- 2nd (63)
- 3rd (96)
- 4th (138)
- 5th (177)
You might not think that the Chiefs need any help on offense after seeing them run right over everyone to a Super Bowl title last season, but running back Damien Williams is going into the final year of his contract, and the Chiefs could use another versatile tailback.
Possibilities: D’Andre Swift (Georgia), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU)
The Chiefs only finished 26th in the league in rushing yards permitted. Ben Niemann and Damien Wilson are entering contract years at the linebacker position, and Anthony Hitchens played a role in that unit as well. They all put up maximum effort, but they aren’t the quickest backers in the league.
Possibility: Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma), Jordyn Brooks (Texas Tech)
Kansas City lost cornerback Kendall Fuller to Washington in free agency, and Bashaud Breeland came back, but just with a one-year contract. The Chiefs finished eighth in the league i passing yards permitted, but they need a presence to replace Fuller.
Possibilities: Jaylon Johnson (Utah), Bryce Hall (Virginia)
Las Vegas Raiders
Draft Picks Available- 1st round (12th overall)
- 1st (19)
- 3rd (80)
- 3rd (81)
- 3rd (91)
- 4th (121)
- 5th (159)
Las Vegas went wide receiver shopping in free agency…and came back with Nelson Agholor. They also have Hunter Renfrow and Tyrell Williams, but all that means is that they have a bunch of worker bees. They need a playmaker, and the draft has a bunch of them at wideout.
Possibilities: Jerry Jeudy (Alabama), CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma)
Another area of need is cornerback and safety. The Raiders were 25th in passing yards permitted in 2019. They went after Chris Harris Jr and Byron Jones in free agency but signed neither one of them. They did add Eli Apple, but does he still have the speed for this position?
Possibilities: Trevon Diggs (Alabama), Jaylon Johnson (Utah), Xavier McKinney (Alabama), Ashtyn Davis (Cal)
Los Angeles Chargers
Draft Picks Available- 1st round (sixth overall)
- 2nd (37)
- 3rd (71)
- 4th (112)
- 5th (151)
- 6th (186)
- 7th (220)
Tyrod Taylor is, at least for now, the top quarterback on the depth chart after the departure of Phillip Rivers. Cam Newton and Jameis Winston remain unsigned at this writing, but if the Chargers aren’t going to go after one of those free agents, they need at least a backup for Taylor in the draft.
Possibilities: Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama), Justin Herbert (Oregon)
The Chargers have Mike Williams and Keenan Allen at wide receiver, both coming off 1,000+ yard seasons. However, the team released Travis Benjamin, and the Chargers need a slot receiver as well as overall depth.
Possibilities: Brandon Aiyuk (Arizona State), Jalen Reagor (TCU)
Drue Tranquill had a tremendous rookie season at linebacker, but after losing Thomas Davis, the team needs more bodies. Kyzir White has a reputation for being fragile, and Denzel Perryman is going into his contract season.
Possibilities: Logan Wilson (Wyoming), Akeem Davis-Gaither (Appalachian State)
