We move to the West of the AFC in this pre-Draft Mock. Another tough division where 3 of the 4 teams managed double digit wins last season and all 3 made the Play-offs. But the CHIEFS fell short in their attempt to score a Super Bowl 3-peat. And they are doing some serious roster retooling in an attempt to make it back to the Super Bowl in 2026. The upcoming Draft will be critical to filling some roster holes for all 4. As a division they currently possess 34 Picks in total. Interestingly the CHARGERS lead the division with 10 Picks, but only 3 are in the Top 102/3 Top Rounds. It is the CHIEFS who control the early Picking with 4 Picks from 31 to 95.
LAS VEGAS: The RAIDERS were the lowly member with a 4-13 W/L record last season. And the most interesting aspect of the Raiders machinations in the personnel procurement process may be the presence of new part owner TOM BRADY. Yes, THE Tom Brady, or The Goat. His announcers job is complete until the pre-season begins, so he can help the team with personnel opinions as needed. They have 3 Top 68 Picks and have a new starting QB in place by the name of GENO SMITH. Having said all that, let’s Draft!
Pick 6 ASHTON JEANTY RB Boise St 5’9/215 The 2000+ yard man is just what this team needs to re-establish a run game as part of their every week game plan. And do NOT get caught up in the cheap bar talk that he can’t also contribute to the passing game. Though not used as a receiver in last season’s Offense he showed in 2023 that he could perform as a receiver with 43 catches at 13.2/ypc & 5 TD that season. The RAIDERS OL is decent, which means JEANTY is likely to find enough holes to run through to shine.
Pick 37 AZAREYE’H THOMAS CB Florida St 6’2/200 Not a speedster, but a smart, aggressive defender, who will tackle in run-D support. I could not identify him on Day 1 practice at the Sr Bowl, but his work impressed me in coverage/passing drills. I put a star beside his name in my notes. It’s still there looking back at me. He’s a future starter and early contributor for this team with a shallow CB depth chart.
Pick 68 JAYLIN. NOEL WR/RS Iowa State 5’10/200 A very good athlete who relies on quickness, contact balance and good hands to make his mark offensively. He’s quicker than fast, which is saying a lot since he ran 4.39/40 at the Combine. My first thought is he fills the Raiders slot receiver spot on Day One. Shows great vision in open spaces. Is elusive with a touch of surprise power. Anxious to see if they find a return role for him on Special Teams units.
DENVER: The BRONCOS with their Rookie standout BO NIX in place, now need to rebuild the roster around him, and in the mind’s eye of Head Coach SEAN PAYTON. NIX and PAYTON look like a hand-in-glove duo. Many roster adjustments were made last season, and I expect an equal number of personnel changes this off-season as well. PAYTON will not be satisfied until his roster is filled with players who fit his systems.
Pick 20 OMARION HAMPTON RB UNC 6’1/220 A solid, productive between the tackles power runner, who can also get to the edge with good blocking. Those pseudo-scouts who say never draft a RB in Round One must be grimacing at the 2nd RB in this Draft to go in top 20 Picks.
Pick 51 DARIUS ALEXANDER DL Toledo 6’4/310 Solid and versatile DL who can play just about anywhere depending upon down & distance. Impressed at the Sr Bowl and the COMBINE. Spends a lot of time on opponents side off the line-of-scrimmage. Squeezed in a sub-5.0/40 at the Combine. Should see snaps all along their defensive front.
Pick 85 ANDREW MUKUBA S Texas 6’/195 Spent most of his career at Clemson, but really showed out last season at Texas in a more wide open defensive scheme. Plays run-d with gusty, and shows some coverage skills. His sub 4.50/40 is a good number for a S. He should see the field early and often.
