http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/04/30/nfl...picks-analysis
Kansas City Chiefs: B-
First pick: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State (No. 37)
Other notable picks: KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame (74); Demarcus Robinson, WR, Florida (126); Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford (162)
The Chiefs traded out of the first round, joining the Patriots as the only team not to make a selection on Thursday. They scored Jones on Friday, a defensive lineman with an All-Pro ceiling but an inconsistent motor. What will they get out of Russell? He was terrific in 2013, missed ’14 due to an academic issue and struggled with an injury last year. Robinson is a wild card, too—he served several suspensions during his time at Florida but is a dangerous playmaker in the open field. Hogan may not have been able to hand-pick a better spot; he is a solid fit for Andy Reid’s offense and could bump Aaron Murray from the backup role. Count this draft as a missed opportunity to get younger at linebacker. Sixth-rounder Dadi Nicolas has a long way to go before he can be an impact pass rusher in the NFL. —CB
Oakland Raiders: B+
First pick: Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia (No. 14)
Other notable picks: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State (75); Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State (100); DeAndre Washington, RB, Texas Tech (143)
May as well start with Cook, even if he is almost certainly no better than a backup for the near future. It came as a surprise when Oakland pulled the trigger, but it makes sense: the Raiders were working with an extra sixth-rounder, Cook’s contract will be about $1.6 million cheaper for 2016 than Matt McGloin’s, and the ex-Spartan could drum up his own trade market with a strong preseason or two. The Raiders’ first pick, Joseph, came off the board higher than expected (and possibly higher than deserved), yet there is no question he upgrades the secondary if he stays healthy. Calhoun is a better player right now than second-rounder Jihad Ward, a developing talent. Think of Washington as a younger, more explosive Roy Helu option out of the backfield. GM Reggie McKenzie’s lone regret may be failing to address the cornerback spot. —CB
Denver Broncos: B+
First pick: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis (No. 26)
Other notable picks: Justin Simmons, S, Boston College (98); Devontae Booker, RB, Utah (138); Connor McGovern, G, Missouri (144)
Denver put an end to its off-season-long quarterback conundrum by moving up to nab Lynch, who still found himself available 24 picks after Jared Goff and Carson Wentz landed 1-2. He (eventually) should be a nice fit within the Gary Kubiak offensive scheme; it’s probably Mark Sanchez’s team in Week 1. Second-rounder Adam Gotsis will help replace Malik Jackson—he is coming back off an injury but has definite starter qualities. Simmons, Booker and McGovern are the types of picks that can help keep a team on top. Booker actually may wind up as the Broncos’ starting running back before all is said and done, despite John Elway’s recent financial commitment to C.J. Anderson. Elway did not find a linebacker he liked in the draft. Simmons and Will Parks (sixth round) may help fill the gap, allowing Denver to get creative with multiple safeties. —CB
San Diego Chargers: B+
First pick: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State (No. 3)
Other notable picks: Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas (35); Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State (102); Derek Watt, FB, Wisconsin (175)
The Chargers kept the Bosa pick hush-hush right up until the moment they made it. There is no denying his talent, so this all comes down to whether or not he is as comfortable playing in a 3–4. Henry was a huge get: Ladarius Green left via free agency, Antonio Gates is on his last legs and Henry was this draft’s top TE. Perry and fifth-rounder Jatavis Brown provide talent to an underperforming linebacking corps. The Ohio State product is a good bet to find his way into the starting lineup at some point. Philip Rivers did not get any tackle help during the draft, but Tuerk, if he’s 100%, will stabilize the center spot. Interesting, though, that the Chargers took a lineman coming off injury despite being ravaged by their own health setbacks in recent years. Why is Watt, a fullback, on the notables list? Well, because he blocked for Melvin Gordon in college. Was this a pick made purely to help Gordon bounce back from a bad rookie year? —CB