AFC west Draft Grades

[oaklandhater]

http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NFL/2...8291462064439/

1 of 2

Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa receives his jersey from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the San Diego Chargers with the third overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft on April 28, 2016 in Chicago. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo
Grading an NFL Draft immediately after it occurs is akin to giving your compliments to the chef based on the menu. It will take at least three years before we can truly assess how the 32 NFL teams fared this eekend. But waiting is no fun. As such, let's take a take at which teams appear to have done the best job of filling needs and building for the future via the seven rounds of the 2016 NFL draft.

AFC West Draft Grades: 2016 NFL Draft

Denver Broncos



You have to admire John Elway's aggression in trading up to nab Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch. The strong-armed and athletic passer is also a terrific schematic fit in Gary Kubiak's offense, which calls for lots of bootlegs and some of the quick screens that Lynch used so effectively with the Tigers. Lynch requires patience, however, which means that Mark Sanchez might be the starter for the Broncos in 2016. Patience could be the operative word with the rest of Denver's class, which featured several players coming off injury, including second-round defensive tackle Adam Gotsis (ACL) and running back Devontae Booker (meniscus). Third-round safety Justin Simmons might wind up making the most immediate impact for the Broncos, though Lynch, Gotsis and Booker all have legitimate starting talent, once ready. Of Denver's day three picks, athletic guard Connor McGovern stands out as a good schematic fit and punter Riley Dixon will be given every opportunity to make the roster.

Grade: B

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have won big with freakishly athletic big man Dontari Poe and general manager John Dorsey is hoping to duplicate that success with similarly long and agile defensive lineman Chris Jones, who can play or out in a three-man front. Offering similar versatility is Notre Dame's KeiVarae Russell, who could help at cornerback opposite last year's Rookie of the Year, Marcus Peters, or slip inside to play safety. Either way, Russell's athletic and physicality are NFL-caliber as is Minnesota corner Eric Murray, who popped off tape. Perhaps the most intriguing selection for the Chiefs, however, were wideouts Demarcus Robinson and Tyreek Hill. Each come with character red flags, but Andy Reid's history as a player's coach and the leadership in the locker room in Kansas City could unlock their undeniable talent. Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan is going to make this roster as a fifth-round pick, taking the place of Chase Daniels as Alex Smith's primary backup.

Grade: B+

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders pulled of the major surprises of the first round with safety Karl Joseph at No. 14 overall. Joseph warranted this high of a pick, as he is a fierce hitter, with terrific ball skills and is the consummate locker room guy, but he is coming off a torn ACL, potentially impacting his ability to play right away. Oakland gambled up upside in the second round with former wide receiver and safety turned defensive lineman Jihad Ward, who really turned heads at the Senior Bowl. Third-rounder Shilique Calhoun was a three-time All-American defensive end at Michigan State. His burst, agility and refined hands could make him a very effective edge rusher in the NFL, too. Much will be made of the selection of Connor Cook in the fourth round. Rather than an indictment on youngster Derek Carr, this could be an example of Reggie McKenzie following in the footsteps of Ron Wolf in Green Bay, who was known for investing in young quarterbacks in the hopes of developing them and peddling them for future picks. Vadal Alexander's stock slip in 2015 because he played out of position at right tackle, but Oakland's seventh-round selection could prove a "surprise" if slid back inside at guard, where his lack of agility would be mitigated.

Grade: B

San Diego Chargers

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco fooled us all with pre-draft reports that the club was focusing on other players but instead taking the safer route with the pro-ready Joey Bosa at No. 3 overall. Bosa projected best as a traditional 4-3 defensive end, but it was his versatility, power and instincts that will be put to great use by defensive coordinator John Pagano. Expect to see Bosa line up wide as a stand-up rusher as well as drop down to a defensive end and even slip inside to defensive tackle on passing downs. He lacks the burst and bend most associate with a pick this high, but there is little bust factor with a player this polished. It is easy to be excited about San Diego's next three moves, as well, as the club found a true complement (and eventual replacement) for Antonio Gates with the sure-handed Hunter Henry in the second round, arguably the draft's most versatile offensive lineman in Southern Cal's Max Tuerk in the third and do-everything linebacker Joshua Perry, who was overshadowed a bit by all of the talent at Ohio State but could flourish in Pagano's scheme because of his length and power. Another versatile defender, Jatavis Brown -- a Combine snub -- could surprise, as well.

Grade: B+

[O.city]

Originally Posted by notorious

Exactly.

It's not like the Chiefs didn't have the ammo. A 2nd next year would have done the job.


They didn't want him that bad, though, or they would have got him.

Hell, if he's your franchise guy for the next 10 years and you absolutely believe it, give them next year's first.

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by notorious

Exactly.

It's not like the Chiefs didn't have the ammo. A 2nd next year would have done the job.


They didn't want him that bad, though, or they would have got him.

This is ridiculous. I don't think you understand the Ted Thompson way.

