NFL Draft 2011: Players the Oakland Raiders Don't Want to See in the AFC West

We are less than three weeks away from the 2011 NFL Draft, and while we've focused greatly on who the Raiders may or may not draft, another importance to Raider Nation is who the other AFC West teams will draft.

I am glad the Broncos drafted Tim Tebow last year because I have no idea how he will pan out in the NFL, and the indecision over him only weakens the Broncos. The problem this year is that without a first-round pick, the Raiders will be playing catch-up throughout the draft.

The Broncos, Chiefs and Chargers all have needs to address through this draft. They have multiple options, but I hope for the Raiders' sake they are unable to grab these potential standouts.

Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 20: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers breaks up a pass intended for Korvic Neat #28 of the Ole Miss Rebels at Tiger Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Gett

It's no doubt the Broncos' secondary is a bit beleaguered, but re-signing Champ Bailey and taking a top corner back in the draft would certainly boost their pass coverage.

Patrick Peterson is best available CB in the draft, if not the top player overall. He is big, fast and he can make the game-changing play. His 4.31 40-yard dash at the combine attests to his lightning speed, and at 220 pounds, he can muscle up to stronger wideouts and tight ends if necessary.

The Broncos have multiple options with their top pick, and Peterson would provide them with a formidable player to pair with Bailey in the secondary. Matching up twice a year with Peterson would certainly provide a big challenge to the Raiders' fast, but comparably smaller wide receivers.

This is a player the Raiders do not want on a team they see multiple times a year.

Denver Broncos: Colin Kaepernick, QB

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Reno Wolf Pack looks to pass against the UNLV Rebels in the third quarter of their game at Sam Boyd Stadium October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada Reno won 44-26. (Photo by Et

Given the Broncos' instability at the QB position and the variety of quarterbacks available in the upcoming draft, I would not be surprised to hear the Broncos call Colin Kaepernick's name.

Kaepernick is probably a few years away from being a contributing member of a team, but he has the potential to be a franchise player. I don't buy Tebow as a QB, and Denver shouldn't either. Kyle Orton likely won't last more than another year or two in Denver, and the Broncos should be looking for a future starter. Kaepernick's versatility makes him a desirable quantity come draft day.

I'm really hoping the Broncos are "satisfied" with Tebow as their future quarterback, letting Kaepernick drop to the Raiders and bask in the glory of Mount Davis.

Denver Broncos: Stephen Paea, DT

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Defensive tackle Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the Wildcats 29-27. (Pho

The Broncos need to improve their defensive line, and while some are predicting they will use their first-round pick to do so, the second round is also flush with future stars.

Stephen Paea is one such example.

After setting a combine record with 49 bench reps, Paea has jumped to the middle of the second round. He had a very solid career at Oregon State with three consecutive years of 40 or more tackles and three or more sacks. He is extremely adept at blocking up the middle and forcing opposing offensive lines to double team him.

The Broncos are going to work on their defensive line, I just hope they target someone later in the draft. Paea would provide an excellent rock for them in the middle, one that would be tough for the Raiders to crack.

Kansas City Chiefs: Gabe Carimi, OT

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers sets to block against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2008 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Volunteers won 21 - 17. (Photo by Al Mess

The Chiefs are built around their running game, and their offensive line needs an upgrade. They are looking to use their top pick on an offensive lineman such as Gabe Carimi.

Carimi is huge at 6'7" and 320 pounds, and as an offensive lineman in the Big Ten, he had the privilege of facing tough defenses such as Ohio State and Iowa, to name a few.  Carimi has won several national awards and helped the Wisconsin Badgers average 5.47 yards per carry and 245.7 rushing yards per game.

The Chiefs are already a difficult team to handle with running back Jamaal Charles. Drafting Carimi gives him another player to run behind and will make the Chiefs even more dangerous.

I hope Carimi doesn't slip to Kansas City and hurts the Raiders' chances of an AFC West title.

