AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

• Ian Rapoport reports that the Broncos quit attempting to trade up from pick No. 15 earlier in the week, believing that their eventual choice WR Jerry Jeudy would still be available.
• Regarding the reported knee concerns, Jeudy said: “I played two yrs on it without issues. I won the Biletnikoff with the knee. Didn’t miss any time, didn’t miss any practices. Teams choose what’s the best fit for them, whatever the best fit is for their organization.” (Mike Klis)
• Tom Pelissero reports that the Broncos were attempting to trade back into the first round.

• Mike Klis of 9 News reports that the Broncos would have attempted to trade back a few spots if Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb were gone in round one and set their sights on taking either linebackers Patrick Queen or Kenneth Murray.

Chargers

Chargers first-round QB Justin Herbert said he has received no assurances whether he’ll start as a rookie or back up Tyrod Taylor. 

“They asked me how I felt about it and I said I’m going to do everything I can to be the best quarterback I can be,” Herbert said, via Pro Football Talk. “If I’m the guy, that’s great, I love playing football and I want to be the guy. But if I have to sit back and learn I’m going to do everything I can to be the quarterback I need to be.”

• Earlier this week, Chargers GM Tom Telesco praised Herbert’s movement skill, mental toughness, and self-motivation. (Daniel Jeremiah)
• Adam Schefter reports that the Chargers never made an offer to trade up with either the Lions at No. 3 or Giants at No. 4 and were “content to stay” at their respective spot.         

Chiefs

Chiefs GM Brett Veach says they’re “extremely excited” about first-round RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire and compared him to Brian Westbrook. 

“We’re extremely excited,” Veach said, via Chiefs Twitter. “A few weeks ago when we were kind of putting the final touches on our board and looking at a group of players that we thought would be there, I remember talking to [Reid] reminding him how much [Clyde Edwards-Helaire] reminds me of Brian Westbrook.

“Coach called back and after a few conversations he admitted he thought he was better than Brian.”

Raiders

Raiders GM Mike Mayock did not want to hear that the team reached to select Ohio State CB Damon Arnette with pick No. 19 on Thursday night.

“The reason he’s not a reach is because of his grade in our system,” Mayock said on a conference call after the first round, via NBC Sports. “Did I think we could have moved down and got him? Maybe. But we didn’t want to lose him. What distinguishes him is, No. 1 he can run. No. 2, he’s tough as nails, and when you talk about competitors, he played most of the season with a cast on his arm. He can play outside, he can play inside, he can play left, he can play right. We feel like this is one of the most competitive football players in the entire draft. So, to answer your question, we don’t feel, at all, like this is a reach.”