The 2024 NFL Draft is within the books, which means groups have largely accomplished their most important roster strikes for the season. With that in thoughts, here is a take a look at essentially the most and least upgraded place teams for every AFC West group.
Denver Broncos
Most improved place group: Edge-rusher
Outdoors of linebackers Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper — who mixed for 16.5 sacks final season — the Broncos lack high quality pass-rushers. In keeping with Professional Soccer Reference, Denver generated the fourth-fewest pressures (117) within the league in 2023.
The Broncos could not afford to signal a premier edge-rusher in free company, so taking Utah LB Jonah Elliss (decide No. 76) was clever. In 10 video games in 2023, the second-team All-American had the seventh-most sacks (12) within the FBS.
Elliss may instantly push LB Baron Browning for taking part in time. Browning is proficient, however he has sturdiness issues. In 2023, he underwent knee surgical procedure earlier than the beginning of the season and logged profession lows in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (4) in 10 video games.
Least improved place group: Quarterback
The Broncos wanted a solution at a very powerful place after releasing QB Russell Wilson earlier this offseason, however taking Oregon’s Bo Nix with the twelfth total decide felt like a attain.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Denver head coach Sean Payton sees similarities between Nix and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, however specialists disagree. On “The Ryen Russillo Podcast,” longtime draft analyst Todd McShay mentioned he spoke with a number of expertise evaluators and none had a first-round grade on the 24-year-old QB.
Nix might must play immediately, as Denver would not have a viable starter on its roster. The Broncos lately acquired former first-rounder Zach Wilson, who went 12-21 in three seasons with the New York Jets. Jarrett Stidham, in the meantime, went 1-1 and accomplished 60.6% of his passes in two begins with Denver final season.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Most improved place group: Huge receiver
The Chiefs received their third Tremendous Bowl in 5 years final season, however their receiving corps performed inconsistently. Okay.C. led the league in drops (44) final season, and Mahomes solely threw for 27 TDs, his lowest determine since 2019.
The Chiefs signed WR Marquise Brown (one yr, $7M) in free company, however they nonetheless wanted extra firepower getting into the draft. Kansas Metropolis dealt three picks to the Buffalo Payments to maneuver as much as decide No. 28 and choose Texas WR Xavier Worthy.
Worthy — who broke the 40-yard sprint file (4.21) on the NFL Scouting Mix — ought to present the playmaking capability the Chiefs covet. In three seasons with the Longhorns, he recorded 197 receptions for two,755 yards and 26 TD catches.
Least improved place group: Cornerback
After dealing CB L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans this offseason, the Chiefs shocked by ready till the sixth spherical of the draft to pick a nook. That is the place Okay.C. chosen Tennessee’s Kamal Hadden (decide No. 211). In 2023, he had three interceptions in seven video games earlier than struggling a season-ending shoulder harm.
CB Joshua Williams has but to show he can fill Sneed’s sneakers. In two seasons with Kansas Metropolis, he has began in six video games and allowed seven passing TDs in protection.
The Chiefs nonetheless have first-team All-Professional Trent McDuffie, but when they fail to develop one other CB, it may develop into a weak point offenses exploit.
Las Vegas Raiders
Most improved place group: Offensive line
The Raiders already had a strong O-line that allowed the league’s lowest stress charge final season (15%, per Professional Soccer Reference). The addition within the draft of Oregon guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (decide No. 44) makes the unit even higher.
Per Professional Soccer Focus, Powers-Johnson allowed zero sacks and nil hurries in 13 video games in 2023. Vegas did not re-sign proper guard Greg Van Roten, who began in 17 video games final season, so the 21-year-old Powers-Johnson ought to obtain loads of taking part in time.
A powerful O-line is vital for the Raiders, who’ve a brand new beginning working again in Zamir White and have not resolved their QB points.
Least improved place group: Quarterback
Clearly, the Raiders lacked a fallback plan after the Atlanta Falcons took QB Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 decide. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. reported they tried to commerce up for the previous Washington star however failed.
In his post-draft recap, Raiders basic supervisor Tom Telesco mentioned the group did not mull taking one other passer on Day 2 or 3. This appears silly as a result of strong choices remained on the board, together with South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler. (The Saints chosen Rattler with the a hundred and fiftieth total decide.)
QBs Aidan O’Connell and free-agent addition Gardner Minshew will compete for the beginning job. Do not be shocked if each wrestle. Fourth-round decide O’Connell went 5-5 in 10 begins as a rookie final season, and Minshew averaged 194.4 passing yards per sport in 13 begins with the Colts, beneath the league common (218.9).
Los Angeles Chargers
Most improved place group: Huge receiver
This offseason, the Chargers dealt six-time Professional Bowl wideout Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears and launched former first-rounder Mike Williams, who signed with the New York Jets. To assist exchange them, they drafted Georgia’s Ladd McConkey (decide No. 34) and USC’s Brenden Rice (decide No. 225).
McConkey is quick (4.39 40-yard sprint) and will develop into a Week 1 starter. He received two nationwide championships in three seasons at Georgia, compiling 119 receptions for 1,687 yards and 14 TD catches.
Rice — the son of Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Jerry — may emerge as a big-play specialist. Per ESPN’s Kris Rhim, in 12 video games in 2023, seven of his 12 TD catches got here on vertical routes, tied for the sixth most within the FBS.
Rice and McConkey might face a studying curve, however they might excel with an elite quarterback in Justin Herbert.
Least improved place group: Tight finish
In free company, the Chargers let TE Gerald Everett — who began in 12 video games final season — stroll. (He has since signed with the Bears.) Within the meantime, they signed tight ends Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst.
Dissly began in 14 video games for the Seahawks final season, compiling 17 receptions for 172 yards and one receiving TD. Hurst, in the meantime, had one receiving TD in 9 video games with the Panthers and missed eight video games after struggling a concussion in Week 10.
Throughout the draft, the Chargers handed on strong TE prospects, together with Texas’ Ja’Tavion Sanders and Ohio State’s Cade Stover. L.A. might remorse ignoring this place within the draft.
