It's the final installment of this way-too-early team needs series! Throughout these posts, we've been taking a look at next year's free agency and building out team needs based on those decisions.
With the 2027 NFL draft still ten months away, it's hard to pin down exactly what each team will be looking to do. But if we assess their biggest free agents coming up (big-money veterans, top players coming off of rookie contracts), what could their priorities look like next April?
The biggest 2027 NFL Draft needs in the AFC West based on upcoming free agents
In this final installment, we take a look at each AFC West team to determine their biggest 2027 NFL Draft needs based on next year's free agents.
Denver Broncos
Big money free agents are Ben Powers, Evan Engram, Brandon Jones, Jarrett Stidham, and Ja'Quan McMillian.
Riley Moss headlines the 2023 class of players up for an extension.
My first reaction was to go with the offensive line with both tackles aging and Powers' impending free agency. But with the commitment to Alex Palczewski, who started 10 games last year, and drafting of a lineman in the fourth round this year, I might push that to the back burner.
Instead, I'll go with a defensive back. With three of the five starters set to be free agents after this year, I'd focus in on corners or safeties. Jahdae Barron should be ready to take one of those spots - either on the outside on in the slot, but with an additional corner and safety potentially out the door, I'd like to plan ahead.
Need: Defensive Back
Kansas City Chiefs
The big-money free agents for the Chiefs are Justin Fields, Jaylon Moore, and Kristian Fulton.
We’ll see what happens with Rashee Rice long-term from the 2023 draft class. And Chamarri Conner was also a part of that class and looking for an extension.
After the defense-heavy approach in 2026, I’m looking at the offense for 2027. And specifically, I'll lean offensive line. There's nothing behind the starters in 2026. Meanwhile, the wide receiver room still has Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, and Cyrus Allen as recent draft picks.
Need: Offensive Line
Las Vegas Raiders
The big money free agents are Malcolm Koonce and Jeremy Chinn. And Tre Tucker is the biggest 2023 class member to consider re-signing.
With Maxx Crosby still on the team, and after Vegas drafted a defensive back and additional edge rusher in 2026, that is going to make wide receiver a very high priority in next year's draft.
Need: Wide Receivver
Los Angeles Chargers
Khalil Mack, David Njoku, Donte Jackson, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Bud Dupree are the big-money free agents for the Chargers next spring.
Tuli Tuipulotu and Daiyan Henley are 2023 draft class members not yet extended, and Quenton Johnston is set for the 5th-year option for 2027.
With plenty of cap space and the way this front office likes to team build, I expect those rookie extensions to get done.
The Chargers have spent a lot of capital in the last two drafts on the defensive line, so I'll say corner here. They took versatile defensive back Genesis Smith in this year's draft, but they might want someone who played more outside corner in college, like Jackson, if he's not retained.
Need: Cornerback
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