2024 NFL Draft Review: Predicting each AFC West team’s mid-round gem

There will some exciting rookies to watch in the NFC West in 2024 and not all of them were selected in the first three rounds.  Which 2024 NFL draft selections will shine as mid-round gems in the upcoming NFL season and beyond.

NFC Mocks looks at players selected in Day 3 of the draft who can make an impact in the AFC West.

AFC West rookies who have big opportunities ahead of them

Here is one rookie from the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers who have had strong camps and could step up in the 2024 NFL season and beyond.  Each player gives their team depth at key positions and could grow into solid contributors for their teams.  Who knows, they could have stardom in their futures.

Denver Broncos – RB Audric Estime (Round 5 – Pick 147)

The Broncos have named Bo Nix their starting quarterback for the 2024 NFL season, but don’t be surprised if another offensive rookie also makes an impact for the Broncos.

With the No. 147 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Broncos added some depth to their running back group in the name of Audric Estime out of Notre Dame.  At 5-foot11, 221 pounds, the running back who led the Fighting Irish in rushing yards in 2023 will be the perfect complement to Javonte Williams.  A power back with good speed and vision who can pick up the blitz and catch the ball out of the backfield is exactly what a rookie QB like Nix will need in protecting him as a passing and giving him a quick outlet option.

In Sean Payton’s system, a running back like Estime will flourish and could allow for the Broncos to trade either Jaleel McLaughlin or Samaje Periene as the Broncos will have a deep, loaded running back group.

Kansas City Chiefs – S Jaden Hicks (Round 4– Pick 133)

The Chiefs may come out of the 2024 NFL Draft with a couple of mid-round gems.  They could have their tight end of the future in TCU’s Jared Wiley and their other fourth-round pick, Washington State’s Jaden Hicks, has already made his presence known in training camp and through the preseason.

An athletic, physical safety with good instincts, Hicks tallied 79 total tackles in 2023 with the Cougars with 2.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and 4 passes defensed.  Talk about a defensive back who can fill the stat pad.  As a defender who can deliver the big hit and is versatile enough to fit in to different defensive schemes, Hicks will have a future in Kansas City, especially if defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo figures out creative ways to use him like he has figured out how to use Justin Reid since his tenure with the Chiefs.  Speaking of Reid… don’t be surprised if Hicks earns snaps in Year 1 and replaces him in 2025.

Las Vegas Raiders – LB Tommy Eichenberg (Round 5 – Pick 148)

With the No. 148 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Raiders found their backup inside linebacker in 6-foot-2, 233-pound Tommy Eichenberg who is a tackling machine.

The Ohio State product has great size for a linebacker and has a great balance of speed and physicality that will earn him snaps in Year 1, especially with the way he has shined in training camp and through the preseason.  Labeled a “silent killer” by Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, Eichenberg should continue to grow learning from Pierce who was a former NFL linebacker and picking the brain and playing behind Robert Spillane. 

In all, it’s not a matter of if Eichenberg will be a solid contributor in the Raiders’ defense, it’s how quickly he’ll be a factor.  It’s already trending like he’ll be a mid-round gem in the AFC West.

Los Angeles Chargers – CB Tarheeb Still (Round 5 – Pick 137)

The Los Angeles Chargers double dipped at the cornerback position in Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Along with Maryland’s Tarheeb Still who they took with the No. 137 overall pick, they also snagged Notre Dame’s Cam Hart with the No. 140 overall pick.  Both players have the ability to shine in the Chargers secondary, but Still is the rookie who could earn snaps and contribute in 2024 given his ability to also return punts.

After raising eyebrows during rookie minicamp, Still shined in training camp and could eventually surpass Kristian Fulton at right cornerback as the season progresses.  Even if he doesn’t, he’ll give the Chargers some depth at a position where they desperately needed help behind Asante Samuel Jr.  With the addition of Still, Fulton and Hart, it looks like the Chargers have something to work with including a med-round gem in Still whose best days are upon the horizon.