Kyle Dvorchak breaks down the positional needs of every AFC West team and some of the best prospects they could look to target in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Las Vegas Raiders
Needs: Linebacker, Defensive Tackle, and Cornerback
Top Picks: 7, 38, and 70
The Raiders are projected to start a pair of subpar veterans at linebacker in Robert Spillane and Devine Deablo. They have more options at cornerback, but all of them are volatile, to say the least. Their cornerback room is also notably undersized. The Raiders have a strong defensive end duo but are set to start castoffs on the interior of their line.
The Raiders could opt for a quarterback, likely Will Levis, with the seventh overall pick. However, Jimmy Garoppolo may be enough to allow them to hold off for another year while addressing their need at cornerback in this draft. Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez has the size and production of a No. 1 corner. In my latest mock draft, I have the Raiders getting an equally impressive cornerback prospect in Devon Witherspoon. At linebacker, Clemson’s Trenton Simpson has a great combination of size and athleticism, plus he will fit well into Vegas’s man-heavy coverage scheme. If the Raiders enter the third round without a defensive tackle, Wisconsin’s Keeanu Benton is a versatile player who can hold his own against the run and excels as a pass-rusher.
Denver Broncos
Needs: Outside Linebacker, Center, and Running Back
Top Picks: 67, 68, and 108
The Broncos made a point to revamp their offensive line in free agency but are still missing a long-term answer at center. Javonte Williams flashed incredible upside last year, but his knee injury sounds worse with every update. On defense, the Broncos will likely use 3-4 looks more than any other team after hiring Vance Joseph as their defensive coordinator. That means they will need to add more firepower at outside linebacker via the draft.
Wisconsin’s Nick Herbig excelled as a 3-4 outside linebacker, racking up 20 sacks over his final two seasons as a Badger. He’s undersized for even an outside linebacker role in the NFL, but he is entering the league with an impressive set of moves as a pass-rusher and a lengthy history of high-level production. If the Broncos’ staff can help him put on some weight, he could become a key piece of Fangio’s defense. At center, Ohio State’s Luke Wypler could already be off the board by the time the Broncos pick, but his underwhelming size and strength may keep him in their third-round price range. Denver has multiple backs who can handle pass-catching work but need a body-blows runner like Kendre Miller or Tank Bigsby to handle the dirty work. Miller ranks as my No. 6 rookie running back for fantasy purposes.
Los Angeles Chargers
Needs: Wide Receiver, Defensive Tackle, and Cornerback
Top Picks: 21, 54, and 85
Wide receiver might look like a luxury pick, but Keenan Allen struggled with injuries last year and is 31 years old. He could also be cut next offseason. Mike Williams was unable to handle the WR1 role when Allen missed time and doesn’t mesh well with Herbert’s style. Defensive tackle is more obvious as the Chargers have been dreadful against the run for years. At corner, the team signed J.C. Jackson last offseason but he struggled for a few weeks before suffering a torn patellar tendon that ended his season.
Though Zay Flowers and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have roles that would overlap with Allen’s job in 2023, both receivers would be strong heirs to his throne in 2024 and beyond. I think they are more likely to have a look at the defensive tackle class in the first round, with Bryan Breese and Calijah Kancey both being names to monitor. If they wait to take a receiver until Day Two, SMU’s Rashee Rice could immediately step in as the Chargers’ third receiver and grow into a larger role next year. Texas A&M’s Jaylon Jones was a shutdown corner in 2022 but has a lot of technical issues with his game that he needs to clean up. For the price of a third-round pick, he’s an exciting project for Brandon Staley to work on.
Kansas City Chiefs
Needs: Wide Receiver, Offensive Tackle, and EDGE
Top Picks: 31, 63, and 95
The Chiefs got away with replacing Tyreek Hill with Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster last offseason. They will likely try to money ball that position again this year but could still look to draft a receiver on Day Two. They let both of their starting tackles walk in free agency this and only signed Jawaan Taylor to replace Orlando Brown on the left side. They also cut Frank Clark, creating an obvious need for another pass-rusher.
Iowa State’s Will McDonald has the size and speed of a 3-4 outside linebacker but the college reps of a four and five-tech defensive end. His transition to the NFL may be bumpy because of that, but the Chiefs can afford to bet on talent and give him time to develop. He totaled 34 sacks over the past four years and reached double-digit sacks in a season twice. The Chiefs met with Day Two tackle prospects Matthew Bergeron and Tyler Steen at the combine. Both players have four years of experience at Power Five schools and have played on both sides of the line. At receiver, Jonathan Mingo profiles as a big slot receiver who can kick outside when needed and generates YAC from any alignment. He could be a possible replacement for JuJu Smith-Schuster. If Brett Veach wants a high-octane receiver in the slot, Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims is a burner with an elite production profile.
