NHL Best Bets for Tuesday (11/19)
Kenneth Le
With the NFL Draft right around the corner, FTN is taking a moment to look at each division one at a time. We’re going team-by-team to identify the biggest needs and moves the franchises should be looking at before or during the draft, which starts April 28.
The AFC West is shaping up to potentially be the greatest division in NFL history. No other division can boast four comfortably above-average QBs, and I have to think all these teams would be the favorite were they re-assigned to the AFC South or the clear second-best team in the NFC North or NFC East.
Last season, the Chiefs (12-5), Raiders (10-7), and Chargers (9-8) all finished with winning records, and the Broncos (7-10) pulled off the Russell Wilson trade a couple months ago.
Below, we’ll take a peek at each team, their current draft picks, and any key fantasy relevant needs to address in the draft.
Follow along with our whole 2022 NFL Draft Wish List series:
2022 NFL Draft Wish List: AFC West
Below we’ll take a quick look at each team, their pick haul, and their key needs to address in the draft.
Kansas City Chiefs
- First pick: First round, 29th overall
- Total first-rounders: 2 (1.29, 1.30)
- Total draft picks: 12
For the first time in his career, Patrick Mahomes has below-average weapons surrounding him on offense. The team whiffed on Mecole Hardman in Round 2 of the 2019 draft and Clyde Edwards-Helaire in Round 1 of the 2020 draft.
This offseason, the team traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for five draft picks, most notably their 2022 first- and second-rounders. The Chiefs signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal and former Packers speedster Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a three-year contract. They also signed Ronald Jones for one year. However, the team still needs another WR, and the Chiefs may dip their toes into the RB position again.
While the Chiefs have holes to fill on offense, they have two picks in each of the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. Fantasy enthusiasts can expect a WR with one of those first four picks in Round 1 or 2, with George Pickens (Georgia), Penn State’s Jahan Dotson and Skyy Moore (Western Michigan) being the three most capable WRs in that range who can help the Chiefs battle in the stacked AFC West starting on Day One.
Kansas City likely takes a running back with one of their two fourth-round picks, though they may wait until one of their four selections in the seventh. I’d like to see a back like Rachaad White end up in KC in Round 4, as he is the pass-catcher Edwards-Helaire was supposed to be — White had 43 receptions for 456 yards this past year at Arizona State.
Los Angeles Chargers
- First pick: First round, 17th overall
- Total first-rounders: 1 (1.17)
- Total draft picks: 10
The Chargers are feeling the urgency, with two years remaining on Justin Herbert’s rookie deal and a missed playoff spot last season. The team has already made a flurry of moves given the flexibility Herbert’s contract affords them, most notably trading their 2022 second and a 2023 sixth to the Bears for Khalil Mack. The Chargers already project for a well above-average offense, but this team has Super Bowl aspirations, and needs speed at WR, as well as TE help — signing Gerald Everett is most likely not a long-term answer.
At 17 overall, many mock drafters have Alabama WR Jameson Williams to the Chargers, as both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are at or past their primes, and both are 4.6/4.7 40-time players. Williams is a true burner, who may only last to 17 because of his ACL tear this past season. Another common name linked to LAC Round 1 is Ohio State WR Chris Olave, a polished and quick receiver who could slot right into a starting role. If the athletic UCLA TE Greg Dulcich is still on the board, he’s a great fit at pick 79 in the third round, though Coastal Carolina TE Isaiah Likely would be a decent consolation prize there. If the Chargers opt for a right tackle in the first round, SMU’s Danny Gray could fill their need for speed at WR in Round 4 or 5, as he flashed 4.33 wheels.
Denver Broncos
- First pick: Second round, 64th overall
- Total first-rounders: 0
- Total draft picks: 9
The Broncos had one of the more active offseasons — a trend with these AFC West teams — and are without their first-round selection after trading for Russell Wilson. Offensively, this team is set now at QB, as well as WR — Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler form one of the most well-rounded receiving cores in the entire league. However, the team lacks RB depth behind Javonte Williams (Melvin Gordon was a free agent), as well as additional help at TE — Noah Fant was another piece moved in the Wilson trade.
Javonte Williams is a competent receiving back, but his real strength is being one of the best pure runners in the game. I’d like to see them take Missouri RB Tyler Badie with one of their fourth-round picks. Badie is only 197 pounds, but he ran a 4.45, providing the long speed Williams lacks. Badie also had 54 receptions and over 1,900 scrimmage yards last season. At TE, the Broncos should stick to the formula that worked with TE Albert Okwuegbunam and use their other fourth0round pick on another uber-athletic TE. Jelani Woods out of Virginia is a converted QB, and the most athletic TE in Relative Athletic Score’s history.
Las Vegas Raiders
- First pick: Third round, 86th overall
- Total first-rounders: 0
- Total draft picks: 5
While the Raiders project to be the worst team in this division, they have a strong case for best weapons. The team traded away their 2022 first- and second-round picks for the rights to acquire and extend Davante Adams to the richest WR contract in NFL history. The team will hopefully get a fully healthy season from Darren Waller, and Kenyan Drake is expected to make a full recovery after breaking his ankle toward the end of the 2021 campaign.
The Adams trade signaled the Raiders’ all-in nature for 2022, and this team still has a moderate need at WR. After Adams and Hunter Renfrow, the depth chart thins out, as Bryan Edwards has under-performed expectations the past two seasons. After losing Henry Ruggs last year, the team failed to generate explosive plays. With only five picks, and none until pick 86, their offensive roster is largely set for fantasy. To bring in more speed and/or competition for Edwards’ WR3 role, the aforementioned Danny Gray fits, as well as Bo Melton, a five-year player out of Rutgers with 4.34 speed who projects to go in Round 4.