Kansas City Chiefs: Phil Taylor, NT

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 07: Defensive tackle Phil Taylor #11 of the Baylor Bears in action during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Chiefs are working to strengthen their defensive front line, and Baylor nose tackle Phil Taylor would do them well.

He is a rare mix of size (320 pounds) and speed (5.09 40-yard dash) for a tackle, and drafting him would make the Chiefs' defensive line markedly better. He is a very good run-defender and skilled at filling gaps in the line. His size allows him to move offensive linemen when need be, and while on the pass-rush, he constantly draws a double team that allows ends the position to sack the QB.

The Raiders did well against the Chiefs in part because of their strong runs up the middle. Should the Chiefs collect Taylor in the draft though, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush would be hard pressed to burst through the line next season.

Kansas City Chiefs: Torrey Smith, WR

Last year the Chiefs operated a largely one-dimensional offense that depended mightily on the run and used the pass only when necessary. Though Tony Moeaki and Dwayne Bowe are both very good pass-catchers, one glaring weakness of the Chiefs is depth at the wide receiver position.

Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Torrey Smith would do the Chiefs well. He was a standout player in college and posted a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine.

While Raiders fans would hope his career resembles that of Darius Heyward Bey, Smith seems destined for better.

Smith is a solid pass-catcher and can produce the necessary burst of speed to pull away from a defender. He is very agile after the catch and is also a very adept return man.

Smith could add a level of versatility to the Chiefs' offense. If they find a way to use both the run and the pass, the Raiders could be in trouble next season.

San Diego Chargers: Cameron Jordan, DE

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29:Defensive lineman Cameron Jordan #97 of the North Team during the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for Under Armour)

The Chargers will be the chief competition in the AFC West next season. While they are dominant offensively, their defense leaves something to be desired, so expect them to address that problem early in the draft.

Cal's Cameron Jordan is a top-15 pick and the most versatile defensive end in the draft. He played in the 4-3 and 3-4 while in college and would fit into the Chargers' system. He is not a dominant pass-rusher at the NFL level, but he does have the agility to maneuver around blocks and stop the run effectively.

Jordan is a high energy player who would love to stay in California. He is going to be a very good player in the NFL; though a bit small for the DE position, he makes up for it with his tenacity. I would love for him to find his way to Oakland, but that is unlikely. His addition to the Chargers' defense will benefit them and make life more difficult for the Raiders in the long run.

San Diego Chargers: Brandon Harris, CB

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MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: Jermaine Thomas #38 of the Florida State Seminoles eludes the tackle of Brandon Harris #1 of the Miami Hurricanes to score a touchdown on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

The Raiders outplayed the Chargers' secondary in their matchups last year. Brandon Harris is the intriguing type of cornerback that could give San Diego's defense an added boost though.

University of Miami's Harris plays a very strong man-to-man defense. His ability to read run versus pass allows him to play run support when necessary. He can get off the line quickly and respond if beaten initially by his receiver.

Harris is a very intriguing player that I would not be opposed to the Raiders taking a chance on. He could work very well in the Chargers' system, and his athletic peak looks to still be ahead of him.

San Diego Chargers: Sam Acho, OLB

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive end Sam Acho #81 of the Texas Longhorns reacts after making a fumble recovery against the UCLA Bruins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty

If the Chargers opt to wait until the second or third round to improve their linebacker corps, Sam Acho is a prospect worth looking at.

Texas' Acho is a player with a wide variety of talents. He is underdeveloped and needs to improve in multiple areas, but his upside is sky high. Acho played all four years at Texas and also played some time at defensive tackle. As a linebacker he is a solid run-stopper and intelligent team leader.

At  the start of his NFL career, Acho is likely to begin on the bench, but through weight room work and practice, he could be very good. He has the outside chance of being as effective and dominant as Shawne Merriman (without the steroids). It would be a shame if a player with his potential ended up on an AFC West team not in Oakland.