AFC West draft preview: Chargers up first at No. 3

 

After months of mocks, trade talk and proclamations about the rising and falling players, draft day is at last upon us.

And despite all the analysis and speculation, if anyone tells you they have a good feel as to what John Elway and the Broncos will do Thursday evening in Chicago, they’re lying.

And then what about the rest of the AFC West?

Questions abound:

• The Chargers now hold the draft’s first real mystery pick at No. 3. What will they do with it?
• Can the Raiders build on the momentum of recent drafts and keep improving?
• Does K.C. pose one of the Broncos’ Chief threats if QB Paxton Lynch falls into the 20s?

Answers are scarce here as well, and we’ll be forced to tune in tonight to be certain.

In the meantime, though, here’s your quadrant-by-quadrant capsule glance at the AFC West draft picture:

Denver Broncos

2015: 15-4 (Super Bowl 50 champs)

Total picks: 10. First round (31^st overall), second (63), third (94, 98), fourth (136), fifth (144), sixth (219), seventh (228, 235, 254)

Team needs: QB, LB, DL, S, OL

Quick take: The need at quarterback, of course, takes center stage here, and a still-rumored deal for the Niners’ Colin Kaepernick deal could wind up defining the Orange & Blue’s draft.

Kansas City Chiefs

2015: 12-6 (lost in AFC divisional playoffs)

Total picks: Seven. First round (28), second (59), fourth (126), fifth (162, 165), sixth (203), seventh (249)

Team needs: DB, OL, WR, QB, LB

Quick take: Pressure is turned up on K.C. to make good on its first two selections as it lost its third-rounder as a penalty for tampering with then-free-agent Jeremy Maclin.

Oakland Raiders

2015: 7-9 (missed playoffs for 13^th straight season)

Picks: Eight. First round (14), second (44), third (75), fourth (114), fifth (143, 154), sixth (194), seventh (234)

Team needs: LB, DT, RB, S, CB

Quick take: Look for Jack Del Rio’s crew to add another defensive piece in the first round to go along with free-agent signings Bruce Irvin, Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson.

San Diego Chargers

2015: 4-12 (missed postseason for fifth time in six seasons)

Picks: Eight. First round (3), second (35), third (66), fourth (102), fifth (175), sixth (179, 198), seventh (224)

Team needs: S, OT, C, TE, WR

Quick take: Jalen Ramsey, Laremy Tunsil or Ronnie Stanley definitely would fill one of the Bolts’ top needs at No. 3, but San Diego could become the third team in the top-of-the-draft order to trade down and get more picks.