April is finally here, which means the NFL draft is right around the corner! We don’t know what will happen on draft night, but we have some ideas. Today, we will examine the ideal situation for each AFC West team. This will be based on a mix of needs, consensus rankings, and a bit of my rankings. Let’s begin our discussion with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Pick No. 6: The Raiders Select… Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback, Colorado
How We Got Here
In this scenario, at least two of the top three teams in the draft would have to pass on quarterbacks. While it may seem improbable, it remains a plausible scenario. It is hard to know how they will view the top two quarterbacks in this class, especially when neither one is considered a “can’t miss” prospect.
Why This Is The Best-Case Scenario
Despite the Geno Smith contract extension, I am not wavering off of the stance that this is the best thing that could happen to the Raiders. The only way Smith is still the starting quarterback three years from now is if the Raiders have failed to find their quarterback of the future. Picking Sanders shores up the most important position in sports for the next decade.
The only better player that could be available for Las Vegas is maybe Travis Hunter. He could have enough impact to help make the Raiders a playoff team right away. However, there is no guarantee that he will drop to the sixth pick.
The Raiders’ best hope is to get one of the quarterbacks. Sanders just feels like the safer pick of the two. Taking him guarantees that the Raiders will have at least solid quarterback play for the next decade. Given what we have seen over the last two years, Raider Nation would be thrilled to hear that.
Let’s slide down the board to the Denver Broncos…
Pick No. 20: The Broncos Select… Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan
How We Got Here
Loveland falling to Denver feels fairly likely to happen. The only tight end that is guaranteed to go off the board earlier than this would be Penn State’s Tyler Warren. He will likely be picked somewhere in the top 10. If not, there is no way he gets past the Colts at pick 14.
Speaking of which, Indianapolis would probably be the biggest threat to draft Loveland, assuming Warren is already gone by that point. In this scenario, the Colts brass decide that they have too many needs on defense to pass up on a talented player like Jahdae Barron or Jihaad Campbell. Thereafter, the Michigan tight end should easily slide to 20.
Why This Is The Best-Case Scenario
With a quarterback like Bo Nix, you have to surround him with a ton of weapons. You especially need to give him a safety blanket option in the form of a big and athletic tight end. Loveland is an ideal candidate for this role. He is a true tight end that has the size and athleticism to do a little bit of everything. Head coach Sean Payton would be thrilled with this pick.
Other options include taking an edge defender. However, there is a ton of depth at that position in this class, so the Broncos could easily grab somebody in the second round. Furthermore, defense was not really the issue for Denver last year. They need more firepower. They could possibly look to add another wide receiver, but at this point in the draft, it would likely be the third or fourth best one in the class. Instead, why not just take the second-best tight end?
Up next, we will move down the board a couple of slots to the Los Angeles Chargers…
Pick No. 22: The Chargers Select… Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan
How We Got Here
Hey, maybe the Broncos are just not that high on Loveland. Maybe they are in love with another prospect that happens to fall to them. Who knows? Just because we think it is the dream scenario for Denver does not mean that Payton and company agree. If they do not, chances are that Loveland would be available two picks later with just the Steelers in between the two AFC West rivals.
Why This Is the Best-Case Scenario
It probably does not matter who else is on the board if Loveland is sitting there at 22. Jim Harbaugh likely prints this card himself. This pick seems very logical. For starters, there is the obvious Michigan connection. Furthermore, Los Angeles’ tight end room is severely lacking in talent at the moment. That is a big problem when Greg Roman is your offensive coordinator.
Loveland would be such a giant boon to the Chargers offense in both the running and passing game. That unit certainly needs a boost if they want to become serious contenders. In terms of other options, Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka could potentially be in play if he falls this far. However, that is a huge ‘if.’ Even if he is there, Loveland still feels like the perfect pick for the Chargers.
Finally, let’s jump down to 31 for our last pick, the Kansas City Chiefs…
Pick No. 31: The Chiefs Select… Aireontae Ersery, Tackle, Minnesota
How We Got Here
Personally, I do not think Ersery has any business falling this far. The rest of the world, though, doesn’t seem to think much of him. Most mock drafts predict him falling to the 40s. If that is indeed how many front offices actually feel, then it is easy to see the Minnesota tackle falling this far.
Why This Is The Best-Case Scenario
This year’s Super Bowl made it painfully obvious that the Chiefs are in dire need of a true left tackle. Now, they did give Jaylon Moore a hefty contract this offseason, but he is relatively inexperienced. Also, the Chiefs have enough holes on the offensive line that they could easily move him elsewhere if a great tackle prospect falls to them in the draft.
Ersery certainly fits the mold of a franchise left tackle. He has tremendous size and pairs it with quick feet. People primarily criticize him for his lack of flexibility. Such characteristics could make him less of an asset in the running game. However, the Chiefs must prioritize safeguarding Patrick Mahomes. They won’t find a better candidate to do that in this class than Ersery.
More AFC West Coverage
Both Chiefs And Broncos Add To The AFC West
Sean Payton, Broncos Welcome Latest QB To The AFC West
Best Free Agent Signing From Each AFC West Squad
*Top Photo: Getty Images