AFC West Drafts - Compare and Discuss

[ChiefRon]

Chiefs
Pick Player Pos Ht Wt College
Round 1, Pick 3 (3) Tyson Jackson DE 6'4" 295 LSU
Pick Analysis:The Chiefs pick up the best 3-4 defensive end on the board with their selection of Jackson. Though the pick was a bit of a surprise, Jackson gives the team a stout player on the edge capable of occupying multiple blockers at the point of attack.
Round 3, Pick 3 (67) Alex Magee DT 6'3" 298 Purdue
Pick Analysis:The former Boilermaker gives the Chiefs a versatile defender capable of playing inside or outside along the line. Magee has some pass-rushing ability and should contribute as a rotational player for the Chiefs as a rookie.
Round 4, Pick 2 (102) Donald Washington CB 6'0" 197 Ohio State
Pick Analysis:Washington is a tall corner but lacks exceptional speed. He came out a year early, plays well in coverage and had an outstanding three-cone time. He may have been better served to stay in school because he's unpolished in certain areas. He may struggle early until he learns the pro game.
Round 5, Pick 3 (139) Colin Brown OL 6'7" 335 Missouri
Pick Analysis:The Chiefs add a promising young tackle to their rotation with the selection of Brown. The former Tiger will provide quality depth for the team as a potential swing-tackle prospect.
Round 6, Pick 2 (175) Quinten Lawrence WR 6'0" 184 McNeese State
Pick Analysis:Lawrence is a speedy receiver who was very productive at McNeese State. He will provide the Chiefs with a vertical threat who can possibly develop into a contributor.
Round 7, Pick 3 (212) Javarris Williams RB 5'10" 223 Tennessee State
Pick Analysis:Williams is a two-year starter who has been productive at the smaller college level. He translates into more of a fullback at the NFL level and he could fill that role with the Chiefs.
Round 7, Pick 28 (237) (From Panthers through Dolphins) Jake O'Connell TE 6'4" 255 Miami (OHIO)
Pick Analysis:O'Connell has good speed and good catching ability. He's athletic and did very well in all the workouts and at his pro day. He'll help fill in for the Chiefs after the loss of Tony Gonzalez.
Round 7, Pick 47 (256) (Compensatory selection) Ryan Succop K 6'2" 218 South Carolina
Pick Analysis:Succop can handle both punting and kicking duties. He played extremely well at times for the Gamecocks. He could solve what has been a problem area for Kansas City in recent years in the kicking game.

Broncos
Pick Player Pos Ht Wt College
Round 1, Pick 12 (12) Knowshon Moreno RB 5'11" 217 Georgia
Pick Analysis:The Broncos eschew their defensive woes to pick the electrifying runner from Georgia. Moreno is a versatile back with outstanding quickness and elusiveness, and he gives the Broncos another weapon in the passing game with his exceptional hands and underrated route-running. With Josh McDaniels' preference for spread formations, Moreno could emerge as a playmaker in his first season.
Round 1, Pick 18 (18) (From Bears) Robert Ayers LB 6'3" 272 Tennessee
Pick Analysis:The former Vol is an athletic edge player with outstanding versatility. As a potential defensive end/outside linebacker, he's capable of stacking the run while also providing some pass-rushing skill off the edge. Though he has been pegged as a "one-year wonder," Ayers was playing the best football of his career at the end of his senior season, and he may continue his ascent as a rookie.
Round 2, Pick 5 (37) (From Seahawks) Alphonso Smith CB 5'9" 193 Wake Forest
Pick Analysis:The ultra-productive ballhawk gives the Broncos another cover corner with big-play ability. Though Smith lacks ideal size and speed, he has an outstanding feel for the game and is an ideal nickel corner in the Broncos' defense.
Round 2, Pick 16 (48) Darcel McBath CB 6'0" 198 Texas Tech
Pick Analysis:The former corner-turned-safety has outstanding range and instincts. Though he isn't polished in coverage, he gives the Broncos a safety capable of playing as their deep middle player. Along with their other additions on the day, the Broncos have added some youth and athleticism.
Round 2, Pick 32 (64) (From Steelers) Richard Quinn TE 6'4" 264 North Carolina
Pick Analysis:The Broncos bypass some intriguing tight end prospects to pick up Quinn. While he's regarded as one of the best in-line blockers at the position, Quinn tallied only 12 receptions in his career. With Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler on the roster, Quinn will spend his initial season serving as an extra tight end in the Broncos' jumbo sets.
Round 4, Pick 14 (114) David Bruton FS 6'2" 219 Notre Dame
Pick Analysis:Bruton has great measurables but he is one of the biggest corners in this year's draft. Despite his impressive drill times, he does not appear as fluid on tape. To succeed in this league, he'll probably have to play in the box. There are also questions about his ball skills. He is the second defensive back the Broncos have selected as they try to improve what was a woeful secondary.
Round 4, Pick 32 (132) (From Steelers) Seth Olsen OG 6'5" 306 Iowa
Pick Analysis:When you draft an Iowa lineman, you know he's technically sound and has been well-coached. Olsen has great strength and can step in and play guard right away. He's similar to Marshal Yanda, who was drafted by Baltimore a couple years ago. He's got strong hands.
Round 5, Pick 5 (141) (From Browns through Eagles through Patriots and Ravens) Kenny McKinley WR 6'0" 189 South Carolina
Pick Analysis:The former Gamecock is a productive slot receiver with outstanding quickness. McKinley is a polished route-runner with good hands, and he'll give the Broncos another athletic receiver to add to their spread formations.
Round 6, Pick 1 (174) (From Lions) Tom Brandstater QB 6'5" 220 Fresno State
Pick Analysis:Brandstater is a big, strong quarterback. He's a good football player who was productive in college at Fresno State. He's got good speed and athleticism for his size and comes from a good college system. He gives Josh McDaniels a young signal-caller to develop over the years, like he did with Matt Cassel.
Round 7, Pick 16 (225) Blake Schlueter C 6'2" 290 TCU
Pick Analysis:Schlueter is a football player, plain and simple. He's very mature and has unbelievable quickness and agility as an offensive lineman. The question for him is whether or not he can keep his weight up. He had one of the best workouts at TCU of anyone in this year's draft.

