Now that the 2024 NFL season is officially over, there is nothing left to divert our attention away from the annual NFL Draft. Also, the order is now set in stone, coaches and general managers have been hired, and events like the Senior Bowl and the Shrine Game have already taken place. That all is to say, it is time for an updated mock draft—AFC West edition.
Like last time, we will use the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator. I am controlling the four AFC West teams and letting the simulator take care of the rest. Picks will be determined by a combination of PFF’s team needs and rankings, in addition to their own analysis and draft notes.
Let’s dive straight into the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft!
AFC West Mock Draft 2.0
Round 1, Pick 6: Las Vegas Raiders
The Board
Two quarterbacks coming off the board right away is not an ideal scenario for the Raiders, but it is likely one that they will have to accept come April. However, things could have shaken out much worse. Two of the top five players in the draft on my board, Will Johnson and Abdul Carter, are still available, and both play positions where Las Vegas could probably use some help.
The Las Vegas Raiders Select… Will Johnson, Cornerback, Michigan
This is a no-brainer if you are the Raiders. They already have one rising star at this position in Jakorian Bennett, but he is still more of a complimentary piece. The Raiders need someone to step up and be “the guy” on the other side. While Jack Jones has been fine, he is not “that guy.”
Meanwhile, Johnson’s tape gives every indication that he is a true shutdown corner. He has a powerful build to pair with a tough, physical coverage style. His anticipation and quickness make him a great fit in a zone or off-man scheme. He does have the speed to keep up in press coverage as well. The Michigan alum would immediately become Las Vegas’ top corner, which is a decent consolation prize if they miss out on the quarterback sweepstakes.
Round 1, Pick 20: Denver Broncos
The Board
Surrounding Bo Nix with better weapons must be Denver’s top priority this offseason. Unfortunately, this draft scenario is not doing them any favors. Three of the top four wide receivers on my board are gone, as well as the consensus top tight end in the draft, Tyler Warren, whom the Broncos missed out on by just one pick. Ouch.
The Broncos Select… Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan
Last time we did this, I had the Broncos going wide receiver here with Isaiah Bond instead of taking Loveland. My thoughts on this have changed a bit over the last few weeks as I’ve watched more tape on this class as a whole. Bond is still my WR-3 of the class, but the Texas receiver definitely comes with risk. It may not be worth taking him this high in a deep receiver class.
Meanwhile, Loveland is much more of a “sure thing.” He is a complete tight end and the clear number two at his position in a class that is solid but top-heavy. Also, big tight ends typically make much better safety blankets for young quarterbacks than speedy receivers. To me, it just makes more sense to grab a cornerstone piece at a valuable, but not sexy, position here, and then try to land a flashy playmaker on Day 2.
Round 1, Pick 22: Los Angeles Chargers
The Board
Last time around, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was reunited with a former Michigan Wolverine in Loveland. Obviously, that is not happening this time around. After Denver, the Steelers took Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. Looking at what all is available here, the good news for the Chargers is that there are still several quality wide receivers available, as well as a bevy of talent on the defensive side of the ball. The bad news is that they are missing out on all of the first-round caliber tight ends.
The Chargers Select… Isaiah Bond, Wide Receiver, Texas
We are just going to go ahead and complete the swap between the Broncos and Chargers. It makes a lot of sense since both teams have similar needs. While the Chargers have one solid young receiver in Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles’ AFC West club does not have much else. Quentin Johnston is barely an NFL wide receiver; he has no business being the No. 2 guy on a playoff team.
Drafting Bond would allow Chargers’ offensive coordinator Greg Roman to keep the speed element that he covets, but with someone that can actually run routes and catch the football. It is worth noting that Bond has recently begun to take a tumble on most draft boards as folks have become enamored with more prototypically built receivers like his teammate Matthew Golden. Expect him to move back up after the combine when everyone gets a better feel for his speed and ball-tracking ability.
Round 1, Pick 31: Kansas City Chiefs
The Board
Since our last mock, the Chiefs have actually moved up a spot in the draft. Unfortunately, their pick still comes after a run on their two biggest positions of need: defensive line and offensive tackle. That being said, there is still some first-round talent on the board at both positions.
The Chiefs Select… Aireontae Ersery, Tackle, Minnesota
We are going back to the well with Ersery once more. This is another pick that, personally, feels like a steal. If anything, the Super Bowl just hammered home how badly the Chiefs need a left tackle. They cannot run it back with the empty husk of what once was Joe Thuney.