Dorsey is just stingy as hell.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

**** you knowmo you know I'm right

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by oaklandhater

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...e74954377.html

Kansas City Chiefs: C
▪ 2. (37) Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State

▪ 3. (74) KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame

▪ 4. (105) Parker Ehinger, G, Cincinnati

▪ 4. (106) Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota

▪ 4. (126) Demarcus Robinson, WR, Florida

▪ 5. (162) Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford

▪ 5. (165) Tyreek Hill, WR, West Alabama

▪ 6. (178) D.J. White, CB, Georgia Tech

▪ 6. (203) Dadi Nicolas, DE, Virginia Tech

The Chiefs drafted for need, and landed some good athletes. That certainly applies to their first two picks, Jones and Russell, who both fit the team’s profile under general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid; they are plus athletes who check all the physical boxes. A pair of tradedowns landed the Chiefs the some extra picks, which they used to select Russell — a physically-gifted corner with toughness — Ehinger, a technically-sound lineman with good size, and Murray, a fluid corner with toughness and a knack for forcing fumbles. They also added a pro-style quarterback in Hogan, another intriguing cornerback in White and a talented return man with some significant character concerns in Hill. The consternation that pick caused among Chiefs fans on social media alone would warrant a lower overall grade if the rest of the draft wasn’t as solid as it was. Nicolas is lean but he’s very quick off the ball and has some upside as a pass-rushing outside linebacker

Oakland Raiders: A
▪ 1. (14) Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia

▪ 2. (44) Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois

▪ 3. (75) Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State

▪ 4. (100) Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

▪ 5. (143) DeAndre Washington, RB, Texas Tech.

▪ 6. (194) Cory James, LB, Colorado State

▪ 7. (234) Vadal Alexander, G, LSU

The Raiders added a big piece to their secondary by adding Joseph, an aggressive, fast ball hawk to a secondary that has already added Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson this offseason. He has injury concerns and size concerns, but there’s little doubt about the talent. Ward checks the physical boxes, but he has a lot to learn about playing 3-4 defense. Calhoun is an excellent value pick who will add to a increasingly imposing Oakland defense. The Raiders also traded up to get Cook, a nice value pick who adds depth behind Derek Carr. They also landed LSU guard Vadal Alexander in the seventh round, which is much lower than he was widely expected to go.

Denver Broncos: A
▪ 1. (26) Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

▪ 2. (63) Adan Gotsis, DT, Georgia Tech

▪ 3. (98) Justin Simmons, S, Boston College

▪ 4. (136) Devontae Booker, RB, Utah

▪ 5. (144) Connor McGovern, G, Missouri

▪ 6. (176) Andy Janovich, FB, Nebraska

▪ 6. (219) Will Parks, S, Arizona

▪ 7. (228) Riley Dixon, P, Syracuse

John Elway did it again. He improved one of the league’s worst quarterback situations dramatically by leapfrogging the Chiefs and Cardinals for Lynch, a gifted quarterback who is raw but has lots of upside. Elway’s ability to rectify their quarterback situation almost earns the Broncos an “A” on its own, but Denver selected some other intriguing players. Gotsis is a big, strong interior player who will add depth at a position that lost a stud in Malik Jackson to free agency. Simmons is a height-weight-speed guy who could contribute early, while Booker is diminuitive, but productive.

San Diego Chargers: A
▪ 1. (3) Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State

▪ 2. (35) Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas

▪ 3. (66) Max Tuerk, C, Southern Cal

▪ 4. (102) Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State

▪ 5. (175) Jatavis Brown, LB, Akron

▪ 6. (179) Drew Kaser, P, Texas A&M

▪ 6. (198) Derek Watt, FB, Wisconsin

▪ 7. (224) Donavon Clark, G, Michigan State

The Chargers did a nice job finding value and filling in needs. They desperately needed defensive-line help, and they opted to go with Bosa instead of DeForest Buckner. Bosa plays hard, is super-productive and should bring some much-needed edge to the Chargers’ defensive front. The Chargers also landed a really nice player in Henry, a field-stretching tight end who can replace Antonio Gates one day. Tuerk has terrific athleticism for an interior offensive lineman and has lots of upside, though he’s a bit underpowered. Perry is a run-stopper with plus intangibles, while Brown is an intriguing hybrid with nickel skills.

Since when is a 5'11" 219 RB "diminutive?" wtf.


I think the Chargers had an A draft, I think they got starters in the first 4 rounds.

The Broncos had a really solid, probably A- to B+ draft. I think the Gotsis pick was a huge reach, but they got some good value with Simmons, Booker, and McGovern, all of whom might press for starting gigs day 1.


The Raiders I give a C-. I felt like they reached quite a bit except for the solid value they got with Calhoun in the 3rd and Alexander in the 7th. They are making some huge projections with Joseph and Ward holding up to those draft spots. Not addressing CB depth was a bad play IMO. Drafting Washington at all was questionable, especially with Alex Collins on the board at that time too. Not addressing OT nor ILB were also big negatives.