The AFC West looks to be one of the deeper and most competitive divisions in the NFL. With three teams making the playoffs in 2024, the division looks even stronger going into the 2025 NFL season.
Can the Kansas City Chiefs hold off the surging Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers?
Can new head coach Pete Carroll lead the Las Vegas Raiders into the mix of a very competitive group of teams?
With some intriguing rookie talent entering the division, the winner of the division and the difference between a team competing for a playoff spot or landing last in the division may just come down to how well each team drafted. In looking at each team’s 2025 NFL Draft class, these rookies stand out as players who could be the difference maker at positions where their teams are really in need.
One rookie X-factor for each AFC West team:
Denver Broncos– RJ Harvey, RB
There are high expectations for RJ Harvey in a Denver Broncos’ uniform. Selected with the No. 60 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, this former Central Florida star has the tools to be a vital piece of the Broncos’ offense in Year 1 of his NFL career.
In averaging 6.5 yards per carry over his career, Harvey fills a big need for the Sean Payton and the Broncos as he should come in immediately and replace Javonte Williams who the team left in free agency. With his vison and ability to break tackles, Harvey should have a high ceiling playing under Payton who has had success with running backs like Harvey. It’s a lot of pressure for a rookie, but the Broncos did take some of that pressure off with the signing of J.K. Dobbins.
The Harvey-Dobbins duo have the potential to be one of the more dynamic running back duos in all the NFL, certainly the AFC West. It all starts with Harvey and his ability to transcend his high-level talent to the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Simmons, OT
The Chiefs got an absolute prize with the selection of Josh Simmons with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. After a disappointing Super Bowl loss, the reigning AFC West champs needed to revamp their offensive line in front of Patrick Mahomes. They landed a foundational piece in Simmons at tackle.
The Ohio State product is a massive addition and should start right away as long as torn patellar tendon in his left knee suffered in mid-October doesn’t slow him down. At 6-foot-5, 317 pounds, Simmons is a force who moves fluidly with his size. His upper-body strength can hold off defenders off the edge. That strength and power also allows him to be an impactful run blocker when combined with his quickness and agility as a blocker. If not for his season-ending injury a year ago, Simmons would’ve gone a lot higher in the draft, so the Chiefs got themselves an anchor at left tackle.
Las Vegas Raiders– Jack Bech, WR
All eyes will be on second-year tight end Brock Bowers and 2025 NFL Draft first round pick Ashton Jeanty in the Raiders’ offense, but an important player for Geno Smith will be second-round pick Jack Bech. Already classified as the team’s best receiver entering training camp, Bech is a player who could benefit from all the attention both Bowers and Jeanty will garner from opposing defenses.
The TCU product, who is coming off a breakout season at the school, has nice size and the savviness as a receiver to operate as either an inside or outside target for the Raiders. He does lack explosiveness, but his grit and competitive nature will make him a quick favorite of Smith and Raiders Nation. Can he be a Jordy Nelson type receiver? That will be his ceiling in the NFL, but in Year 1 he’ll have to work his way into the offense as a key target who helps move the chains. The Raiders will need him as a possession type receiver to make that offense more potent in the upcoming season.
Los Angeles Chargers – Kyle Kennard, EDGE
Following the departure of Joey Bosa, the Chargers still have some veterans at the edge rush position. Led by Khalil Mack, the Chargers depth chart include Bud Dupree and 2023 NFL Draft second rounder Tuli Tuipulotu. With both Mack and Dupree over the age of 30, the Chargers need a younger player to step up. That player could be Kyle Kennard.
Selected with the No. 125 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Kennard will see snaps in the rotation. Can he secure himself as a more reliable force off the edge as the season moves forward? Well, the South Carolina product has the skillset to be something special for the Chargers. At 6-foot-4, 254 pounds, Kennard is a player with burst off the snap and natural instincts in his pursuit to the quarterback. Learning behind Mack, the Chargers rookie could solve one of the team’s biggest need once he finds his comfort in the NFL and starts utilizing his rip move to get through and around blockers.