AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Broncos have interest in trading up and mentioned the Browns as a potential trade partner.

“Keep an eye on the Cleveland Browns at 10. We know they’re open to moving back. Analytically, this is something that they’ve done when Andrew Berry was with the Browns the first time. Paul DePodesta has done it plenty in his past,” Rapoport said on NFL Total Access Draft Preview, via NFL.com. “If the Broncos want to beat the cavalry there, maybe get Jerry Jeudy, the top receiver on not all teams’ boards but a lot of teams’ boards. They might have to get to 10, the Broncos are definitely a team to watch.”

Should the Broncos stay at pick No. 15, Rapoport mentions that the team could select Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray to address their need at linebacker.

NFL Network’s James Palmer asked Elway during the conference call on Monday about the Broncos decision going into 2020 season with no backup plan at QB, despite several veterans being available. Elway spoke about Lock’s growth, as well as the decision to bring in QB Jeff Driskel.

“Drew (Lock) got an opportunity late in the year and I think he came in and he showed us a lot of the things he can do. Obviously by no means has Drew made it. We believe he’s got the potential to do it. We think that he’s going to continue to get better and better. But he’s still in the learning process and know that he’s got to get better,” Elway said. “But, we really like what we saw and what we saw last year when he was on IR and how he tried to prepare himself and get ready to play when he had a chance to play. Then came in and played very well, he won four out of the last five games. So, [we] feel that he’s that guy.”

“Jeff Driskel came in to be the backup and come into camp to be the backup and he’s got some playing time until he got hurt last year in Detroit,” Elway added. “So there are some quarterbacks that are still available but we decided that we’re going to build around Drew and give him that opportunity to take the job.”

• Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that three teams have been “constantly” been contacting him during the draft process including the Raiders, Broncos and 49ers.
• Appalachian State RB Darrynton Evans has video conferenced with the Broncos. (Justin Melo)
• Mississippi State LB Willie Gay Jr. had a visit scheduled with the Broncos before the shutdown. (Aaron Wilson)

Chargers

• Daniel Popper of The Athletic has the Chargers selecting QB Justin Herbert in the first round, but also believes the team could trade back into the first round to select a tackle such as Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland.
• Appalachian State RB Darrynton Evans has video conferenced with the Chargers. (Justin Melo)
• North Dakota State DE Derrek Tuszka has held FaceTime meetings with the Chargers. (Justin Melo)

Chiefs

• Chiefs GM Brett Veach spoke about a possible run on quarterbacks in the upcoming draft, which could impact the players who are available when Kansas City makes their pick in the late first round: “Any time you have a draft with four quarterbacks and four premium tackles, expect a lot of curveballs. I think there are going to be a lot of players that maybe the public didn’t think would be there late first round.” (James Palmer)
• Alabama CB Trevon Diggs has had a video meeting with the Chiefs. (Aaron Wilson)
• Appalachian State RB Darrynton Evans has video conferenced with the Chiefs. (Justin Melo)

Raiders

• Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline says the Raiders are one of the teams that are very high on Utah CB Jaylon Johnson, potentially enough to draft him in the first round. 
• Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that three teams have been “constantly” been contacting him during the draft process including the Raiders, Broncos and 49ers.