2023 NFL Draft: What does each team in the AFC West division need? Projected picks

In the same way that the New England Patriots dominated the AFC East during the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era, the Kansas City Chiefs have been a force to be reckoned with in the AFC West under the leadership of Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Since Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback in 2018, the Chiefs have dominated the entire AFC.

However, the other three teams in the West are not giving up without a fight and are actively working to strengthen their rosters to challenge the Chiefs’ divisional dominance. The Los Angeles Chargers, in particular, are looking to make a deeper run in the playoffs in 2023 after their wild-card loss to the Jaguars, during which they could not hold onto a 27-0 lead.

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The Raiders and Broncos are also seeking redemption after a disappointing 2022 season and are hoping to establish themselves as contenders in the upcoming season. All three teams have their sights set on the Chiefs and are looking to fight for the top spot in the AFC West.

Draft needs

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos face a challenging offseason without a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. As a result, they will have to be strategic in their approach to free agency. General Manager George Paton has identified the offensive line as the team’s top priority, and he will closely monitor several good offensive linemen who are set to become free agents.

The list of potential targets for the Broncos includes guards Matt Pryor, tackles George Fant, Mike McGlinchey, and Jawaan Taylor, as well as centers Ethan Pocic and Austin Blythe, among others. With the team also needing to shore up their linebacking corps after trading Bradley Chubb last year and with Alex Singleton’s impending free agency, Paton will be looking at several talented and affordable inside linebackers in this year’s free-agent class, including Tremaine Edmunds, Anthony Walker Jr., Devin Bush, and Kyle Van Noy. The team will have their pick of free agents at this position, starting with former Dolphin Mike Gesicki. Other cost-effective options include Austin Hooper, Robert Tonyan Jr., and Hayden Hurst.

Position requirements:

Kansas City Chiefs

Despite not having a wide receiver reach 1,000 yards last season, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes put up an impressive MVP-worthy performance. However, the team is expected to add another talented wide receiver to their roster this offseason, even if they re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman.

Thankfully for the Chiefs, several notable wide receivers are expected to become free agents this year. Among the options the team may consider are Robert Woods, DJ Chark, Jakobi Myers, Allen Lazard, Mack Hollins, and Darius Slayton. With several top-tier receivers potentially available in free agency, the Chiefs will have plenty of choices to consider as they look to bolster their roster and improve their chances of repeating as champions in the upcoming season.

Position requirements:

Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders have a number of key positions to address as they look to improve their roster ahead of the upcoming season. One area of particular concern is quarterback, where the team will likely use their No. 7 overall pick in April’s draft to address the issue.

In addition to quarterback, the Raiders also need to add depth to their receiving corps, as both Mack Hollins and Keelan Cole are set to enter free agency. The team is expected to target both the draft and free agency as they look to add talent to their receivers room, with JuJu Smith-Schuster being a potential option.

On the offensive line, the Raiders are set to lose starters Alex Bars and Jermaine Eluemunor to free agency. As a result, improving their offensive line will be a key focus for the team this offseason. Additionally, the Raiders are in need of more pass rushers after Maxx Crosby accounted for nearly half of the team’s 27 sacks in 2022. To address this need, the team may look to sign former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.

Position requirements:

Los Angles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are making waves in the NFL as they gear up for a promising season. With the potential to make significant strides this year, the team is looking to strengthen its roster during the offseason. By focusing on their running game and fortifying both trenches while replenishing their receiving corps, the Chargers are poised to become a severe threat to the current titleholders, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Last season, star receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen missed 11 games, ultimately impacting the Chargers’ performance. This led to quarterback Justin Herbert throwing his career-low of 25 touchdowns. However, the Chargers plan to remedy this situation by selecting a new wideout early in the upcoming draft, allowing Herbert to have more reliable targets on the field.

Moreover, the Chargers recognize the need to address their defensive line, having ranked last in the league in average yards-per-carry allowed in 2022. Although they face some financial constraints, the Chargers are still seeking ways to bolster their roster. While pursuing players like Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave may be a challenge, recently released Michael Brockers could be a viable option for the team, provided they can shed some salary cap space. Alternatively, affordable options such as Da’Ron Payne and Derrick Ndadi are also under consideration.

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