The AFC West still runs through Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix, but the rookie class in this division could end up having a real say in how 2026 plays out.
Las Vegas made the loudest move of all, taking quarterback Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Denver, Kansas City and Los Angeles all added rookies with clear paths to major roles, too. And in a division packed with star power, the newcomers may wind up mattering more than usual.
For the Raiders, Mendoza is the obvious centerpiece. The team brought in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, but the expectation is still that Mendoza becomes the answer sooner rather than later.
Las Vegas wants him to take control of the job, and it believes Klint Kubiak gives him the right coaching setup to do it in Year 1. The Raiders also have minority owner Tom Brady, and his experience and mentorship could factor into Mendoza’s growth.
Mendoza may not light up the field with his deep ball, but his work ethic, velocity in his throws and cerebral skillset are part of what makes the franchise excited. There’s no need to rush him, but the Raiders need him to beat out Cousins because, as the source puts it, the future starts now.
Kansas City’s rookie to watch is cornerback Mansoor Delane, the No. 6 overall pick from LSU. The Chiefs traded into the top 10 to get him and also moved on from Trent McDuffie, which puts a lot on Delane right away.
He’s being asked to become the No. 1 cornerback from Day 1. Delane earned top billing at his position in the draft thanks to his size at 6’0”, 190 pounds and his ability to handle life as a tough boundary corner who can also help against the run.
He brings playmaking ability, football intelligence and strong field awareness, all traits Steve Spagnuolo should be able to use. If Delane hits quickly, Kansas City’s defense could be the engine that gets the Chiefs back into the AFC mix.
Denver’s key rookie is running back Jonah Coleman, taken at No. 108 overall out of Washington. The Broncos are leaning into the ground game, with veteran J.K.
Dobbins expected to lead the backfield and second-year back RJ Harvey also in the mix. Coleman’s role is tied to what he does best: short-yardage work, toughness and finishing drives.
At 5’9” and 220 pounds, he brings a compact, physical style that makes him a steady scoring threat, especially inside the 20-yard line and near the end zone. If Coleman helps power a more aggressive rushing attack, Bo Nix becomes even more dangerous as both a passer and runner.
The Chargers’ most important rookie is offensive lineman Jake Slaughter, selected at No. 63 out of Florida. Los Angeles’ entire draft class matters because the team attacked major needs, including edge rusher Akheem Mesidor with its top pick.
But Slaughter stands out because of how much the Chargers have struggled up front, especially at guard. With the top tackles back from injury, the team needs someone to lock down the left guard spot, and Slaughter’s versatility gives them help at both guard spots and center.
He also offers the kind of interior stability Justin Herbert needs. If Slaughter wins the left guard job early, he could end up as one of the most valuable players in the Chargers’ class.
The quarterbacks will get the headlines, as they always do in a division like this. But the rookies around them may be the ones who quietly tilt the AFC West race. Mendoza, Delane, Coleman and Slaughter all arrive with jobs that matter right away.
In Other News...
One Chargers Rookie Is Suddenly Turning Into A Camp Wild Card
With rookie mini-camp set to open July 23, the Chargers are getting their first real look at a class that could matter sooner rather than later, and fourth-round safety Genesis Smith is already drawing attention in that mix. The Arizona product has flashed the kind of coverage ability that can make a defensive back stand out in shorts and helmets, which is part of why he has started to look like a player worth tracking as the summer unfolds.
The next step for Smith is less about what he can do in space and more about how he handles the dirty work once the pads come on. His tackling still needs refinement, and that is the sort of detail that can decide whether a promising rookie becomes a dependable piece or just another camp storyline, with Steve Clinkscale and Chris O'Leary among the coaches expected to help push that development along. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Suddenly Have One More Veteran Cornerback Question To Answer
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There are obvious reasons to pause, too. Injuries and uneven play have made this a more complicated evaluation than it would have been a few years ago, and the question for Los Angeles is whether the upside still outweighs the risk. If the Chargers do make the move, it would likely be the kind of low-stakes addition that helps in camp, gives younger corners a veteran reference point and leaves the team with one more option if the depth chart gets tested. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers May Have One Back Too Many Before Camp Even Starts
Training camp is still around the corner, but the Chargers already have a roster puzzle forming in the backfield. Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell give Los Angeles a pair of intriguing options, and the new offensive setup adds another layer to how the team may want to shape the position before the real competition begins.
Kimani Vidal is the name drawing the most outside attention in that discussion, with the depth chart and the staffs preference for speed at the skill spots making the running back room look crowded. If Mitchell stays healthy, the Chargers could be looking at a clean top duo and a difficult decision on Vidal, even though the whole situation is still more speculation than certainty right now. [Read more 🡒]