The 2026 NFL Draft is just days away, and Thursday night will bring major changes to all 32 teams. I’m going through every NFL division and analyzing each team’s biggest Draft need. It’s time for the AFC West.
The Broncos traded away their first-round pick in a package for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Their first pick will be in the second round, 62nd overall.
Denver has one of the best defenses in the NFL, ranking second in overall yards allowed per game (278.2) and third in points allowed per game (18.3). They’re the backbone of this team, but they’re still lacking at the linebacker position.
The Broncos addressed the need last year by signing Dre Greenlaw. He dealt with injury issues and was subsequently released, now returning to the San Francisco 49ers.
Cincinnati’s Jake Golday and Missouri’s Josiah Trotter rank 59th and 66th on PFF’s big board, respectively. It’s also likely that the Broncos seek out an offensive lineman here and address LB in a later round.
The Chiefs traded away star cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. Part of their return was LA’s 29th overall pick. They’ll have two darts to throw on Thursday night, and one will be aimed at the secondary.
Along with McDuffie, the Chiefs also lost Jaylen Watson and safety Bryan Cook. They need help on the defensive line, but the back end of the defense is going to take priority.
Kansas City’s first pick will come at ninth overall. They’ll likely have a choice between LSU’s CB, Mansoor Delane, and Oregon’s safety, Dillon Thieneman. Both are physical players who could slot perfectly into Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
The Chiefs could also wait until their second pick on Thursday night. There, they could target Tennessee’s Colton Hood or Clemson’s Avieon Terrell, if either player is available.
The most obvious need in the entire NFL is the Raiders’ void at the quarterback position. They hold the first overall pick, and it’s painfully obvious that they’ll draft Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Vegas made the move to sign veteran QB Kirk Cousins to a complex deal. He signed a five-year, $172 million contract, but it’s essentially a one-year, $20 million deal. It gives them the option to keep him around for a while to mentor Mendoza.
The Raiders also hold the 36th overall pick and will likely use that to target offensive linemen. They could look to Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, or Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis. Finding protection for Mendoza will be a high priority over the weekend.
The Chargers need offensive line help like a fish needs water. The interior of their line faltered in the playoffs, leading to a quick elimination. They lost offensive guard Zion Johnson in free agency, further weakening the trenches.
LA’s head coach, Jim Harbaugh, is famous for wanting a strong rush attack. They drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round last year, and couldn’t get his momentum going through the season. That’s something they’ll want to fix this weekend.
Justin Herbert has been sacked 124 times in the last three years, the second most of all NFL QBs. He was sacked six times in the Wild Card round against the New England Patriots. It was a massacre on live TV.
The Chargers hold the 22nd overall pick, and the options at guard will be slim. They could take Chase Bisontis, but they may feel like that’s a reach. If Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane falls to them, he’ll likely be the pick here.
The AFC West is a three-team race right now, with the Raiders trailing behind in a rebuild. The Chiefs will be hoping to rebuild their dynasty, and the Broncos reached the AFC Championship Game last season. The Chargers had Super Bowl hopes early before injuries ravaged their roster. Making a strong move here could put any of these teams over the hump.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
