LAST SEASON: Chargers have won only nine games in two seasons, and now must try to stand out in crowded and competitive Los Angeles market after leaving San Diego because voters refused to help fund new stadium. Coach Mike McCoy Casey Hayward Jersey was fired and replaced with Anthony Lynn from Buffalo Bills. There were few bright spots in 2016, such as DE Joey Bosa winning Defensive Rookie of Year Award and RB Melvin Gordon rebounding from miserable rookie season. But there are still problems on offensive line, and stars such as WR Keenan Allen and CB Jason Verrett can’t stay healthy.
THEY NEED: S, WR, DL, OL, QB
THEY DON’T NEED: TE, CB, K, P.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: S Malik Hooker, Ohio State; S Jamal Adams, LSU.
OUTLOOK: Noting that Rivers is getting “long in the tooth,” Lynn said he’d like GM Tom Telesco to draft quarterback so he can learn under Rivers, whohttp://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-eric-kendricks-je... is under contract through 2019. “Philip is the ultimate pro in my opinion,” Lynn said. “We have a good situation for a young quarterback that doesn’t have to come in and play right now. He can sit, watch.” Said Rivers: “We’re going to at some point. I’m not going to be here forever. ... I certainly don’t fear that day when that comes whatsoever. I don’t take it as my role, ‘Oh, we drafted a young guy, your eventual replacement so get him ready.’ But at the same time I enjoy sharing both things I’ve learned and letting the young guy see how I’ve done things. At the same time, shoot, I’m always going to compete. All of us have to compete and never feel comfortable. Should this be the year there’s a young guy in here, he’ll come in here and be in what I would think would be a pretty good situation.”
20. DENVER BRONCOS (9-7)
LAST SEASON: For first time since John Elway returned as GM in 2011, Broncos failed to reach playoffs last season. He found himself conducting his third search for head coach after Gary Kubiak stepped down over health concerns just two years into job. Elway hired Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who promoted secondary coach Joe Woods to replace D-coordinator Wade Phillips, and hired ex-Chargers head coach Mike McCoy to run offense. After dominating AFC West with five consecutive titles, Broncos slipped behind Chiefs and Raiders following Peyton Manning’s retirement. DeMarcus Ware retired this year but Denver is still loaded on defense. They have to fix offense that was inept much of last season.
THEY NEED: OT, LB, CB, RB, TE, WR, KR.
THEY DON’T NEED: C, QB, K, P, G, S.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: S Jabrill Peppers, Michigan; LT Garett Bolles, Utah; LT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin; RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford.
OUTLOOK: Elway whiffed on attempts to sign DT Earl Mitchell and DE Calais Campbell in free agency. But he did address run defense with additions of Domata Peko and Zach Kerr. On offense, he jettisoned LT Russell Okung and added some nastiness to O-line by signing free agents Ron Leary and Menelik Watson. Elway could land left tackle in first round but this draft is so deep on defense it wouldn’t be surprising if he scraps plans and grabs another highly rated defender like when Bradley Roby and Shane Ray slipped down in previous drafts.
24. OAKLAND RAIDERS (12-5)
LAST SEASON: Raiders ended 13-year playoff drought behind strong play of QB Derek Carr and DE Khalil Mack. Broken leg for Carr in http://www.officialvikingssale.com/shop-by-players-eric-kendricks-j... penultimate game of regular season cost Oakland chance at division title and sent Raiders home early with first-round playoff loss at Houston. But there was enough progress before that for team to build on heading into 2017.
THEY NEED: CB, LB, RB, DT.
THEY DON’T NEED: QB, OL.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: LB Jarrad Davis, Florida; LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt; CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama.
OUTLOOK: GM Reggie McKenzie has been mostly quiet this offseason, with most notable additions being TE Jared Cook, OL Marshall Newhouse and WR-KR Cordarrelle Patterson. Raiders have done little to address deficiencies on defense, which will likely be focus in draft. Top need will be finding linebacker who can shore up run defense and not be exploited in coverage. Improving interior pass rush and finding slot cornerback also will be high priority. One big need on offense is at running back, where starter Latavius Murray left in free agency and has not been replaced.
27. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12-5)
LAST SEASON: Chiefs won AFC West for first time since 2010, then were dumped by Pittsburgh in divisional round of playoffs. Coach Andy Reid and GM John Dorsey shelled out big money in offseason to keep SS Eric Berry and solidify other spots, but salary cap problems mean they will turn to draft to fill in rest of holes. Chiefs believe they have window to compete for Super Bowl in next couple years, so look for Reid and Dorsey to seek immediate help.
THEY NEED: RB, LB, WR, CB, OL, QB.
THEY DON’T NEED: TE, DL, FB, S.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: LB Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt; RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford; WR Zay Jones, East Carolina; QB Pat Mahomes, Texas Tech; CB Kevin King, Washington; LB Jarrad Davis, Florida.
OUTLOOK: Chiefs desperately need more playmakers after WR Jeremy Maclin underperformed last season. McCaffrey is ideal pass-catching RB for Reid’s modified West Coast offense, while Jones would give Chiefs vertical threat they haven’t had in years. But Chiefs also need potential replacement for LB Derrick Johnson, coming http://www.authentic49ersshop.com/shop-by-players-deion-sanders-jer... off second Achilles tendon surgery and nearing end of his career, though that may be available for Kansas City in later rounds. Dorsey and Reid have shown willingness to trade down, so that may be option if top targets are off board, but Chiefs have 10 selections and are prime candidates to move up this year.