We are just four days away from the NFL draft! We’ve talked about which prospects we liked and where we think they should go, but who do the teams like!? In the second part of my series, let’s break down which prospects met with which teams this offseason. Top 30 visits allow teams to bring prospects they like or want to get to know better before the draft. Also, just because you don’t see a player attached to a team doesn’t mean that team doesn’t like them, either. Let’s dive into the AFC South & West teams.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Interview @ Combine: Jalin Hyatt WR
- Private meeting: Zay Flowers WR, Dalton Kincaid TE
- Met @ Pro Day:
- Top 30 Visit: Ronnie Bell WR, Rashee Rice WR, Quentin Johnston WR
Surprisingly, the Chiefs did not talk to more skilled position prospects than I thought they would. Pass catchers are the main focus of the Chiefs, as they should be looking for a Juju Smith-Schuster replacement for the offense. I’d expect the Chiefs to fully draft a top-rated player on the offense with their first pick. We could be wrong since the Chiefs have the last pick in the first round, and the top players could be gone. Sky Moore’s dynasty value could hang in the balance if the Chiefs look for a new wide receiver for the offense. Interestingly enough, the Chiefs should have looked at running back more; perhaps buying into Isaiah Pacheco and CEH makes sense right now.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Interview @ Combine: Tucker Kraft TE
- Private meeting: Kendre Miller RB
- Met @ Pro Day: Princeton Ford TE
- Top 30 Visit: David Durden WR, Dorian Thompson-Robinson QB, Zach Charbonnet RB, Jordan Addison WR, Ben Sims TEs, Dalton Kincaid TE
The Chargers have looked at plenty of skilled position players this offseason. They have looked at one of the top players in each position so that the Chargers could go in several different ways. The Chargers will attack the wide receiver position since their main two starters are on the wrong side of 28 years old at this point. This could affect Joshua Palmer as the third guy on the depth chart, especially if the Chargers take one of the top players. The Chargers should likely be attacking the running back position in round two or three since Isaiah Spiller has failed, and Austin Ekeler is on the last year of his contract. They’ll try to get another ground-and-pound running back, as they have talked to players like Kendre Miller and Zach Charbonnet.
Las Vegas Raiders
- Interview @ Combine: Marvin Mims WR, Tyler Scott WR
- Private meeting: Aidan O’Connell QB, Malik Cunningham QB, Tanner McKee QB
- Met @ Pro Day: Jake Haener QB
- Top 30 Visit: Hendon Hooker QB, Dalton Kincaid TE, Anthony Richardson QB, Zach Charbonnet RB, CJ Stroud QB, Zay Flowers WR, Bryce Young QB, Dorian Thompson-Robinson QB, Will Levis QB
Even with Jimmy G now in town, the Raiders showed interest in the quarterback position. The Raiders have met with ten different quarterbacks this offseason. The heat on the Raiders taking a quarterback seems quiet for a while now. But don’t be surprised if they trade up or select one at seven. If so, I want to trade away Jimmy G before the draft arrives. I’m amazed the Raiders haven’t had much exposure to more rookie tight ends since Austin Hooper is their starting tight end now.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Interview @ Combine: Tank Bigsby RB, Luke Schoonmaker TE, Jaylen Reed WR, Sam LaPorta TE
- Private meeting: Elijah Harger WR
- Met @ Pro Day:
- Top 30 Visit: DeWayne McBride RB, Tyjae Spears RB, Quentin Johnston WR, Dalton Kincaid TE, Kendre Miller RB, Dontayvion Wicks WR, Deneric Prince RB
It’s interesting to see which direction the Jaguars go during the draft. During this draft process, the Jaguars have met with many tier-two running backs. The Jaguars may have signed D’Ernest Johnson, but the Jaguars could still look to add talent back there. The Jaguars have met with a few tight ends this offseason. Evan Engram has yet to sign his franchise tag, so the Jaguars may be forced to go tight end during the draft. I’d still be looking to trade Engram, as the Jaguars have looked at some tight ends.
