Best, worst draft picks in the AFC West
Now that the NFL Draft is completed, it's time for us to weigh in on bests and worsts. (By the way, the 2024 draft is April 25-27 in Detroit).
BEST | Raiders, TE Michael Mayer (second round): After trading tight end Darren Waller to the Giants in the offseason, the Raiders desperately needed a replacement for the former Pro Bowler. They snagged one in Mayer, whose NFL comp is 11-time Pro Bowler and Jason Witten, per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.
NFC: East | West | North | South | AFC: East | West | North | South
Mayer fell out of the first round despite 2022 first-team All-American honors and leading FBS TEs in receiving TDs (nine in 12 games). The Raiders traded the No. 38 pick and No. 141 pick to Indianapolis to nab Mayer at No. 35 overall. It was an aggressive move by Las Vegas, which landed the Raiders a playmaker and potential steal.
BEST | Chiefs, WR Rashee Rice (second round): Even when Kansas City loses WRs, it finds a way to reload. In free agency, WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster (Patriots) and Mecole Hardman (Jets) left. To restock at the position, the Chiefs traded three 2023 draft picks (No. 63, No. 122, No. 249) to Detroit to move up to No. 55 for Rice.
Rice dominated at SMU, recording the FBS' third-most receiving yards (1,355) and fifth-most receptions (96) in 2022. He should excel under Kansas City's excellent coaching staff, led by offensive-minded HC Andy Reid. QB Patrick Mahomes called Rice on draft day.
BEST | Broncos, LB Drew Sanders (third round): The Broncos had no first-round picks after trading for QB Russell Wilson in 2022 and HC Sean Payton in 2023, so they had to maximize their limited picks. They nailed it with No. 67 overall pick, selecting Sanders.
A 2022 Butkus Award finalist, Sanders was a pass-rushing force at Arkansas. Last season, he had 9.5 sacks in 12 games, 14th in the FBS.
Denver must upgrade its pass rush after trading former Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb to Miami at last season's trade deadline. Sanders fits the Broncos' 3-4 scheme and can play inside LB or edge rusher.
WORST | Raiders, QB Aidan O'Connell (fourth round): The Raiders need QB depth because presumptive starter Jimmy Garoppolo has missed 31 games with injuries over the past five seasons. Backup Brian Hoyer, who has a 16-24 starting record, doesn't inspire confidence.
Las Vegas passed on better options and traded up with New England to select O'Connell (Purdue) at No. 135. He was the 15th-ranked QB in the 2023 class, per NFL.com
UCLA's Dorian Thompson-Robinson, whom Cleveland selected at No. 140, was among the better QBs available when Las Vegas selected O'Connell. In 2022, Thompson-Robinson had a better completion percentage and passer rating than the Purdue QB.
WORST | Chargers, WR Derius Davis (fourth round): Davis, selected at No. 125 overall, has fantastic speed (4.36 40-yard dash) but lacks prototypical NFL WR size (5-foot-8 and 165 pounds).
He is a solid return specialist, returning two punts for TDs last season for TCU, tying for second in the FBS. However, Los Angeles could've waited until a later round or signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Additionally, the Chargers ignored other positions (RB and TE) where they need depth. RB Austin Ekeler and TE Gerald Everett only have one year remaining on their contracts.
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