Silver And Black Pride
Chargers, Broncos add impact first rounders; Chiefs fortify front lines
Thanks to the 2025 NFL Draft this past weekend, there’s a lot of young star power in the league. All 32 teams are optimistic their prospects will develop into impact players and, at this part of the offseason, hope is a good thing.
The AFC West certainly added intriguing talent.
For a division that saw three teams make the playoffs — one of two with the NFC North being the other to see a trio of squads make the postseason dance — the pecking order is at stake. The Kansas City Chiefs remain the top team in the division (15-2 overall, Super Bowl loss), with the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) and Denver Broncos (10-7) nipping at KC’s heels.
The Las Vegas Raiders (4-13) were the cellar dweller but are eyeing something more than another last-place finish.
That said, let’s engage in an AFC West draft digest. We’ll explore the best and worst picks from the four teams as well as a prospect to keep an eye on.
Best pick: Jahdae Barron, Cornerback, Texas (No. 20 overall). A secondary that features shutdown cornerback Patrick Surtain II, Barron gives Denver an inside-outside defender than can play the boundary or slot as a cornerback. The 5-foot-11 and 194-pounder can also dabble at safety giving the Broncos a brash, confident, and tenacious ballhawk who can tackle. That’s all prerequisite traits to be a defensive back in today’s pass-happy NFL.
Worst pick: Pat Bryant, Wide Receiver, Syracuse (No. 74 overall). Bringing good size at 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, Bryant has strong hands and is confident. But he’s not going to scare teams with his average speed or separation skills. He’s a possession receiver who struggled to separate from defensive backs in college. Bryant’s lack of dynamic athleticism is only going to become more apparent in the pros.
Keep an eye on: RJ Harvey, Running Back, UCF (No. 60 overall). Broncos head coach and play caller Sean Payton is going to take advantage of this 5-foot-8 and 205-pound tailback’s speed as both runner and pass catcher. Harvey can make defenders miss and has the jets to make the defense pay for any miscues.
Best pick: Josh Simmons, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State (No. 32 overall). A very nimble tackle at 6-foot-5 and 317 pounds, the Chiefs get a versatile offensive lineman that can either play left or right tackle. Pass protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes was in issue — especially in the Super Bowl loss — and Simmons ability to mirror defenders is a huge plus. Simmons also has plus movement skills as a run blocker.
Worst pick: Omarr Norman-Lott, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee (No. 63 overall). A rotation player on the Volunteers defensive line, this compact 6-foot-2 and 291-pounder is undisciplined and erratic. A full-time role may never be on the horizon. Talent is there but a second-round selection is a bit steep. It’ll take the Chiefs coaching staff to be...