LA CHARGERS: The Chargers have been quite busy during their VFA signing period. Their present roster (as of Tuesday, PM) shows 9 VFA signings, plus another 8 of their own VFA re-signings in the past two weeks. They also have those 10 Draft Picks coming up next month. This team responded well to the new enthusiastic coaching style of JIM HARBAUGH last season, and made the Play-Offs. Now they look to upgrade the talent on this year’s roster. So let’s get them started…
Pick 22 EMEKA EGBUKA WR Ohio St 6’1/205 I very solid possession receiver, who plays faster than his 40-time might indicate. Runs solid/precise patterns to create separation and has reliable hands. Will take some of the pressure off LADD McCONKEY as a key third down receiving option. Will asa aid Q JOHNSTON who has shown some progress as a receiver out wide.
Pick 55 ELIJAH ARROYO TE Miami (F) 6’5/250 Having an elite QB like CAM WARD join the Hurricanes football program was a big help for ARROYO and the entire passing game. Most of the TE group for the Chargers last year specialized in run blocking, not receiving. ARROYO shows the ability to do both quite well. A big upgrade for their receivers room.
Pick 86 OLU OLADEJO DE/ER UCLA 6’3/259 His move from OLB to DE really got attention of scouts who put on game tape of the Bruins Defense. As he showed at the Sr Bowl, he’s a spirited player, who luvs ball. Can play with his hand down, or upright in a two-point stance. Should fit well into their primary returning Edge players KHALIL MACK & TULI TUIPULOTU. He also has an infectious personality and attitude that will fit HARBAUGH’s passion for the game of football.
KANSAS CITY: Fans may not want to remember what happened in the most recent Super Bowl, but Chiefs management, coaches and players will be using the team’s pro performance in New Orleans to motivate a return to excellence this coming season. It won’t be easy as they have suffered some personnel losses leaving roster spots which must be refilled. But from top to bottom I would expect a renewed resolve to fix some things and move onward, and hopefully upward. They are the only team in this division to have a 4th Top 100 Draft Pick. So let’s roll!
Pick 31 DERRICK HARMON DT Oregon 6’4/310 The team is looking for a large running mate for CHRIS JONES along the DL. And HARMON should fill that bill. He should provide them with size they want inside replacing TERSHAWN WHARTON who was on the smallish size (6’1/280) and relied almost solely on speed. HARMON, 3o lbs. heaver will require more attention right next to JONES from opponents’ blockers.
Pick 63 QUINSHON JUDKINS RB Ohio State 5’11/220 JUDKINS and HENDERSON gave the Buckeyes perhaps the best RB tandem in college football last season. JUDKINS was the middle of the field weapon and just what the CHIEFS want. They hope PACHECO can come back fully healthy and the duo of JUDKINS/PACHECO can take some heat off of MR MAHOMES.
Pick 66 CAMERON WILLIAMS OT Texas 6’5/335 This young man is not big, he’s monstrous. In edition to his hgt/wgt numbers he has 34 1/2″ arm length, 11 3/8″ hands. But truth be told he is still fairly raw and will be project #1 for OL Coach ANDY HECK. VFA Jaylon Moore is slated to start at LT, but the long term goal is a starting job for WILLIAMS. Patience Chiefs fans.
Pick 95 COBEE BRYANT CB Kansas 5’11/170 A rather slight build should not put one off of this guy and what he can do out on a Corner. His 4.53/40 is a bit concerning for a Corner, but when watching game film he certainly plays faster than that. His 31 1/4″ arm length and 76″ Wingspan are good numbers for his overall size. He tracks the ball well and posted 4 INT & 4 PD for the 2024 season. After a few phone calls around the League it seems to me that more than a few teams like his game and are hoping to snatch him away early on Day 3. I like him here given his full package of traits.
This became a very tough overall division thanks to a little slippage by the Chiefs and changes in team personnel all the way up to top management. BO NIX looks like the just the kind of guy that SEAN PAYTON wants working for him in his offensive system. HARBAUGH was a major breath of fresh air for the Chargers. If TOM BRADY can wield significant impact within the management in Las Vegas, even the RAIDERS look to be making some progress in their rebuild.
Cheers, Pigskin
