If the NFL free agency frenzy proved anything, it’s that the AFC West is set to be an arms race this season. Here’s how the Las Vegas Raiders and the rest of the division are shaping up after the draft.
It’s the wild wild west for a reason, and the saying holds true in the NFL. Heading into the 2022 season, the AFC West is arguably the most talented, and subsequently the most competitive, division in the league. After the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, each made the playoffs a season ago, it seems as if every team in the division swung for the fences through the offseason.
The Raiders completed a blockbuster trade for Davante Adams, the Denver Broncos filled their hole at quarterback in a trade for Russell Wilson, the Los Angeles Chargers gave their defense a much-needed jolt by trading for Khalil Mack, and though the Kansas City Chiefs lost their top wideout in Tyreek Hill, they’re expected to fill his production with newly added JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marques Valdes-Scantling.
There’s little margin for error in what figures to be a tightly contested divisional race, and the additions through the draft can make a difference when roster depth plays a role. After rounds one through seven of the 2022 NFL Draft, here’s how the AFC West stacks up.