AFC Team Needs (West)

West

Denver Broncos
Defensive Tackle
The biggest weakness on Denver's team last year was stopping the run.  A big part of that was the utter lack of talent at the defensive tackle spot.  When Kevin Vickerson is your best tackle, you have issues.  The Broncos brought in Terrence Knighton but he's nothing more than a rotational player.  Their first round pick will likely be a tackle and they could get a good one with either Sylvester Williams or Kawann Short.


Defensive End
What a mess was the Elvis Dumervil's contract situation was.  They thought they had him with a renegotiated contract, but then they didn't and had to cut him.  That means that they are short a starter on an already thin position.  If they can't get something worked out to get him back, they'll have to draft somebody to fill his void.  Sam Montgomery could be an option on day two.


Middle Linebacker
Keith Brooking was forced into the starting role and played pretty well.  But at age 37 he will probably retire.  Joe Mays is the other options, but he isn't very good.  Denver will have the opprotunity to take Manti Te'o or Kevin Minter in the first round, but probably wait till the second day to nab somebody like Kevin Reddick or John Bostic.

Running Back
Under former coach Josh McDaniels the Broncos had a stable of mediocre running backs.  Well they are in year three of John Fox, but they still don't have a bell cow back.  Willis McGahee was that back last year till he got injured.  Age and chronic issues isn't good.  Denver could go with a back in round one and get Eddie Lacy or Le'Veon Bell.  But they'll likely wait till the second or third round where they can get somebody like Stepfan Taylor or Monte Ball.

Safety
Everybody remembers the mental lapse Rahim Moore had against Baltimore that lead to the Ravens winning and getting the the Super Bowl.  But Moore played well for the season and one play isn't going to ruin his career.  It's opposite of him where they need help.  Mike Adams needs to be replaced.  DJ Swearinger could be an option at the end of round three.

Kansas City Chiefs
Offensive Tackle
Kansas City shocked everybody when they franchised Brandon Albert.  But when they released Eric Winston things made a lot more sense  Baring anything shocking, the Chiefs will draft Luke Joeckel and move Albert to the right side.  Also don't be surprised if the Chiefs draft somebody in the 5th or 6th round to take over for Albert when he leaves.

Defensive End
Even after drafting defensive lineman in the first round three times in the past five years, the Chiefs still have a big need.  Tyson Jackson has been a complete bust while Glen Dorsey left for the 49ers in the free agency.  Kansas City signed Mike DeVito but could still use another impact player.  If Jonathan Hankins makes it out of the first round, he could be their guy.

Inside Linebacker
Derrick Johnson has developed into a playmaking force in the middle of the Chiefs defense.  However their is a big hole next to him.  Brandon Siler attempted to fill in last year, but he isn't anything more than a backup in the league.  Kansas City could take somebody like Manti Te'o or Kevin Minter in the second round.  If they pass they probably will have to wait till round four to get a good value.

Guard/Center
The Chiefs had a great free agent pickup with Ryan Lilja who was a pro bowl caliber guard and also step up big time moving to center when Rodney Hudson became injured.  Jeff Allen is the projected starter at left guard but his play last year was uninspiring.  The Chiefs could target Barrett Jones in round two who could play guard and be their backup center if needed.  Because they still have nothing behind Hudson. 

Rush Linebacker
What a steal they got in Justin Houston in the third round.  He's developed into a top flight pass rusher and given them somebody opposite of Tamba Hali.  However behind those two they really lack anybody that can make an impact.  They could look to Combine standout Cornelius Washington in the third round to be that third rusher.

Oakland Raiders
Defensive Tackle
Both starting tackles are free agents.  Desmond Bryant signed with the Browns, while Seymour is still out there.  Seymour probably won't be back anyways.  Backup Tommy Kelly isn't starting material.  So they realistically need two new starters.  Picking at #3 they should have the pick of the litter.  If Star Lotulelei's heart checks out it he could be a Raider.  If not, Sharrif Floyd could provide that athletic tackle they've lacked.

Cornerback
When you have to move one of your safeties to cornerback shows how poor this situation is.  They've never really been the same since they let Nnamdi Asomugha walk.  But the good news is Nnamdi is a free agent and the Raiders could return at a discounted rate.  In the draft they could go after Demarcus Milliner with the third pick, but they'll likely have to wait till the third round.

Linebacker
Needing potentially three new linebackers the Raiders have been active in free agency bringing in Nick Roach and Kevin Burnett.  However they could still use another linebacker who can give them some splash  plays.  How good would Jarvis Jones look as a Raider?  Jones could become their strongside linebacker and give coach Dennis Allen his version of Von Miller who he had so much success with in Denver.

Quarterback
Trading for Carson Palmer gave them a solid starter the past couple of years, but they need to look to the future.  Terrelle Pryor wants his chance and he very well may get it.  However they may still take somebody to compete with Pryor.  Geno Smith and Matt Barkley will be in play at three, if not they may take a developmental quarterback in the later rounds.

Safety
Despite moving to cornerback to help out, Michael Huff was released.  Finding somebody to step up in his place and give them help in deep center field will really help this defense.  There isn't anybody worth taking in the first round and without a second round pick they are really missing out on the talented corners.  However in the third round they could look north to Fresno State and Phillip Thomas.

San Diego Chargers
Offensive Tackle
The biggest issue facing he Chargers last year was protecting Phillip Rivers.  Rivers couldn't be kept upright and that made the offense come to a halt.  Left tackle was the biggest issue where Jared Gaither played awful.  San Diego has to hope that Lane Johnson falls to them at #11.  However with a couple teams ahead of them they may have to move up to ensure they can get one of the elite tackles.

Offensive Guard
Not only do the Chargers need two tackles, they could really use an upgrade at guard.  They lost their top guard Louis Vasquez to divisional rival Denver which is a huge loss.  Their top target in the first round will be a tackle, but if they can't get one of the top guys they could look to the two elite guards.  Both Chance Warmack and Jon Cooper would really help this line out.  If they do get a tackle they could take Larry Warford or Kyle Long in round two.

Rush Linebacker
With Shawn Merriman and Shaun Phillips the Chargers once had the two best rush linebackers in the league.  But now Merriman is long gone and Phillips is a free agent.  Melvin Ingram should develop into a good starter, however if they can't resign Phillips they have a gaping hole next to him.  They could target somebody like Ezekial Ansah or Barkevious Mingo at eleven.  However taking somebody in the second round like Jamie Collins might be a better choice.

Inside Linebacker
For the longest time the Chargers have always had a need for inside linebackers.  They brought in Takeo Spikes, but was cut in a cost saving move.  San Diego could go for an impact linebacker like Manti Te'o in the second round, but might be better off waiting till round three to get somebody along the lines of Kevin Reddick or Kiko Alonso.

Wide Receiver
Once they lost Vincent Jackson they really lost their explosive playmaker.  All the guys they currently have a basically possession guys.  They don't have a single player that can make splash plays.  Danario Alexander is the top receiver and he's really good when healthy.  But staying healthy is a big question.  Adding a Robert Woods or Markus Wheaton would really help Phillip Rivers out.