Denver Broncos
Though Chris Harris may be better than Bradley Roby as of now, Harris is more fit to play as the nickel cornerback. With Harris in the nickel, Roby’s only threat is Kayvon Webster, who was drafted by the Broncos last year. Webster showed flashes of impressive play last season, but Roby was a much better play out of college and should win the No.2 cornerback spot over Webster. Though Roby can and will start outside, he has the ability to play in the slot if Jack Del Rio sees fit.
Eric Decker may be gone, but Denver drafted arguably the best replacement for him stylistically. Cody Latimer is a crisp, smooth route runner that wins more with technique than special athletic traits, much like Decker. Latimer will have to compete with Emmanuel Sanders, but Latimer should have the advantage talent-wise. It is still early, but it does not appear as if any of the other Denver rookies will contribute immediately.
Kansas City Chiefs
Few other rookies, if any, have received the praise that Dee Ford has thus far. Ford has been Kansas City’s prized possession since he arrived there and they have yet to stop raving about him. Sure, NFL off-season talk is to be taken lightly, but there is often at least some truth behind the madness. Considering how good Ford was in college, the Chiefs are likely doing little to hype Ford that he is not doing himself. The Chiefs already have Tamba Hali and Justin Houston, but Ford will be a top notch rotational rusher until one of them leaves.
After the Brandon Flowers release, Phillip Gaines has a much easier path to a starting position. Gaines fits the body mold of cornerback that the Chiefs have seemed to revert to. That being said, it will still be an open competition. De'Anthony Thomas is a player without a true position, much like Dexter McCluster, who it seems Thomas was drafted to replace.
Oakland Raiders
Without a doubt, Khalil Mack will be the Raiders starting strong-side linebacker. In the Raiders 4-3 defense, Mack, as the strong-side linebacker, will primarily be blitzing. Although, Jason Tarver likes to move his pieces around and Mack is versatile. Mack can be moved around anywhere from off-ball linebacker to rushing from the nine-tech position and be productive.
Local boy Derek Carr will likely seize the starting position from Matt Schaub, but the mystery is when that will happen. It may happen week one, it may happen week fourteen. Mentally, Carr is ready for the NFL. His mechanics, which can not be fixed in a single off-season anyway, will be the real issue, but it will not be enough to hold him back from taking the job. Guard Gabe Jackson is the mauling type of lineman that the Raiders need. If any of the other non-Mack rookies start for Oakland, it will be Jackson.
San Diego Chargers
Rookie Jason Verrett will partner with newly acquired Brandon Flowers as the possibly the shortest starting cornerback duo in the league. Verrett will be the No.2 as he learns from Flowers, who is a perfect mentor for Verrett seeing as both play the game similarly. Considering the AFC West’s either inability or lack of experience among No.2 and No.3 receivers, Verrett’s superior talent will have a smooth transition to the pro level.
Jeremiah Attaochu will have to fight through a plethora of competitors to earn playing time. With Jarret Johnson, Dwight Freeney, and Melvin Ingram on the roster, Attaochu is far from a free pass to the starting roster. Attaochu will have to showcase his wonderful athletic traits nonstop in order to earn his way to the top, but it could certainly be done.
With how poor the Chargers interior line was last year, rookie Chris Watt has a good shot of being thrust into a starting job. Watt is an upgrade over any other guard competing with him, but that means little and Watt is nothing more than average. Nonetheless, he makes the team better.