2026 NFL Draft: AFC West Review

• 1st – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
• 1st – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
• 2nd – R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma
• 4th – Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon
• 5th – Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
• 5th – Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati
• 7th – Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders, seemingly, now have their franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza, and they followed up that obvious draft pick with, unfortunately, two more good days of moves. Their second-round pick of Treydan Stukes will instantly bolster their defensive secondary and they picked up a big offensive lineman in Trey Zuhn III to help keep their new quarterback upright, which is something Geno Smith did not get a lot of help with. Most of the media gave the Raiders a solid B grade. **Draft picks**

• 1st – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
• 2nd – Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona
• 3rd – Keyron Crawford, Edge, Auburn
• 3rd – Trey Zuhn III, C, Texas A&M
• 4th – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
• 4th – Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
• 5th – Dalton Johnson, S, Arizona
• 5th – Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
• 6th – Malik Benson, WR, Oregon
• 7th – Brandon Cleveland, DT, NC State

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers scored mixed reviews across the national media, with a range of A-C, depending on who you asked. One thing that most agreed on though was that their first-round selection of Edge rusher Akheem Mesidor was a much-needed move. He is an uber-athletic and versitile defensive lineman, being able to play on the outside as well as over the offensive guards, and he will fill a hole that Joey Bosa likely will be leaving. He managed 12.5 sacks in his 2025 campaign, and the Chargers will need him to recreate that same pressure, especially when going up against the Denver offensive line. Their day two pick, however, was not received as highly. Offensive lineman Jake Slaughter was a necessary move as the Chargers have a need at the offensive guard spot (or just on that offensive line in general) and might even serve as a center in the coming years. He is good, but this move received grades as low as C+, but also as high as a B+, with most scoring it a B-. **Draft picks**

• 1st – Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
• 2nd – Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
• 4th – Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
• 4th- Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
• 5th – Nick Barrett, DT, South Carolina
• 6th – Logan Taylor, OG, Boston College
• 6th – Alex Harkey, OG, Oregon