Chargers
Pick Player Pos Ht Wt College
Round 1, Pick 16 (16) Larry English DE 6'2" 274 Northern Illinois
Pick Analysis:After watching their sack output drop significantly with Shawne Merriman injured, the Chargers add another pass rusher with English. The hard worker gives Ron Rivera a possible replacement for Merriman in the event of a rehab setback, and he gives the team three capable rushers in its 3-4 (Shaun Phillips, Merriman and English). With pass rushers at a premium, the Chargers made a wise choice.
Round 3, Pick 14 (78) Louis Vasquez OG 6'5" 333 Texas Tech
Pick Analysis:The Chargers find a potential replacement for Mike Goff with the selection of Vasquez. The former Red Raider lacks great athleticism, but he's a tough, physical blocker with the strength to move defenders off the ball.
Round 4, Pick 13 (113) Vaughn Martin DT 6'3" 331 Western Ontario (Canada)
Pick Analysis:Martin grew up in Canada and attended college north of the border. Nobody really knows the quality of his competition in college, but he had a great workout at Michigan's pro day. It's ironic that he wound up getting drafted before any Michigan player. He ran a 4.96 40 at 330 pounds and had 44 bench press reps. He gives the Chargers a 5-technique DE and has the bulk to be a nose tackle.
Round 4, Pick 33 (133) (Compensatory selection) Tyronne Green OG 6'2" 309 Auburn
Pick Analysis:Green is a tough guy who was a two-year starter in college. He's a former defensive tackle. He will need to push himself a little harder in the pros and ramp up his work ethic. He'll provide guard depth for the Chargers.
Round 4, Pick 34 (134) (Compensatory selection) Gartrell Johnson RB 5'10" 219 Colorado State
Pick Analysis:Johnson is a strong inside runner. He's a junior-college transfer who came to Colorado State as a tough runner inside the tackles. He had an outstanding bowl game against New Mexico. He's a short-yardage, goal-line rusher who will complement Darren Sproles and LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego.
Round 5, Pick 12 (148) Brandon Hughes CB 5'10" 182 Oregon State
Pick Analysis:The Chargers add a hard-nosed corner with Hughes. The former Beaver is an aggressive corner with the skills to excel as a nickel corner for the team.
Round 6, Pick 16 (189) Kevin Ellison S 6'1" 227 Southern Cal
Pick Analysis:Ellison is a good, solid player who didn't run fast, and that hurt him. But he's still a really smart and instinctive player. Sometimes intelligent players who lack speed are able to read things better, and Ellison is one of those types of players. He works hard and loves the weight room and the film room.
Round 7, Pick 15 (224) Demetrius Byrd WR 6'0" 199 LSU
Pick Analysis:Byrd slid in the draft after being involved in an automobile accident just a week ago. He probably would've been drafted three rounds ago if he was healthy. He could be a developmental project for the future after he recovers from his injuries.

