The NFL Draft was this past weekend in Kansas City, Missouri. Each team in the AFC West made a pick in the first round except for the Denver Broncos. The Broncos traded their first-round pick in the Russell Wilson trade in 2022. The Kansas City Chiefs have won the AFC West seven years in a row. Here we’ll give an early AFC West prediction post-NFL Draft. All lines and odds courtesy of BETMGM.
Current Odds and Predictions for the AFC West
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Current Division Odds: +1200
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The Las Vegas Raiders selected pass rusher Tyree Wilson seventh overall in the first round this past weekend. They were one of the teams interested in quarterback Anthony Richardson but took Wilson once Richardson was taken three spots ahead of them. In a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, Wilson was a pick that will certainly help a pass rush that struggled in 2022.
28th in yards allowed.
25th in points allowed.Not sure what games you were watching, but the @Raider defense was pathetic all year long. Other than Crosby's great season we had nothing.
— Rick Houlihan (@houlihan_rick) February 14, 2023
Outside of Maxx Crosby the Raiders do not have much on the defensive side of the ball. The Raiders lost Quarterback Derek Carr and Tight End Darren Waller via trade and release. Jimmy Garappolo is expected to be the Raiders starting quarterback entering the 2023 season. Look for them to finish at the bottom of the division.
3. Denver Broncos
Current Division Odds: +500
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The Denver Broncos had five picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. They selected wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. in the second round. They didn’t have a first round pick due to the Russell Wilson trade. With five picks in this draft the Broncos selected three defensive players. With the Marvin Mims selection the Broncos are expected to trade one of their veteran receivers prior to the 2023 season. They attempted to trade a receiver during the NFL Draft but the asking price was too high.
Albert Breer says the Broncos received calls about a potential WR trade after the team moved up to select Marvin Mims during the NFL draft, but Denver is sticking to its high asking price, making a trade unlikely https://t.co/xHdfF9Loi9
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) April 30, 2023
Running back Javonte Williams tore his ACL late in the season and it’s uncertain if he’ll start the season on time or not. Sean Payton should bring stability and leadership to the Broncos but he may not even be able to fix Russell Wilson at this point.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
Current Division Odds: +325
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The Los Angeles Chargers finished second in the AFC West in 2022. They added wide receiver Quentin Johnson in the first round of the NFL Draft. With the injury history of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Johnson has the chance for an immediate impact as a rookie. The Chargers also added Kellen Moore as a offensive coordinator. That will help the overall upside of the Chargers offense. They were a pass happy team in 2022 but Kellen Moore will add more deeper shots that will allow for bigger plays in 2023.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Current Division Odds: -160
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The Kansas City Chiefs have won the AFC West in seven straight seasons, including two without Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs are looking to repeat as Superbowl Champions, it remains to be seen if they’ll do that or not but taking them to win the division is the easiest preseason bet you can make. A Patrick Mahomes injury is the only thing stopping them from winning the division again. The odds are currently -160 which isn’t great value. But parlaying the Chiefs with other AFC division favorites like the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills will bring those odds up to +721. That is the only way to play the AFC West division winner.
