The AFC West got things rolling in the 2026 NFL Draft, with the Las Vegas Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick. Fernando Mendoza was the worst-kept secret in football, and the Raiders made it official right away.
From there, the division quietly put together one of the better overall showings in the league. The Raiders and Chiefs had the picks and flexibility to be aggressive, while the Chargers and Broncos were working with less to maneuver. In the end, three teams should feel good about their classes, while one took a much more questionable approach.
Let’s break down how each AFC West team handled the draft and what it means moving forward.
Kansas City Chiefs
Round 1 (No. 6): CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Round 1 (No. 29): DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Round 2 (No. 40): EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
Round 4 (No. 109): CB Jadon Canady, Oregon
Round 5 (No. 161): RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
Round 5 (No. 176): WR Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati
Round 7 (No. 249): QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
This was an unusual spot for the Chiefs. They rarely have had picks high enough in recent years to land true top-end talent, and this year they took full advantage.
KC was aggressive, trading up to secure Mansoor Delane. With Jermod McCoy’s injury concerns and Trent McDuffie now in Los Angeles, cornerback became a priority. Delane brings speed, physicality, and strong press coverage. He’s slightly undersized for the position, but his build and play style align well with what the Chiefs ask from their corners.
They followed that up by targeting several impact defenders. Peter Woods gives them a potential long-term answer on the interior as Chris Jones nears the end, while R Mason Thomas adds burst off the edge. He’s lighter than the typical Chiefs pass rusher, but his explosiveness gives him a real chance to generate pressure.
Day 3 was about taking swings. Emmett Johnson is productive but limited athletically, while Garrett Nussmeier comes with significant medical concerns after the discovery of a spinal cyst. Even so, both are reasonable bets at that stage of the draft.
This was a confident, aggressive class that addressed key needs and added talent at premium positions.
Grade: A
Las Vegas Raiders
Round 1 (No. 1): QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Round 2 (No. 38): S Treydan Stukes, Arizona
Round 3 (No. 67): EDGE Keyron Crawford, Auburn
Round 3 (No. 91): C Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
Round 4 (No. 101): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Round 4 (No. 122): RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
Round 5 (No. 150): S Dalton Johnson, Arizona
Round 5 (No. 175): CB Hezekiah Masses, Cal
Round 6 (No. 195): WR Malik Benson, Oregon
Round 7 (No. 229): DT Brandon Cleveland, NC State
Mendoza gives the Raiders something they haven’t had in years: a legitimate franchise quarterback. That alone drives this class.
He also walks into an ideal situation. With Kirk Cousins in place, Mendoza won’t be forced onto the field immediately, giving him time to develop and adjust. If his processing and confidence translate the way they’ve shown so far, this pick will define the draft for Las Vegas.
Beyond Mendoza, the Raiders leaned into calculated swings. Treydan Stukes’ stock climbed late in the process, as his workouts and in-person interviews gave teams confidence. He’s an older prospect, so the timeline is accelerated, but there’s reason to believe he can contribute early.
Keyron Crawford stands out as the biggest gamble, a productive pass rusher who may be limited as a three-down player. Jermod McCoy could be the steal of the entire weekend if his knee checks out, but there is obvious risk.
Mike Washington Jr. and Malik Benson could end up being two of the more impactful additions. Both bring speed to an offense in transition and offer immediate ways to stretch the field.
Overall, this grade is primarily because of Mendoza, but the supporting picks are also intriguing and could produce several key contributors right away.
Grade: A
Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1 (No. 22): EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Round 2 (No. 63): C Jake Slaughter, Florida
Round 4 (No. 105): WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
Round 4 (No. 117): OT Travis Burke, Memphis
Round 4 (No. 131): S Genesis Smith, Arizona
Round 5 (No. 145): DT Nick Barrett, South Carolina
Round 6 (No. 202): G Logan Taylor, Boston College
Round 6 (No. 206): G Alex Harkey, Oregon
This wasn’t a flashy draft for the Chargers, but it was measured, disciplined, and aligned with clear roster needs.
Akheem Mesidor may have surprised some at No. 22, but he brings a well-rounded skill set as a defensive end who can play both inside and out. He generates pressure while maintaining the discipline to hold the edge against the run. If not for age and durability concerns, he likely would have been off the board much earlier.
Jake Slaughter could be a ten-year player in this league when it’s all said and done. He brings stability to the interior with strong pass protection, the ability to open running lanes, and the awareness to handle protection calls. Centers with that level of control and consistency are difficult to find, and he should step into a starting role immediately.
Brenen Thompson adds speed to the receiver room, but comes with a boom-or-bust profile due to his size. Genesis Smith has intriguing range as a deep safety, though his tackling will need to improve before he can be fully trusted in that role.
There’s solid depth throughout the middle and later rounds, even without a true standout pick. The Chargers didn’t chase upside, but they added multiple pieces who can contribute.
Grade: B
Denver Broncos
Round 3 (No. 66): DT Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
Round 4 (No. 108): RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
Round 4 (No. 111): OT Kage Casey, Boise State
Round 5 (No. 152): TE Justin Joly, NC State
Round 7 (No. 246): S Miles Scott, Illinois
Round 7 (No. 256): TE Dallen Bentley, Utah
Round 7 (No. 257): LB Red Murdock, Buffalo
Denver’s first-round “pick” basically came in the form of Jaylen Waddle, acquired in an offseason trade with Miami. How this class is viewed largely comes down to that move, and it’s fair to question whether Waddle will be worth it. Injuries and inconsistency have limited him throughout his career, and he has never been more than a WR2. A change of scenery could help, but that’s far from guaranteed.
Denver’s best pick, by far, was Jonah Coleman. Coleman fell further than expected and gives the Broncos a reliable, physical presence in the backfield. He’s not a big-play threat, but he moves the chains effectively and can handle volume.
The rest of the class, however, is fairly lackluster. Tyler Onyedim was a big reach, and OL Kage Casey profiles as a depth piece at best. I do like Red Murdock though, as he could be one of the better value picks in the draft and comes to the next level after an impressive college career.
Overall, this is a class that leans heavily on the Waddle trade paying off, with limited upside elsewhere.
Grade: D+
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