AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Texans

Broncos

• Jeff Legwold mentions Villanova DE Tanoh Kpassagnon as an intriguing mix of future potential and past performance that could be an enticing option for the Broncos in this year’s draft.
• Denver will have scouts on hand for Villanova’s Pro Day this week and will make stops at Houston and Appalachian State as well, per Legwold.

Chargers

• Eric D. Williams of ESPN writes that UCLA LB Jayon Brown could be an interesting target for the Chargers on either Day 2 or 3 of this year’s draft.
• The Chargers had scouts on hand for his Pro Day last week and could use his speed and athleticism, according to Williams.

Chiefs

• Adam Teicher of ESPN wouldn’t be surprised to see the Chiefs bring in a veteran quarterback or draft someone this year, considering that Alex Smith is the only quarterback on their roster who has appeared in an NFL game.
• Teicher mentions that Kansas City could use a big-play running back now that they’ve officially moved on from Jamaal Charles. While the Chiefs signed C.J. Spiller, Teicher believes they would still be wise to draft a running back.
• Given that the Chiefs have 10 draft picks and will sign some undrafted rookies, Teicher mentions that it’s very likely that they’ll be forced to cut some guys who will end up on other NFL teams.

Texans

Sarah Barshop writes that the Texans could still be in the market for some free agents, but it appears as though they’re waiting to see what happens with Cowboys QB Tony Romo.

As of now, Houston has $30 million of cap space to work with. However, Texans GM Rick Smith has previously stressed the importance of building through the draft and retaining their young talent long-term.

“If you look at our team, I think nine of ten of our first-round picks are still on our football team, so we’ve had some success at keeping our guys. That’s the way that we’ve decided to build our football team,” Smith said. “That’s through the draft. We’ve identified the good, young players. It’s not only first-round picks, it’s other players that have performed. Again, I will tell you that – and I don’t say this lightly – about the job that [vice president of football administration] Chris Olsen does in managing our salary cap, putting us in a position to have the chance to keep those players.

“That’s a big part of what we do and how we’ve decided to manage our football team. I’m confident in that. Listen, the reality is that you can’t keep all your good, young players. But the balance of your football team is made up of players that you draft, and then that core group, hopefully, are players that you drafted and you’ve developed and they are arrow-up-type players and that you can get those players under contract long-term and continue to build your football team.”