Unlike many of the linemen in this draft, Ersery projects as a true left tackle. The lack of versatility has pushed him down many other boards. People perceive him as somewhat undeveloped. Regardless, the three-year starter has two things that you simply cannot coach: size (6’6″, 330 lbs) and athleticism. The AFC West is full of elite edge rushers who possess freaky physical traits. This pick gives the Chiefs a guy with the tools to slow those pass-rushers down.
AFC West Mock Draft 2.0 – Round 2
Round 2, Pick 37: Las Vegas Raiders
The Board
This is about as ideal of a board as you can get if you are the Raiders. After going defense on Day 1, Las Vegas is poised for an offense-heavy Day 2. Seeing the day start with a run of defensive players while several big-time offensive playmakers remain available would be about as good as it gets for John Spytek and company.
The Raiders Select… Elic Ayomanor, Wide Receiver, Stanford
The Raiders’ two biggest needs in this draft are quarterback and running back, so it may seem puzzling to have them go in a different direction with their first two picks. However, it just makes sense from a value perspective. At quarterback, there is simply nobody available that you can justify using a top-40 pick on. At running back, you could make the case for Omarion Hampton, but this is such a deep class that Las Vegas could wait another round and still get a great player.
Ayomanor is the best value pick here by a mile. Wide receiver is still a big need for Las Vegas and the Stanford product is the only offensive skill-position player left that has a first-round grade from me. He has the NFL size and athleticism while also being a solid route runner with a fantastic feel for leverage. Landing Ayomanor would make the Raiders’ quarterback’s job much easier, regardless of who it ends up being.
Round 2, Pick 52: Denver Broncos
The Board
Round two continues to be defense-heavy, with that side of the ball accounting for 14 out of the 19 picks thus far in the round. For Denver, this could be a good thing if they decide to double up on offensive weapons. However, they do have some needs on defense as well. Luckily, plenty of available talent remains on that side of the ball.
The Broncos Select… Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker, Alabama
While Denver’s defense has been great statistically, it never hurts to add talent. When you run a 3-4 defense, you especially have to maintain a strong stable of linebackers. The group they currently have going into next year is solid, but it lacks both elite talent and depth.
Campbell provides plenty of both. The Alabama linebacker can do just about anything. One play, he is a traditional box linebacker; the next, he’s an edge rusher, and sometimes he even functions as a de facto big nickel. Campbell’s combination of size, athleticism, and football IQ could allow him to quickly become the leader of what has the potential to be the best defense in the NFL.
Round 2, Pick 54: Los Angeles Chargers
The Board
Not much has changed since Denver came up on the clock. Defense continues to be the theme of this round with the Broncos and Steelers going linebacker and cornerback, respectively. The Chargers find themselves with plenty of options if they choose to continue to load up on offense.
The Chargers Select… TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back, Ohio State
The Chargers need a running back, plain and simple. Even if J.K. Dobbins does end up returning, Los Angeles would be crazy to rely on a guy who has only managed to play 37 games throughout his first four seasons. Regardless of what they do in free agency, it is paramount that they bring in some new blood.
Henderson would be an excellent fit. He has all the makings of a true three-back that you can make the focal point of your offense. What separates Henderson from some of the other available backs here is his ability to hit the home run. He has the vision and wiggle to get to the second level and the speed to pull away once he does. This pick would super-charge Los Angeles’ offense.
Round 2, Pick 63: Kansas City Chiefs—the last AFC West selection
The Board
As we reach the end of the second round, much of the top-tier talent is off the board. However, there are still plenty of starting-caliber players remaining. Luckily for the Chiefs, many of them are offensive linemen.
The Chiefs Select… Emery Jones Jr., Offensive Lineman, LSU; the final AFC West selection
Doubling up on a position with your first two picks may seem like irresponsible asset management, but it isn’t when that position was the primary reason why you lost the Super Bowl. After getting a pure left tackle in round one, the Chiefs now have the freedom to grab a more versatile lineman during Day 2.
While he may have played tackle in college, Jones might project as more of a guard at the next level. That transition will be easier because he is young (will be 21 next season), has an excellent frame (6’6″), and is a talented athlete. While he may be raw in terms of technique, Jones has all of the traits that a good coaching staff can maximize to make him into a great pro. Luckily, Andy Reid and company are the best in the business.
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