Offseason activities have started to commence, and with the light at the end of the tunnel slowly becoming more visible, teams and fanbases will begin to get a clearer look at how their 2026 NFL Draft picks will fit into their future plans.
With months left of evaluation and development before they officially hit the field, it's time to look at some of the biggest draft steals by every team, this time checking out the highly competitive AFC West.
Here's one steal from each AFC West team who could make a big impact:
Denver Broncos: Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo - Round 7, Pick 257
This year's "Mr. Irrelevant", Red Murdock is so much more than just a nice story. Disruptive is the best way to describe his style of play, and he was one of the premier defenders in the Group of 5 for multiple years. He won't wow you with his coverage abilities, but he processes the run game smoothly and can work through bodies around the line to plug holes and limit chunk plays.
His near future projects more as a rotational player than a full-time starter, but that's far more value than a 7th -round pick is ever supposed to net. Denver's linebacker room has been shrouded in inconsistency, and Murdock is a new addition who could push for regular playing time.
Kansas City Chiefs: Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati - Round 5, Pick 176
The Chiefs have struggled to find reliable options in the passing game, and after passing on wideouts earlier in the draft, the door is open for Allen to work his way onto the field. He flashed some juice during his time at Cincinnati, where he thrived out of the slot and could burn defenses between the numbers in a multitude of concepts.
Kansas City used a 5th round pick on him, the only receiver they selected, making his chances at earning a 53-man roster spot nearly definite. Changing the pace of the offense and injecting life into the passing game on occasion will likely be how Allen can prove his worth, as well as potentially producing in the return game.
More 2026 draft steals:
Los Angeles Chargers: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona - Round 4, Pick 131
Getting the negatives out of the way first, Genesis Smith is a rough tackler who also needs to refine his discipline in zone coverage. After that, the positives are hefty. His film shows some of the best "read and react" skills of any defensive back in the class, and he flashes some excellent timing at the catch point, delivering big hits to both stop ball carriers in their tracks and break up passes.
His versatility should make him valuable early on with Los Angeles, being someone who can rotate around the secondary and provide coverage help when needed. He enters the NFL with two years of experience and a ton to like on film, making this one of the biggest instant-impact picks in the later rounds of the draft.
Las Vegas Raiders: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee - Round 4, Pick 101
Jermond McCoy is the poster boy for "NFL Draft Steals" in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it's not hard to see why. His 2024 tape is 1st-round worthy, and he posted flashy athletic numbers at his 2025 pro day, but the injury that cost him his entire junior season also incited a slide all the way down to Day 3.
The skill that he has on the football field is enough to revitalize the Raiders' secondary, and he has the ceiling to become a viable starting option on the outside. The rumors surrounding his knee condition make how long he'll actually be able to stick in the league uncertain, but if he can stay healthy for a decent amount of time, this pick will easily pay dividends.
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