Raiders
Pick Player Pos Ht Wt College
Round 1, Pick 7 (7) Darrius Heyward-Bey WR 6'2" 210 Maryland
Pick Analysis:In a bit of a head-scratcher, the Raiders bypass Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin to select Heyward-Bey. Although the former Maryland speedster recorded the best 40 time (4.30) at the combine, he is raw and unrefined as a receiver. He may eventually develop into a big-time weapon in the Raiders' offense, but he is a bit of a reach as a potential No. 1 receiver.
Round 2, Pick 15 (47) (From Chargers through Patriots) Mike Mitchell SS 6'0" 220 Ohio
Pick Analysis:The Raiders continue to place a premium on speed and athleticism over production. Although Mitchell was regarded as a second day pick in most war rooms, the Raiders nab the workout warrior with their second-round choice.
Round 3, Pick 7 (71) Matt Shaughnessy DE 6'5" 266 Wisconsin
Pick Analysis:The Raiders add another developmental prospect to their defensive line. Shaughnessy has excellent size and strength, but he isn't an explosive player off the edge.
Round 4, Pick 24 (124) (From Patriots) Louis Murphy WR 6'2" 203 Florida
Pick Analysis:Murphy had 77 receptions and a sub 4.4 time in the 40. He's a smooth route runner and projects as a solid No. 3 wideout. He's another speed player for the Raiders. They have Darrius Heyward-Bey for pure straight-line speed and Murphy gives them a good intermediate option. They are giving JaMarcus Russell some weapons. Russell has a big, strong arm and will thrown downfield to these guys.
Round 4, Pick 26 (126) (From Dolphins) Slade Norris DE 6'2" 232 Oregon State
Pick Analysis:Norris is a speed linebacker. He can play in space with his speed and he is another special teams demon. The Raiders have really built up their team speed in this draft.
Round 6, Pick 26 (199) (From Patriots) Stryker Sulak DE 6'5" 251 Missouri
Pick Analysis:Sulak had a lot of sacks in college and has a lot of speed. He is a hybrid-type player who lacks the size to play with his hand down full-time. He is a value pick and in the Raiders' 3-4 scheme, he will probably play strong-side linebacker.
Round 6, Pick 29 (202) (from Panthers) Brandon Myers TE 6'4" 250 Iowa
Pick Analysis:Myers is more of a blocking tight end. He serves as an extra lineman more than as a pass catcher. Iowa does a great job of developing run-blocking tight ends. Myers should help the Raiders' running game.

from nfl.com/draft

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Richard Quinn is my favorite pick

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by sportsshrink

Thx for the help! I got "Obama boy" his $$$

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Where's my cash?

We bet, too.

.

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by sportsshrink

It is absolutely hilarious out here in Donkey land listening to all the local sports commentators and fans about to take the "pitchforks and torches" to McDaniels.

Good. He's a ****ing disaster and a ****ing idiot. He's a smug POS who doesn't know anything and made errors of biblical proportions in our draft. He displayed an amazing disregard for the value of draft picks. The fact that he did not draft a single 3-4 DL (Ayers is a SOLB in the 3-4, IMO) means he is digging his own grave. We are going to get destroyed vs. the run with the front three that is there now. He's digging his own grave with this front three. They can't demand a double team. Let him size up his own casket, I'll even buy him the measuring tape.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by Mecca

I'm not sure any of them are good...the Broncos and Raiders are abysmal however.

Agreed. I haven't been around all day, but you've had some good takes from what I've seen. This draft has been off from what the people around here, and from what the pundits think, but you've given it a fair shake IMO. Nobody really knows how it will turn out. I appreciate you not over-reacting to it. A lot of people look to your opinion to either bash, or worship. I expected you to make shit of it, but like I said you've looked at it pretty reasonably. I hope it turns out good, but there's really no way to tell at this point.

[orange]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Good. He's a ****ing disaster and a ****ing idiot. He's a smug POS who doesn't know anything and made errors of biblical proportions in our draft. He displayed an amazing disregard for the value of draft picks. The fact that he did not draft a single 3-4 DL (Ayers is a SOLB in the 3-4, IMO) means he is digging his own grave. We are going to get destroyed vs. the run with the front three that is there now. He's digging his own grave with this front three. They can't demand a double team. Let him size up his own casket, I'll even buy him the measuring tape.

I guess you're saying the previous coach left him shit on defense. That IS what you're saying, isn't it?

As for whether McDaniels should take Mike Nolan's advice on defensive players to draft or not draft, or whether he should take the advice of fans - well, I'm going to have to go with Nolan.

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by orange

I guess you're saying the previous coach left him shit on defense. That IS what you're saying, isn't it?

As for whether McDaniels should take Mike Nolan's advice on defensive players to draft or not draft, or whether he should take the advice of fans - well, I'm going to have to go with Nolan.

Keep sucking them off and see how much good that does for you. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid. If you think we can go into the season with a DL of Thomas, Powell/Fields and Peterson as your 3-4 DL and be successful, then you have a rude awakening coming to you. They are setting up our LBs for failure. No one on the line commands a double team which is what is needed on the line. These guys are going to get thrown back into the LBs laps on every play. If you thought we couldn't stop the run last year you haven't seen anything yet.

