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Raiders 2022 NFL Draft Grades: AFC West Winners and Losers

By Pete Hernandez III

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 10: Zamir White #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 10: Zamir White #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 28: (L-R) Zion Johnson poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on stage after being selected 17th by the Los Angeles Chargers during round one of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 28: (L-R) Zion Johnson poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on stage after being selected 17th by the Los Angeles Chargers during round one of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Raiders 2022 NFL Draft Grades: AFC West Winners and Losers

Los Angeles Chargers

It was either the Los Angeles Chargers or the Las Vegas Raiders punching their ticket as the final wild card team last season, and it was Vegas coming out on top 35-32 in overtime in a Sunday Night Football thriller. For the Chargers, it’s clear they believe they’re on the cusp of reaching the next level, albeit missing some glue pieces that can help them avoid losing games of their own accord (a hindrance for them).

As such, Los Angeles’ 2022 draft haul may go under the radar in comparison to their division rivals, but the theme was to add a few pieces that can help the Chargers get to the top now rather than later. Plenty of mocks had the Chargers targeting a right tackle, and instead, they opted for the next best option in Zion Johnson (OG). JT Woods (S) should give Brandon Staley more options in the secondary alongside staples Derwin James and Nasir Adderly.

Ultimately, the name of the game was to upgrade the offensive line (to which they did with their best available options), while adding in additional pieces on defense that can potentially give them an edge over their divisional rivals. The Chargers will go as far as Justin Herbert can take them, which will prove to be as formidable a task as any with the upgrades the AFC West has made over the offseason.

Outcome: Winner

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