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Denver Broncos: Players that fans don’t want to see drafted to a division rival

By Travis Wakeman

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 28: Brandon Randle #26 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes against Rashawn Slater #70 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 in triple overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 28: Brandon Randle #26 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes against Rashawn Slater #70 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 in triple overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden wears an Oakland Raiders baseball cap during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden wears an Oakland Raiders baseball cap during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Speculation is rampant as to what the Denver Broncos will do with their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but fans should also be keeping a close eye on what teams within the AFC West do.

The Broncos did finish last in the division a season ago and all three of their division rivals have their respective arrows pointing upwards for one reason or another, including the fact that one of those teams, the Kansas City Chiefs, has won the conference two years in a row.

The Broncos have several names on their draft board, but of course, they can only take one of them in the first round. That means that one of those coveted players could land with either the Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders or Los Angeles Chargers.

Looking at what each of these teams needs, there are several different directions in which they could go. But depending on how the board falls, there are players that fans of the Broncos should be hoping don’t land with these teams, because it would be the perfect pick that they could make in terms of immediate improvement.

With that in mind, here are those players that fans should be hoping don’t come to the AFC West.

Los Angeles Chargers

Jan 3, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Player fans should hope doesn’t land there: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

The Chargers took Justin Herbert in the first round of last year’s draft and though he was not the immediate starter and came in due to an unplanned event, there seems to be no doubt that the Bolts struck gold with this selection.

Now, the team has a solid young quarterback to build around, something every team in the league covets.

Because of Herbert’s arm talent, the Chargers become an immediate threat in this division.

With Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler on the roster, there is plenty of offensive firepower.  But with the starting offensive tackles listed as a young and inexperienced Trey Pipkins and an aging Bryan Bulaga, the Chargers could stand to add more protection.

There are many analysts that have Slater ranked as the best offensive tackle in this year’s draft class, even ahead of Penei Sewell. The Chargers would be getting a true athlete that has the ability to start from day one.

Slater combines true athleticism with a great work ethic and high football I.Q. to win on a regular basis. If you need to see him in action to be convinced, watch him go up against Chase Young in 2019 when Northwestern played Ohio State. Slater more than held his own there.

This would be an ideal pick for the Chargers and one that could help Herbert be even more effective.

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