AFC West Notes: Raiders, MJD, Ware, Chargers

The Raiders don’t need an immediate starting quarterback out of the draft, but they would hardly be blamed for addressing the position, writes Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk. Between trade acquisition Matt Schaub and backup Matt McGloin, Oakland could ride things out for 2014, but they probably have to start thinking about the future at the position. Beyond QB, the Raiders could use some reinforcements at defensive end, defensive tackle, safety, and cornerback. Here’s more from the AFC West..

  • Maurice Jones-Drew isn’t concerned about the talk that the Raiders are too old, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. “We’re just the throwaways it seems like,” Jones-Drew said. “The guys we have, supposedly a lot of people didn’t want them. I hear reports that this is great team if it were 2009. Whatever, man.” Oakland picked up multiple veterans this offseason, including MJD and Justin Tuck.
  • Meanwhile, the Raiders are excited about pairing MJD with Run DMC (Darren McFadden), Bair writes. The big question will be whether the duo can stay healthy. McFadden has had a host of issues and saw his 2013 ruined by hamstring injuries. Jones-Drew dipped below 4 yards per rush for the first time in eight years thanks in part to foot and ankle troubles.
  • Broncos newcomer DeMarcus Ware is passing his knowledge on to Von Miller, writes Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post. The duo could be troublesome for opposing teams in 2014. As Ware put it, “if he comes back where needs to be, you can’t double-team both of us.
  • If the Chargers want a shot at one of the top two cornerbacks in the draft, they will have to trade up at least ten spots ahead of their No. 25 selection, writes Pat Kirwin of CBSSports.com. It would require expensive compensation, but if Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard falls below No. 17, Kirwin says they should make the move. While Dennard and Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilbert are fine prospects, Tom Krasovic of U-T San Diego feels that the Bolts have bigger needs to address and don’t need to trade up to land either one.
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