It takes a special talent to go into a draft with a shitload of picks and then proceed to get raped. You can thank our fearless leader, McHoodlum, for that. But like I said, let him dig his own grave. I am certainly not going to stand in his way. Start digging, Josh.

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Keep sucking them off and see how much good that does for you. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid. If you think we can go into the season with a DL of Thomas, Powell/Fields and Peterson as your 3-4 DL and be successful, then you have a rude awakening coming to you. They are setting up our LBs for failure. No one on the line commands a double team which is what is needed on the line. These guys are going to get thrown back into the LBs laps on every play. If you thought we couldn't stop the run last year you haven't seen anything yet.

It takes a special talent to go into a draft with a shitload of picks and then proceed to get raped. You can thank our fearless leader, McHoodlum, for that. But like I said, let him dig his own grave. I am certainly not going to stand in his way. Start digging, Josh.

If Denver was smart, they'd at least full-time the 4-3 another year. Oh wait, this is the team that traded Cutler... LT is going to break the single game rushing record against that D if they do the switch anyways.

[Archie Bunker]

Walterfootball chimes in....

San Diego B
Kansas City D
Denver D
Oakland FAIL

http://walterfootball.com/offseason2009kc.php

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by Archie Bunker

Walterfootball chimes in....

San Diego B
Kansas City D
Denver D
Oakland FAIL

http://walterfootball.com/offseason2009kc.php

Pretty much agree with that.

[Archie Bunker]

They gave the Quinn pick a Z-

http://walterfootball.com/offseason2009den.php

[orange]

2008 Miami Dolphins Analysis: I received tons of hate mail from Dolphins fans when I predicted their team to finish with a 2-14 record last year. One e-mailer called 2-14 a "pipe dream." Apparently, he was correct; Miami was lucky to get that one victory. If Matt Stover hits a 44-yard field goal, the Dolphins would have been the first 0-16 team in NFL history.

Unfortunately, the team isn't out of the woods yet. A zero-win campaign is yet again a strong possibility because Miami simply did not improve itself this offseason, despite the barrage of moves it made. In a situation like this, you really have to feel sorry for the fans. I don't get how "experts" who are paid six and seven figures can screw up this badly.

Projection: 2-14 (4th in AFC East)

http://walterfootball.com/offseason2008mia.php


2008 Atlanta Falcons Analysis: Since the division was created in 2002, every team that finished with the worst record of the four has claimed the NFC South the following year. That trend will come to an end in 2008.

Atlanta fans don't have much to look forward to in 2008, but the good news is that the past is behind them. There isn't much more to analyze. The Falcons stink, but they're done free falling. They can only get better from this point on.

Projection: 2-14 (4th in NFC South)

http://walterfootball.com/offseason2008atl.php



2008 Baltimore Ravens Analysis: Let me state the obvious. The Ravens have a ton of work to do. Even if they develop Joe Flacco quickly, find a legitimate No. 2 receiver and discover that Jared Gaither can be their franchise left tackle, they still need to get younger on defense.

Unless Flacco busts, Baltimore should be back to being a playoff contender in two or three seasons. This year, unfortunately, the team will once again find itself in the AFC North cellar. If the Ravens aren't drafting eighth or higher in the 2009 NFL Draft, I'll be extremely shocked.

Projection: 3-13 (4th in AFC North)

http://walterfootball.com/offseason2008bal.php


I'm SO SCARED that walterfootball.com doesn't like the Broncos' moves.

[Jethopper]

Originally Posted by Mecca

That MSN grader is way to nice, I don't think any of them deserve B's except maybe the Chargers who had some nice value picks.

Omfg, I agree with you for once.

[MahiMike]

Watch out for Knowshon! Best pick of all AFC West teams.

[Buehler445]

I liked the Chargers pick of the RB Johnson. I watched him a bit at CSU and it is hard to tell how fast the guy is because of the talent they played against, but that bastard is BIG and runs HARD. He lowers the boom every play (I saw) and really fights through tackles. I think he could be better at being Larry Johnson than Larry Johnson ever was.
Posted via Mobile Device

[gcbroncos]

if you want to say Denver overpaid for their picks, fair enough, and i am inclined to agree...

but anyone that actually has knowledge of the NFL draft pool cannot deny that Denver added a lot of good football players...and that's never a bad thing...

Knowshon Moreno is almost unaminously considered the best back in the draft...

Robert Ayers can play the run and the pass standing up or down on the line...

Alphonso Smith is the best playmaking corner in the draft...but we clearly overpaid for him...

i could go on but we added 10 players...

Both Todd McShay and Mike Mayock both say that Denver added a tremendous amount of talent to their team...i agree, but we did pay a high price for them...