2026 NFL Draft Review: AFC West

In the week following the 2026 NFL Draft, Draft Nation breaks down every team, division by division, delivering grades across the league, beginning with the AFC West.

Las Vegas Raiders

Grade: A-

The Raiders had a solid draft. They needed to accumulate more reliable and smarter players to support their first overall pick, Indiana’s quarterback Fernando Mendoza. And they did just that. 

Las Vegas helped their ailing secondary long term by taking a flyer (and perhaps the steal of the draft) on injured cornerback Jermod McCoy, adding depth with Hezekiah Masses and Dalton Johnson, and grabbing high-floor, dependable but older safety prospect Treydan Stukes. 

Other notable selections: The Raiders added Tre Zuhn as a versatile interior offensive lineman, and speedy running back Mike Washington Jr. to keep the tread on Ashton Jeanty’s tires. They finished up their selections by adding WR Malik Benson and DT Brandon Cleveland late in the draft to address thin rooms. 

With Mendoza coming off the board first, it’s hard not to give the Raiders a high grade, but the McCoy pick may prove dividends if they can get the former Longhorn healthy. Overall, this class could develop into a franchise-turning group, but only time will tell. Raiders brass collected some strong chess pieces, with a mix of high-upside swings and depth to help vets.

Kansas City Chiefs

Grade: B+

The Chiefs traded up in round one to pick 6 overall to replace traded All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and selected blue-chip prospect, Mansoor Delane. It was a bold but necessary move. LSU’s Delane and fourth-rounder Jadon Canady help Kansas City to refill the cornerback room with young, inexpensive talent ahead of the upcoming season. 

After Delane, the Chiefs used their next two picks on major boom-or-bust players: speedy edge rusher R. Mason Thomas of Oklahoma and Clemson’s defensive tackle Peter Woods. Thomas and Woods have elite pass-rushing traits, but their consistency and run defense are questionable. 

The Chiefs also added decent third-string depth in WR Cyrus Allen and Nebraska’s all-purpose RB Emmett Johnson, while also getting a long-term project QB in Garrett Nussmeier, whom they can develop into a solid backup. This grade could swing wildly, but that will depend on the Chiefs’ ability to sharpen raw talent.

Los Angeles Chargers

Grade: B+

The Chargers grabbed an excellent edge rusher in Akheem Mesidor at pick 22. Mesidor fits their timeline and has a great mentor in Khalil Mack to learn from. Next, the Bolts tabbed Florida’s center Jake Slaughter, who is a high-floor interior offensive lineman who can play guard for now but is the long-term center once veteran Tyler Biadasz’s three-year contract expires. 

Later in the draft, the Chargers took Logan Harkey and Logan Taylor to add depth and upside on the interior offensive line. OT Travis Burke and S Genesis Smith are both high-upside swings with notable weaknesses: Burke’s agility and Smith’s tackling. Brenen Thompson has good tools but is currently a one-dimensional deep threat with a history of leg injuries. 

At the end of the day, the Chargers picked conservatively but got players who, if their weaknesses are addressed, will be solid starters.

Denver Broncos

Grade: B- (But counting the Jaylen Waddle trade: A)

The Broncos are solid at every position. Adding WR Jaylen Waddle by trading the 30th overall pick is great value for a contending team. They needed to add depth in the 2026 draft, and they did. However, they didn’t add any immediate contributors, something contending teams need. 

Their top pick, at 66th overall, Tyler Onyedim, is a good run defender with great power, size, and first step, but he lacks pass-rush polish and will need time to develop. Washington’s star running back Jonah Coleman is a smart, reliable contributor, but his ceiling is limited by his average athleticism. G Kage Casey, TE Justin Joly, S Miles Scott, TE Dallen Bentley, and LB Red Murdock are all solid depth pieces who could develop over time. 

When all is counted, the Broncos had a solid draft, but a contending team needs an impact punch. The players taken will help extend their window, but Bo Nix’s rookie contract isn’t getting any longer. Their immediate impact comes almost solely from the Waddle trade.