Draft Needs: AFC West

The Denver Broncos remain the class of the AFC West, but with a strong draft class, the San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders could quickly alleviate the gap. 

With the NFL draft rapidly approaching, theScore breaks down whom every AFC West team ought to target.

NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST

Denver Broncos 

Positions of need: Tight end, defensive end

Julius Thomas `signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, creating a void for the Broncos at tight end. The trio of Owen Daniels, Virgil Green and James Casey are unlikely to replicate Thomas's real value on the field, and adding another weapon to Manning's arsenal would likely be the best course of action for the club. 

Denver is switching to a 3-4 defense that will feature outside linebacker Von Miller as their primary pass rusher. The Broncos generated most of their sacks from the linebacker tandem of Miller and DeMarcus Ware, and would be wise to select a 3-4 hybrid defensive end with an emphasis on attacking the quarterback.

Potential draft targets: Minnesota's Maxx Williams is widely considered the best tight end available, and would benefit greatly by catching passes from Peyton Manning in twin tight-end sets. When the Broncos draft at 28th overall, Williams will likely still be on the board and would be good value for the slot. 

LSU's Danielle Hunter ran a 4.57 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine and would likely be available when the Broncos select at 59th overall. Other options at defensive end include UCLA's Owamagbe Odighizuwa and Michigan's Frank Clark, players who have exhibited strong upsides. 

Kansas City Chiefs 

Positions of need: Wide receiver, safety

The Chiefs' wide receiver group reached a dubious milestone in 2014, with none of them recording a single touchdown. Alex Smith had to rely on a consistently strong running game and dual tight-end sets to keep the offense afloat, and luckily the Chiefs have a number of first-round calibre receivers to select from.

Kansas City received some of the worst news imaginable when its 25-year-old star safety Eric Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma (a form of cancer) in December. Berry's timeline to return remains indefinite and the Chiefs would be wise to make an upgrade over Husain Abdullah, Ron Parker and Tyvon Branch.

Potential draft targets: Arizona State's Damarious Randall may end up becoming the best safety in the draft and specializes in delivering crushing hits in the open field, and if he's available at 49, the Chiefs ought to pounce. Alabama's Landon Collins is considered by many to be the best safety in the class and would be ready to step in as a quality starter on opening day.

Kansas City will likely have their choice of UCF's Breshad Perriman, Louisville's DeVante Parker, and USC's Nelson Agholor when they select at 18th overall, and either one of the triumvirate would challenge for the team's top receiver slot immediately. 

San Diego Chargers

Positions of need: Inside linebacker, outside linebacker, center 

Manti Te'o failed to live up to expectations after being selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, while Donald Butler graded out as the third-worst inside linebacker in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. The team's inside duo needs to be drastically upgraded if the Chargers are to be taken seriously as Super Bowl contenders. 

Tourek Williams showed the promise of being a sub replacement-level player at outside linebacker, but the Chargers could add depth if one of the class's promising edge rushers slides into the second round. 

Longtime starting center Nick Hardwick retired in February, thrusting Chris Watt into the role. While the Chargers expressed confidence in Watt's transition from guard to center, San Diego may be wise to select someone to challenge the incumbent starter. 

Potential draft targets: UCLA's Eric Kendricks is easily the best inside linebacker available, and if he's still on the board when the Chargers select at 17, the team ought to snap him up. After Kendricks there is a drop off, but San Diego could select Clemson's Stephone Anthony or Mississippi State's Benardrick McKinney at 48th overall. 

Washington's Shaq Thompson or Virginia's Eli Harold are also intriguing options at 48th overall, but the latter may not be on the board when the team picks in the second round. 

Florida State's Cameron Irving would be a reach at 17, but Oregon's Hroniss Grasu will be available in the second round and both players would be able to challenge, if not supplant Watt as the team's starting center. 

Oakland Raiders

Positions of need: Cornerback, safety, offensive tackle, wide receiver 

Oakland's secondary is hampering an otherwise up-and-coming defense, and the team would be wise to replace most of the current personnel group. D.J. Hayden hasn't lived up to expectations after being selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and T.J. Carrie was largely inconsistent in 568 snaps. 

Charles Woodson put together a strong campaign in 2014, but the seemingly ageless wonder is set to decline any season now and the Raiders should put together a contingency plan. Quarterbacks will be salivating at the prospect of targeting Nate Allen, Brandian Ross, and Ras-I Dowling and the team could select defensive backs in consecutive rounds. 

Donald Penn put together one of the best campaigns of his career last season, and will be unchallenged for the Raiders' starting left tackle spot. However, Khalif Barnes struggled throughout the 2014 season at right tackle and at 33 is becoming replaceable. 

The Raiders did sign Michael Crabtree in the offseason, but still boast a sub-par receiving group. Oakland may select a number of players to make Derek Carr's life easier in his sophomore season. 

Potential draft targets: Selecting at fourth overall, Oakland could go a number of routes but will likely target Alabama standout wide receiver Amari Cooper or West Virginia's Kevin White. Both players would instantaneously become Carr's top target. 

When Oakland selects at 35th overall, they could target Damarious Randall at safety, or Connecticut's Byron Jones, Utah's Eric Rowe or LSU's Jalen Collins at cornerback. Either one of the cornerback trio would be an instant upgrade for the Raiders, while Randall could carve out a role as the Raiders' long-term starter. 

Needing to improve at right tackle, Oregon's Jake Fisher, Penn State's Donovan Smith, and Florida's D.J. Humphries are all intriguing Day 2 candidates.