Indianapolis Colts
- Interview @ Combine: Tyjae Spears RB
- Private meeting: Jaren Hall QB, Aidan O’Connell QB, Malik Cunningham QB
- Met @ Pro Day: Tre Tucker WR, Tyler Adams WR, Yo’Heinz Tyler WR, Payne Durham TE
- Top 30 Visit: Anthony Richardson QB, Will Levis QB, EJ Jenkins TE, Hendon Hooker QB, Rashee Rice WR, Bryce Young QB, CJ Stroud QB
The Colts have not kept it a secret that they want to take a quarterback in this draft class. They had all the top players visit them this off-season. They also met with a few of the lower-tiered quarterbacks so that they may take a second one late in the draft. I know the Colts have been high on Jaren Hall. The Colts haven’t had many skilled players come in for visits. That will continue to make Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Jelani Woods buy low candidates with their new quarterback. While the Colts haven’t shown it, they could bring a running back to compete for the backup job with Zack Moss and Deon Jackson.
Denver Broncos
- Interview @ Combine: Israel Abanikanda RB, Payne Durham TE
- Private meeting: Trey Palmer WR
- Met @ Pro Day:
- Top 30 Visit: Rashee Rice WR, Lew Nichols RB, Luke Musgrave TE, Tank Bigsby RB, David Duren WR, Luke Schoonmaker TE, Sean Tucker RB
The Broncos’ two most significant connections are running back and tight ends. Tight ends are a surprise since they did bring draft Greg Dulcich last year, and he played well. Sean Payton will bring in his players so that they could be a surprise. Dulcich should still be the starter, but it would be interesting if the Broncos draft a tight end early. The Broncos met with some mid-round running backs this offseason that could indicate they could take a running back in the class. Depending on what round, this could tell how concerning Javonte Williams’s injury is. Samaje Perine could be a good sell-high before the draft before we know if he will have someone splitting time with him in William’s absence.
Houston Texans
- Interview @ Combine: Quentin Johnston WR, Sam LaPorta TE, Rakim Jarrett WR, Tucker Kraft TE, Jaylen Reed WR
- Private meeting: Dalton Kinciad TE
- Met @ Pro Day: Kendre Miller RB, Deneric Prince RB,
- Top 30 Visit: Anthony Richardson QB, Tyjae Spears RB, Will Levis QB, Hendon Hooker QB, Clayton Tune QB, Tank Dell WR, Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, Bryce Young QB, Charlie Jones WR, CJ Stroud QB
The Texans have a good amount of draft capital in the early rounds of this draft. We are unsure if they plan on taking a quarterback at two. That would change everything if they didn’t, as it wouldn’t be an offense worth taking in fantasy, especially with Case Keenum or Davis Mills at quarterback. The Texans met with a bunch of skilled positions as well. The Texans have another four picks in the top 73, which could be difference-makers for fantasy. It’s hard to tell if one of the top receivers would be the pick at the 12th pick. It would decrease the value of Bob Woods and Nico Collins.
Dont, be surprised if they go tight end and running back early too. Dalton Schultz is only on a one-year deal, so grabbing a tight end early isn’t out of the question. Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary aren’t different makers. A guy like Tyjae Spears would be an exciting pick in round two. The Texans have so many needs it’s hard to tell what they may do.
Tennessee Titans
- Interview @ Combine: Tucker Kraft TE
- Private meeting: Dalton Kincaid TE
- Met @ Pro Day: Quentin Johnston WR, Josh Downs WR, Tyler Scott WR, Sam LaPorta TE, Jacob Copeland WR, Zay Flowers WR
- Top 30 Visit: Hendon Hooker QB, Tyjae Spears RB, Anthony Richardson QB, Will Levis QB, Jonathan Mingo WR, Tank Dell WR
The Titans have been linked with taking a quarterback in this year’s draft. There is a strong chance that the Titans could move up if one is on the board to the top five. This is the time to get anything you can for Malik Wilis and sell Ryan Tannehill to a contending team as a third quarterback. Interesting to see the Titans met with a good amount of tight end positions. I don’t see them grabbing one, especially if they have to move up in the draft. You can expect the Titans to grab a receiver in this draft. A player like Josh Downs or Jonathan Mingo in the third round would be a good fit for them with Tryelon Burks.
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