AFC West draft grades...
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:06 pm
...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.
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.