AFC West draft grades...

[ChargerMike]

...no real surprises here, with the possible exception of Knowshon Moreno...this pick alone should have moved the Donks ahead of the Chiefs..IMO

San Diego Chargers: B-The Chargers' first four picks were interior players, evenly split on both sides of the ball. English seemed to have come off the board earlier than expected, but of the hybrid DE/OLBs he's probably the most stout against the run and has the most upside. DT Vaughn Martin, although a solid value, is the draft's biggest mystery. He has all the measurables, but he played in Canada and didn't dominate. If Martin lives up to his physical promise, GM A.J. Smith looks like a genius again. RB Gartrell Johnson is the pile mover the Chargers lacked.

Kansas City Chiefs: C+

Like the Rams, this roster is being overhauled, so the draft picks will be asked to contribute early and learn on the job. The Chiefs properly addressed the defense with DE Tyson Jackson, DT Alex Magee and CB Donald Washington with the first three picks. Look for defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast to turn last season's first-rounder, DT Glenn Dorsey, into a Darnell Dockett-like hellion. The offense could be an issue, but coach Todd Haley is about as creative a play designer and caller as there is.

Denver Broncos: C

The Broncos came out of the early rounds with some of the best talent in the draft. It just might not have been at positions they needed to address. TB Knowshon Moreno will bring people to the stadium, but he better score a lot of touchdowns because the defense could still be suspect. DE/OLB Robert Ayers is a big-time pass rusher, but the troubled D-line wasn't addressed with any of the remaining eight picks.

Oakland Raiders: D

The selection of Darrius Heyward-Bey was the head-scratcher of the draft. You just hope Hayward-Bey realizes it's not about him, but the franchise that throws everything about scouting -- other than the 40-yard-dash-time -- into the wind. Thing is, the Raiders needed a wide receiver. Maybe they know something we don't. Or, maybe they'll be back drafting in the top 10 next season, and the season after that, etc.

[Van]

Or, maybe they'll be back drafting in the top 10 next season, and the season after that, etc.

Maybe? That's about as close to being a lock as it gets. The Raiders screwed the pooch on their first two picks. It wasn't just their 1st rounder.

The Raiders should've drafted nothing but linemen.

[ChargerMike]

"The Raiders should've drafted nothing but linemen."

...concur,


Yomarcus Russell

[RJ]

The raiders signed 2 FA linemen (including the Jaguars starting LT) and traded the often injured Jake Grove for Miami's starting center in Satele.


As far as this dumbass thread goes, get back to all of us in 3 years when the grades will truly count. Mike, I distinctly remember the Chargettes getting a B+ in thier 1998 draft from these same tards on the merits of drafting Leaf and Mikheal Ricks with your 1 and 2 picks. LOL.


That exact draft yielded us Charles Woodson, Mo Collins (excellent lineman), Leon Bender (RIP), and John Ritchie with our first 4 picks-yet we got a C.


Seeing a pattern with these hacks yet? Who gives a damn what they grade or think. I can name a ton of busts that these tricks SWORE were going to be pro bowlers. Last year alone, they talked smack on the Raiders for drafting DMAC instead of the biggest bust in that draft: Vernon Gholston.


Like I said-start this thread in 3 years and we'll talk.

[ChargerMike]

"get back to all of us in 3 years when the grades will truly count"


...concur, just reporting James :wink:

[War Wagon]

RJ would be correct.

Nobody can accurately grade any draft of prospects... for at least 3 years. Anything that's said or written at this point is pure conjecture.

[Van]

RJ would be correct.

Nobody can accurately grade any draft of prospects... for at least 3 years. Anything that's said or written at this point is pure conjecture.

Sin,
MA

Sure would make for one boring message board if all we do is wait until events happen and everything unfolds before we speak to them.

Why even discuss the draft at all?

[War Wagon]

Why even discuss the draft at all?

Discuss, conjecture, all you like. It's a moot point now since it's over. You're stuck with who you got and we'll see if they eventually live up to their potential and actually earn those obscene signing bonus's and guaranteed salaries

The NFL draft is like Christmas when you're kid. You're excited as hell ripping open those nicely gift wrapped packages with assorted new games and toys.... One week later, they're buried in the closet.

[Diogenes]

Three years? You guys are a bunch of pussies. Hell, waiting until after preseason is too fucking long.

Sin,

Van.

[Van]

Dio, the next time you learn anything meaningful from pre-season play will be the first.

[Diogenes]

Dio, the next time you learn anything meaningful from pre-season play will be the first.

Quit projecting.

[poptart]

None of the AFC West teams had a draft that really jumps out at you as a "WOW, GREAT JOB," draft.

But as already noted by others, time will tell.

I thought KC would have been better served taking Monroe at #3.
And if they wanted to go defense with that pick, I think Curry would have been the guy.
But they did go defense early in the draft, and that looks wise.
C+

Moreno might be a dynamic player for Denver, but they are so weak up front on defense that it was a curious pick.
They didn't do enough to bolster the weakest link on the team, so I grade them low.
They better score a lot of points this year -- good luck with Kyle O.
D+

Oakland still looks very soft up front and against the run, if you ask me.
Mitchell may help, if he's a player, but was he a reach or not? I dunno.
DT was not addressed and that is a concern.
DH Bey was the #3 rated receiver and Oakland took him #7 overall. hmmmm ...
Al is smarter than everyone else? A gamble.
They passed on young O-Line talent.
C-

San Diego picked English earlier than he was projected.
The Blots look to be building from the inside out -- not a bad idea.
Nothing really jumps out at me about their draft.
C

[Felix]

Moreno might be a dynamic player for Denver, but they are so weak up front on defense that it was a curious pick.
They didn't do enough to bolster the weakest link on the team, so I grade them low.
They better score a lot of points this year -- good luck with Kyle O.
D+

maybe too low, but you're right insofar as bolstering their front seven...Ayers was the only pick in that sense, and with only one full year of play, who knows how he will turn out....why they drafted a TE in the second round is simply beyond me...the dude was never a strong pass catcher, but a hell of a blocker....they could/should have snagged another defensive lineman ....Moreno was a kind of out of the blue pick, but the more I learn about him the more I like him

too many defensive backs and not enough up front....I'd give them a C-