With the NFL Draft now just a few weeks away, it’s time to switch our focus. This year’s draft class is very talented, featuring a trio of superb quarterback prospects, an intriguing group of wide receivers and some possible generational talents on defense.

Today, let’s take a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of each AFC West team and try to determine which direction each will head in the draft. We list the teams in order of how they finished in the standings last season.

Kansas City Chiefs

2022 record: 14-3, Super Bowl champions

Strength: Pass attack (the Chiefs had 476 more yards passing than any other team)

Weakness: Rush defense, which ranked 20th in the NFL

Top pick: No. 31

Draft needs: Offensive line, wide receiver

Possible draft target: Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa Hawkeyes

Skinny: KC is hosting the draft this season, so will definitely want to nail this pick, even if it’s at the end of the first round. The Chiefs have a big need for edge help, so grabbing Van Ness (who can really wreak havoc — see video below) would be a very good start. Having said that, many mocks project him going earlier. Protecting Patrick Mahomes (and keeping him healthy) with offensive line upgrades will also be a big focus for KC this draft.

Los Angeles Chargers

2022 record: 10-7, made the playoffs for the first time since 2018, but blew a huge lead in losing to Jacksonville in the Wild Card game

Strength: Passing yards per game: 269.6 (third highest in the NFL)

Weakness: Rush yards per game: 89.6 (30th)

Top pick: No. 21

Draft needs: Tight end, edge rusher, more speed at wide receiver, defensive line

Possible draft target: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh Panthers

Skinny: As you can see above, the Chargers really struggled against the run, so adding Kencey makes sense. Currently +2000 to win the Super Bowl next season according to FanDuel’s Futures, the Chargers have some work to do this offseason — especially given their cap issues, which will hamper any big money additions. Fortunately, the team has all seven of its draft picks.

Las Vegas Raiders

2022 record: 6-11, missed playoffs for the second straight season

Strength: Rushing efficiency (tied for fifth with 4.8 yards per play)

Weakness: Defensive playmakers (last in turnovers forced)

Top pick: No. 7

Draft needs: Quarterback (assuming they want one for the long term), defensive line, running back (if Josh Jacobs leaves)

Possible draft target: One notable prognosticator has the Raiders trading up to No. 4 and selecting QB Anthony Richardson from the Florida Gators.

Skinny: The Raiders need a ton of work on both sides of the ball, but especially on D. Derek Carr is gone, hence the need for a QB (which they reportedly addressed with the unofficial signing of Jimmy Garoppolo), but the team doesn’t believe reaching for one in the draft is the right call, so unless they trade up, they’ll have a tough decision to make. At any rate, there are a lot of holes to fill on this team, so the extra draft capital Las Vegas owns (11 in total) will come in very handy. It’s not inconceivable that Richardson falls to the Raiders at No. 7 anyway, but it’s not clear this team has the luxury of just allowing the chips fall where they may.

Denver Broncos

2022 record: 5-12, missed playoffs for seventh straight season

Strength: Team defense (seventh in NFL in yards allowed per game)

Weakness: Protecting the QB (dead last with 63 sacks allowed)

Top pick: No. 67

Draft needs: Edge, offensive line, cornerback

Possible draft target: Daiyan Hensley, LB, Washington State Cougars

Skinny: The huge trade for Russell Wilson sure hasn’t worked out as planned, has it? Not only did they lose their top two 2023 draft picks in the deal, but the expected trip to the playoffs never materialized. New Head Coach Sean Payton needs to work some miracles here but getting a playmaker on D that can create turnovers like Hensley can help if he lands to the Broncos with one of their back-to-back third round picks. Expect Denver to also address its offensive line, pass rush and pass D.

RotoRob Tune of the Day

Young Aborigines changed their name to Beastie Boys in 1981 when bass player Jeremy Shatan left and was replaced by Adam Yauch. Here’s another track from Beastie Boys’ 1999 compilation album Beastie Boys Anthology: The Sounds of Science, this time with “The Biz vs. the Nuge,” originally from the 1992 album Check Your Head.

Similar to Willis, Pickett is ready to start on a pro team for our money, but where he lands will dictate his Fantasy value. If Pickett winds up in Seattle, for instance, his ability to pass the ball downfield would work perfectly with the Seahawks’ compliment of receivers (what sounds better: Lock to Lockett or Pickett to Lockett?). Pickett has the tools to lead an NFL team to a winning record and the size to be a viable pocket presence, capable of flawlessly throwing the ball wherever he needs to. more

In contrast to the talent drop-off after the first couple of picks in other classes, notably running backs and wide receivers, this year’s crop of offensive line prospects is bountiful. Left tackles, in particular, are incredibly deep. See below to find out who we ranked as the top five offensive line prospects in the final installment of our 2021 NFL Draft Preview. more

Baltimore needs to pass more, regardless of what formation. If it wants to continue its three-TE tendencies and stretch the field, then Tremble is the best option — especially given how the Ravens have a history of developing tight ends. The Saints, the other hand, don’t particularly need more pass-catchers, but they do need someone fast inside. In a best-case scenario, if Tremble goes to Baltimore, we could be looking at 60 catches, 800 yards, and 6-to-8 touchdowns. more

Ja’Marr Chase should be the first wide receiver off the board. (Touchdown Wire-USA Today) Outside of LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, it is hard to imagine a drier draft year for wide receivers than 2021. NFL teams should approach this year’s draft looking to add value receivers to their core pass-catchers. Teams like the New York Giants […] more