Will the Kansas City Chiefs still hold reign over the AFC West?
After failing to be the first team in NFL history to three-peat as Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs seem as vulnerable as ever. Can teams like the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers finally dethrone the AFC West reigning champions or will Patrick Mahomes can company find rejuvenation and continue to hold strong over the division?
It’s going to be tough, especially with the head coaching supremacy now in the division with Sean Payton leading the Broncos, Jim Harbaugh continuing to take charge in L.A. and Peter Carroll returning to the NFL to coach the Las Vegas Raiders.
Can those coaches get their team in position to not only compete with the Chiefs, but hold advantages over Reid’s squad? With a strong 2025 NFL Draft, all three AFC West team’s will have the ability to make sure a new division winner is crowned for the first time in nine seasons.
AFC West draft class rankings based on needs and value
Here is a ranking of the draft classes highlighting draft selections that stand out for each team.
1: Los Angeles Chargers look to take another step forward in 2025
Jim Harbaugh led his team to the playoffs in 2024, but a first-round thumping led to more offseason changes for the Bolts who look to surround Justin Herbert with the type of team who can knock the Chiefs off their throne. Another strong draft will put them in great position to do just that.
Top Pick: The Chargers entered the 2025 NFL Draft with running back as a major need. They filled that need with the selection of Omarion Hampton with the No. 22 overall pick in the draft. An explosive back who is used to carrying the load at North Carolina, Hampton will team with Najee Harris to give the Chargers the type of running attack that could make Herbert that more dangerous in play-action. In all Hampton should make some noise right away in the AFC West.
Surprise Pick: After moving on from Joey Bosa, the Chargers needed a defensive end. The surprise here is not that they selected South Carolina product Kyle Kennard, it’s that they got him in the fourth round. Projected as a Day 2 pick, Kennard still being on the board early Day 3 may turn out to be a gift for the Chargers as he is a long defender with the instincts and athleticism to get to the QB.
Favorite Pick: Tre Harris is a great pick for the Chargers. A big, strong outside threat, Harris givens Herbert another target who should complement Ladd McConkey. With Mike Williams and Quentin Johnston also in the mix, Harris will have to fight for snaps first, but if he forms instant chemistry with Hebert, he could force the Chargers to get rid of one of those players.
A potential steal of the draft: The Chargers were one of the teams linked to tight end prospects Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland as first round targets. With both off the board, the Chargers took care of other needs while still getting a pass-catching tight end in the fifth round with the selection of Oronde Gadsen II. The Syracuse product tore it up in 2024 with 73 catches for 934 yards. He could easily continue that in a Chargers’ offense where he will have an opportunity to shine.
2: Las Vegas Raiders wager on more offense in 2025
With a new head coach in Pete Carroll, can the Raiders go from last place in the AFC West to making some noise in the division? With Geno Smith at quarterback and Maxx Crosby taking charge defensively, the Raiders looked to add more playmakers and beef up the offensive and defensive line in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Top Pick: Quarterback was the top need for the Raiders entering the draft, but after trading for Geno Smith, the team was in position to take the best player available at No. 6. That player is Boise State product Ashton Jeanty who crushed college football in 2024 with 2,601 rushing yards. With his powerful running style and elusiveness, Jeanty is primed to make the Raiders offensive attack multi-dimensional and hard to stop.
Surprise Pick: The selection of Iowa State’s Darien Porter on Day 2 was a big of a reach, but this could turn out to be a value selection if the 6-foot-4, 200-pound cornerback can develop under Carroll just like Richard Sherman. In just starting seven games in 2024, Porter will likely start his NFL career as a special teams contributor who earns snaps on defense by mid-season.
Favorite Pick: Second-round pick Jack Bech is in a great spot with the Raiders. With Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers commanding the attention of opposing defenses, Bech will get his chance to shine as the Raiders’ boundary receiver. Breaking out with over 1,000 yards receiving in 2024, the TCU product is a tough possession type receiver who can stretch the field and create yards after the run.
A potential steal of the draft: Watch out for Dont’e Thornton Jr who was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Raiders added Bech to the mix, but with their top receiver being Jacobi Meyers, the team could use another explosive receiver. Thornton, who is 6-foot-5 with speed, could flourish as a down-the-field threat for Smith in the Raiders’ offense.
3: Denver Broncos: Making gains in key areas
Can the Denver Broncos continue their momentum in the AFC West? After a promising rookie season for quarterback Bo Nix, the next step for Sean Payton is drafting players who can help strengthen the team in key areas.
Top Pick: One of those areas wasn’t exactly cornerback with Pat Surtain II leading the way, but the Broncos got themselves a player in Jahdae Barron. As a projected high round pick who slipped to No. 20, the Broncos had to pounce on the Texas product who is versatile enough to take care of the team’s need at safety as well as inside and outside corner. With that versatility and elite speed, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will find ways to get him on the field and in position to make big plays defensively. He will be a nuisance in the AFC West.
Surprise Pick: The surprise of the Broncos’ draft is Barron being available at No. 20. The team could’ve gone in a couple different directions at that spot, including drafting running back Omarion Hampton, but they saw an opportunity to make their secondary even stronger. Can’t blame them there.
Favorite Pick: RJ Harvey at running back is a tremendous pick for the Broncos. Not only will he help take pressure off Bo Nix, but he should also more than fill the void left by Javonte Williams. As running back who averaged 6.5 yards pers carry at Central Florida, Harvey’s biggest value will come once he develops as a pass protector and as a receiver. As a productive back, the Broncos won’t need him to be an instant threat catching the ball out of the backfield, but if he becomes consistent in that area, he will be that more lethal in the Broncos’ offense.
A potential steal of the draft: LSU product Sai’vion Jones could prove to be a steal by the Broncos as a late Day 3 pick. At 6-foot-5, 280 pounds, the defensive end can get after the passer. If he proves he can be an effective defender against the run, the Broncos will have themselves a reliable rotational player along the defensive line.
4: Kansas City Chiefs: Protecting Patrick Mahomes and roster rejuvenation
Will a Super Bowl defeat lead to the demise of the Kansas City Chiefs or a re-tooling. With Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and Andy Reid at head coach, the Chiefs will continue to be a factor. The question is, can they tweak through the draft to keep teams like the Broncos and Chargers chasing them?
Top Pick: In trading Joe Thuney, the Chiefs had even a more question to answer on the offensive line heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. They solved a big part of it with the selection of Ohio State product Josh Simmons who slid to them at No. 31. He should battle immediately for the left tackle spot with Jaylon Moore. It would be a disappointment if he does not win that battle.
Surprise Pick: Given cornerback is one of the team’s strengths with Trent McDuffie holding down the No. 1 corner spot, the selection of Nohl Williams at No. 85 is somewhat of a surprise although it’s easy to understand the reason why. It’s not really the player as Williams has the talent to contribute right away, it’s that they may have been able to select him a little later in the draft and used that pick on another offensive lineman.
Favorite Pick: Utah State product Jalen Royals is one of those talented players who usually flourishes catching the ball from Mahomes. He’ll have competition with the Chiefs current depth chart led by Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown, but if he pops in OTAs and camp, the Chiefs will be forced to get him on the field during the NFL season. It’s a nice problem to have and would be a royal surprise for a team in need of roster rejuvenation.
A potential steal of the draft: Ashton Gillotte is one of those defensive players who were projected a lot higher prior to the 2024 college football season. Selected with the No. 66 overall pick, Gillotte is an early Day 2 talent who could land a role as a pass rusher on the Chiefs’ defense early. If he takes advantage of the opportunity, selecting him in the third round could turn out to be a steal.