NFL executives used to insist it takes three years to properly evaluate a draft class. Unfortunately, that crap doesn’t fly anymore. In today’s NFL, teams realize the best way to build a contender while staying under the salary cap is to get immediate contributions from players on their rookie contracts. With that in mind, we are kicking off a new series examining how every team has done over the last three drafts.  

To prevent our evaluations from turning into a novel of biblical lengths, we will focus on three players from each team’s recent draft classes: the best pick, the worst pick and the X Factor. This week: the AFC West. If you missed our previous pieces, check out the AFC North, AFC East and AFC South draft reviews.

Denver Broncos

Best Pick: DT Derek Wolfe (First Round, 2012)

Wolfe has started each of the 43 games he’s appeared in since joining the Broncos, posting 91 tackles and 11.5 sacks. Although his sack numbers have decreased every season, his per-snap production still ranks him among the NFL’s most efficient defenders. He is a big reason the Broncos finished last season with the best run defense in the AFC.

Worst Pick: RB Montee Ball (Second Round, 2013)

Ball comes off tough season in which he battled a groin injury and averaged just 3.1 yards per carry. He lost his starting job to C.J. Anderson, who was an immediate revelation, and fell behind Ronnie Hillman, who was a full yard-per-carry better. Ball has flashed the ability to be a productive featured back when healthy, but stuck behind Hillman and Anderson — who is an ideal fit in new coach Gary Kubiak’s one=cut-and=go offense — it is tough to see Ball producing enough to justify the second-round pick used to acquire him.

X Factor: WR Cody Latimer (Second Round, 2014)

Latimer was a non-factor as a rookie, catching just two passes for 23 yards, However, his raw skills are unbelievable and he already has a fan Coach Kubiak. Denver would like Latimer to be the team’s No. 3 receiver in 2015, replacing Wes Welker, who will not return.

“I spent a whole day with him in Baltimore [before the 2014 draft],” Kubiak said of Latimer. “I think a lot of his ability.”

Kansas City Chiefs

Best Pick: TE Travis Kelce (Third Round, 2013)

After appearing in just one game as a rookie, Kelce exploded on the scene in 2014. He played in all 16 games and led the Chiefs with 67 catches for 862 yards and five touchdowns. His emergence absolutely saved Kansas City’s passing game, as the Chiefs got zilch from their wide receivers. Now that the Chiefs have added Jeremy Maclin, defenses will not be able to focus on Kelce as much, making him all the more dangerous.

Worst Pick: OT Eric Fisher (First Round, 2013)

This is an obvious selection. Fisher played all but two snaps for Kansas City last season, but the struggles he endured as a rookie followed him as a sophomore as a switched to the left side of the line. He has allowed 16.5 sacks over his first two seasons, an awful number for such a high draft pick. The only good news for the Chiefs is that OT Luke Joeckel, the other candidate for the No. 1 overall pick, has been just as disappointing in Jacksonville.

X Factor: DE Dee Ford (First Round, 2014)

It was a quiet rookie season for Ford, who finished with just 1.5 sacks. The thought was he would grow into a bigger role in 2015, but with Justin Houston getting the franchise tag and Tamba Hali agreeing to restructure his deal to stay in Kansas City, Ford’s path to playing time is suddenly less clear. However, his talent is undeniable and if the can find a role in Bob Sutton’s defense, the Chiefs’ pass defense could become even more potent.

Oakland Raiders

Best Pick: QB Derek Carr (Second Round, 2014)

Anytime you can land a franchise quarterback outside of the first round, you have to consider yourself extremely fortunate. Carr exceeded all expectations as a rookie, racking up 3,270 yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He should be even better this season under new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, who spent last season in Philadelphia and plans to speed up Oakland’s offense.

“They are building this offense around me, and I’m really excited about it. I lit up when they told me,” Carr said.

Worst Pick: QB Tyler Wilson (Fourth Round, 2013)

Wilson did not even make it out of his first training camp, getting cut before the regular season began. He was the highest drafted member of the 2013 draft class not to make his team’s opening day roster. He was eventually re-signed to the practice squad and was activated for a couple games as a backup quarterback, but he never saw live action and is out of the league already.

X Factor: OT Menelik Watson (Second Round, 2013)

Watson has appeared in 17 games over his first two seasons, starting two of them. He has been inconsistent, but he has flashes some of the incredible athleticism that made him a second-round pick. If he can continue to polish his technique and improve his awareness, he has a chance to become one of the better offensive tackles in the league.

San Diego Chargers

Best Pick: OT D.J. Fluker (First Round, 2013) 

Fluker was considered a reach when the Chargers took him with the No. 11 overall pick in 2013, Instead, he has been San Diego’s best offensive lineman and has outperformed the four offensive linemen drafted ahead of him. He is powerful and tenacious as a run defender and has shown improved footwork in pass protection. Although there has been some talk about moving him to guard at some point, he will remain at right tackle for the upcoming season.

Worst Pick: SS Brandon Taylor (Third Round, 2012)

When the Chargers drafted Taylor, there was some thought that he could solidify a strong safety position that has been in flux since Rodney Harrison left town. Instead, he didn’t crack the rotation until late in his rookie season, and once he did, he was lost to a knee injury that effectively ended his career.With last year’s starting strong safety (Marcus Gilchrist) currently a free agent, the search for the next Hitman continues.

X Factor: TE Ladarius Green (Fourth Round, 2012)

Green appeared on the verge of breaking out in 2013, catching 17 passes for 376 yards (22.1 yards per catch). He also scored three touchdowns in the regular season, plus another in a playoff win over the Bengals. But he was often the forgotten man on offense last season, finishing with just 226 yards and two touchdowns. A concussion knocked him out for a couple games, but that does not explain his disappearing act. If he can get back on track in 2015, his contract year, San Diego’s offense will be far more dangerous as a result.