Draft best and worst: Omarion Hampton, Jahdae Barron add young star power to AFC West

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.

Denver Broncos

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.

Kansas City Chiefs

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 dedicated to unlock the potential.

Keep an eye on: Jalen Royals, Wide Receiver, Utah State (No. 133 overall). Fast (4.42 speed) and good size (6-feet, 205 pounds), this wideout is smooth, physical, and can track the ball in flight with the best of them. That combines into yet another intriguing weapon for head coach Andy Reid and Mahomes. Yikes.

Los Angeles Chargers

Best pick: Omarion Hampton, Running Back, North Carolina (No. 22 overall). An absolute bruising ball carrier at 5-foot-11 and 211 pounds, the Bolts land a tailback who is patient with power and speed. A complete back who can run inside and out and also catch the rock, Hampton gives Jim Harbaugh is own variant of Beast Mode.

Worst pick: Jamaree Caldwell, Defensive Tackle, Oregon (No. 86 overall). A nose tackle or three technique? The 6-foot-2 and 332-pounder not only has a bit of an identity crisis, but the game tape during Caldwell’s years at Oregon was hit and miss. A rotational player that’s likely taken too high, he may just be a rotational nose tackle.

Keep an eye on: Oronde Gadsen II, Tight End, Syracuse (No. 165 overall). With excellent size at 6-foot-5 and 241 pounds and strong NFL bloodlines, the Chargers were missing a tight end to challenge defenses up the seam. With plus athleticism, soft hands, and a big catch radius, Gadsen has the skillset to be a productive possession tight end.

Las Vegas Raiders

Best pick: Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise State (No. 6 overall). It’s not a question if this talented tailback gets carries. It’s a query of just how many. A workhorse running back who is explosive, has elite contact balance, is is stout at 5-foot-9 and 211 pounds, we’ll see if Jeanty lives up to lofty comparison bestowed upon him.

Worst pick: Tonka Hemingway, Defensive Tackle, South Carolina (No. 135 overall). A tweener at 6-foot-3 and 284 pounds, Hemingway may never have a true home as a defensive tackle. In order to maximize return on investment, he’ll likely play inside and out as he doesn’t have the chops to go constantly one-on-one in the league.

Keep an eye on: Charles Grant, Offensive Tackle, William & Mary (No. 99 overall). Equipped with light feet and long arms, this 6-foot-5 and 309-pounder is very nimble with great range. Grant is a strong fit in Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s scheme. He’ll need to pack on muscle but he has the makings of a future starter if he develops.